Simply Ubuntu

OMG! Ubuntu is reporting on Canonincal's decision to abandon a separate netbook edition of Ubuntu.

"One of the benefits of the direction that’s been taken with the next release of Ubuntu is that there is no longer a need for a separate netbook edition. The introduction of the new shell for Ubuntu means that we have a user interface that works equally well whatever the form factor of the PC. And the underlying technology works on a range of architectures including those common in netbook, notebooks, desktops or whatever you choose to run it on. Hence the need for a separate version for netbooks is removed."

Given my own experience I'm ambivalent to the passing of Ubuntu Netbook Remix, but nonetheless, I couldn't let it pass without comment.

Sources & References:
OMG! Ubuntu The end of Ubuntu Netbook edition
Canonical Blog Ubuntu Netbook Edition folded into Ubuntu for next release

Tweak Ubuntu or Ubuntu Tweak?

Recently I've been intrigued by comments in one or two threads at the Ubuntu Forums concerning Ubuntu Tweak. Today, a couple of contributors to this thread suggested that Ubuntu Tweak can control changes to the login screen. If true, using this method would certainly be easier than the one that I recommended last May!

Notwithstanding my recent tweaking binge, I've neglected to change the dreary boot-splash and login window on my Karmic machine and the thread prompted me to give this power toy a trial run. Sadly however, the software failed to match my expectations; you can indeed change the login background and computer icon on the greeter, but (in Karmic anyway), your bespoke background is sandwiched between that same turgid Karmic background during the boot sequence.

So, I went back to the drawing board and followed my earlier instructions for changing the boot sequence background. Nonetheless, this is only a partial customization and the dull-looking simple-greeter (aka login window) still spoils the party; I was determined to find a way to brighten the login dialog. That's when I came across another excellent thread at the Ubuntu Forums outlining detailed instructions for customizing the entire boot sequence in Ubuntu 9.10. Authored by Towheed Mohammed, a .pdf version (58 pages) can also be downloaded from here.

The instructions are concise and accurate and Towheed's guide has enabled me to make some pretty natty changes to my login!

Thanks Towheed!

Maximizing Rhythmbox

It seems that I'm always tweaking Rhythmbox and today is no exception!

Since replacing my Gnome-Panels with Avant Window Manager, I've gone without a notification applet (because AWN's is as dreary as Gnome's!) and that's a potential problem with Rhythmbox.

"From Ubuntu Lucid Lynx (10.04) on, when launched Rhythmbox appears as an icon minimized in the notification area." Source

That's all very well, but if you don't have a notification area it's difficult to activate the Rhythmbox window!

Fortunately the fix is simple:

• Open gconfig
• Navigate to apps > rhythmbox > plugins > status-icon and check the window-visible option.

Easy - but it would have been even easier if the development team had put the option in the preferences menu.

Source & References:
Ubuntu Documentation Rhythmbox
Ubuntu Documentation GConfig Editor

Seeking Closure

Recently, I suggested that, if you intend to use Avant Window Navigator (AWN) in place of Gnome-Panels, before deleting your panels, you should ensure that you have a method of rebooting and closing your system.

AWN does provide a Quit-Log out applet in the default install, but don't be lulled into believing that activating this applet is all that you need to do in order to shutdown or reboot from the AWN dockbar: this applet only exits or logs out of the session!

However, you can configure this applet to display the shutdown dialog.

1. Activate the applet by starting the AWN Manager and selecting Applets from the left-hand menu. Scroll down to the Quit-Log out applet and click the Activate button.
   
2. When the applet appears on the AWN dockbar, right-click the icon and select preferences.
   
3. Change the command in the pop-up box to:
   
   gnome-session-save --shutdown-dialog
   
   
   
4. Click the Close button.

Now, when you click the Quit-Log out applet icon on your AWN dockbar, you'll see the shut-down dialog.

If you want to reboot or shutdown before you have configured the button, just open a terminal and type:

sudo shutdown now

to shut your system down, or:

sudo shutdown -r now

to reboot.

By the way, you can change the applet's icon simply by dragging your chosen icon picture file onto the existing icon on the dockbar. This will trigger the Change icon? dialog box.

Make the appropriate choice from the three radio buttons and then click OK.

Using Screenlets

One slight niggle that I have with Avant Window Manager (AWN) on my Karmic machine is the absence of a decent WiFi status indicator. The Notification Area applet looks pretty dreary frankly and, despite searching, I haven't found an AWN applet suitable as a substitute.

A workaround is to abandon the idea of an applet all together and go for a screenlet.

"Screenlets are small owner-drawn applications (written in Python) that can be described as "the virtual representation of things lying/standing around on your desk". Sticknotes, clocks, rulers, ... the possibilities are endless.

The goal of the Screenlets base-classes is to simplify the creation of fully themeable mini-apps that each solve basic desktop-work-related needs and generally improve the usability and eye-candy of the modern composited Linux-desktop. Source

You can install Screenlets from the Ubuntu Software Centre: simply type Screenlets in the search box.

Highlight the Screenlets application; click the arrow on the right-hand-side and then click Install. That's simple enough! Once installed, you can launch the Screenlets Manager from the Applications > Accessories menu. However, in the standard package, you won't find the wireless app that you want; for that you'll need to download an additional application from the User Screenlets section of the Screenlets website.

1. Find the Screenlet that you want from the list on the User Screenlets web page.
2. Follow the instructions from the link and save the .tar file to your Downloads folder (or anywhere of your choice.)
3. Open the Screenlets Manager (Applications > Accessories)
4. Click on Install and select Install Screenlet from the drop-down dialog.
   
   
   
   
   
5. Navigate to your download and click Open.

Now you should find the Screenlet in the Screenlet Manager's application window: select it and click the Launch/Add button to start your new app.

I'm using the WirelessScreenlet2 application for my WiFi needs.

Right-click the Screenlet to set your preferences including the theme and behaviour as well as the network and card.

Sources & References
Screenlets Org Home Page
User Screenlets Home Page

fAWNing over Avant Window Navigator

Perhaps the most notable feature of Linux is its versatility. Distros such as Ubuntu are endlessly configurable and there seems to be an inexhaustible supply of creative people developing applications to customize the user environment.

Of course, tweaking your system with the latest eye-candy is a less risky proposition if you can do your experimenting (and make your mistakes!) on a spare machine first. Doubtless, my recent acquisition has inspired me to explore Ubuntu's potential in greater depth and I can do so without making speculative and potentially disastrous changes to the stable configuration on my desktop.

Recently I added Compiz to both my Ubuntu machines. Whilst the graphics and visual effects are superb, I really wanted to differentiate multiple workspaces in order to improve their utility (in plain language, I was looking for a way to have a different wallpaper on each workspace!). Compiz handles this effortlessly and I was (reasonably) pleased with the results. However, the problem with different wallpapers is that you often need to adjust the window decorations like the dreary Gnome Panels to suit the theme and these panels just don't lend themselves to the task. So, obviously the best thing to do is to get rid of the panels all together and replace them with a dockbar.

Avant Window Navigator

Although I tried a couple of dockbars (including docky and Simbar), I finally settled on Avant Window Navigator (AWN). This application is available from the Ubuntu Software Centre (in both Karmic and Lucid), so there's no requirement to compile the source code. Moreover, it is an intuitive application, that provides for a wide range of customizations.

To install AWN, you'll need to have a compositing manager installed and running (there are several available, including the one that I recommend, Compiz). Also, there are some technical specifications to meet, particularly if you're running an older pc with ageing graphics support (Karmic Desktop Effects, Lucid Desktop Effects).

If your system meets the installation criteria, the easiest way to install AWN is from the Ubuntu Software Centre (type “Avant” in the search box and select Avant Window Manager). I also recommend installing the following packages if they are not installed by default:

• Awn Settings
• python-awn-extras
• awn-applets-c-extras
• awn-applets-python-extras

Once you have installed AWN and configured your launchers (for instance, make sure that AWN is displaying a log-out applet or another method of shutting down the system (a terminal applet perhaps): more of that in another post) and applets, it's time to say goodbye to those dreary Gnome Panels.

If you have more than one panel running on your system, you can right-click all but one and select the delete pane option. You'll get the usual dire warning about your settings disappearing, but just click OK. To get rid of the last panel, open the Gnome Config Editor either via the Applications > System Tools menu or open a terminal and type:

gconf-editor

Navigate to desktop > gnome > session > required_components and delete the value in the panel option. Close the gconf-editor and you are good to go.

I'm currently running everything on AWN that I was on my two Gnome Panels including my bespoke FinchSync launcher.

On first sight, AWN appears a little MAC-centric for my tastes, but configuring it is easy and it is rapidly becoming indispensable – particularly the slick switcher application.

Now, that's really nice!

Sources & References:
Avant Window Navigator Wiki – Home Page
AWN Project Installation Guide
AWN Project Ubuntu Specific Installation Guide

Compiz - Multi-dimensional Eye Candy

Ubuntu provides multiple workspaces as part of its standard installation, but I've always felt that the default behaviour (identical appearance across all workspaces) is an impediment to its adoption. Of course, that's because I didn't know any better!

It is possible to have a different desktop background on each workspaces using a compositing manager called Compiz Fusion. However, to describe this software as a background manager is to do it a great disservice!

"Compiz is an OpenGL compositing manager that use GLX_EXT_texture_from_pixmap for binding redirected top-level windows to texture objects. It has a flexible plug-in system and it is designed to run well on most graphics hardware."

This is no idle boast: Compiz is not only running on my DELL Inspiron 1501, but it is also delivering the graphical enhancements promised on the Compiz Home Page.

"In a nutshell, Compiz is a compositing manager, which means that it enhances the overall user interaction by adding fancy effects to your windows, from drop shadows to awesome desktop effects like the Desktop Cube or the Expo view."

"Awesome" is not overstating the case!

The screen-cap (above) is lifted directly from my laptop. The cube can be rotated in any direction using a USB mouse and any workspace selected. It is no exaggeration to say that that this laptop could barely load Windows Vista a month or so ago, but it is now running graphics that would put most Windows desktops to shame.

The configurations possible from the CompizConfig Settings Manager are bewildering and it has taken me several hours to get to grips with just the basic settings. However, the result is a multi-workspace environment, each with its own background and all accessible using either mouse or keyboard.

To install Compiz on Ubuntu, open a terminal and type:

sudo apt-get install compiz compizconfig-settings-manager compiz-fusion-plugins-extra compiz-fusion-plugins-main compiz-plugins

You may also want the Simple CompizConfig Settings Manager!

sudo apt-get install simple-ccsm

Then, makes sure that the Enhanced features are enabled in the Appearance dialog (System > Preferences > Appearance > Visual Effects). Once done, you'll find the Config Settings Manager under the System > Preferences menu.

Whilst the interface is not particularly intuitive, it is worth persevering. Setting wallpaper and animating the cube will test your patience, but there is help on the Compiz Wiki pages.

Sources & References:
Compiz Home
Compiz Fusion Ubuntu Documentation