Get a KDE Look For Gnome with Oxy-Gnome Icons!
I just found a nice icon theme that others will probably like, its based off of the KDE Oxygen Theme ported over to gnome by Chris Smart
Howto Install:wget http://kororaa.org/oxy-gnome/files/oxy-gnome-080504.tar.bz2
tar xvjf oxy-gnome-080504.tar.bz2
mv oxy-gnome ~/.icons
Alternatively you can install the icons globally by moving the icon folder:
sudo mv oxy-gnome /usr/share/icons/
Enable Icons:
Right Click Desktop->Change Backround->Theme->Customize->Icons->Select oxy-gnome->Close
Let me know what you think, also if you know of any other great icon packages let me know and I'll feature it here giving you credit!
Howto: Install a brand new Dock with expandable menu's for Ubuntu Hardy Heron & Compiz!
Want a really hot OSX like dock that blows simdock and awn out of the water? Well Cairo Dock comes fully loaded with a ton of fun features to play with, including its own widgets, themes, and auto update function! Checkout a youtube video:
And Checkout my screenshots:
Add the repository to System->Administration->Software Sources->Third Party Software->Add:deb http://repository.cairo-dock.org/ubuntu gutsy cairo-dock
Click Reload.
Click here to install if you have apt-url installed with firefox and you added the above repository or:
Open up synaptic:
System->Administration->Synaptic and search for cairo-dock and cairo-dock-plug-ins then click install.
Once Installed you can access Cairo Dock via Applications->System Tools->Cairo Dock
Cairo-Dock has an update function so you will not need a repository or need to download it again
Check here for more plugins and addons
Additonal Documentation is here
Howto: Loop Movie, Video, and Display Screensaver as Desktop Wallpaper in Ubuntu Linux
Want to loop a video clip or movie on your desktop? I did and found a nice little tool that does just that! Check out this easy howto
First lets grab some essential building libraries via the terminal: Applications->Accessories->Terminalsudo apt-get install build-essential libx11-dev x11proto-xext-dev libxrender-dev libxext-dev cvs
Now lets Install xwinwrap:cvs -d :pserver:anoncvs@cvs.freedesktop.org:/cvs/xapps co xwinwrap
cd xwinwrap
make
sudo cp xwinwrap /usr/bin
Now lets start our video/movie as the Desktop Wallpaper!
First find a video/movie you would like to set as your backround and issue this command:xwinwrap -ni -fs -s -st -sp -b -nf -- mplayer -wid WID -nosound "Steal This Film II.Xvid.avi" -loop 0
Now everything should be working fine, if you would like sound, remove -nosound
You can also display Screensavers as your background:nice -n 15 ./xwinwrap -ni -o 0.20 -fs -s -sp -st -b -nf -- /usr/lib/xscreensaver/glmatrix -root -window-id WID
Credit for the screen saver hack goes out to wayne@fsckin
Howto: Make Ubuntu look like fedora with the Nodoka Theme
Click System → Preferences → Theme menu command. In Theme Preferences dialog, choose Nodoka item. Also click on the customize tab then click on icons and select "Echo"
[updated] Upgraded nodoka engine to fedore core 9's and added echo-icon-set from git
I really dont like fedora, but its theme is nice and crisp, check it out, if you dont like it rm -rf :)sudo apt-get install build-essential libgtk2.0-devdpkg -i gtk-nodoka-engine_0.6-1_i386.deb
Install themetar zxvf nodoka-theme-gnome-0.3.90.tar.gz
cd nodoka-theme-gnome-0.3.90/
sudo cp -r Nodoka/ /usr/share/themes/wget http://ubuntu-debs.googlecode.com/files/echoicons.tar.gz
tar zxvf echoicons.tar.gz
sudo cp -R Echo /usr/share/icons/Use theme
Enjoy
-defcon
Amazing Ubuntu Wallpapers
check it out, here is my collection of wallpapers..
Click above on any pic to be directed to my public picasa album
Feel free to comment telling me what you think, also if you have something I can add to my collection let me know!
Convert and Burn DIVX to DVD Easily with Wine & Ubuntu using ConvertXtoDVD
ConvertXtoDVD is a video converter software to convert and burn your videos to DVD. With ConvertXtoDVD and a few clicks you can backup your movies to DVD playable on any home DVD player. ConvertXtoDVD supports most popular formats such as AVI to DVD; Mpeg, Mpeg, Mpeg4, MP4, VOB, WMV, DV and stream formats to DVD. It converts your files into a compliant DVD Video set of files and burns it on a DVD media. The ConvertXtoDvd does not need an external AVI codec download. It uses its own AVI codecs. Looking for free video converter software? ConvertXtoDVD is free video converter evaluation software - a small payment and you no longer have the VSO watermark on the video output. The aspect ratio can be automatically selected or forced to a specific format. The program works for NTSC and PAL video formats and creates chapters automatically. Multiple audio tracks are supported. Version 2 uses a completely rewritten interface with subtitles support and a lot of new settings. VSO ConvertXtoDVD is neither affiliated with, nor using technology from Divx Networks! Key Features:
I used to run this application all the time in windows.. Guess what? You can run it on Ubuntu with wine. There is allot of Converting,Encoding,Burning software for Linux but I love this little application, check it out, let me know what you think. btw the errors in the screenshot do not effect burning/reencoding at all, only the video preview function that sucks anyways :)
I'll hook you up with the full version here
Howto Install:
apt-get install wine
then download and unzip the package and run like windows :)
Here is some info from the ConvertXtoDVD site:
Howto: Completely Transparent Shell on your Ubuntu desktop with Compiz Fusion
I will show how to create a conky'esque transparent shell using only gnome-terminal and Compiz-fusion. Check out the attached screenshots.
First create a new profile in gnome-terminal (Edit->Profiles->New), name it "trans". Set the following characteristics:
Cursor blinks: off
Show menubar: off
Initial title: trans
Dynamically-set title: Isn't displayed
Color scheme: Black on white
Transparent Background: on
Set the transparency down to "None"
The important part here is that now the gnome-terminal is gonna have the title trans. We can now target the gnome-terminal windows that are using trans profile from inside CompizConfig by using "title=trans".
Open CompizConfig (System->Preferences->CompizConfig). Make sure you have the regEx plugin enabled.
Go to the Window Decoration plugin and add "!title=trans" to the Decoration windows field. This will skip adding window borders to our trans terminals.
Go to the Window Rules plugin. Add "title=trans" to the following fields (This will turn the terminals into a widget-like windows):
In the Fixed Size Windows section click add. Use "title=trans" for the the Sized Window field and put the height and width you want for your shells.
Go to the Place Windows plugin, go to the Windows with fixed positions tab, in Windows with fixed positions click add. Put "title=trans" in Positioned Windows field and put x and y coordinates of the default position you want for your shell (top-left corner is 0,0). After they have loaded you can move them by Alt-Dragging them.
To run the transparent gnome-terminal use:gnome-terminal --window-with-profile=trans
dock: avant-window-navigator
widgets: conky
conky theme: http://ubuntuforums.org/showpost.php...&postcount=505
Ubuntu Running Slow?
Get the performance patchset! here on this site
Howto: Customize your own Ubuntu Live CD
This will work for Feisty, and for Gutsy too.
This tutorial is actually based on a bash script. I figured typing commands line by line is far to slow, and mistakes can be made. A script simplifies the operation, and can be modified to taste.
I will first provide a basic script that everyone should find useful. The script can be further modified by simply adding lines of code where necessary.
Here's how you do it:
1 - What you need:
Create a new folder called: live
Download the 7.04 (Feisty) desktop iso and place in the live folder.
Download the Flash browser plugin from Adobe: http://fpdownload.macromedia.com/get...9_linux.tar.gz
Extract the flashplayer.xpt and the libflashplayer.so files and place in the live folder.
You will also need to install a couple of tools onto your computer to make this whole thing possible:sudo apt-get install squashfs-tools mkisofs
2 - The basic script:#!/bin/bash
ubuntuiso=ubuntu-7.04-desktop-i386.iso
customiso=ubuntu-7.04-H12Y-v1.iso
kernel=2.6.20-15-generic
clear
echo Customize Ubuntu LiveCD
echo
echo Script by: Stephen Clark
echo Based on documentation found at:
echo https://help.ubuntu.com/community/LiveCDCustomization
echo
echo "For customizing Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn)"
echo
echo Press Ctrl C at any time to quit
echo
echo -n "Loading squashfs module... "
modprobe squashfs
echo Done
echo
echo -n "Extract iso contents? y/[n] "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "y" ]; then
if [ -e "edit" ]; then
echo -n "Removing existing Desktop System... "
rm -r edit
echo Done
fi
mkdir edit
if [ -e "extract-cd" ]; then
echo -n "Removing existing CD contents... "
rm -r extract-cd
echo Done
fi
mkdir extract-cd
if ! [ -e "mnt" ]; then
mkdir mnt
fi
if ! [ -e "squashfs" ]; then
mkdir squashfs
fi
echo -n "Extracting CD contents... "
mount -o loop $ubuntuiso mnt
rsync --exclude=/casper/filesystem.squashfs -a mnt/ extract-cd
echo Done
echo -n "Extracting Desktop System... "
mount -t squashfs -o loop mnt/casper/filesystem.squashfs squashfs
cp -a squashfs/* edit/
umount squashfs
umount mnt
echo Done
fi
echo
# Place custom scripting here
# Initialize networking and sources
cp /etc/resolv.conf edit/etc
cp /etc/hosts edit/etc
cp /etc/apt/sources.list edit/etc/apt
echo -n "Start package removal? y/[n] "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "y" ]; then
echo
# Not all apps can be purged without dependency problems
# Accept whatever solution aptitude offers
chroot edit apt-get remove --purge ekiga evolution tomboy serpentine f-spot gnome-games bittorrent onboard gnome-pilot gnome-pilot-conduits libpisock9 libpisync0
fi
echo
echo -n "Start package installation? y/[n] "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "y" ]; then
echo
# -q supresses the output to a minimum
chroot edit apt-get update -qq
# sox, vorbis-tools, & mpg123-alsa are for previewing sound files in nautilus
# The gstreamer packages are for codec support
chroot edit apt-get install mozilla-thunderbird sox vorbis-tools mpg123-alsa vlc comixcursors gnome-themes-extras gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad
chroot edit apt-get clean
fi
echo
echo -n "Installing Flash plugin for Firefox... "
# Install flash plugins
cp flashplayer.xpt edit/usr/lib/firefox/plugins
cp libflashplayer.so edit/usr/lib/firefox/plugins
echo Done
echo
# Clean up
rm edit/etc/resolv.conf
rm edit/etc/hosts
rm edit/etc/apt/sources.list
if [ -e "extract-cd/programs" ]; then
echo -n "Remove unwanted Windows applications from LiveCD? [y]/n "
read ua
if ! [ "$ua" = "n" ]; then
echo -n "Removing Windows applications... "
rm -r extract-cd/programs
echo Done
fi
echo
fi
echo -n "Copying wallpaper... "
if [ -f "edit/usr/share/backgrounds/*.*" ]; then
rm edit/usr/share/backgrounds/*.*
fi
cp wallpaper/* edit/usr/share/backgrounds/
cp ubuntu-wallpapers.xml edit/usr/share/gnome-background-properties/
echo Done
echo
echo Setting gconf defaults for wallpaper, mouse, theme, nautilus and panel
# Wallpaper
chroot edit gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --type string --set /desktop/gnome/background/picture_filename "/usr/share/backgrounds/01.jpg"
# Mouse
chroot edit gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --type string --set /desktop/gnome/peripherals/mouse/cursor_theme "ComixCursors-Orange-Large-Slim"
# Theme
chroot edit gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --type string --set /desktop/gnome/interface/gtk_theme "Nuvola"
chroot edit gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --type string --set /desktop/gnome/interface/icon_theme "Nuvola"
chroot edit gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --type string --set /apps/metacity/general/theme "Nuvola"
# Nautilus
chroot edit gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/click_policy "single"
chroot edit gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --type string --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/desktop_font "Sans Bold 10"
chroot edit gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --type bool --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/start_with_sidebar "false"
chroot edit gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --type bool --set /apps/nautilus/icon_view/default_use_tighter_layout "true"
echo
# End of custom scripting
# Putting the CD together
echo -n "Recompile iso? [y]/n "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "n" ]; then
echo
echo The End
echo
exit
fi
echo Compressing filesystem
if [ -e "extract-cd/casper/filesystem.squashfs" ]; then
rm extract-cd/casper/filesystem.squashfs
fi
mksquashfs edit extract-cd/casper/filesystem.squashfs
echo
echo -n "Removing old md5sum.txt and calculating new md5 sums... "
rm extract-cd/md5sum.txt
(cd extract-cd && find . -type f -print0 | xargs -0 md5sum > md5sum.txt)
echo Done
echo
echo Creating iso
if [ -f "$customiso" ]; then
echo -n "Removing old custom iso... "
rm $customiso
echo Done
echo
fi
cd extract-cd
mkisofs -r -V "$IMAGE_NAME" -cache-inodes -J -l -b isolinux/isolinux.bin -c isolinux/boot.cat -no-emul-boot -boot-load-size 4 -boot-info-table -o ../$customiso .
echo
echo The End
echo
To run the script, open a terminal and type:sudo sh ./customize-livecd.sh
3 - A brief explanation:
The first thing the script does is to load the squashfs module. This is necessary for the extraction/compression process to work.
Then it asks whether to extract the iso contents. If you want to start a fresh customization, answer yes. Answering no will save time having to extract everything from the iso again.
There are 3 lines that copy your network settings and the sources.list to enable downloading of packages to the extracted iso.
Then follows package removal and installation. Again, you can answer no to save time if you have already done it. Adjust the packages to be removed or installed to taste.
Then your Flash plugin for Firefox will be copied over.
There are some Windows application on the LiveCD which don't serve much purpose, so they can be removed too making a bit of room.
The next section is for copying any wallpaper over. If you don't want this, delete these 7 lines. If you do, create a folder in the live folder called wallpaper. Copy any wallpaper you want into this folder. If you wish to have these show up in the Desktop Background applet, you can customize the ubuntu-wallpapers.xml and add them. You can find this file in /usr/share/gnome-background-properties/. Make a copy of the ubuntu-wallpapers.xml file into the live folder and alter this copy instead. This will have to be modified by hand using Gedit before running the script. It's quite obvious how to alter the xml file once you've opened it.
The next few lines are for modifying some settings that you can find using the Configuration Editor. It gives you an idea of how to create your own default settings. This can be extended to just about everything you find in the Configuration Editor including setting up a complete customized desktop and panel(s).
Now we come to the part where the whole thing will be put back together and create a new iso.
At the very beginning of the script, you will notice 3 variables. ubuntuiso is the name of the Ubuntu iso you downloaded. customiso is the name of the new iso you will create from this script. kernel is the kernel used in the iso you downloaded. If you're customizing Gutsy, it will be 2.6.22-7-generic.
4 - There are some laptop owners having problems booting the LiveCD due to driver problems. I personally own a Philips X56 which has this exact problem. So, for anyone with a Philips freevents X56, Twinhead H12Y, Avaretec 2460, or Everex Stepnote SA2050, this is the fix:
Download: http://www.fitzenreiter.de/averatec/...16-generic.tgz
Extract the 8139too.ko.2.6.20-16-generic file, copy it to the live folder and rename it to 8139too.ko . Add these few lines to the script:# Patch for Twinhead H12Y notebooks
echo -n "Install patch for $kernel kernel? y/[n] "
read ua
if [ "$ua" = "y" ]; then
echo 8139too PIO from: http://www.fitzenreiter.de/averatec/index-e.htm
echo -n "Removing SDHCI and replacing 8139too MIMO to PIO... "
sdhci=edit/lib/modules/$kernel/kernel/drivers/mmc/host/sdhci.ko
too=edit/lib/modules/$kernel/kernel/drivers/net/8139too.ko
if [ -f "$sdhci" ]; then
rm $sdhci
fi
if [ -f "$too" ]; then
rm $too
fi
cp 8139too.ko $too
echo Done
echo
echo -n "Rebuilding initrd... "
chroot edit mkinitramfs -o /initrd.gz $kernel
mv edit/initrd.gz extract-cd/casper/
echo Done
fi
echo
That's about it.
Microsoft Windows Vista VS LINUX UBUNTU BERYL
This is my favorite demo of ubuntu in action, feel free to post others in the comments and maybe I'll replace this one :)
Howto: Install Ubuntu Studio Theme
Ubuntu Studio is a multimedia editing/creation flavour of Ubuntu. It’s built for the GNU/Linux audio, video, and graphic enthusiast or professional. Because I don’t do audio, video and graphic editing or creation, so I didn’t install Ubuntu Studio. I really like the theme that is used by Ubuntu Studio. So I decide to install the theme into my Feisty Fawn.
1. Edit /etc/apt/sources.list and put this line:
deb http://archive.ubuntustudio.org/ubuntustudio feisty main
2. Get the gpg signature for that repository
$ wget http://archive.ubuntustudio.org/ubuntustudio.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -
3. Run
$ sudo apt-get update
4. If you want to install all the themes that is used in Ubuntu Studio, including gdm theme, wallpapers, icon theme, session splashes and gtk theme use this
$ sudo apt-get install ubuntustudio-look
I did not install the gdm theme and session splashes so u can do this:
$ sudo apt-get install ubuntustudio-theme ubuntustudio-icon-theme ubuntustudio-wallpapers
