What to do after installing Ubuntu 12.10 Quantal Quetzal

Ubuntu 12.10 Quantum Quetzal saw the light a few days ago. As we do with each release of this popular distro, here are some things you should do after making a installation from scratch.

1. Run the Update Manager

It is likely that after Ubuntu 12.10 was released, new updates have appeared for the different packages that the ISO image distributed by Canonical comes with.

For this reason, after finishing the installation it is always recommended to run the Update Manager. You can do it by searching for it in Dash or by executing the following from a terminal:

sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get upgrade

2. Install Spanish Language

In the Dash I wrote Language and from there you will be able to add the language you prefer.

3. Install codecs, Flash, additional fonts, drivers, etc.

Due to legal issues, Ubuntu cannot include by default a series of packages that, on the other hand, are very necessary for any user: codecs to play MP3, WMV or encrypted DVDs, additional sources (widely used in Windows), Flash, drivers owners (to make better use of 3D functions or Wi-Fi), etc.

Fortunately, the Ubuntu installer allows you to install all of this from scratch. You just have to enable that option in one of the installer screens.

In case you haven't already done so, you can install them as follows:

Video card driver

Ubuntu should automatically detect and alert you to the availability of 3D drivers. In that case, you will see an icon for a video card on the top panel. Click on that icon and follow the instructions.

If Ubuntu doesn't detect your card, you can always install your 3D driver (nvidia or ati) by looking for the Hardware Configuration Tool.

PPA with drivers for ATI cards

I usually prefer the packages that come in the official repositories, but if you are eager to use the latest ATI drivers:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa: xorg-edgers / ppa sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install fglrx-installer

Problems with old ATI cards

Some ATI graphics cards will not work with Ubuntu 12.10 unless you use ATI's "legacy" drivers and downgrade the X server. If necessary, you will quickly find out why Ubuntu will not boot properly. To fix it, run the following commands:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa: makson96 / fglrx sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get upgrade sudo apt-get install fglrx-legacy

PPA with drivers for nVidia cards

Although I do not recommend it, in addition to using the Hardware Configuration Tool to install the drivers for your graphics card, it is possible to install them through a PPA created for this purpose:

sudo apt-add-repository ppa: ubuntu-x-swat / x-updates sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install nvidia-current nvidia-settings

Proprietary codecs and formats

If you are one of those who cannot live without listening to MP3, M4A and other proprietary formats, as well as you could not survive in this cruel world without being able to play your videos in MP4, WMV and other proprietary formats, there is a very simple solution. You just have to click on the button below:

or write in a terminal:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

To add support for encrypted DVDs (all "originals"), I opened a terminal and typed the following:

sudo apt-get install libdvdread4 sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh

4. Install additional repositories

Medibuntu

It is a repository of software packages that cannot be included in the Ubuntu distribution for reasons such as legal copyright, licensing or patent restrictions. Includes programs like: Google-Earth, Opera, Win32codecs, Msfonts.

sudo -E wget --output-document = / etc / apt / sources.list.d / medibuntu.list http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/$(lsb_release -cs) .list && sudo apt-get --quiet update && sudo apt-get --yes --quiet --allow-unauthenticated install medibuntu-keyring && sudo apt-get --quiet update

To add the Medibuntu packages in the Ubuntu Software Center:

sudo apt-get install app-install-data-medibuntu apport-hooks-medibuntu

GetDeb & Playdeb

GetDeb (formerly Ubuntu Click And Run) is a website where Deb packages and more current versions of packages that do not come in the usual Ubuntu repositories are manufactured and made available to the end user.

Playdeb, the game repository for Ubuntu, was created by the same people who gave us getdeb.net, the purpose of the project is to provide Ubuntu users with an unofficial repository with the latest versions of the games.

5. Install help tools to configure Ubuntu

Ubuntu Tweak

The most popular tool to configure Ubuntu is Ubuntu Tweak (although it is worth clarifying that in recent days it seems that its development will end, at least on the part of its creator). This wonder allows you to "tune" your Ubuntu and leave it as you like.

To install Ubuntu Tweak, I opened a terminal and typed:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa: tualatrix / ppa sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak

Unsettings

UnSettings is a new tool for customizing Ubuntu. There are other programs like MyUnity, Gnome Tweak Tool, and Ubuntu-Tweak that do the same job, but this one includes some unique features.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa: diesch / testing sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install unsettings

6. Install compression applications

In order to compress and decompress some popular free and proprietary formats, you need to install the following packages:

sudo apt-get install rar unace p7zip-full p7zip-rar sharutils mpack lha arj

7. Install other package and configuration managers

Synaptic - is a graphical tool for package management based on GTK + and APT. Synaptic allows you to install, update or uninstall program packages in a versatile way.

It is not already installed by default (as they say by space on the CD)

Installation: Search Software Center: synaptic. Otherwise, you can enter the following command in a terminal ...

sudo apt-get install synaptic

aptitude - Command to install applications from the terminal

It is not necessary since we can always use the "apt-get" command, but here I leave it for those who want it:

Installation: Search Software Center: aptitude. Otherwise, you can enter the following command in a terminal ...

sudo apt-get install aptitude

gdeby - Installation of .deb packages

It is not necessary, since when installing the .deb with double click the Software Center opens. For the nostalgic:

Installation: search Software Center: gdebi. Otherwise, you can enter the following command in a terminal ...

sudo apt-get install gdebi

Dconf editor - It can be useful when configuring Gnome.

Installation: Search Software Center: dconf editor. Otherwise, you can enter the following command in a terminal ...

sudo apt-get install dconf-tools

To run it, I opened Dash and typed "dconf editor."

8. Find more applications in the Ubuntu Software Center

In case you can't find an application to do what you want or you don't like the applications that come by default in Ubuntu, you can go to the Ubuntu Software Center.

From there you will be able to install excellent applications with just a few clicks. Some popular picks are:

• OpenShot, video editor
• AbiWordSimple, lightweight text editor
• Thunderbird, email
• Chromium, web browser (free version of Google Chrome)
• Pidgin, cat
• Deluge, torrent
• VLCvideo
• XBMC, media center
• fileZilla,FTP
• GIMP, image editor (Photoshop type)

9. Change interface

To the traditional GNOME interface
If you are not a fan of Unity and want to use the traditional GNOME interface, please do the following:

1. Log out
2. Click on your username
3. Look for the session menu at the bottom of the screen
4. Change it from Ubuntu to Ubuntu Classic
5. Click Login.

In case for some strange reason this option is not available, try running the following command first:

sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback

To GNOME 3 / GNOME Shell
If you want to try Gnome 3.6 with GNOME Shell, instead of Unity.

Installation: search in Software Center: gnome shell. Otherwise, you can enter the following command in a terminal ...

sudo apt-get install gnome-shell

You can also install it from the GNOME Shell PPA, which will surely include more updated versions:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa: ricotz / testing sudo add-apt-repository ppa: gnome3-team / gnome3 sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install gnome-shell gnome-tweak-tool

If you decided to install the Gnome Shell, you may also be interested in installing the Gnome Shell extensions. To install them in GNOME Shell 3.6 run:

sudo apt-get install gir1.2-gtop-2.0 wget -O gs-extensions-3.6.deb http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53319850/NoobsLab.com/apps/gs-extensions-3.6.deb sudo dpkg -i gs-extensions-3.6.deb sudo rm gs-extensions-3.6.deb

cinnamon
Cinammon is a fork of Gnome 3 used and developed by the creators of Linux Mint that allows you to have a lower task bar with the classic Start Menu.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa: gwendal-lebihan-dev / cinnamon-stable sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install cinnamon

MATE

MATE is a Fork of Gnome 2 that emerged as an alternative for GNOME users after the drastic change that this desktop environment underwent when using its controversial Shell. Basically, MATE is GNOME 2, but they changed the names of some of their packages.

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://packages.mate-desktop.org/repo/ubuntu quantal main" sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install mate-archive-keyring sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install mate-core mate-desktop-environment

10. Install Indicators and Quicklists

Indicators - You can install many indicators, which will appear on the top panel of your desktop. These indicators can display information about many things (weather, hardware sensors, ssh, system monitors, dropbox, virtualbox, etc.).

A complete list of indicators, along with a brief description of their installation, is available at Ask Ubuntu.

quicklist - Quicklists allow you to access common functionalities of the applications. They run through the bar that appears on the left on your desktop.

A complete list of quicklists, along with a brief description of their installation, is available at Ask Ubuntu.

11. Install Compiz Settings Manager & some extra plugins

Compiz is the one who makes those amazing stationery that leaves us all speechless. Unfortunately Ubuntu does not come with any graphical interface to configure Compiz. Also, it doesn't come with all the plugins installed.

To install them, I opened a terminal and typed:

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

12. Remove the global menu

To remove the so-called "global menu", which makes the applications menu appear on the top panel of your desktop, I simply opened a terminal and typed the following:

sudo apt-get remove appmenu-gtk3 appmenu-gtk appmenu-qt

Log out and log in again.

To revert the changes, open a terminal and enter:

sudo apt-get install appmenu-gtk3 appmenu-gtk appmenu-qt

13. Remove Amazon results from Dash

You can disable it from the System Settings> Privacy panel. Once there, deselect the option "Include online results."

Another slightly more radical option is to uninstall the corresponding package:

sudo apt-get remove unity-lens-shopping

14. Integrate the web to your desktop

Add your social media accounts

To start, go to the System Settings panel> Online Accounts. Once there, click on the "Add Account" button.

Supported services include Aol, Windows Live, Twitter, Google, Yahoo !, Facebook (and Facebook Chat), Flickr, and many more.

The applications that use this data are Empathy, Gwibber and Shotwell.

web apps

Ubuntu WebApps is a new feature that allows websites such as Gmail, Grooveshark, Last.fm, Facebook, Google Docs and many others, to integrate seamlessly with the Unity desktop: you will be able to search the site through HUD, you will receive notifications of desktop, quicklists will be added and it will even integrate with the messages and notifications menu.

To get started you just have to visit one of the supported sites (we have a complete list here) and click on the "install" pop-up that will appear, as shown in the image above.

15. Ubuntu Desktop Guide

Nothing better than taking a look at the official documentation (in Spanish) for Ubuntu. It is an excellent help for newcomers and, in addition to being very comprehensive, it was written with new users in mind, so it is very useful and easy to read.

You will be able to find information about what's new in Ubuntu 12.10 and information about how to use the launcher to start applications (which can be confusing for those who have never used Unity), how to search for applications, files, music and much more with Dash, how manage applications and settings with the menu bar, how to close the session, turn off or change users and a long etcetera.