Ubuntu setup

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14.04+

Remove Amazon icon

sudo chmod 000 /usr/share/applications/ubuntu-amazon-default.desktop

Disable online search results

gsettings set com.canonical.Unity.Lenses remote-content-search 'none'

Change Deja Dup (Backup) full backup period

gsettings set org.gnome.DejaDup full-backup-period 180
gsettings get org.gnome.DejaDup full-backup-period

General

Set up firewall

sudo ufw default deny

(defaults to blocking all incoming connections)

sudo ufw enable

(enables firewall)

sudo ufw status

Install vim

sudo apt-get install vim
echo "set expandtab
set tabstop=4
set shiftwidth=4" >> ~/.vimrc

(inserts spaces when tab is pressed, inserts 4 spaces, use 4 spaces for indentation)

Disable unnecessary startup services

sudo mv /etc/rc2.d/S25bluetooth /etc/rc2.d/K25bluetooth

Disable update-apt-xapian-index

(used for synaptic quick search function: http://reformedmusings.wordpress.com/2009/06/05/fixing-update-apt-xapian-in-ubuntu-9-04-jaunty/)

sudo chmod 644 /etc/cron.weekly/apt-xapian-index

Configure grub

sudo sed -i.bak 's/^#GRUB_DISABLE_RECOVERY="true"$/GRUB_DISABLE_RECOVERY="true"/' /etc/default/grub
sudo chmod -x /etc/grub.d/20_memtest86+
sudo update-grub

(Optional) Install java jdk and Java browser plugin

sudo apt-get install -y openjdk-6-jdk openjdk-7-jdk icedtea-7-plugin

(Optional) Verify java install

java -version

(Optional) Install Eclipse

Eclipse setup

(Optional) Install Google Chrome

Download ubuntu/debian package from http://www.google.com/chrome

This will automatically install the chrome repository for automatic updates

12.04+

Install updated graphics drivers

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Valve

Enable the system tray

gsettings set com.canonical.Unity.Panel systray-whitelist "['all']"

11.04+

Install broadcom 43 wireless drivers

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/Driver/bcm43xx

  • Depends on chipset. Probably either:

    sudo apt-get install bcmwl-kernel-source

    Or:

    sudo apt-get install b43-fwcutter firmware-b43-installer

Also see:

10.10+

Install aptitude

sudo apt-get install aptitude

10.04+

Change window button locations

  1. Alt + F2
  2. gconf-editor
  3. Apps > Metacity > General
  4. Change button_layout from close,minimize,maximize: to :minimize,maximize,close

Remove the messages indicator applet

sudo apt-get remove indicator-messages

Remove the user indicator applet

sudo apt-get remove indicator-me

Disable unnecessary startup programs

  1. System > Preferences > Startup Applications
  2. Disable: bluetooth manager, evolution alarm notifier, gnome login sound, personal file sharing, power manager (if not a laptop), remote desktop, user folders update, visual assistance