Ubuntu Desktop

Tips for using Ubuntu Desktop

Where to put environment variables

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/EnvironmentVariables

Global (for everyone)

/etc/environment : not a script, only assignment expressions, note: variable expansion does not work here

/etc/profile.d/*.sh : executed whenever a bash login shell is entered (GUI not included)

CAUTION: incorrect script, such as incorrect PATH (use ; not :) can result user cannot login from graphic interface

DO NOT USE: /etc/profile; /etc/bash.bashrc

User

.bash_aliases : although the reference does not suggest, this is the place

Remove Folders in Files Browser "Places"

I don't really want folders such as "Video" "Music" occupy the sidebar. Here the solution

http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=2222410

(1) stop the system resetting this file:

echo "enabled=false" > ~/.config/user-dirs.conf

(2) edit the file ~/.config/user-dirs.conf

cannot add folders (add folder by bookmark), but remove folders (except for Desktop) works.

Add / Edit Applications on Launcher

http://askubuntu.com/questions/13758/how-can-i-edit-create-new-launcher-items-in-unity-by-hand

1. Install package alacarte
2. Start "Main Menu" by searching in dash
3. Add a new item. Change icon by clicking the icon and find the icon file
4. Launch it and keep it on launcher

http://askubuntu.com/questions/13758/how-can-i-edit-create-new-launcher-items-in-unity-by-hand

Launcher items' .desktop files can be found at

• /usr/share/applications
• ~/.local/share/applications

Compiz Config Setting Manager

Some plugins require "compiz-plugins-extra" installed

My tweaks:

• Accessibility - None
• Desktop
  • Expo - enable Super+S
  • Desktop Wall - enable keyboard switch between desktops
  • Ubuntu Unity Plugin - key binding to show launcher, etc.
• Effects - Animations (as is)
• Exras
  • Annotate - may be useful
  • Thumbnail window previews
• Image loading - default (as is)
• Utility
  • Scale Addons - very useful for showing window title when in scale, and set the font size
• Window Management (most useful features)
  • Grid
  • Move Window - Alt + mouse 1 to move
  • Place Windows - to place starting window smartly
  • Resize Window - Alt + mouse 2
  • Ring Switcher / Shift Switcher / Static Switcher - additional switchers
  • Workspace Naming - enable display of workspace name briefly

Useful Keys

Alt+F1 : show launcher

super+w : easily select all windows

super+s : select window

When Desktop Freeze

See https://sites.google.com/site/bingsite/system-installation-settings/ubuntu-desktop/freeze-during-bootup

VPN

This is only a note for my configuration, not a general one.....

For 13.10:

• Add -> Cisco Compatible VPN
• Set
  • Connection Name
  • Gateway / User name / password / group name / group password
  • IPv4 settings method: Automatic (VPN) addresses only
  • DNS server: 8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4 (google public DNS)
  • Routes: Clear "use this connection only for resources on its network"
• Check 'route -n' should find entry like:

Destination Gateway Genmask Flags Metric Ref Use Iface

0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 0.0.0.0 U 0 0 0 tun0

HP Printers

Install "hplip" and "hplip-gui"

Run "hp-setup"

Best tools

PDF Editing : https://github.com/xournalpp/xournalpp free, open source, text, highlight, free drawing etc. Good enough

Tried:

• Okular - very stable, very easy to use annotations. only downside is annotation does not support non-latin
• Foxit PDF reader - freeze
• Scribus - too complex to use