Friday, April 29, 2011

To DOs After a Fresh Natty (Ubuntu 11.04) install or a Natty Upgrade

sThe long wait is over! The latest version of Ubuntu operating system 11.04 a.k.a Natty Narwhal is finally released!
"The Ubuntu team is pleased to announce Ubuntu 11.04, code-named “Natty Narwhal”. 11.04 continues Ubuntu’s proud tradition of integrating the latest and greatest open source technologies into a high-quality,easy-to-use Linux distribution. This tutorial will explain How to upgrade from ubuntu 10.10 (Maverick) to ubuntu 11.04 (Natty)"

As I have mentioned in my earlier post, the new version of Ubuntu is using a new interface called the Unity. Great work and presents a lot of promise for a better user experience.
Here are some of the "must do" things after your upgrade or fresh install of Ubuntu 11.04.
  • Install Ubuntu Tweak to help you install common applications you will need.
    • On the terminal, issue the following commands. (or you copy paste).
      • sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tualatrix/ppa
      • sudo apt-get update
      • sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak
  • Add the Medibuntu Repository so you will be able to install codecs and other applications with patent issues.
    • On the terminal issue the following commands.
      • sudo wget --output-document=/etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/$(lsb_release -cs).list
      • sudo apt-get update
      • sudo apt-get --allow-unauthenticated install medibuntu-keyring
        • Note: If the Medibuntu keyring will not install, try:
          • sudo apt-get install medibuntu-keyring
      • sudo apt-get update
    • This will make the applications from the Medibuntu Repository to appear in the Ubuntu Software Center.
      • sudo apt-get install app-install-data-medibuntu apport-hooks-medibuntu
  • Enable the partner repositories in the source.list file.
    • sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
    • Uncomment the following lines:
      • deb http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu natty partner
      • deb-src http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu natty partner
  • Install media application and codecs
    • Install VLC
      • sudo apt-get install vlc
    • Install codec needed to play your multimedia files
      • sudo apt-get install non-free-codecs libxine1-ffmpeg gxine mencoder libquicktime1 flac faac faad sox ffmpeg2theora libmpeg2-4 uudeview flac libmpeg3-1 mpeg3-utils mpegdemux liba52-dev mpeg2dec vorbis-tools id3v2 mpg321 mpg123 libflac++6 ffmpeg libmp4v2-0 totem-mozilla icedax tagtool easytag id3tool lame nautilus-script-audio-convert libmad0 libjpeg-progs
  • Install encrypted DVD support application.
      • sudo apt-get install libdvdcss2
      • sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/./install-css.sh
  • Install flashplugin so you will be able to watch videos and websites using flash
    • for 32 bit architecture
      • sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer
    • for 64 bit architecture (note: use at your own risk, this is a development release.
      • sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sevenmachines/flash
      • sudo apt-get update
      • sudo apt-get install flashplugin64-installer
  • Install Openshot Video Editor. So far the best video editor I have used in Linux
    • You can use Ubuntu Tweak to install this or
      • sudo add-apt-repository ppa:jonoomph/openshot-edge
      • sudo apt-get update
      • sudo apt-get install openshot openshot-doc
  • Install Instant Messengers. Although empathy is good enough, you may want to use pidgin and skype
    • sudo apt-get install pidgin
    • sudo apt-get install skype (make sure the partner repositories are enabled)
  • Install the latest JRE (Java runtime environment). This is needed by some applications.
    • sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ferramroberto/java
    • sudo apt-get update
    • sudo apt-get install sun-java6 sun-java6-plugin sun-java6-fonts
  • Install archive management applications:
    • sudo apt-get install unace unrar zip unzip p7zip-full p7zip-rar sharutils rar uudeview mpack lha arj cabextract file-roller
  • Install Gimp and/or Pinta. These image editors allow you to create, edit images like the pro does.
    • Gimp. You can install this using Ubuntu-tweak or by the following commands.
      • sudo -add-apt-repository ppa:matthaeus123/mrw-gimp-svn
      • sudo apt-get update
      • sudo apt-get install gimp gimp-data gimp-plugin-registry gimp-data-extras
    • Pinta
      • sudo add-apt-repository ppa:nilarimogard/webupd8
      • sudo apt-get update
      • sudo apt-get install pinta
  • Install CompizConfig Settings Manager so you will be able to tweak Unity at your own taste
    • sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager
  • Make LibreOffice use the Global Menu bar
    • sudo apt-get install lo-menubar
  • If you want to have a weather indicator in your panel, Unity does not have it by default. To display weather indicator:
    • sudo apt-get install indicator-weather
    • after the installation, you can run it from dash by pressing the Super key and type weather. Double-lick the icon to run the appllication.
  • Unity2D - If your computer is quite old and the graphics will not be able to support the Unity, don't despair yet. You can still use the Unity by installing the Unity2D.
    • sudo add-apt-repository ppa:unity-2d-team/unity-2d-daily
    • sudo apt-get update
    • sudo apt-get install unity-2d
If you cannot adjust using the Unity interface, you can always use the Gnome2 Interface. But I tell, don't dismiss the Unity without giving it a try. It's really nice. Or you can try installing the new Gnome3 Shell. But note that once you install the Gnome3 Shell, your Unity will not be working anymore. As of the moment, the two desktop environment can't just co-exist.

You can download the installer here for the 32bit architecture and here for the 64bit architecture.


No comments:

Post a Comment