Ubuntica - The ultimate Ubuntu guides, resources and tutorials » Desktop

Ubuntu Dragon Wallpaper

admin — Fri, 19 Mar 2010 09:20:02 +0000

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Ubuntu Bokeh Wallpaper

admin — Mon, 15 Mar 2010 09:22:48 +0000

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Nautilus Make Over

admin — Tue, 09 Mar 2010 08:29:46 +0000

Nautilus, the default file manager for the Ubuntu Gnome desktop, it is undoubtedly a simple looking yet powerful file manager. The nautilus interface however is lagging behind the brilliant progress that Linux interfaces are making. Ian “ Izo” Cylkowski has taken the initiative to re imagine an updated Nautilus interface. The result is an even more powerful yet highly user friendly file manager that just looks great!

The Current Nautilus analysis

Ian explains in his article the various redundant user controls employed by Nautilus that hinder an intuitive user experience.

His proposal

A revamped Nautilus interface that employs the principals outlined in his analysis. He further goes on to suggest Zeitgeist integration right into nautilus. For those unfamiliar with Zeitgeist, it is a file activity monitor that tracks you file usage, which is great for tracking productivity and activity.

These updates all look mighty mouth watering, they could very well make their way into mainstream nautilus very soon, which will raise the bar once again on the quality and originality Linux has to offer

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Ubuntu Interface Tweaks

admin — Tue, 23 Feb 2010 11:27:50 +0000

Linux and specifically Ubuntu is almost infinitely customizable, true to it’s GPL nature, it gives you full freedom to truly make your operating system yours. The graphic interface tools available on Ubuntu provide quite a fine grained ability to customize almost every facet of your graphical interface. However there are a few extra tweaks that can only be done by digging into the systems setting.

Edit the Metacity transparency of inactive windows

This trick involves editing Gcong values. Simple hit ALT+F2 and type:

gconf-editor

Which will start the Gconf editor application which contains most Gnome application settings. Navigate to /apps/gwd/, under the metacity_theme_opacity field you can edit the value that determines the window’s inactive title bar transparency, ranging from 0 which is full transparency to 1 which is full opacity

Edit/add/remove Metacity Buttons

Again this trick involves the Gconf editor, to launch the gconf editor; ALT-F2 and type

gconf-editor

Navigate to apps/metacity, under the button layout field you can alter the order of your window’s or buttons, add or remove them

Remove Gnome panel shadows

This trick requires the compiz config manager, to install it (if you haven’t already done so) open the terminal and copy the following command:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

After the installation is complete launch the Compiz setting manager (System >> Preference >> Compiz Config Settings Manager). Activate the the ‘windows decoration’ plugin, then open it’s setting and under the shadow windows field at the bottom enter:

(any) & !(class=Gnome-panel)

Which will remove the gnome panel shadow, perfect for those who wish to have a seamless visual integration between a 100% transparent panel and their wallpaper

Add vista like Blur to transparent Emerald window borders

Again this trick requires compiz, open you compiz config manager (see above for installation instruction). Activate the ‘Blur Windows’ plugin. Then enter the plugin’s settings and edit the blur to your preference. Note that this plugin requires extra graphics processing power, therefore you should only apply this effect on a reasonably powerful machine.

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Gnomenu – A Shiny Main Menu Alternitive

admin — Wed, 17 Feb 2010 16:59:25 +0000

Gnomenu is a good looking and extensively customizable alternative to the standard Gnome menu available on the Ubuntu Operating system. The default Gnome menu is by all means extremely functional and easy to use, however it does lack a distinct aesthetic signature most commonly found on other operating system main menus.

It in true open source spirit Gnomenu is extremely customizable, and there is an array of community contributed themes available at Gnome-Look.org. The Gnome Menu is essentially a panel applet that easily attaches to your gnome panel. Many tasks can be done via the Gnome menu, such as quickly opening your network connections to powering down your PC.

Furthermore, Gnomenu themes support transparency which greatly adds to the eye candy potential of this powerful main menu applet. The default theme is Lancelot (KDE main menu theme), but switching themes is quite simple as Gnomenu comes with a dozen more pre installed. Unfortunately however Gnomenu does not support drag and drop, therefore adding and removing items is not as intuitive as the default Gnome menu

Installing Gnomenu in Ubuntu is quite simple in fact, as it’s already in the Ubuntu repositories, simply copy the command bellow into your terminal and your done!

sudo apt-get install gnomenu

Once installed simply right click on your Gnome panel and add the Gnomenu aplet.

Ubuntica - The ultimate Ubuntu guides, resources and tutorials » Desktop

Ubuntu Dragon Wallpaper

Ubuntu Bokeh Wallpaper

Nautilus Make Over

Ubuntu Interface Tweaks

Edit the Metacity transparency of inactive windows

Edit/add/remove Metacity Buttons

Remove Gnome panel shadows

Add vista like Blur to transparent Emerald window borders

Gnomenu – A Shiny Main Menu Alternitive

Ubuntu 10.04 Proposed Artwork Update

Ice – Wallpaper