Ubuntu:Feisty/TipsAndTricks

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Tips And Tricks

How to enable lame for FFMPEG (needed to encode FLV with sound)

KINO FLVs silent? You need to recompile FFMPEG with LAME enabled. FFMPEG can be installed via apt-get as a package, but is not able encode MP3, which is the audio stream in FLV video (like Google & YouTube).

  • Ensure Ubuntu Universe repository is selected #How to add extra repositories
  • Download and install lame liblame-dev and gcc packages (mp3 encoder + GNU compiler collection) 
sudo apt-get build-dep ffmpeg
sudo apt-get install liblame-dev libfaad2-dev libfaac-dev libxvidcore4-dev liba52-0.7.4 \
liba52-0.7.4-dev libx264-dev libdts-dev libgsm1-dev libvorbis-dev libdc1394-13-dev \
checkinstall build-essential gcc
  • Download and extract FFMPEG source to current working directory 
cd /usr/local/src
sudo apt-get source ffmpeg
  • Compile FFMPEG from source 
cd ffmpeg-*
sudo ./configure --enable-gpl --enable-pp --enable-vorbis --enable-libogg \
--enable-a52 --enable-dts --enable-dc1394 --enable-libgsm --disable-debug \
--enable-mp3lame --enable-faad --enable-faac --enable-xvid --enable-pthreads \
--enable-x264

maybe try instead = 
sudo ./configure --enable-gpl --enable-pp --enable-libvorbis --enable-libogg \
--enable-liba52 --enable-libdts --enable-dc1394 --enable-libgsm --disable-debug \ 
--enable-libmp3lame --enable-libfaad --enable-libfaac --enable-xvid --enable-pthreads \
--enable-x264


sudo make
sudo checkinstall [accept defaults, set version to 3:0.cvs20060823-3.1ubuntu2]

If during the make it dies at 'x264.c:147: error: `struct <anonymous>` has no member name `i_rf_constant` you need to do the following. Open libavcodec/x264.c and goto line 147. Change 'i_rf_constant' to 'f_rf_constant' and retry.

If an application you are using employs FFMPEG to encode FLV, it should now work properly. You can also call FFMPEG directly from the command line. The extension/suffix of the outfile tells FFMPEG which audio or video format to encode to. 

ffmpeg [-i infile] [outfile]

How to enable smooth fonts 

gedit ~/.fonts.conf
  • Paste in this text after the declaration <?xml version='1.0' ?><!DOCTYPE fontconfig SYSTEM "fonts.dtd">: 
<fontconfig>
<match target='font' >
<edit name='autohint' mode='assign' >
<bool>true</bool>
</edit>
</match>
</fontconfig>
  • You’ll have to log out and back in to see the difference.

How to Install Tor to Surf Anonymously in Ubuntu Feisty with Firefox

If you want to Surf Anonymously in Ubuntu Feisty check this guide

How to restart GNOME without rebooting computer

If these instructions did not work, read #System requests (What to do if your system is unresponsive)

How to turn on Num Lock on GNOME startup 

sudo apt-get install numlockx
sudo cp /etc/X11/gdm/Init/Default /etc/X11/gdm/Init/Default_backup
gksudo gedit /etc/X11/gdm/Init/Default
  • Find this line 
...
exit 0
  • Add the following lines above it 
if [ -x /usr/bin/numlockx ]; then
 /usr/bin/numlockx on
fi

How to remap the Caps Lock key as another Control key 

gksudo gedit /etc/console-tools/remap

In the Console

  • Change 
#s/keycode  58 = Caps_Lock/keycode  58 = Control/;

to 

s/keycode  58 = Caps_Lock/keycode  58 = Control/;
  • Save your work 
sudo /etc/init.d/console-screen.sh
  • Try using it

In X Windows 

gksudo gedit ~/.Xmodmap
  • Add this: 
keycode 66 = Control_L
clear Lock
add Control = Control_L
  • Now, apply the changes. 
xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap
  • To apply them on startup
    • If ~/.xinitrc does not exist, 
cp /etc/X11/xinit/xinitrc ~/.xinitrc
  • In all cases 
gedit ~/.xinitrc
  • Make the first line this: 
xmodmap ~/.Xmodmap
  • Restart X-Windows
  • Log In, a dialog should pop up, add .Xmodmap to the left side with the add button, and Save.

Howto upgrade kernel(2.6.22-9-generic) in Feisty Fawn

If you want to Upgrade kernel in Ubuntu Feisty Fawn

How to Convert a .nrg (Nero) file to a .iso file

If you want to Convert a .nrg (Nero) file to a .iso file check the following link

How to run programs on startup when login into GNOME

  • System -> Preferences -> Sessions
  • Sessions 
Startup Programs Tab -> Add/Edit/Delete

How to speed-up your Ubuntu box

  • NOTE*

INCORRECT LINK

How to switch to Console mode in GNOME

  • To switch to Console mode 
Press 'Ctrl + Alt + F1' (F2 - F6)
  • To switch between consoles in Console mode 
Press 'Alt + F1' (F2 - F6)
  • To switch back to GNOME mode 
Press 'Alt + F7'

How to disable Ctrl+Alt+Backspace from restarting X in GNOME and KDE 3.5.x 

sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup
gksudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
  • Append the following lines at the end of file 
Section "ServerFlags"
	Option		"DontZap"		"yes"
EndSection

How to enable Ctrl+Alt+Del to open System Monitor in GNOME 

gconftool-2 -t str --set /apps/metacity/global_keybindings/run_command_9 "<Control><Alt>Delete"
gconftool-2 -t str --set /apps/metacity/keybinding_commands/command_9 "gnome-system-monitor"

How to refresh GNOME desktop 

killall nautilus

How to refresh GNOME panel 

killall gnome-panel

How to enable autosave in Gedit and disable creation of some_file~ files

  • Applications -> System Tools -> Configuration Editor
  • Configuration Editor 
/ -> apps -> gedit-2 -> preferences -> editor -> save -> create_backup_copy (Unchecked)
/ -> apps -> gedit-2 -> preferences -> editor -> save -> auto_save (Checked)

How to show all hidden files/folders in Nautilus

  • Places -> Home Folder
  • To temporary show all hidden files/folders in Nautilus 
Press 'Ctrl + H'
  • To permanently show all hidden files/folders in Nautilus 
Edit Menu -> Preferences

Views Tab -> Default View -> Show hidden and backup files (Checked)

How to browse files/folders as root user in Nautilus 

sudo nautilus
  • To add File Browser(Root) to panel 
gksudo gedit /usr/share/applications/Nautilus-root.desktop
    • Insert the following lines into the new file 
[Desktop Entry]
Name=File Browser (Root)
Comment=Browse the filesystem with the file manager
Exec=gksudo "nautilus --browser %U"
Icon=file-manager
Terminal=false
Type=Application
Categories=Application;System;
  • To browse files/folders as root user in Nautilus
    • Applications -> System Tools -> File Browser (Root)

How to install a "View in Terminal" Menu for Nautilus 

sudo apt-get install nautilus-open-terminal
  • Nautilus -> Right-click on folder or background -> Open in Terminal

How to change default file type "Open with" program 

Right click on file -> Properties

Open With Tab -> Add
Select "Open with" program

Select "Open with" program (Checked)

How to change preferred email client to Mozilla Thunderbird 

Mail Reader Tab -> Default Mail Reader -> Command: mozilla-thunderbird %s

How to open files as root user via right click 

gedit $HOME/.gnome2/nautilus-scripts/Open\ as\ root
  • Insert the following lines into the new file 
for uri in $NAUTILUS_SCRIPT_SELECTED_URIS; do
	gksudo "gnome-open $uri" &
done
  • Save the edited file 
Places -> Home -> View -> Show Hidden Files -> .gnome2 -> nautilus-scripts -> Right click on Open as root -> 
Properties -> Permissions -> Execute

Right click on file -> Scripts -> Open as root

How to disable beep sound in Terminal mode

Not for Dapper---- firingstone

  • Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal
  • Terminal 
Edit Menu -> Current Profile...

General Tab -> General -> Terminal bell (Un-Checked)

How to change backspace behavior in Mozilla Firefox to do page back instead of page up

  • In the adress bar in Firefox type: 
  about:config
  • Search for 'browser.backspace_action' in the list
  • Change the value from 1 to 0 by doubleclicking on the number
  • Restart Firefox

How to handle mms protocol in Mozilla Firefox


  • Open your firefox.
  • Type as url: about:config

Now just right click somewhere into the main window. A little box with options to choose will appear. Choose "new", then "string". Then copy the following line into the appearing text field: 

network.protocol-handler.app.mms

Into the next text field copy this: 

/usr/bin/X11/vlc

Now you do the same thing again, but this time you do not choose "string" but "boolean", and the line to copy is: 

network.protocol-handler.external.mms

Then set 

true

How to handle rtsp (realmedia) protocol in Mozilla Firefox


  • Open your firefox.
  • Type as url: about:config

Now just right click somewhere into the main window. A little box with options to choose will appear. Choose "new", then "string". Then copy the following line into the appearing text field: 

network.protocol-handler.app.rtsp

Into the next text field copy this: 

/usr/bin/X11/realplay

Now you do the same thing again, but this time you do not choose "string" but "boolean", and the line to copy is: 

network.protocol-handler.external.rtsp

Then set 

true

How to load Web site faster in Mozilla Firefox

  • Applications -> Internet -> Firefox Web Browser
  • Mozilla Firefox 
Address Bar -> about:config

Filter: ->
network.dns.disableIPv6 -> true
network.http.pipelining -> true
network.http.pipelining.maxrequests -> 8
network.http.proxy.pipelining -> true
  • Restart Mozilla Firefox

How to disable beep sound for link find function in Mozilla Firefox

  • Applications -> Internet -> Firefox Web Browser
  • Mozilla Firefox 
Address Bar -> about:config

Filter: -> accessibility.typeaheadfind.enablesound -> false
  • Restart Mozilla Firefox

How to install Flock Web Browser in Ubuntu

How to install/uninstall .deb files

  • To install .deb file 
sudo dpkg -i package_file.deb
  • To uninstall .deb file 
sudo dpkg -r package_name

How to find out which version of a package I have installed 

dpkg -l packagename

How to convert .rpm files to .deb files 

sudo alien -d package_file.rpm

How to compile .deb files from source

  • Read #How to add extra repositories
  • There are various programs available to help automate the process of create .deb files from source. For more information, see the links at the end of this section. A basic well tested method is described here.
  • Install the necessary software to build the source (build-essential may be all that is necessary, though there may be other dependencies) and checkinstall (which creates deb files). 
sudo apt-get install checkinstall build-essential
  • In the directory where you have extracted the source, after you have run ./configure and make you can create a .deb file and install it with either of the following commands. The second -D option creates a .deb file in the directory that you can share with others or install without needing the source. 
sudo checkinstall

or 

sudo checkinstall -D

How to rename all files in directory at once

  • To install "mvb" file name renamer 
wget -c http://easylinux.info/uploads/mvb_1.6.tgz
sudo tar zxvf mvb_1.6.tgz -C /usr/share/
sudo chown -R root:root /usr/share/mvb_1.6/
sudo ln -fs /usr/share/mvb_1.6/mvb /usr/bin/mvb
  • To rename all files in directory at once 
mvb NEW_NAME

How to manipulate all image files in directory at once 

sudo apt-get install imagemagick
wget -c http://easylinux.info/uploads/bbips.0.3.2.sh
sudo cp bbips.0.3.2.sh /usr/bin/bbips
sudo chmod 755 /usr/bin/bbips
  • To manipulate all image files in directory at once 
bbips

How to set System-wide Environment Variables 

sudo cp -p /etc/profile /etc/profile_backup
sudo gedit /etc/profile
  • Append the System-wide Environment Variables at the end of file
  • Save the edited file

How to save "man" outputs into files 

man command | col -b > file.txt

How to force GDM to system beep when login screen ready

  • This is useful on computers where headphones are usually plugged in, allowing them to utilize the speakers for this attention-getting task. 
echo foo >> ~/foo.wav
  • System -> Administration -> Login Window -> Accessibility

Now make sure the "Login Screen Ready" check mark is checked. Click on the folder icon and navigate to your home folder and select "foo.wav". 

rm foo.wav

The drop down menu should now say "(None)"

Clean up Ubuntu GNU/Linux System

How to clean /tmp/ folder contents on shutdown 

sudo cp /etc/init.d/sysklogd /etc/init.d/sysklogd_backup
gksudo gedit /etc/init.d/sysklogd
  • Find this section 
...
 stop)
  log_begin_msg "Stopping system log daemon..."
  start-stop-daemon --stop --quiet --oknodo --exec $binpath --pidfile $pidfile
  log_end_msg $?
...
  • Add the following line below it 
  rm -fr /tmp/* /tmp/.??*
  • Save the edited file

How to scroll up and down to view previous outputs in Console mode

  • To scroll up to view previously outputs 
Press 'Shift + Page Up'
  • To scroll down to view previously outputs 
Press 'Shift + Page Down'

How to find out which version of Ubuntu I am using 

cat /etc/issue

How to set up (automatic) background/wallpaper-changer application for GNOME

  • You must have Python installed (python package in Synaptic Package Manager, or from the command line): 
sudo apt-get install python
  • Method 1 uses a simple Python script named change-wallpaper.py:
  • Download and rename the python script change-background-py and make it executable: 
wget http://oracle.bridgewayconsulting.com.au/~davyd/misc/change-background-py.html
mv change-background-py.html change-background.py
chmod +x change-background.py
  • Create a folder for your wallpapers and make a link (in your home directory) to it named .backgrounds: 
mkdir ~/wallpapers
gksudo ln -s ~wallpapers ~/.backgrounds
or make a link (in your home directory) named .backgrounds to your /usr/share/backgrounds folder: 
gksudo ln -s /usr/share/backgrounds ~/.backgrounds
  • Create a menu entry for wallpaperchanger: 
Right Click on Applications-> Edit Menus -> File -> Accessories -> New item
Name: Wallpaper changer
Command: ~/change-background.py (or python ~/change-background.py)
  • Change desktop background every time you reboot your computer: 
System -> Preferences -> Session -> Startup Programs
Add: ~/change-backgrounds.py  (or python ~/change-backgrounds.py)
  • To change the desktop background every X minute of the hour: 
crontab -e
In the opened file enter: 
X * * * * * python ~/change-backgrounds.py
1 as X would mean: every hour:01. For every minute, just use * as X.
To exit: press ctrl+x, y
  • Method 2 uses a more complex Python script named wallpaperchanger.py:
  • To install the script into a different location than your home directory, replace "~" with your path 
cd ~
wget http://members.chello.at/horst.jens/files/wallpaperchanger.py
chmod +x wallpaperchanger.py
~/wallpaperchanger.py
gedit ~/.wallpaperchanger/wallpaperchangerconfig.py
  • Edit all the lines not beginning with an "#": 
gksudo gedit wallpaperchangerconfig.py
  • Create a menu entry for wallpaperchanger: 
Right Click on Applications-> Edit Menus -> File -> Accessories -> New item
Name: wallpaperchanger
Command: ~/wallpaperchanger.py
  • Change desktop background every time you reboot your computer: 
System -> Preferences -> Session -> Startup Programs
Add: ~/wallpaperchanger.py
  • To change the desktop background every X minute of the hour: 
crontab -e
In the opened file enter: 
X * * * * * python ~/wallpaperchanger.py
1 as X would mean: every hour:01. For every minute, just use * as X.
To exit: press ctrl+x, y


How to add keyboard layouts for other languages

  • Go to System -> Preferences -> Keyboard
  • Choose Layouts
  • Press Add... to add the secondary keyboard layout. It is simpler to have two layouts; the maximum is currently four for Xorg.
  • Choose Layout Options
  • Expand option Group Shift/Lock behaviour
  • Choose the key combination that enables you to switch between keyboard layouts. The default is by pressing both Alt keys at the same time. A common alternative is to use Alt+Shift.
  • Press Close.

See #How to add the Keyboard (Layout) Indicator applet to add the Keyboard Indicator applet.

How to add keyboard layouts toggle for other languages (Xfce)

  • use *.lst files on /etc/X11/xkb/rules to select 2nd_laguage_code 
setxkbmap -option grp:switch,grp:alt_shift_toggle,grp_led:scroll us,2nd_laguage_code
  • you can add it to a startup file, which will be set to be executed on startup, with the following lines (remember to 'chmod +x' the file): 
#!/bin/tcsh
setxkbmap -option grp:switch,grp:alt_shift_toggle,grp_led:scroll us,il

How to add the Keyboard (Layout) Indicator applet

  • Right-click on empty space on the top panel so that you see the pop-up menu.
  • Click Add to Panel...
  • Choose Keyboard Indicator (it is under the Utilities section, at the end)

The Keyboard Indicator applet appears on the panel. The default language should be USA for U.S. English. You can either right-click on this applet for more options or see above on how to configure.

How to type extended characters

  • Add the keyboard layout US English International (with dead keys)
  • Make US English International (with dead keys) the default keyboard layout.

The key marked ['"] is now a dead key. When you press it, nothing happens. However if you press a consonant immediately afterwards, the consonant appears with an accent.

  • ' + a = á
  • ' + e = é
  • and so on for i-í, o-ó, y-ý, c-ć, z-ź, n-ń, l-ĺ, u-ú, r-ŕ
  • " + a = ä
  • " + e = ë
  • and so on for y-ÿ, u-ü, i-ï, o-ö

Similarly, ` and a consonant generates à, è, ù, ì, ò. Similarly, ~ and a consonant generates ã, ũ, ĩ, õ, ñ.

To type ' and ", press RightAlt+' and RightAlt+" respectively. To type ' and ", you may also press '+<space> and "+<space> respectively.

There are more characters available by keeping RightAlt pressed and typing a character. Therefore,

  • RightAlt+q = ä
  • RightAlt+w = å
  • RightAlt+e = é
  • RightAlt+r = ®
  • RightAlt+t = þ
  • RightAlt+y = ü
  • RightAlt+u = ú
  • RightAlt+i = í
  • RightAlt+o = ó
  • RightAlt+p = ö
  • RightAlt+[ and ] for « and » respectively.
  • RightAlt+a = á
  • RightAlt+s = ß
  • RightAlt+d = ð
  • RightAlt+l = ø
  • RightAlt+; = ¶
  • RightAlt+: = °
  • RightAlt+z = æ
  • RightAlt+c = ©
  • RightAlt+n = ñ
  • RightAlt+m = µ
  • RightAlt+, = ç
  • RightAlt+/ = ¿
  • RightAlt+1 = ¡
  • RightAlt+2 = ²
  • RightAlt+3 = ³
  • RightAlt+4 = ¤
  • RightAlt+5 = €
  • RightAlt+6 = ¼
  • RightAlt+7 = ½
  • RightAlt+8 = ¾
  • RightAlt+9 = ‘
  • RightAlt+0 = ’
  • RightAlt+- = ¥
  • RightAlt+= = ×
  • RightAlt+! = ¹
  • RightAlt+@, then o = ő (and Ő).
  • RightAlt+#, then a = ā (and Ā). Similarly for ēĒ, ūŪ, īĪ, ōŌ.
  • RightAlt+$ = £
  • RightAlt+% =
  • RightAlt+^ =
  • RightAlt+& =
  • RightAlt+*, then a = ą (and Ą). Similarly for ęĘ, įĮ.
  • RightAlt+(, then a = ă (and Ă)
  • RightAlt+(, then g = ğ (and Ğ)
  • RightAlt+), then a = å (and Å)
  • RightAlt+_ =
  • RightAlt++ = ÷

How to set the Compose key to type special characters

  • Click System, Preferences, Keyboard.
  • Under Layout Options, expand on Compose key position.
  • Choose Right-Win key is compose, click Close.

Now you can type extended characters using the RightWin key (next to AltGr), according to this keyboard settings file. Specifically, the lines that start with GDK_Multi_key are those that we can use here. The Compose key is actually GDK_Multi_key.

Some examples,

  • RightWin + C + = produces €
  • RightWin + = + C produces €
  • RightWin + C + O produces ©
  • RightWin + O + C produces ©
  • RightWin + a + ' produces á
  • RightWin + a + " produces ä
  • RightWin + a + ` produces à
  • RightWin + a + ~ produces ã
  • RightWin + a + * produces å
  • RightWin + a + ^ produces â
  • RightWin + a + > produces â
  • RightWin + a + , produces ą
  • RightWin + e + - produces ē
  • RightWin + S + 1 produces ¹
  • RightWin + S + 2 produces ²
  • RightWin + S + 3 produces ³

How to install ubuntu-title font used in Ubuntu logo 

sudo apt-get install ttf-ubuntu-title

Now you can use this font in your favorite applications

How to associate Adobe Reader with files in Nautilus

Now when you double-click on a .pdf file, it will be opened with Adobe Reader.

How to print from Adobe Reader 

/usr/bin/lp -d FS-1010

How to pull apart and combine pdf files 

sudo apt-get install pdftk
cd
mkdir bin
cd bin
gedit pdftk_burst
  • add the following text to pdftk_burst: 
#!/bin/bash
cd ${1%/*}
/usr/bin/pdftk "$1" burst
rm doc_data.txt
  • save and close pdftk_burst 
gedit pdftk_cat
  • add the following text to pdftk_cat: 
#!/bin/bash
cd ${1%/*}
outfile="00out.pdf"
if [ -f $outfile ] ; then
    rm -f $outfile
fi
/usr/bin/pdftk *.pdf cat output $outfile
  • save and close pdftk_cat 
chmod u+x pdftk_burst pdftk_cat
  • open Nautilus (Places -> Desktop) and browse to a .pdf file
  • right-click the .pdf file, select Properties, go to the Open With tab, click Add, click Use a Custom Command, click Browse, browse to pdftk_burst. Do the same with pdftk_cat.

Now, when you right-click on a .pdf file, you'll get two extra options:

  • Open With -> pdftk_burst which will convert a 30 page pdf file to 30 x 1 page pdf files
  • Open With -> pdftk_cat which will join together all the pdf files in the same directory, and create a file called 00out.pdf

Note: this won't work with pdfs with any type of protection - read man pdftk for more command line options.

How to remove jedit when Synaptic package manager fails after install 

sudo dpkg --remove --force-depends --force-remove-reinstreq jedit

Now, you can use your Synaptic package manager again.

How to compile a kernel the Ubuntu Way

http://www.howtoforge.com/kernel_compilation_ubuntu

System requests (What to do if your system is unresponsive)

You can "talk" to the kernel directly via system requests: Press "ALT" + "sysreq-key" + "one of the keys" listed below (The sysreq-key is also known as the 'print screen' key):

(Taken from /usr/src/linux/Documentation/sysrq.txt)

  • 'r' - Turns off keyboard raw mode and sets it to XLATE.
  • 'k' - Secure Access Key (SAK) Kills all programs on the current virtual console.
  • 'b' - Will immediately reboot the system without syncing or unmounting your disks.
  • 'c' - Will perform a kexec reboot in order to take a crashdump.
  • 'o' - Will shut your system off (if configured and supported).
  • 's' - Will attempt to sync all mounted filesystems.
  • 'u' - Will attempt to remount all mounted filesystems read-only.
  • 'p' - Will dump the current registers and flags to your console.
  • 't' - Will dump a list of current tasks and their information to your console.
  • 'm' - Will dump current memory info to your console.
  • 'v' - Dumps Voyager SMP processor info to your console.
  • '0'-'9' - Sets the console log level, controlling which kernel messages will be printed to your console. ('0', for example would make it so that only emergency messages like PANICs or OOPSes would make it to your console.)
  • 'f' - Will call oom_kill to kill a memory hog process
  • 'e' - Send a SIGTERM to all processes, except for init.
  • 'i' - Send a SIGKILL to all processes, except for init.
  • 'l' - Send a SIGKILL to all processes, INCLUDING init. (Your system will be non-functional after this.)
  • 'h' - Will display help ( actually any other key than those listed above will display help. but 'h' is easy to remember :-)

Note that you may have to enable system requests. Read "/usr/src/linux/Documentation/sysrq.txt" for details. By default it is enabled though.

How to add locales to Ubuntu the command line way

  • Open up a terminal
  • Become root: 
    sudo su -
  • Generate a /var/lib/locales/supported.d/local from /usr/share/i18n/SUPPORTED: 
cat /usr/share/i18n/SUPPORTED | grep "en\|ru" > /var/lib/locales/supported.d/local

This example shows all Russian (ru) and English (en) locales being chosen. Look through /usr/share/i18n/SUPPORTED to find the ones for you, then put them in a list, replacing en\|ru and separating each language with a \| (backslash, bar). If you only want one language, just put it in quotes.

  • Then regenerate all of the locales: 
dpkg-reconfigure locales
  • Then set your locale: 
update-locale LANG=en_US.UTF-8

In this step, make sure to choose the language and country that you would like your computer to think it is in. Here, I choose en_US, the United States version of English. Once again, look at your /var/lib/locales/supported.d/local or /usr/share/i18n/SUPPORTED for the one right for you. You may also want to research locales, using the Internet.

That was easy, now the command 
lxterm
will open up the Unicode version of xterm or your translated software will display things properly, like vim.

How to set default Terminal App window size

The size for a gnome terminal session can be passed through the geometry parameter, specifying columns and rows like 80x40. The default geometry is 80x25.

  • First way is to add the following parameter to gnome-terminal launcher: 
--geometry 100x40
  • Other way is to change this parameter globaly for all gnome-terminal launcher's. Go to /usr/share/applications/gnome-terminal.desktop and edit the EXEC line like this: 
Exec=gnome-terminal --geometry=120x30

Using VI editor

A few very simple tricks of using basic but strong unix editor called vi can be found here.

How to play DVDs

  • Install the codecs: 
sudo apt-get install libdvdnav4 libdvdplay0 libdvdread3 libdvdcss2
  • Use totem-xine instead of the default "totem-gstreamer": 
sudo apt-get remove --purge totem totem-gstreamer
sudo apt-get install totem-xine
  • Install LinDVD:

Get the latest version from here: http://rpm.pbone.net Use Alien to convert .rpm file to .deb 

sudo apt-get install alien
sudo alien -d lindvd*.rpm
sudo dpkg -i lindvd*.deb

Fix some crashing issues 

sudo cp /usr/share/lindvd/libivimandriva.so /usr/lib/
sudo ldconfig

Restart LinDVD

How to install Gmail Notifier alternative (CheckGmail)

  • Add the following sources to the repository list: 
deb http://asher256-repository.tuxfamily.org dapper main dupdate french
deb http://asher256-repository.tuxfamily.org ubuntu main dupdate french
  • Install the application 
sudo apt-get install checkgmail
  • Go to 'System/Preferences/Sessions/Startup Programs' and add the following path to start notifier automatically
File:Sessions.png
Sessions windows


File:Add startup program.png
Add startup program window


/usr/bin/checkgmail

After this the program will appear in your notification area.

How to emulate Mac OS X Spotlight (Deskbar)

  • Right click to your panel and select 'Add to panel...'. Now choose 'Deskbar' applet and click 'Add' button.
  • Install 'Beagle' packet to enable data indexing on your computer

How to make Ubuntu look like Mac OS X

  • Detailed instruction can be found here.

How to remove temporary files on shutdown

Already in this guide as #How to clean /tmp/ folder contents on shutdown.

How to tile windows in gnome

First, download the wmtile debian package here.

If you are not running i386, the project's homepage is here.

  • Double click the package and install it.
  • Login as root and browse to /usr/share/tile/
  • Open the rc file in gedit
  • Change the second option to read "multi-desktop netwm"
  • Save the rc file

Now, create a launcher:

  • Right-click on the gnome panel (the taskbar at the top of the screen) and choose "Add to Panel"
  • Select "Custom Application Launcher" and fill in these values:
    • Type: Application
    • Name: Tile Windows Vertically
    • Command: tile -v -w
  • You can also select an icon to use with the launcher.
  • Click "OK"

Now open a couple windows and click your new launcher button to test it. This works great with two or three windows, but it can get a bit strange with more.

If you want to create another launcher that tiles windows horizontally, just follow the same directions, but use the command "tile -h -w"

How to install a virtual PDF printer

-Install cups-pdf from the Synaptic Package Manager

Go to System -> Administration -> Printing

-Add a printer with Printer -> Add Printer or double click on "New Printer" icon

"STEP 1of3" PDF Printer (Virtual Printer) should now be in the local detected printers list so select it and click 'Forward'

"STEP 2of3" Select "Generic" as the manufacturer and "PostScript" as the printer. Now click 'Forward'

"STEP 3of3" Give the printer a sensible description and location and click 'Apply'

The "CUPS/PostScript" printer should now exist in the print dialogue of you applications and will save the output PDF file to the /HOME/PDF folder. It may be possible to change the destination by editing /etc/cups/cups-pdf.conf


How to pass module options for Ubuntu to pickup on startup

sudo <your editor of choice> /etc/modprobe.d/options

How to correct paper size to Letter

If you use letter-size paper and are having trouble getting your printers, etc. set properly, follow the following steps: 

sudo dpkg-reconfigure libpaper1

Then delete any printers that need to print in letter size and reinstall printers. System --> Administration --> Printing

Troubleshooting Feisty Fawn

Retrieved from "http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Ubuntu:Feisty/TipsAndTricks"
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