In Ubunlog we thought that since we’ve been talking a lot about customization lately, maybe it would be a good idea show what publishers’ desktops look like that we actively collaborate on the blog. It is true that one of the great advantages that Linux offers is the possibility of customize virtually every aspect of the operating system until it matches our visual preferences, and this article goes more or less beyond that. Specifically, from what have we done to get an attractive desk.
there is many desktops available for Ubuntu, Not just Unity or that of the official flavors. Each will use one or the other depending on their tastes or needs, or the resources of the machine they use to run the operating system. This time it’s up to me to talk about mine, so without further ado I will explain how my life has been in this Ubuntu to this day.
Table of Contents
My beginnings in Ubuntu
My first contact with Ubuntu was quite some time ago, specifically with Ubuntu 10.04 LTS Lucid Lynx. By that time I had only used Windows and had been told wonders of Linux, so I decided to give it a try. I looked for a number of programs that could help me replace the one I usually used and installed it on my computer.
The surprise I took away was pretty big. One of the things that surprised me the most was that the drivers they were installed automatically with the operating system and that I didn’t have to waste time looking for them, so just being able to start working as soon as I finished the installation was a pretty big point in favor of Ubuntu. Graphical drivers were something else, but with the help of the third-party driver installer this was resolved.
My marriage to Louis Lynx last two happy years. I had customized it quite a bit, had installed one dock and was delighted with GNOME 2. I then installed Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, and I was not prepared for what I found. Accustomed as I was to GNOME 2, the environment and its menus, I suddenly came across something that had more to do with Ubuntu Netbook Remix than what I knew until now.
Unity had arrived, and with him began mine distancing from Ubuntu. Unity didn’t convince me at all, Kubuntu didn’t tell me anything and Xubuntu in those days had a design I didn’t like. I wanted to try other things to see what I found. I installed Debian, but it wasn’t for me. I then installed Linux Mint 14, and with it distro i was a loyal user for a long time.
I really liked Linux Mint all of the software base preinstalled, Which saved me a lot of time looking for programs I used on a regular basis. Linux Mint Software Manager was another big hit for me, and for a long time I had dual Linux Mint and Windows installations on all my computers.
However, my union with Linux Mint ended when I renewed my desktop and bought a new laptop. I wanted something cheap that dedicate solely and exclusively to my work, So that the table was left just for my free time. With Linux Mint, for some strange reason, still installing Linux Mint 17 XFCE consumed a lot of resources from my laptop, so there was no choice but to look for another alternative.
My reunion with Ubuntu
Looking for something to replace Linux Mint 17 with Xubuntu 14.04 LTS, And the truth is that this time Xubuntu did convince me. While I was going to invest the occasional time trying to customize it, this time it seemed to me that the graphical environment had a lot to offer me asking for very little in return.
When installing it on my laptop it worked very, very well, Without consuming any resources and, given that this computer has a mechanical hard drive and not an SSD, the graphical environment moves and opens programs much better than expected. And, of course, much better than Linux Mint had done. This time I had come back to stay, at least for a pretty long season.
The customization I use
I have tried different icon packs: Numix Circle, Buttonized, Ultra Flat Icons … I recently came across one that I think is the best I have tried so far. For my icons use Squared Icons, Which you will be able to install using this PPA:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/icons2 sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install square-icons
If you use Linux Mint or Debian, you have to use these others:
sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/noobslab/icons2/ubuntu precise main" sudo apt-key adv --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv-keys F59EAE4D sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install square-icons
As customization for the window manager I use Arc Theme, Which we taught you to install just a few days ago. For the rest, I use a fixed wallpaper. I’m not much fan of using apps like Variety or Wallch, though I understand there are those who find them useful. In my specific case, although this fact is a bit rather anecdotal, it is the complete drawing of the cover of one of my favorite albums, the Demons And Wizards of the British group Uriah Heep.
The programs I use the most
As with almost everyone, there is several basic programs without which I cannot live. The first and foremost is Spotify:
sudo apt-key adv --keyserver hkp://keyserver.ubuntu.com:80 --recv-keys D2C19886 echo deb http://repository.spotify.com stable non-free | sudo tee /etc/apt/sources.list.d/spotify.list sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install spotify-client
Another program I need for my day to day life is the Google Chrome browser:
wget -q -O - https://dl-ssl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo apt-key add - sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google.list' sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get install google-chrome-stable
And of course, for my local music and video needs VLC is a must:
sudo apt-get install vlc
For my daily work I declare myself fan absolute of Haroopad, An editor Markdown to what, how blogger, I take a lot of advantage of it. You can download a self-installing DEB package from here. To these should be added the GIMP image editor, which comes pre-installed with Xubuntu and which I also use daily.
And this is more or less a summary of how is the distro that I have on my computer and my journey through the exciting world of Linux. I hope you enjoyed it and came up with some ideas for your computer.
