Ubuntu 6.10 Postinstall Notes
Connelly Barnes
Public domain

* Enable installation of all packages by going to System ->
  Administration -> Software Sources and checking boxes.
  If necessary, switch from the default *.archive.ubuntu package
  source site to a faster mirror from

    https://launchpad.net/ubuntu/+archivemirrors

  by editing /etc/apt/sources.list (as root).  I found
  http://cudlug.cudenver.edu/ubuntu/ to be much faster.

* Mount Windows FAT32 partition by (as root)
   % fdisk -l            (find the drives you wish to mount)
   % mkdir /c/           (make a destination mount directory)
   % gedit /etc/fstab
   Add mount lines for each drive and corresponding directory...
   /dev/hdb1   /c/   vfat   user,fmask=0111,dmask=0000   0   0
   % mount -a

  If your system slows down, try dmesg and see if there are any kernel
  error messages due to problems with the mounted drives.

* Install multimedia software HOWEVER look at your country's laws
  first as it is illegal in semi-free countries such as the United
  States:

   http://easyubuntu.freecontrib.org/get.html    OR
   http://www.getautomatix.com/index.html

  You can also get some corporate programs through EasyUbuntu such
  as Skype, Flash, Java plug-ins, and proprietary video card drivers.

* Make Ctrl+Alt+Del bring up a task manager (from [1]):

  There are two different window managers for Gnome: Metacity and Compiz.
  The default in 6.10 is "metacity."  Install gnome-system-monitor, then
  for metacity run:

    % 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"

  To make Compiz bring up a task manager with Ctrl+Alt+Del:

    % gconftool-2 -t str --set /apps/compiz/general/allscreens/options/run_command9_key "<control><alt>Delete"
    % gconftool-2 -t str --set /apps/compiz/general/allscreens/options/command9 "gnome-system-monitor"

* Increase DPI by System -> Font -> Details.
  Disable font antialiasing in this panel.

* Increase font size in Firefox by Edit -> Preferences -> Content.

* Disable sounds by System -> Preferences -> Sound -> Sounds
  and unchecking "Play system sounds."

* Disable non-linear mouse behavior (acceleration) by setting
  "Sensitivity" to zero in System -> Preferences -> Mouse and
  then adjusting Acceleration [sic] to change the mouse speed.

* Attempt to disable trash.  This feature hasn't been added to
  GNOME yet, but you can add a Delete button (Shift+Del) to the
  file manager (Nautilus):

    Places -> Home Folder
    Edit -> Preferences -> Behavior, check "Include a delete
    command that bypasses Trash."

* Add right-click Open Terminal option to Desktop and directories:

   % apt-get install nautilus-open-terminal

* Allow Firefox to download more than 2 files from a given server:

   Type about:config in location bar.
   Set network.http.max-persistent-connections-per-server to 8.
   Turning on network.http.pipelining may also speed up image loading.
   (Do NOT set the max simultaneous connection numbers to 6000 like some
   folks are reportedly doing on fast connections at school...this will
   cause you to have a "Firefox of death" which may crash some servers and
   get you banned by irate administrators and/or your ISP).

* Disable "Ubuntu updates are available!" icon in top panel and add
  a startup task for gaim (an instant messenger):

    System -> Preferences -> Sessions -> Startup Programs
    Disable update notifier, click add and enter "gaim" for the command.

* Upgrade Python (as root) and install some libraries:
   % apt-get install python2.5
   % cd /usr/bin
   % ln -s -f python2.5 python
   % apt-get install python-imaging python-crypto python-epydoc
   % apt-get install python-matplotlib python-numarray python-numeric python-numpy
   % apt-get install python-opencv python-opengl python-psyco
   % apt-get install python-pygame python-pyode python-scipy
  Many of these installed for Python 2.4, but oh well.

* Install other development, graphics tools, multimedia programs:
  % apt-get install g++ smlnj cmucl slime sbcl
  % apt-get install ml-yacc ml-lex emacs php5 ruby ocaml
  % apt-get install imagemagick rapidsvn esvn
  % apt-get install maxima, xmaxima, subversion, libpng12-0, giflib3g
  % apt-get install liballegro4.2 mencoder vlc
  % (Already have lapack3, libgc1c2, libjpeg62)

[1]. http://technowizah.com/2006/11/debian-how-to-task-manager-xp-style_02.html