
In Ubuntu 7.10
Enabling Compiz-Fusion is your first step closer to getting eyecandy visual effects and functionality similar to OS X Leopard. If you havent enabled it yet,
watch my video tutorial here.
The beauty of Ubuntu 7.10 is it comes with Compiz Fusion pre-installed and on supported hardware offers a wide variety of Visual Effects beyond OS Leopard .
Depending on your graphic card and GPU/CPU power you have from three levels of Visual Effects to enable (In Ubuntu Go to System -> Preferences -> Appearance ).
Visual Effects Tab shows the options which are:
None,Basic(simple visual effects like shadows , fading windows-menus) and Advanced.
I recommend you select Advanced to turn on effects like wobbly windows, transparency , animated workspace switching and the 3D Cube.
To further enable and customize more Desktop Effects, you need to
enable the Compiz Configuration Manager by typing the following in a Termial Window:
sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager
sudo apt-get install emerald
After you have installed this , you wil see the option "Advanced Desktop Effects Settings" as shown in the image above.
Now instead chose the menu option for "Advanced Desktop Effects Settings", and you will get a screen similar to this:



Notice under the "Desktop" heading of the configuration window there are visuals and features similar to OS X Leopard already, such as showing the desktop while having transparent windows, having virtual spaces and switching between them in various ways.



All of these and more can be done in Ubuntu aswell , just check off the boxes in the "Advanced Desktop Effects Settings" beside what you want. I found these to be a good balance of neat visual effects and functionality which did not affect my PC's performance.
Other Tips Users have watched

Written by PCWizKid on February 17th, 2008 with no comments.
Read more articles on Contributors and compiz fusion and ubuntu 7.10 gusty gibbon fiesty fawn linux open source.

This is the first video review of Ubuntu 7, starting with a quick introduction of getting Ubuntu and installing it.
This Review shows the installation process with the assumption that you may have already partitioned your hard drives and have space ready for installing
the operating system in a dual boot scenario with Windows XP already installed.
Watch the quick review tutorial
Written by PCWizKid on December 13th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on ubuntu 7.10 gusty gibbon fiesty fawn linux open source.

Are you ready to make that leap towards a different Operating system other than Windows? Cant afford a Mac? Well if "free" is in your budget look no further. The latest open source release of the OS
Ubuntu 7.10 - codename Gutsy Gibbon is out and waiting for you. I must say I am impressed. Though If its Eyecandy your looking for, make sure you have a decent video card such as the
GeForce 8500GT
which is affordable entry level beauty.
Like with anything you buy (though Ubuntu is free) you're probably going to weigh the pros and cons first. Here are my observations in no particular order.
Pros:
- Installation is fast and easy, in my case I upgraded from Ubuntu Feisty 7.04.
Desktop looks beautiful and Compiz-Fusion makes it out of this world. Improved interface for setting up 3D effects selection - the Compiz Fusion is now enabled by default. - Layout is clean, uncluttered and all applications are easily accessible.
- System speed and responsiveness, both boot-up and actual work with the OS is faster than in the previous release. Startup and shutdown screens won’t blink any more, so no more watching of a boring black screen even for a second.
- WiFi support with WEP during system installation
- Tracker (full-text file search) works without any actions.
- Automatic detection of existing systems, proper GRUB configuration.
- Automatic detection and mounting of all system partitions (including the NTFS one).
- Option to install the OS on encrypted partitions (when installing from the Alternate CD only)
- Firefox Fonts are rendered better, look clearer and sharper
- Repositories in this release are well stocked with many updates/addons. All are easy to activate and there was no need to manually enter new ones to get non-free add-ons and other proprietary software like Opera or Adobe Reader.
Cons:
- Firewall application is not included by default.
- New users to Ubuntu still need to install additional open source apps and utilities such as Some basic applications that you should consider installing :
vlc - open source video player that plays about every format under the sun.
gftp - ftp program (basic but does the job)
k3b - one of the best CD/DVD burning program on the planet
opera - alternative web browser (make sure you have the canoncial repository enabled)
mozilla-thunderbird - can’t live without this one.
amarok - very slick itunes like audio player
kubuntu-desktop - installs the KDE version of ubuntu
ardour - multitrack audio editor
azureus - bittorrent client
Kino - non linear video editor
Soundconverter - convert audio files between Ogg, MP3, FLAC, WAV
Skype
1.) Select “Synaptic –> Repositories –> Third Party Software –> + ADDâ€
2.) Paste this into the APT Line: “deb http://download.skype.com/linux/repos/debian/ stable non-freeâ€
3.) Then search for “Skypeâ€, check the corresponding box and then click “Installâ€
Google Earth / Desktop
1.) Download PGP Key : linux_signing_key.pub
2.) Select “Synaptic –> Repositories –> Authentication –> + IMPORT KEY FILEâ€
3.) Browse to the directory where you downloaded linux_signing_key.pub and select that
4.) Select “Synaptic –> Repositories –> Third Party Software –> + ADDâ€
5.) Paste into the APT Line: “deb http://dl.google.com/linux/deb/ stable non-freeâ€
6.) Click “Reloadâ€
7.) Then search for “Google†and install the Google applications of your choice
VMware Server (Run Windows and Windows applications in Ubuntu 7.10)
1.) Register for a VMware Server serial number here.
2.) from terminal “sudo apt-get install build-essentialâ€
3.) download VMware Server for Linux - Binary (.tar.gz) here.
4.) from terminal cd dir to the downloaded file and type “tar zvxf VMware-server-1.0.4-56528.tar.gzâ€
5.) from terminal “cd vmware-server-distrib/â€
6.) from terminal “sudo ./vmware-install.plâ€
7.) hit the “enter†key for every question asked, if question doesn’t accept the “Enter†key then select “Yesâ€.
8.) Run VMware Server by selecting “Applicatoins –> System Tools –> VMware Server Consoleâ€
- After I upgraded from Ubuntu Feisty 7.04, my Desktop effects (eyecandy) got reset and after re-enabling it all I am still not able to get the 3D Cube back to work like it was. Still trying to debug that, but all other effects are spectacular and working great.
Conclusion:
The much anticipated wait is over. Ubuntu 7.10 is worth every penny (though its free) and I highly recommend it for all those who dont mind installing 3rd party open source apps.
Written by PCWizKid on November 19th, 2007 with comments disabled.
Read more articles on ubuntu 7.10 gusty gibbon fiesty fawn linux open source.