How To Install Elementary OS’s Pantheon Desktop Environment On Ubuntu And Linux Mint

Posted on April 2, 2014 by Geekster — 11 Comments ↓

Hello Linux Geeksters. As you may know, Pantheon is a lightweight desktop environment similar to Gnome Shell, used by default on Elementary OS, probably the most beautiful Ubuntu derivative system. In this article I will show you how to install Pantheon on Ubuntu and Linux Mint.



Because it is not available via the default repositories of Ubuntu and Linux Mint, we have to add the Elementary OS PPA, update the local repository index and install the elementary-desktop package. Like this:

$ sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:elementary-os/stable
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install elementary-desktop

To get over the wallpaper bug, open a terminal and paste the below oneliner:
$ gsettings set org.gnome.settings-daemon.plugins.background active true

Also, if you want a closer look to Elementary OS, you should install plank, from ricotz PPA:
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ricotz/docky
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install plank

Next, install the Elementary Tweaks tool in order to tweak your system:
$ sudo add-apt-repository ppa:versable/elementary-update
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get install elementary-tweaks 

Source: http://linuxg.net/how-to-install-elementary-oss-pantheon-desktop-environment-on-ubuntu-and-linux-mint/

Install Conky Manager 2.02 in Ubuntu

Conky Manager is a simple graphical tool to manage conky scripts on Linux desktop. Conky Manager v2 has been released with a completely revamped UI and options.
The app window looks more straightforward and easy to use:

A complementary user manual is now available for all users who have contributed to this project either through donations or by translating the application to other languages. The manual has a detailed description of the functionality along with steps required for creating theme packs and for fixing common issues.
Below are the pre-installed themes available in Conky Manager v2:

Install Conky Manager in Ubuntu:
Conky Manager is available in the developer’s PPA for Ubuntu 14.10, Ubuntu 14.04, Ubuntu 13.10 and Ubuntu 12.04.
Press Ctrl+Alt+T to open terminal. When it opens, run the following commands one by one:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:teejee2008/ppa

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install conky-manager

via: TeeJee Tech
Source: http://ubuntuguide.net/install-conky-manager-2-0-2-ubuntu-1404

How to decide if you should use 32bit or 64bit Ubuntu

Ubuntu 12.04 and 12.10 were both set to be the first release to have 64bit set as the "recommended" architecture, except neither did. Now, Canonical recommend 64bit for both 13.10 and 12.04.3, unless you have 2GB of RAM or less. But what are the pros and cons of each?

What are 32bit and 64bit?

32bit and 64bit are types of architecture, 32 works in 4 sets of 8 (the 8 being a byte), and 64 in 8 sets of 8. More bits mean that data is processed in larger chunks, resulting in greater speed and accuracy.

32bit	32bit with PAE	64bit
Slowest.	Slightly Slower.	Fastest.
Works on older and newer CPUs.	Works on older and newer CPUs.	Some older CPUs will not work.
Software more widely available.	Software more widely available.	Some older Software encounters difficulties..
Drivers more widely available.	Drivers more widely available.	Some older Drivers encounter difficulties.
Faster with less RAM.	Support smaller and larger amounts of RAM.	Decreased performance on low-RAM machines.
Fast with less RAM.	Works with any amount of RAM	Decreased performance on low-RAM machines.
Does not utilise more than 3GB or RAM.	Utilises almost any amount of RAM,	Inefficient with less RAM.
No longer available.	Recommended Download.	Alternative download.

 

 

 

Other Operating Systems

Are we really sacrificing all that for speed? Put simply, yes.
It's not as bad as it looks though, all computers made within the last few years have 64bit capable CPUs, and most maintained applications and drivers have 64bit versions available.
Windows 7 ships 64bit as default, as does OS X. Previously, Ubuntu shipped 32bit as default, but both 12.04.3 and 13.10 ships with 64bit as default, and 32bit (with PAE) "for machines with less than 2GB of RAM". But is it right for you?

 

 

Decision Time

You can probably stick to the default download option of 64bit, unless you're quite low on RAM.

You'll be less likely to run into any unusual issues.

If your came with Windows 8 (or UEFI firmware), you should always use 64bit.

Having read this, you might want to know how to find out how much ram you have in Ubuntu, Windows, or OS X.

Source: http://howtoubuntu.org/how-to-decide-if-you-should-use-32bit-or-64bit-ubuntu

How to Configure the Linux Grub2 Boot Menu the Easy Way

We, like many Linux geeks, have had some trouble making the transition to Grub2, or for some of us, learning how to configure it from scratch. Fortunately, a new graphical tool has made this process easy and straightforward!
Photo by e_monk.

Installing Grub Customizer

The tool in question is called Grub Customizer, created by Daniel Richter. He’s provided a PPA to make installing the tool quick and easy.
Open a terminal window (Ctrl+Alt+T or Applications > Accessories > Terminal) and type in the following commands.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:danielrichter2007/grub-customizer
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install grub-customizer

Grub Customizer will now show up in the Applications > System Tools menu.

Or you can open it from the command line.

gksudo grub-customizer

Hide Boot Menu Options

Over time, your boot menu can get cluttered with old versions of the Linux kernel. In a previous article, we showed you how to remove these manually; Grub Customizer makes this process much easier.
When Grub Customizer starts up, you’ll see a list of all the items that show up in the boot menu.

To hide entries that you don’t want to see anymore, simply uncheck the checkbox next to them.

Click the Save button at the top-left to make your changes permanent.

You can uncheck entire sections if you don’t want Grub2 to probe for new operating systems, or give you the option to test your computer’s memory.
Note that, unlike the manual method, this process does not actually remove the kernels from your computer, it just hides them from the boot menu.

Customize Grub Behavior

Grub Customizer can do much more than hide boot menu entries! Opening up the Preferences window lets you customize almost every aspect of Grub.
For example, you can set the default boot menu entry to a certain position, or a specific item.

If you’re bored by the default white-text-on-black-background look of Grub2, you can add a background image and customize text colors.

And, for Grub2 experts, you can set advanced settings much more easily than by editing the configuration files manually.

Grub Customizer is a great addition to any Linux installation that uses Grub2!
Thanks to How-To Geek commenter Hugues for recommending this program!
See this Ubuntu Forums post for more detailed information on Grub Customizer.

Source: http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/43471/how-to-configure-the-linux-grub2-boot-menu-the-easy-way/

How to make your Dual Boot better with Burg

How to make your Dual Boot better with Burg

Grub 2 is all well and good, but if you want your dual boot to look a little better, then it's time to reverse it.
Burg gives you the ability to use custom themes for selecting your bootloader, both with and without text. It also opens up the possibility of customizing and developing your own themes.

Warnings

Using the sudo command, especially when affecting your bootloader, can render your system unbootable. Read all instructions and confirm you understand before executing any commands. When pasting into the Terminal, use Ctrl+Shift+V, NOT Ctrl+V.

Installing

With the Terminal

We need to add a couple of PPAs (that's a place for ubuntu to get software from), update the sources (so your computer knows they're there) and then install a few things.


sudo add-apt-repository ppa:n-muench/burg -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:danielrichter2007/grub-customizer -y && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install burg burg-themes grub-customizer

With the Update Manager

You'll have to use the terminal later on. If you're not comfortable doing that, don't do any of the steps listed on this page.
Open the Update Manager,. Click Settings. Navigate to the Other Software tab. Click the Add button, and paste this code.



Then click Add Source. You will need to enter your password. Repeat for this Software Source.



 Close the Software Sources window, and use the Update Manager to check for updates. This will make sure your Ubuntu knows about the new software. Now we need to install them.

We're going to install 3 packages, burg (that's the main one), burg-themes (to make it look nice), and grub-customizer (i know we're getting rid of grub and replacing it, but grub-customizer works for burg too).
You can search for and install these in the ubuntu Software Centre. Make sure you click Show # Technical Items (bottom-left).

Customizing

Open Grub Customizer. You will have to enter your password. When you are asked: BURG found! Do you want to configure BURG instead of grub2?, click Yes.
Click Install to MBR (under File) to put Burg down as the default (over grub). Accept the default value unless you are booting from a hard drive other than the first one. If you're unsure, leave it as it is.
I usually untick Ubuntu (recovery mode) because it's not something i want in my normal boot. This leaves me with Ubuntu 12.04 and Windows 7 (yours might be different). Under Preferences you can also set the timeout and default boot item. Click the Save button when you're happy, and close it.
Next, we're going to change the theme (the default isn't up to much). Open the Terminal and execute the following.
Provide your password and a screen like this should appear.
Press F2 and use the arrow keys to change the selected theme. I use radiance (looks like ubuntu, the one in the screenshot). Close the windows once you have made your selection (it saves automatically). The next time you start your computer, you will be able to choose your operating system in style.

Congratulations, you have just made your Dual Boot better with Burg!

Source: http://howtoubuntu.org/how-to-make-your-dual-boot-better-with-burg

Ubuntu Mate Remix 14.10 is a refreshing install for Gnome fans

I installed the new Ubuntu Mate 14.10 Beta 1, and it performed flawlessly. It looks good and performs quickly. I cannot wait for this to become a regular Ubuntu supported distro. It comes with Firefox 31, Pidgin, Rhythmbox, and LibreOffice 4.3. Just add Synaptic and the Chrome browser. It has linux kernel 3.16. I like this new distro based on Ubuntu 14.10 because it allows you to get work done without making you search for apps in Unity, or the Whisker menu in XFCE, allows customization more than Ubuntu Gnome, and has the latest kernel and apps. There is a link below where to get it. Nice job Ubuntu Mate. Below is a review from Softpedia.com

You can grab this exciting new Ubuntu Mate 14.10 Beta 1 distro here:

https://ubuntu-mate.org/download/

Ubuntu MATE is not an official Ubuntu flavor yet, but it has pretty good chances of becoming one. Here are the changes in Ubuntu MATE 14.10 beta 1 since alpha 2:

• Added community contributed wallpapers, Plymouth theme, SYSLINUX theme and Ubiquity slides;
• Added Ambiant-MATE and Radiant-MATE desktop and icon themes;
• Added Ubuntu MATE LightDM theme;
• Updated the default Qt4 style to match the Ambiant-MATE theme;
• Added OpenDyslexic a font created to increase readability for readers with dyslexia;
• Added a screen magnifier for indiviuals with low vision;
• Added patent-free S3TC compatible implementation that provides texture compression to Mesa;
• Added service discovery on a local network via the mDNS/DNS-SD protocol suite;
• Added colord to manage, install and generate accurate colour profiles;
• Added ntp time synchronisation daemon;
• Added policykit-desktop-privileges which fixes, among other things, auto mounting of disks without requiring a password;
• Added a PAM module that will automatically unlock the keyrings using your login password, making gnome-keyring usage transparent without losing its security benefits;
• Added GVFS backend (FTP, SSH, WebDAV, Samba) to Déjà Dup;
• Added GStreamer backend to LibreOffice;
• Fixed installation failures when there is no active Internet connection;
• Fixed hiding the im-config icon from MATE;
• Improved support for 3G/4G USB dongles, iPod and MTP devices, on-demand codec installation and hardware detection and support;
• Updated the language packs in the Live CD based on the Top 10 countries that visit https://ubuntu-mate.org;
• Removed ffmpegthumbnailer, light-themes and ubuntu-artwork.

 Source: http://www.webupd8.org/2014/08/ubuntu-flavors-1410-utopic-unicorn-beta.html

Softpedia Editor's Review for Ubuntu MATE Remix

EDITOR'S RATING:   5.0/5

 

A community-derived Ubuntu operating system that features the MATE desktop environment

Written by Marius Nestor

Ubuntu MATE Remix is an open source, community-derived operating system based off of Ubuntu and features MATE, a fork of the GNOME Classic desktop environment, as its default and only graphical interface.

The most beautiful MATE setup ever made!

Ubuntu MATE Remix is not just another Linux kernel-based operating system built around the MATE desktop environment, as it beautifully integrates this GNOME Classic fork, making it look very attractive, while at the same time being very lightweight. It uses a classic two-panel layout.

How to use it? Simple, use the Applications menu item to browser and open apps, the Places menu item to access the local filesystem or network shares and the System menu item to configure and tweak the OS. From the bottom panel you can easily interact with opened programs, as well as to cycle between the four virtual workspaces.

Includes a standard selection of applications

Default applications include the LibreOffice office suite, Mozilla Thunderbird email and news client, Mozilla Firefox web browser, Rhythmbox audio player, Totem video player, Transmission torrent downloader, Pidgin multi-protocol instant messenger, Cheese webcam viewer, HexChat IRC client and Shotwell image viewer and organizer.

Freely downloadable as two Live DVDs for mainstream architectures

The distribution is available for download as two Live DVD ISO images of approximately 1GB in size each, designed to support both 32-bit (i386) and 64-bit (amd64) hardware platfroms.

On Linux, you can write the ISO images to USB thumb drives of 1GB or higher capacity using a bootable USB disk creator like UNetbootin or GNOME Disk Utility (Disks). Optionally, if you don’t have a spare USB stick, you can burn them to blank or RW DVD discs.

Boot options à la Ubuntu Linux

It appears that the distribution uses Ubuntu’s default bootloader on the Live DVDs, which has been instructed to start the live system in about seven seconds from the moment the user boots the OS from the BIOS of a computer.

Default boot options include the ability to start the try Ubuntu MATE Remix without installing, start the installer directly, run a memory test, boot an existing operating sytem from the local drive or check the bootable medium for defects (only if using a DVD media).

Source: http://linux.softpedia.com/get/Linux-Distributions/Ubuntu-MATE-Remix-103505.shtml

Screen Shots
You can review the entire distro screen shots here:

http://www.linuxscreenshots.org/?release=Ubuntu%20MATE%20Beta%201