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9 Ways to Beautify Dapper
noenemies.com — "Sometimes people think of Linux as an ugly operating system - and sometimes it is, if you are using the default GNOME, and don ’t appreciate the 'beauty of simplicity.' Well, you can impress those people by showing them a desktop that doesn’t look that bad. Here’s a list of 9 ways to make Dapper Drake look good."
WizzleFish- 355 diggs
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- durandal2005, on 10/12/2007, -1/+24Am I the only person on the Internet that thinks Ubuntu (and GNOME in general) looks just fine out-of-the-box? I would much rather look at a default Dapper setup than a default XP setup. Most of these "make Linux look better" articles wind up making things look worse!
Edit: and, this list is fairly worthless: "Use fitting wallpaper" Are you serious? If you're running Linux, I think you could figure these out yourself.- Eldoo77, on 10/12/2007, -0/+6I agree.. However, I am still digging this as this article is fairly informative (from a newbie perspective.)
- Coolhaus, on 10/12/2007, -1/+6It's all about XGL/Compiz. I'll never, ever go back.
http://www.linuxedge.org/?q=node/58 - porsche922, on 10/12/2007, -0/+11how does a story like this end up on the front page ? All it says is use better looking themes, screensavers and clean the desktop of icons!
- aeroplanedigger, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I agree taht human looks nice. Infact I really really like the version included in dapper, I think it is equivalent to luna in attractiveness.
- motang, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I agree, I like the default Dapper setup. I got tired of the old blue theme with XP, I know the blue theme is easier on the eyes, but I wanted something different and I for one like the brown/orange look of default Dapper.
- Hickeroar, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I personally think everything talked about in this article is a given. i did almost everything on that list just because it made sense to do. Sounds like someone just wants to generate web traffic.
- Corvillus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Personally I also use a desktop very close to the out of the box setup. The only things I really change are the wallpaper and colorscheme, and I use Compiz with AIGLX for eye candy (much better than XGL performancewise on Intel shared video, although for nVidia or ATi, I'd still recommend XGL over it).
You can find how to guides on how to set these up at
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CompositeManager/Xgl (for XGL)
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/CompositeManager/AIGLX (for AIGLX) - indijay, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1First tell me how to install?
It gives me resolution of 640 x 480 on live cd so when I try to install from same, I just don't see the buttons below!!! Tried asking this question on forums with no avail.
- Haroldx, on 10/12/2007, -1/+17GNOME is fine by itself. I don't see why KDE is on top of the list...
- Llan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Because there might be people in the world who don't like GNOME but KDE? Me being one of them!
- motang, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0For I like Gnome because it's different, but don't see nothing wrong with KDE. Choices are a good thing.
- endernet, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1"I personally just encourage people to switch to KDE. This 'users are idiots, and are confused by functionality' mentality of Gnome is a disease. If you think your users are idiots, only idiots will use it. I don't use Gnome, because in striving to be simple, it has long since reached the point where it simply doesn't do what I need it to do. Please, just tell people to use KDE." - Linus Torvalds (12-12-05)
- Cl1mh4224rd, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Haroldx wrote: "I don't see why KDE is on top of the list..."
I'm not quite sure myself...
From TFA: "Use KDE. KDE is a very nice looking desktop environment. . ." Ugh. No... it's not. I'd go far as to say that even Windows XP's "Fisher Price" default theme looks better than KDE's. It's certainly a lot smoother. KDE's gotten better in recent releases (especially the window borders, good lord), but it still has, I think, a very childish feel that many like to attribute to XP's default.
- kettlechips, on 10/12/2007, -9/+7I try and try but I cannot understand the appeal of Gnome.
- sbrown123, on 10/12/2007, -2/+13Well, they are short and sport beards like ZZ Top. Hard to argue with the coolness.
- BillyEveryteen, on 10/12/2007, -0/+9It's got a nice, non-busy look to it. While I like some aspects of KDE better I don't think the looks and style come close to Gnome.
- herm1t, on 10/12/2007, -1/+14Why is this directed at Dapper? Gnome and KDE are part of hundreds of other linux distributions.
- sbrown123, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Good point. Author should rewrite this to be more generic and sumbit it as a HOWTO. Or, better yet, add more to it and produce a book "101 Tricks and Tweaks for Ubuntu Dapper" and make some $$$.
- macluvjay, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Poorly written, half-assed suggestions, with very little explanation. No Digg. Listen, I love Gnome/Ubuntu/Linux too, but how about something truly useful here. Ubuntu has helped me resurrect seemingly useless boxes and get virus infected Windows users back on-line very quickly many times. I wish I had the time to write a useful article about Ubuntu and how it can help. Until then, I will continue to fall for the Y.A.U.S. syndrome.
- macluvjay, on 10/12/2007, -5/+1edit: bury
(sorry double post)
- chrono13, on 10/12/2007, -10/+6"9: Make a nice screensaver and logon screen. Screensaver options can be found in System -> Preferences -> Screensaver."
Except there is no screensaver preferences in Gnome/Dapper. Simply none. I can not begin to explain how frustrating this is showing this awesome system to someone, and then explaining that unlike Windows - they don't get any control over their screensavers - none. Despite the very complex (comparative to other tasks - even major ones in Dapper) replacement of gsaver with Xsaver - it is worth it, especially if you are setting the system up for a person new to Linux.
Bug #22007 https://launchpad.net/distros/ubuntu/+source/gnome-screensaver/+bug/22007
Current fix (rather complicated replacing gsaver with xsaver): http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=195557
And its drawbacks:
- System / Quit / Lock Screen doesn't function after applying this, since it locks the screen via gnome-screensaver. I'm looking for a fix to this; in the meantime you can use the launcher you created in step 8 as a workaround. I'm not sure which package the "Quit" dialog is part of; I'd appreciate more information for a possible fix.
- In my experience the screen won't get locked when closing the laptop lid but this may be due to my (mis)configuration; I'll report back on this after experimenting a bit.
- You get the standard xscreensaver unlock dialog when unlocking the screen instead of the Dapper one, which detracts from the overall polish a bit, if you mind such things.- LewsTherin, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5I'm pretty sure you're lying, but in case you don't know your screensaver preferences are in The System -> Preferences menu
- asmodeus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2I think he's referring to the reduced options available for configuring each screensaver in GNOME Screensavers current setup program, as compared to XScreenSaver. However, saying there is no preferences at all isn't quite accurate.
Personally I don't really care - the screensaver is going to be displayed when I'm not using my computer, so I don't care what's displayed, only that the screen gets locked. - EgoDemens, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2No he's not lying, you just have poor comprehension skills. He probably has absolutely no problem finding the program to CHOOSE the screen saver. What he wants though is a program the allows changing the SETTINGS/PREFERENCES of a screen saver. And considering that the xscreensavers have about a billion options a piece I tend to agree that this is a sever lacking.
- doolittle, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3actually chrono13 is correct, the dapper default gnome-screensaver is lacking compared to Breezy's default Xscreensaver. That is one of the first things I noticed when I updated from breezy to dapper, and was one of the first things I did was reinstate the old, reliable xscreensaver to get back my favorite BSOD screensaver. It's a gas when working alongside MCSEs ;)
- rauz, on 10/12/2007, -3/+5http://www.duggmirror.com/linux_unix/9_Ways_to_Beautify_Dapper/
- SmeRndmGy, on 10/12/2007, -4/+4XGL.
- 9tailfox, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7I think Gnome is a nicer and cleaner GUI than KDE.
- elook, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Yet another Wordpress blog brought to its knees by the Digg effect...
- rauz, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1I submitted a mirror a few comments above this one but for some reason people are digging it down :)
- noouch, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1These are some of the first things I tend to play around with when trying a new OS. I remember spending hours staring at screensavers and fiddling around with colors, fonts and themes.
- biggahed, on 10/12/2007, -7/+3Y.A.U.A.
(Yet Another Ubuntu Article)
Seriously... this is getting out of control.
just look at the linux section of digg and youll see its almost all of ubuntu stuff.
9 ways to make ubuntu look better? Cmon...- mcarolan, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5and who cares what you think? This whole site is supposed to present things that the MAJORITY of people want to see, if lots of people want to see ubuntu tutorials, then thats what happens, live with it.
- culbeda, on 10/12/2007, -3/+0@mcarolan
I would be willing to bet that the "majority" aren't that into Ubuntu. But a large and vocal (some might call it militant) minority drive this incessant stream of meaningless fluff articles about Ubuntu to the front page. This article isn't even good enough to forward to a friend that likes Ubuntu, let alone make it to the front page on Digg. Most of the people digg'ing it seem to be doing so just because it says Ubuntu in the title. Most haven't RTFA or they'd realize that it is a joke, regardless of your feelings toward Ubuntu.
The number 1 recommendation is changing to KDE! If anything, that should annoy the hell out of most Ubuntu fanboys. If you want to run Linux with KDE, you'd PROBABLY pick another distro... something like, oh, I don't know... Kubuntu!
- misteral, on 10/12/2007, -1/+23. Widgitify it.
Is this really the key to "beautifying" it, or to just displaying a heck of a lot of stuff at once? I tried widgets for a while, find them really distracting. If I want to know the temperature, traffic, sports scores, it's a browser bookmark click away - nbx909, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5all you really need is a new login screen and maybe change the color theme and ubuntu looks great... I just hate the brown color.
- Aanidaani, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Nice and succinct. Although I already know most of this stuff, I see how it would be useful to someone new to the system.
- spacebar14, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Don't forget the Themes control panel, and choose from one of the dozens already installed. Then click "Theme Details" and furthur tweak it out.
- benmoreassynt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Before you read the next line, be aware that I am a Ubuntu Linux user, but one who is getting frustrated!
I swear, Ubuntu Linux users are biggest bunch of dumb-ass idiots. If you added a link on Digg to "9 ways to beautify Windows XP" and then said "change your desktop background" or "why not switch to the green theme" you would be rightly ridiculed. This digg is a) stupid and b) will probably be posted in a similar form again tomorrow. Like an idiot I will still read it.
Most people who switch to Linux are going to be from an above-average group in terms of computer literacy. They will be able to work out how to change the desktop theme in about 5 seconds. New users think they are the only ones who know how Ubuntu works, and assume all other users are too stupid to find the Alt key. They keep filling up Digg with garbage.
Oh, and while we are at it, can be have a moratorium on the following cliched phrases:
1) Out-of-the-box (Linux never comes out of a box).
2) Seamlessly. (Linux is not a t-shirt)
3) 'Installation is a breeze'. (It may be easy, but installation is in no way related to a light wind).
I've probably used all three phrases myself, but they get used far too often.
Sorry, had to get that off my chest.- uncleLeo, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2suse comes in a box, i saw it as best buy
- timf, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1You're making stupid generalizations.
I agree, this article is *****. But I'm a Ubuntu user. So what?
- hexix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Are you people even reading this? There is absolutely no content here. They are actually telling us to set a screen saver, or a background, or delete unused files from the desktop.
What the hell are you people digging this for? And digg is suppose to rival real news sites? - Obsidian743, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1Gawd, I can't wait for Enlightenment DR17 to come out of BETA...errr, ALPHA.
http://www.enlightenment.org - mynimal, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5No digg. A majority of this stuff is common sense. "Theme it up"? Well dur..
After he said "Use KDE" I kind of threw up a little. KDE is, in my opinion, one of the ugliest and most cluttered desktop environments there are. - uncleLeo, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1this is completely retarded...you're an idiot
- Lyianis, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3If you want to use KDE... use Kubuntu?? Someonre please correct me if i'm wrong, linux isn't my specialty but isn't the Core differnce between Ubuntu and Kubuntu that Ubuntu uses Gnome and Kubuntu uses KDE?
- Venky80, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1when would people ***** understand it is not the article which is important it is the COMMENTS GENERATED by the title which is important....so i WILL digg if the topic has UBUNTU in it...go ***** yourself if you do not like it.
- thund3rstruck, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Not to mention gDesklets crashes every 5 minutes. I would not recommed that on any desktop
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