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Tutorial: Spiffing Up Ubuntu 6.06

tazforum.thetazzone.com — Want to know how to set up your graphics card's driver on Ubuntu 6.06, to work at your screen's native resolution and have a better gaming experience? Or get the swankingly brilliant XGL and Compiz effects working? Or even use a simple application to download all the programs you need to turn Ubuntu into a true desktop distribution? Try this!

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Wolphin 2 years 19 days ago, made popular 2 years 19 days ago

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veza, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3just upgraded to 6.06 last nigth, I just have older pc without fancy graphics card :(
SYSDmg, on 10/12/2007, -2/+14you should get a pc specifically just to run xgl, all ive got to say is ***** off vista, xgl blows it away and then into the future it goes
- astrosmash, on 10/12/2007, -2/+6Just don't hit Shift-backspace while you're running it, or crashy crashy.
- dcherryholmes, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2The shift-backspace thing is fixed. It annoyed the hell out of me, too, until it got straightened out.
- idonthack, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Not "crashy crashy", that's the hotkey to kill the Xserver.
  
  Stupid choice, yeah, but that's why it's still development software.
- jacks0n, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1And never push ctrl+alt+backspace. Crashy crashy no... But it shuts down the GUI and anything you were running.
staggcharger88, on 10/12/2007, -16/+4better gaming experience? how do you have a gaming experience on linux.
- moiety, on 10/12/2007, -2/+10http://www.transgaming.com/products_linux.php
- Seften, on 10/12/2007, -3/+7There are several games that can run natively on Linux, and then theres wine and cedega.
- F4ll3ngo3th3, on 10/12/2007, -7/+6Unfortunately You have to pay and subscribe to Cedega to play games. What I do to play windows games is just to partition my HD and have two OS's. Having two OS's isn't really a trouble for me since i can play my games on windows and do something else when I'm on Ubuntu. It's basically like having two computers for me.
- estvir, on 10/12/2007, -16/+2i have to pay money to play games on linux which i've already bought ? those who say linux is desktop ready should perish.
  
  good luck using the cvs version of cedega, and more good luck to you trying to find the specific cedega engine which runs the game you want to play the best.
- anagramarama, on 10/12/2007, -10/+2http://www.coralquest.com/anagramarama
  
  :-)
- ardnut, on 10/12/2007, -1/+5"i have to pay money to play games on linux which i've already bought ? those who say linux is desktop ready should perish."
  
  Its a load cheaper than having to buy a copy of windows just for playing a gaming.
- arizonagroove, on 10/12/2007, -5/+2"how do you have a gaming experience on linux."
  
  By realising that you can run Dungeon Keeper 2 under Wine.
  Well it improved my Linux experience anyway :) And my Dungeon Keeper 2 experience come to that because it appears to be stable under Wine, unlike under Windows XP where if I'm lucky it'll run for maybe twenty minutes before crashing out Desktop or locking my system.
- KyleGoetz, on 10/12/2007, -2/+0@estvir: So Linux isn't desktop ready because it cannot run games written for another OS? Truly you have a dizzying intellect.
khan80, on 10/12/2007, -20/+0hjgfhgfhf
khan80, on 10/12/2007, -18/+0
those, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Im keen to get xgl running on my pc. But im scared ill trash it and have to reformat again.

Does anyone know if that XGL and Compiz Walkthrough is correct
- astrosmash, on 10/12/2007, -0/+3Worked for me.
- SkeletaLlama, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1It's really easy to do. I know nothing about Linux and I got it working just following the instructions. Although I removed it because it slows down video playback on my computer so much that I can't watch movies in fullscreen. I mostly use my Linux computer for watching videos so compiz/xgl wasn't good for me. It's gorgeous and I look forward to future versions without so much slowdown because I really do love it despite its flaws.
- backdoc, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1They seem to work for me. I think I used one of those scripts (like easy ubuntu). But, I've done it following a HOW-TO , as well. One thing that helped me is to turn off the "detect_refresh_rate" and set the "refresh_rate" to 60 in gconf-editor. You can read about it hear: http://www.ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-131267-p-3.html
  
  To Skelta: I haven't noticed any slow down whatsoever. If anything, it seems to run faster. I don't watch movies on my PC. So, that might be the difference. Otherwise, I can't see why some people say it's slower.
- dbr_onix, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Seems about right.. I used http://www.compiz.net/viewtopic.php?id=652 last night and it's working perfetly, just need to sort out a problem with GDM/Gnome theme resetting itself (That happened because I installed it from the server install disc, mainly becuase the LiveCD installer screws up my laptop)
  
  With XGL, I really don't recommend you try it on a working system you need (and don't mind wiping) if you screw things up.. Its the sort of thing I'd recommend is the first thing you install on a clean install, that way if it screws up, shove the install CD in and start again.. (Atleast the first few times you install it).. Once it's running it's extremely cool though.. Fullscreen video on one side of a cube with terminals scrolling data on the left looks so.. shiney.. Even the "decoratoin" thing which adds an OS X'y small shadow around the windows makes a huge difference..
  
  Anyway, it's a not-bad guide, doesn't really cover too many things (The driver installations are covered in all the XGL tutorials, and the Automatix thing is pretty simple, and it described on it's site).. But it's nice to have them in once place..
  - Ben
khan80, on 10/12/2007, -12/+0gjgj
kaje, on 10/12/2007, -0/+4Here's a question...how the hell do I get my mx518 mouse buttons working!

I've followed 3 tutorials customizing my xorg.conf and X freezes on me. =(
ceeam, on 10/12/2007, -1/+3Speaking of XGL - anybody able to comment on XGL's performance on Intel950-based Macs? Just curious.
- playerx, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1There are free drivers for those, you'd be better served by running aiglx.
khan80, on 10/12/2007, -12/+0fine
ardnut, on 10/12/2007, -2/+1Any one got a good xgl tutorial for doing this with kubuntu?, so far most of the ones i've seen are all gnome only based. Is it real buggy with KDE and thats the reason for lack of tutorials?
- chrono13, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Dapper
  
  Also, Ubunt guide, and/or EasyUbuntu is much better than Automatix. I've had Automatix destroy Dapper twice. I've had EasyUbuntu give an error - but it didn't *force* everything and therefor didn't actually cause any harm.
  
  Anyway, the above link is rather *buntu neutral. For ease of use, I would install gedit if you really want to be able to just copy and paste all the commands - otherwise it works in K/U/E/X-buntu.
- ardnut, on 10/12/2007, -1/+1"Anyway, the above link is rather *buntu neutral."
  
  Err... unless I'm missing something, the whole xgl section talks only about gnome, gnome window manager and gdm, no mention of kde, kwin or kdm. Hence my question :(
- idonthack, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1KDE doesn't work well with XGL yet. You can do it, but you end up actually using pieces from Gnome to draw the windows, and the desktop switcher doesn't work right...
estvir, on 10/12/2007, -12/+10curse me for being cynical, but this article has * nothing * new; it reminds me of those top 10 of top 10 lists, nothing new, it just organises old content.

update - umm.. we've known for how many years ?
graphic card drivers - like with update.
automatix/easyubuntu - been posted a ton of times on here, you can't deny it.
xgl/compiz - once again, a ton of times.

here are * some * stories which have been on the * frontpage * and are basically exactly the same as this one; in reference to xlg/compiz/graphics.
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/A_beginners_guide_to_install_Xgl_and_compiz_in_Ubuntu
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/setting_up_XGL_in_SuSE_10.1
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Howto:_Ultimate_Ubuntu_eye-candy_with_Xgl_and_Compriz
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Guide_to_Install_Compiz_and_XGL_on_Ubuntu_Linux

here are * some * stories which have been on the * frontpage * and are basically exactly the same as this one; in reference to a 'general' ubuntu guide.
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/The_Ubuntu_Dapper_Experience
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Ubuntu_Dapper_Drake_6.06_Guide
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Ubuntuguide_reborn
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Ubuntu_Linux_Essential_Applications_-_The_BEST_apps_for_a_Dapper_Install.
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/How_To_Get_Full_Multimedia_Support_in_Ubuntu
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Improve_performance_in_Ubuntu
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/How_to_install_ANYTHING_in_Ubuntu
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Now_nobody_can_can_say_that_Linux_isn_t_printer-friendly
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Automatix_6.1_available_for_Dapper_and_Breezy
http://www.digg.com/linux_unix/Get_your_wireless_card_working_in_Ubuntu

i could add another 30 or so frontpage stories which cover things like how to set up unbuntu as a server, how to install firefox, switching to ubuntu and so on.

* PLEASE * STOP POSTING THESE STORIES, we know you love ubuntu but GET OVER IT, post something NEW or DIFFERENT.
- indijay, on 10/12/2007, -2/+4I understand you getting upset but there are tons of users who want to get rid of 'obligatory' windows environment and move on to Linux (and I am one of them) but the tiny bits and pieces keep them away, so sometimes I guess its OK to repeat the story in new words. I have tried so many Linux distributions, everyone gave me some or the other problem, Ubuntu is the one that is least problematic so far but couldn't fix the resolution so I can't really install it.
  Thanks for all these links though which I probably missed, they will be helpful to me.
- stylesP, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1http://ubuntuforums.org/
  https://wiki.ubuntu.com/
  here u go
- idonthack, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@indijay
  The "resolution" problem you speak of is probably misconfigured refresh rates in xorg.conf. If you can find out what the refresh rates are (a Knoppix CD will tell you at boot) you can configure them by hand. It's not too hard, just adding two lines in the middle of a text file.
rschaet, on 10/12/2007, -11/+1Wow ... I always knew Linux is so not ready to the desktop. The problems it has with even the most basic settings (GFX resolution, MP3 playback, DVD playback nowadays is really basic stuff). So here averone can read that you still need to jump through hoops and to tons of CLI-Magic.

Ubuntu 2006 welcome back in the 80's
- ardnut, on 10/12/2007, -0/+5GFX resolution - I agree there, needs to be easier than having to edit a xorg.conf file.
  MP3 playback - You need software with an mp3 licence on any OS you use, on ubuntu its one package install away, can all be done without a terminal in sight.
  DVD playback - Same as for MP3, even on Windows it doesn't play DVDs out of the box.
- asmodeus, on 10/12/2007, -0/+2Some of the stuff in this tutorial is done in a kind of odd way, editing text files directly when graphical configuration exists for some things, and doing things in the terminal when something like Synaptic would be much easier for someone that would actually need this tutorial.
- KhaaL, on 10/12/2007, -1/+2Um, well then i must be one of the lucky guys i guess? I could watch several video formats and listen to MP3 music without any problem just after the installation. only thing i had to install "manually" is the w32 codecs (wma and such).
- ceeam, on 10/12/2007, -1/+7(Since we're trolling...)
  
  I always knew Windows is so not ready for the desktop - I mean - every game I launch sets monitor refresh to 60Hz by default! My eyes! 60Hz is so '70s. And it does not play neither DVD nor MPEG4 by default! I mean - WTF?!
spinesplitter, on 10/12/2007, -7/+0you dont "have" to pay for Cedega nubXors but then again you dont want RIAA to come knocking on your door.

BTW dont expect any performance from Cedega if you run 2.4Ghz, you need at least 3Ghz, i get about 40 FPS with 2.4Ghz, not exactly acceptable but i dont really play games anyway....
spinesplitter, on 10/12/2007, -9/+0...
spinesplitter, on 10/12/2007, -7/+0whys is edit beign a bitch....

CS:1.6
MacSuxWindozSux, on 10/12/2007, -3/+4Sadly... every attempt at installing XGL, be it 32bit x386 Ubuntu or AMD64 Ubuntu, has failed miserabley.

Simply typing the exact commands I'm told to type still results in an unsuable operating system and more tears...

Installed WindowsFX on my uncles PC in 2 mins and immediately had 3d effects running in winXP that are par with OSX. (not vector graphics though)
thund3rstruck, on 10/12/2007, -2/+2@MacSuxWindozSux

One things for sure, Linux is not for everyone and if you want ease of use, you should stick with windows
- MacSuxWindozSux, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Guy if the gamez worked fine under linux then windows would be completely useless.
  The enemy is DirectX.
catisonh, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1I recently tried to upgrad my Fedora 5 box with xgl. I failed, and I was left with a desktop that didn't launch and programs that wouldn't run. I finally gave up and reformated, although it gave me a chance to switch to Ubuntu. I'm actually glad it happened now.

But now I am constantly faced with the need to...

RESIST THE NEED TO UPGRADE TO XGL!! IT ONLY CAUSES PAIN.

There, I said it.
- cakefart, on 10/12/2007, -0/+1Crashed and burned on my old Dell Laptop... but it failed gracefully.
  
  Thanks to the excellent Ubuntu installer, it was very easy to restore the old xorg., unlike FC or SuSE. 3 minutes later, I have a working display again.
- catisonh, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0@cakefart
  
  So if you mess up your X configuration, you can go back easily with Ubuntu? Can you explain how this works?
  
  Thanks
Livefromwales, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0anyone managed to get this working with Parallels runnning on a Mac? I've tried from the ISO image but it seems to hang at the power management SW part
sabrebutt, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I recently built a 500 dollar machine with a dinky nvidia fx 5200 and it runs XGL just great.

This makes porn look like, well, porn...
topcataj, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0Wake me up when Dual monitor support doesn't require editing of files (I want a GUI, and windows has provided one for years, SUSE10.1 manages it as well).

And I don't care for XGL until it can work on my dual monitor setup either.
Niteshade, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0I like the conversational tone of this tutorial. It makes me not start to blank out as I sometimes do when I read some of the other documents/tutorials.

I don't always need to need to know every little tech detail of what is being described, so long as I know that it is going to work in the end. (After all, no one here would post false documents, right?)

Anyways, kudos to the author.
Nobodysbusiness, on 10/12/2007, -0/+0If you have problems with XGL locking up a few minutes after you start using it, try this:
sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
In the editor, find the "Device" section and add this line:
Option "KernelModuleParm" "agplock=0"
Save the file and restart the computer. After making this change, XGL hasn't crashed once in hours of use.
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Tutorial: Spiffing Up Ubuntu 6.06

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