Jay On Linux

I started on Ubuntu in 2008 and ended up switching to Linux Mint in 2011. Now I have returned to Ubuntu with their latest long term service release. Ubuntu 14.04 LTS Trusty Tahr will be supported until 2019. This is the 20th release of Ubuntu.

The installation went smoothly, with no problems. On my first install, I didn’t check the boxes to install the restricted extras. I choose to do this later using the command line. I had a problem installing the ttf-mscorefonts-installer. I couldn’t click to acknowledge I read the agreement. After a bit of research I discovered that pressing “shift” and “tab” worked to highlight it, then I just clicked enter. A reader said the arrow keys worked for them.

Having come from Linux Mint, there were a number of things I had to get used to. Before I installed Ubuntu 14.04 I knew I would have to retrain myself on the Unity desktop. My motor skills are accustomed to a certain way of doing things. But I was ready to learn a different, maybe better way.

One lingering difficulty is having the close, minimize, maximize buttons on the left, rather than right side. I understand why they designed them to be on the left, but I am still retaining myself. It doesn’t help that I use Windows 7 at work.

I do like the dash, with its ability to search for applications. It actually seems faster than clicking a menu and searching through it. I noticed that in this version you have the option to have your application menus appear in the program’s window when it is not maximized. Which only makes sense to me.

I am also glad that full menus have been restored to most apps. I understand that the GNOME developers are dispensing with traditional desktop menus, so Ubuntu has patched them back in.

I have also done a few tweaks. I added an equalizer to Rhythmbox. I removed Amazon from the launcher. I enabled the Firewall. I edited the security and privacy settings to turn off online search. I switched back to standard scrollbars. I have installed compizconfig-settings-manager so when I click on an open program in the Unity launcher, it will minimize.

The final word is that, although Ubuntu 14.04 is not perfect, it is still a top-notch release. It is now my Linux distribution of choice.

For more of my tricks and tips for Ubuntu 14.04
http://JayForrest.org/2014/04/04/things-to-do-after-installing-ubuntu-14-04/

UPDATE (04/21/2014)
Do not install web apps or indicator apps in Ubuntu 14.04. For example my weather indicator does not work right and messes with the screen graphics. I have also heard the calendar app does too. The only exception is Conky, which seems to be working fine.

Here are the instructions to get the Unity launcher to minimize when you click on an application.

Open Terminal and copy and paste the following, press enter (it will ask for your password)

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

Then open CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM). Select Ubuntu Unity Plugin, then Launcher tab. Check the box that says “Minimize Single Window Applications”. And you’re done.

The best Firefox theme is a very subjective thing. I wanted an Ubuntu theme. Ubuntu Ambience is nice, but very plain. I wanted something with a little more to it. I decided on Ubuntu Dust. It is a dark gray with the Ubuntu symbol on the right.

LINK
https://addons.mozilla.org/en-US/firefox/addon/ubuntu-dust/

It is all Google’s fault. As of this month (April 2014) Flash is no longer supported by Google on the Chromium browser. That means that if you go to a site with Flash, it won’t work. So I have migrated back to Firefox.

IMPORTANT!! I no longer recommend this method. See Unity Tweak Tool Issue.

The scrollbars in Ubuntu 14.04 are fine for most things, but they simply don’t work for me in Audacity. But luckily there is a way to remove the newer overlay scrollbars and replace them with the older scrollbars. Here’s how it’s done.

Open Terminal and copy and paste the following, then press enter and enter your password:

sudo apt-get remove overlay-scrollbar liboverlay-scrollbar-0.2-0 liboverlay-scrollbar3-0.2-0

That’s all there is to it.

I installed Ubuntu 14.04 beta 2. After problems with the ttf-mscore-installer I managed to, in the process of trying to fix it, lose sound and all admin privileges so that I couldn’t even mount a usb to save anything.

I am now on my second fresh install. This is why I suggest people wait to install Ubuntu 14.04 until it is officially released on April 17. It has been a while since I have installed a beta, but I knew what I was getting into. You have to expect problems, that’s why it is called a beta.

Update your system
Open Terminal and copy and paste the following in it, then press enter:

sudo apt-get update

If you are still using the beta, then use this instead:

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

Disable Amazon/Product Suggestions
Open Settings
Click Security and Privacy
Open on the Search tab
Switch off toggle “Include online search results”

Install Programs in Terminal
This is much faster than doing it in the Ubuntu Software Center. Just copy and paste the following in Terminal, then press enter. It will ask you for your password, enter it and press enter. When it asks you, Do you want to continue? [Y/n] Type Y and press enter. Here are some of the programs I install.

sudo apt-get install chromium-browser

sudo apt-get install vlc

sudo apt-get install gimp

sudo apt-get install unity-tweak-tool

sudo apt-get install icedtea-7-plugin openjdk-7-jre

sudo apt-get install wine

sudo apt-get install miro

sudo apt-get install soundconverter

sudo apt-get install gPodder

sudo apt-get install OpenShot

sudo apt-get install easytag

sudo apt-get install audacity

sudo apt-get install calibre

sudo apt-get install nautilus-dropbox

To install skype, see the following:
http://JayForrest.org/2014/04/04/installing-skype-in-ubuntu-14-04/

To install Seamonkey, see the following:
http://JayForrest.org/2014/04/03/installing-seamonkey-in-ubuntu-14-04/

Switch Default Applications
In Dash enter “Details”, click on it.
Click on “Default Applications” tab.
Choose the ones you want to use.

Some Last Tips
To change the size of icons on the Launcher, search in Dash for appearance, click on it. On the bottom right there is a slider, choose the size that works for you. This is also where you can change your Wallpaper.

While you are in appearance, click on the Behavior tab. Here you can switch to show menus in the window’s title bar. That way the menu is not locked to the top bar.

One last tip, for Dash shortcuts just keep holding down the Windows key (called Super) until it appears. This will give you shortcuts like hold Super and w will spread all the windows on one screen.

Enjoy Ubuntu 14.04 LTS Trusty Tahr!

Skype is not included in the Ubuntu repositories, which means you have install it differently. Here are the link:

http://www.skype.com/en/download-skype/skype-for-computer/

Installing ttf-mscorefonts-installer caused me problems because I couldn’t click to acknowledge I read the agreement. After a bit of research I discovered that shift + tab worked to highlight it, then I just clicked enter.

If you click out of Terminal beforehand you will need to enter the following, in Terminal:

sudo apt-get clean

sudo apt-get install –reinstall ttf-mscorefonts-installer

Ubuntu 14.04 comes with a firewall already installed. But if you are not good on the command line, you may want to use a Graphical User Interface to configure it.

To install the Graphical User Interface for the UFW Firewall, open the Terminal and type:

sudo apt-get install gufw

It is now installed. Just search for Firewall to open it. It will ask for your password.

Most user will only need to use the following basic settings:

Status: On
Incoming: Deny
Outgoing: Allow