Adjust Ubuntu Unity’s Settings Easily With GUnity

gunity-mainIf you are using Ubuntu Natty, and the Unity desktop, you will surely know that there are very little configuration options available. If you wanted to make any change, your best bet is to install the CompizConfig Setting Manager and search through the vast list for the options that you want to change. If you are looking for something simpler, GUnity is the one for you.

GUnity is a third party application with various options for you to customize the Unity setting. In short, it is the Compiz Config Settings Manager specially for Unity.
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2 Ways to Make Ubuntu Notification More User Friendly

notifyosd-mainThe Ubuntu notification bubble (aka NotifyOSD) is one thing that I love and hate at the same time. I love how it is able to show notification in a nice and elegant way, yet I hate that it didn’t come with any configuration options for me to customize it. There’s no way I can close the bubble (when it appears), nor the timing or location of its appearance.

To be able to customize the NotifyOSD, there are 2 ways to go about doing it: using the patched NotifyOSD or use AWN.
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Need A Password Manager? Install KeePass2 In Ubuntu Natty

keepass2-logoIn the past, the best way to get KeePass running on Linux is to install KeePassX, which is a port over version of KeePass 1.x. To get KeePass 2.x to run in Linux, you will need to install a whole bunch of mono libraries and manually install the source file. Worst still, it might not work in the end. Luckily, that kind of days is over. Julian Taylor has released a PPA that allows you to install KeePass 2 easily (only work in Ubuntu or other debian based distro).

Note: The PPA will install a whole bunch of mono libraries in your system. If you are not comfortable with it, this is not for you.
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Virtualbox: How to Set 32-bit Display In Ubuntu Guest [Quick Tips]

I installed Ubuntu Natty on my Virtualbox (Ubuntu guest on Ubuntu host) and the first problem that greeted me when I boot up is the 16-bit display error message:

The virtual machine window is optimized to work in 32 bit color mode but the virtual display is currently set to 16 bit.

Please open the display properties dialog of the guest OS and select a 32 bit color mode, if it is available, for best possible performance of the virtual video subsystem.

Note. Some operating systems, like OS/2, may actually work in 32 bit mode but report it as 24 bit (16 million colors). You may try to select a different color mode to see if this message disappears or you can simply disable the message now if you are sure the required color mode (32 bit) is not available in the guest OS.

It stated that your system is optimized to work in 32-bit, but the color quality is set to 16-bit. First of all, there is no “display properties” in Ubuntu that allows you to change from 16-bit to 32-bit. Secondly, when you open the monitor option, you can only select 800×600 (or lower) screen resolution.

Here’s what I did to solve the problem.
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How to Install KDE In Ubuntu Natty [Quick Tips]

kde-logoUbuntu Natty has been out for almost two weeks. If you do not like the Unity interface, nor the classic Gnome, you could install KDE and give it a spin. We have covered KDE 4 several times and it is elegant and by far the best KDE distribution.

Here’s how you can install KDE in Ubuntu Natty.
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8 Really Useful Ubuntu Unity Quicklists

unity-google-chromeOne of the useful features in Unity (Ubuntu Natty) is the adding of quicklists to the application icons in the launcher. For example, you can right click on the Google Chrome icon and access the option to open an incognito window, or right click the Gmail icon and select “Compose New Email” option. For those who came from the Windows background, this is very similar to the Windows 7′s taskbar jumplist.
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How to AutoHide the Unity Launcher In Ubuntu Natty

unity-launcherOne of the (most hated?) features in Ubuntu is the Unity theme that changed almost every aspect of the familiar GNOME environment that you are used to. You can’t add custom icons to the panel or to the system tray, you have to change your workflow and get used to the dash. To make it worst, you have to put up with a launcher bar that stays on the side and won’t go away until you place a window on top of it. While you won’t be able to change much of the interface, you can, however, change the behavior of the launcher bar and get it to go out of sight (autohide) when not in use. Here’s the way:
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Ubuntu Natty Beta 1 Review + Screenshots Tour

ubuntu-natty-mainIf you have followed me in Make Tech Easier, you will know that I always like to test out and review the beta version of Ubuntu. First of all, all the functionalities are more or less finalized in the beta version, and it is stable enough to install in production machine. Most important of all, you don’t have to join the rush to download the LiveCD when it is officially released.

The beta version of Ubuntu – 110.04 Natty Narwhal is already out. I took the plunge and wipe my computer clean to install the Natty beta. (I do it because I wanted to experience the change from head to toe. You don’t have to follow me.) After using it for one full day, I am both happy and disappointed. Let’s see what’s the good and bad in Ubuntu Natty.
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Fedora 15 vs Ubuntu Natty Narwhal – The Battle for Your Next Desktop

fed15natty-smallWith the changes coming to the desktops of some major Linux distributions, it looks like we’re beginning to see some welcome differentiation between how each distro presents itself to users. Fedora and Ubuntu are of course well known as some of the most popular and user-friendly Linux systems, and while they have many similarities, their next major releases are both taking a new approach to the desktop. Ubuntu has decided to drop their Netbook spin and run their homegrown Unity desktop across the board. Fedora however has jumped on board with Gnome 3, confident that it will have all the form and function their users want. While we’ve already discussed both desktops before, Fedora and Ubuntu are both offering more than a makeover, and it’s time to dig deeper.
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I Have Installed Ubuntu…What’s Next?

ubuntu-what-nextDoes this sound familiar to you? You have taken the plunge and install Ubuntu on your computer. The next moment, you have no idea what to do next and where to head. Now, before any doubt creeps in and you are wondering if you have make the right choice leaving the comfort zone (Windows or Mac) and venture into the unknown ground, let us show you what you can, and should do after installing Ubuntu

Note: While this article deals with Ubuntu, it should work for any other distro as well.
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