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Lubuntu 15 10 post install configuration

After Lubuntu 15.10 was successfully installed, there were still some tweaks I needed to make to be fully satisfied.  Feel free to use or ignore as you see fit:

Run system update via Start > System Tools > Software Updater

Set up video card

Add/Remove applications:
sudo apt-get install chromium-browser default-jdk libreoffice thunderbird keepassx audacity git xscreensaver xscreensaver-gl-extra p7zip-full shutter avidemux
sudo apt-get remove gnumeric abiword firefox pidgin sylpheed xpad
sudo apt-get install libdvd-pkg
sudo dpkg-reconfigure libdvd-pkg

Right-click time in bottom-right corner > Select Digital Clock Settings > Change clock format from %R to %l:%M %p

Change the screen saver: Start > Preferences > Screensaver

Change the launch bar:
Right-click the File Manager icon in bottom left corner > Select Application Launch Bar settings > add Thunderbird, Leafpad, KeepassX and LXTerminal

Change the desktop wallpaper:
Search for a desired wallpaper and save it to your hard drive.  Right-click desktop and select Desktop Preferences > Appearance tab > Click button next to current Wallpaper image and browse for your new wallpaper.

Change the default view:
Open file manager > Edit > Preferences > General tab > set Default View to Detailed List View

Set Thunderbird to reply to messages above quoted text:
Open Thunderbird > Edit > Preferences > Advanced tab > General tab > Config Editor... button > search for default.reply_on_top and set the value to 1

Add printer:
For my HP Officejet Pro 8100, I needed the HP drivers:
sudo apt-get install hplip printer-driver-hpijs hplip-gui && sudo hp-setup
Start > System Tools > Printers  -->  right-click  -->  Set as Default

Install Chromium plugins:
https://www.eff.org/https-everywhere
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/adblock-plus/cfhdojbkjhnklbpkdaibdccddilifddb
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/wappalyzer/gppongmhjkpfnbhagpmjfkannfbllamg
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/clear-cache/cppjkneekbjaeellbfkmgnhonkkjfpdn
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/ghostery/mlomiejdfkolichcflejclcbmpeaniij
https://chrome.google.com/webstore/detail/recent-bookmarks/olndffocioplakeilhkgenfgdincjlpn

Edit keyboard shortcuts:  sudo leafpad ~/.config/openbox/lubuntu-rc.xml 

after the <!-- Keybindings for desktop switching -->  line add:

<keybind key="C-l">
     <action name="Execute">
           <command>xscreensaver-command -lock</command>
     </action>
</keybind>

then, replace:

   <!-- Take a screenshot of the current window with scrot when Alt+Print are pressed -->
    <keybind key="A-Print">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>scrot -u -b</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>  

with:

  <!-- Take a screenshot of the current window with shutter when Alt+Print are pressed -->
    <keybind key="A-Print">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>shutter -a -e</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>

then, replace:

  <!-- Launch scrot when Print is pressed -->
    <keybind key="Print">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>scrot</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>  

with:

  <!-- Launch shutter when Print is pressed -->
    <keybind key="Print">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>shutter -f -e</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>
   

...then save and close the XML file

Configure shutter:
create a folder called screenshots in your home directory
open Start > Accessories > Shutter
from the menu, select Edit > Preferences
Main side-tab:
Filename: %Y%m%d-%NN
Directory: screenshots
Actions side-tab:
Open with: place checkmark next to Built-in Editor
Behavior side-tab:
uncheck Display pop-up notification after taking a screenshot
click the Close button and main shutter window to save the changes

Logout and log back in to test your changes (Window+L will lock your screen, Print Screen will bring up the entire screen in shutter, and +Print Screen will bring up the active window in shutter)

Available link for download

Install video card on Lubuntu with NVIDIA chipset

I bought a new video card the other day from Zotac and I figured I would install the drivers via their website or the NVIDIA website (a downloadable file named NVIDIA-Linux-x86_64-###.##.run).  WRONG!


The best way to install NVIDIA drivers is through the official Ubuntu repositories:

sudo nvidia-installer --uninstall
sudo apt-get remove nvidia* --purge
sudo update-initramfs -u
sudo apt-get install nvidia-current


For most people, that should be sufficient -- reboot and verify.  If the resolution still looks off, read on...


It turns out I had black bars at the top and bottom of my screen and everything was fuzzy.  It turns out the NVIDIA auto-configuration didnt detect my old monitor (SyncMaster 920nw) and its weird 1440x900 aspect ratio so I needed to do some additional tweaking.

I ran this command to generate my /etc/X11/xorg.conf file (bypassing automatic monitor detection):

sudo nvidia-xconfig --no-use-edid-dpi


I then edited the /etc/X11/xorg.conf file and added the following line to the Monitor section:

Option "DPI" "96 x 96"


I also had to change the HorizSync and VertRefresh values to (check your monitor manufacturer page to find the right values for your monitor):

HorizSync       28.0 - 80.0
VertRefresh     48.0 - 75.0


Then, in the Screen section, I had to add:

Option "IgnoreEDID" "true"


After saving the file, I rebooted and loaded the NVIDIA config tool (Start > System Tools > NVIDIA X Server Settings).  In the X Server Display Configuration screen, I clicked the Resolution dropdown and chose 1440x900.  Once the resolution updated and looked good, I clicked the Save to X Configuration File button.

After rebooting to verify the change persisted, I had to update my /etc/default/grub file with these lines to improve my splash screen and grub list resolution:

GRUB_GFXMODE=1024x768
GRUB_GFXPAYLOAD_LINUX=keep


In addition, I needed to create/update the /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d/splash file to add this line:

echo FRAMEBUFFER=y


Finally, I ran these commands to apply the changes:

sudo update-initramfs -u
sudo update-grub2


I rebooted once more to verify the grub list and Lubuntu splash screen at startup looked moderately better.



...Hope this helps anyone else with an unusual setup like mine!



_______________

References:

• http://ubuntuforums.org/showthread.php?t=1537225&p=9627153#post9627153
• http://www.techytalk.info/lubuntu-change-fonts-dpi-when-using-proprietary-nvidia-driver/
• http://www.binarytides.com/ubuntu-fix-nvidia-graphics/

Available link for download

Dual boot Lubuntu 12 10 and Windows XP with RAID 1

I recently purchased the GA-78LMT-S2P motherboard with (FakeRAID) AMD SB710 software RAID support.  Here are my notes for getting it to dual-boot Windows XP and Lubuntu with RAID 1 (mirror):

1. Install two hard drives of same size on SATA2 connectors 0 and 1 (DVD-ROM drives installed on SATA2 connectors 4 and 5)

2. In BIOS, set "OnChip SATA Type" to "RAID" and follow the motherboard manual instructions in "Chapter 4 Appendix"

3. Create slipstreamed XP Pro 32-bit install disc with RAID drivers using nLite

4. Install Windows XP (create a partition with half the available disk space for install)

5. Install drivers (chipset, video, lan, etc)

6. Verify Internet connection works and download files mentioned here to a usb key or burn to a cd (note: for convenience, Ive bundled all the files into a single archive).  Youll use these files later for the Linux setup.

7. Restart and boot from Lubuntu 64-bit PC alternate install disc (make sure its the alternate version and not the LiveCD Desktop version)

8. Select "Install Lubuntu"

9. Select your language > location > no to detect keyboard > English (US) keyboard > English (US)

10. It will warn you that no network interface is detected.  This is expected since the Atheros GbE (AR8161) LAN chip drivers are not yet included by default with Ubuntu 12.10.  Well fix this in a later step.  For now, select Continue.

11. Set hostname > full name > username > password > choose whether to encrypt home directory > set time zone

12. Lubuntu will detect the RAID configuration.  Select Yes to activate the RAID devices

13. Select "Guided - use the largest continuous free space"

14. Review the settings and then select Yes to write the changes to disk

15. Leave proxy blank and select Continue

16. When prompted, remove CD and reboot

17. The grub bootloader should now show Lubuntu and Windows XP.  Select Lubuntu and login.

18. Copy all *.deb files from step #6 above to /tmp

19. Open a commandline terminal and run: cd /tmp && sudo dpkg -i *.deb

20. After installations complete, reboot and verify Lubuntu can now connect to the Internet

21. If necessary, update the GRUB boot order and timeout: http://askubuntu.com/a/110738

Available link for download

Lubuntu 12 10 post install configuration

After Lubuntu 12.10 was successfully installed, there were still some tweaks I needed to make to be fully satisfied.  Feel free to use or ignore as you see fit:

1. Run system update via Start > System Tools > Software Updater

2. Remove unneeded programs:
sudo apt-get remove pidgin sylpheed xpad abiword gnumeric ace-of-penguins gpicview gnome-mplayer scrot mtpaint chromium-browser

3. Remove the orphaned Gnumeric menu option
sudo mv /usr/share/applications/gnumeric.desktop /tmp

4. Install additional desired programs:

Chrome: https://www.google.com/chrome/browser/#eula

Others:
sudo apt-get install thunderbird libreoffice libreoffice-gnome filezilla keepassx icedtea-7-plugin audacity virtualbox build-essential git meld xscreensaver-gl-extra scite shutter sound-juicer gpick eog parcellite gnome-themes-standard lubuntu-restricted-extras vlc easymp3gain-gtk libav-tools exfat-utils exfat-fuse p7zip-full

sudo apt-get autoremove 

5. Setup DVD playback

6. Change the clock appearance from military to a.m./p.m. format
Right-click time in bottom-right corner > Select Digital Clock Settings > Change clock format from %R to %l:%M %p

7. Change the screen saver:
Start > Preferences > Screensaver > Indicate only one screensaver to be shown and choose Flurry (or another screensaver of your choice).
In the screen saver settings, Blank After 9 minutes, Cycle After 0 minutes, check the box for Lock Screen After and set to 1 minute.

8. Change the default view:
Open file manager > Edit > Preferences > General tab > set Default View to Detailed List View

9. Change the launch bar:
Right-click the File Manager icon in bottom left corner > Select Application Launch Bar settings > add Google Chrome, Thunderbird, Leafpad, and LXTerminal (and remove Chromium Web Browser, if present)

10. Change the desktop wallpaper:
Search for a desired wallpaper and save it to your hard drive.  Right-click desktop and select Desktop Preferences > Appearance tab > Click button next to current Wallpaper image and browse for your new wallpaper.

11. Set Thunderbird to reply to messages above quoted text:
Open Thunderbird > Edit > Preferences > Advanced tab > General tab > Config Editor... button > search for default.reply_on_top and set the value to 1

12. Add printer via Start > System Tools > Printers

13. Open Chromium browser and install desired extensions:

• Adblock Plus
• Awesome Screenshot Capture
• Tab Expose
• Clear Cache
• Wappalyzer
• Pallette for Chrome
• Pendule
• What Font
• PageSpeed Insights
• Ghostery
• HTTPS Everywhere
• BugMeNot
• Lorem Ipsum Generator
• Recent Bookmarks
• Chromebleed
• Tracking Token Stripper
• Disconnect
• Stylish then add startpage clean & minimal theme and configure as your default https search engine.  P.S. I personally tweaked the theme to look a tiny bit more like Google:

In your browser toolbar, click the Stylish "S" logo and choose "Manage installed styles".  Then click Edit on "startpage clean & minimal" and do a search and replace of the code:

#254B6A !important   -->   #609

#3B7AB0!important   -->   #1a0dab

#00B121!important   -->  #006621

and add this code to the bottom of the file:

div.result h3 a {

  font-size: 18px !important

}

.normaltext2 {

  display: none;

}

14. Edit keyboard shortcuts:  sudo leafpad ~/.config/openbox/lubuntu-rc.xml 

• then, replace:

   <!-- Take a screenshot of the current window with scrot when Alt+Print are pressed -->
    <keybind key="A-Print">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>scrot -u -b</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>   

• with:

  <!-- Take a screenshot of the current window with shutter when Alt+Print are pressed -->
    <keybind key="A-Print">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>shutter -a -e</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>

• then, replace:

  <!-- Launch scrot when Print is pressed -->
    <keybind key="Print">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>scrot</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>   

• with:

  <!-- Launch shutter when Print is pressed -->
    <keybind key="Print">
      <action name="Execute">
        <command>shutter -f -e</command>
      </action>
    </keybind>
     

• ...then save and close the XML file

15. Configure shutter:

• create a folder called screenshots in your home directory
• open Start > Accessories > Shutter
• from the menu, select Edit > Preferences
• Main side-tab:
• Filename: %Y%m%d-%NN
• Directory: screenshots
• Actions side-tab:
• Open with: place checkmark next to Built-in Editor
• Behavior side-tab:
• uncheck Display pop-up notification after taking a screenshot
• click the Close button and main shutter window to save the changes

16. Logout and log back in to test your changes (Window+L will lock your screen, Print Screen will bring up the entire screen in shutter, and <Alt>+Print Screen will bring up the active window in shutter)

note: due to a shutter bug, you cant save an edited screenshot to the clipboard so youll need to save or export first.

17. Set up terminal auto-copy

18. Start > Preferences > Default applications for LXSession -->  set default Webbrowser to "Google Chrome" and default Email to "Thunderbird Mail"

Available link for download

Terminal auto copy to clipboard for Lubuntu

Update: the parcellite solution described below is a little too aggressive (mangles keepassx auto-type and displays passwords in log) so I recommend NOT using that method and instead use a simpler solution -- highlight text in lxterminal and then use the middle mouse button to paste the highlighted text.

____________________________

Original post (kept for documentation purposes):

One of the things I love most about PuTTY is that it automatically copies whatever is selected in the terminal window to the clipboard.  You wouldnt think this is all that big of a deal but trust me, its a huge time saver and you quickly lose patience without it.

Unfortunately, the terminal in Lubuntu (and nearly every other Linux distro) does not come with this feature.  After this annoyed me one too many times, I finally did a Google search and discovered to my joy that there is a fix:

sudo apt-get install parcellite

Available link for download

Security issue with Lubuntu 14 04

Important: due to a security bug, Lubuntu versions 12.04.1 through 14.04 do not check for security updates or display the Software Updater utility on a periodic basis.  To fix, run this in your terminal:

echo @update-notifier >> ~/.config/lxsession/Lubuntu/autostart

Available link for download