Five Softwares to Install in Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron [Recommendation]
The much-awaited 8.04 version of the Ubuntu Desktop named ‘Hardy Heron’ was released yesterday. I downloaded the 699 MB ISO and managed to install it today. There have been really worthy improvements. We can only hope that this latest version brings a lot of users into the Linux World.
Ubuntu comes with functional and free software for all your needs, but still I’d like to recommend you the following five software that’ll make it even more better:
1. Compiz Advanced Settings Manager
Ubuntu comes with a set of graphic effects that are really a treat to your eyes, but you can just choose between three levels – normal, extra, and no graphics. Ubuntu doesn’t give you options to configure/add additional snazzy graphic effects for window movements.
By installing the Compiz Config Settings Manager, you can control the magical graphic effects by using a GUI. For instance, you can alter the window opacity settings, and add a bunch of rotating cube effects, etc.
Compiz Settings Manager can be installed by typing:
$sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager
2. Startup Manager
Ubuntu does come in with a little msconfig-like startup program manager that can be accessed from System > Preferences > Sessions but it doesn’t give you many settings to play with.
You can download and install a program called Startup Manager that can help you modify a few cool settings. Have a look at the screenshot above this paragraph. It’s got the options to alter the GRUB settings, menu timeout, colours, background image, menu resolution, grub password, etc.
Startup Manager can be installed by typing:
$sudo apt-get install startupmanager
3. GParted
Did you know that you never need to defragment your Linux filesystems? So, a defragmenter is unneeded. However, you might want to manage your hard disk partitions if you have cluttered data all around.
GParted does the job for you. It’s an excellent, open source partition manager that can format, resize, delete and perform all sorts of operations on your hard disk partitions. If you keep tweaking your system, this is an essential utility.
GParted can be installed by typing:
$sudo apt-get install gparted
4. NumLockX
I use the number pad on my keyboard most of the time, but the fact is that when I boot into Ubuntu, the NumLock key is not switched on by default.
When I scouted for a way to turn it on, I came across this little package called numlockx that does the job perfectly. At less than 75 KB, this tool does what it says – turns on the NumLock key when the GUI starts.
Numlockx can be installed by typing:
$sudo apt-get install numlockx
5. Adobe AIR
AIR-based apps are getting quite popular by the day, and since I’m an active twitterer, I really need twhirl to access it. Twhirl is Adobe AIR-based, so I had to install the runtime.
Adobe AIR installation was quite easy, thanks to the installation guide from Sizlopedia. There are many other useful AIR apps available. Don’t forget to check them out.
Besides all the above five, I also installed Avant Window Navigator and Gnome Do (read my Gnome Do review)
Do suggest your favourite software apps for Ubuntu in the comments! I’m all ears.
Related posts:
I am eager to try out Ubuntu with the Wubi installation . Will try all these softwares after installation.
Madhur Kapoor
26 Apr 08 at 10:23 pm
I have no interest in letting any more of Adobe’s crapware (perfectly valid! Flash for Linux is half-arsedly implemented and Acrobat Reader crashes browsers on Windows (so I keep it off my Linux)) touch my system. What’s Twhirl got that Twitux (0.61, the one I packaged) or GTwitter haven’t?
Well, for the ladies I’d say Cycle is invaluable. For webcam users, Cheese. For designers, Agave and Gnome-Specimen.
Mackenzie
26 Apr 08 at 11:27 pm
I’m also waiting for my CDs. Will try all these applications when I get them
Haris
27 Apr 08 at 12:41 am
Sorry mate, but this is pure and utter crap. The list you compiled is quite superficial and gnome-centric. It also lacks coherence; it just contains 5 random items with debatable degrees of usefulness for the normal user.
JIMBO
27 Apr 08 at 2:37 am
I would think that Yakuake or the Gnome equivalent would be far more useful than most of the stuff on this list, aside from Gparted.
Funny thing, though, I type in “apt-get” on my system and it replies:
“apt-get” is not installed on this system. You may install it by typing “sudo emerge apt-get” from a command prompt.
Jeff
27 Apr 08 at 2:54 am
i like these softwares…
amarok – music
VLC media player -video
krusader – file management/backup/synchronization
Ubuntu Tweak – various useful desktop/system/etc. settings manager
k3b – CD/DVD burning software
RSIBreak – App that tells you how long you’ve been using the computer and tells you to take breaks
Picasa – photo editing
Krita – Image editing
stardict – super customizable dictionary
Downloader for X – helpful downloader software that works well with flashgot
WebHTTrack – website downloader software
And that’s that…:-) Have fun folks. Thanks for your five. I’ll check out 2, 4 and 5.
caligarn
27 Apr 08 at 6:11 am
AIR is a security hole waiting to happen. There’s no good reason it won’t install in userspace, and why does it insist on requiring root-access for every applet installed? There’s no telling what one of those applets will do to your system.
Avoid it like the plague, that’s what I say.
isecore
27 Apr 08 at 7:45 pm
HI shankar, very good post dude. I ordered the UBUNTU cd, i hope i will get it soon.. and lemme try all these.. once again thanking you..
Nicholas Francis
28 Apr 08 at 12:09 pm
thanks for the tips bro !!
Ram Sathish
28 Apr 08 at 12:13 pm
@Jeff
This is an Ubuntu programs. Obviously apt-get is not installed by default on your distribution. It is however, in Ubuntu 8.10.
Ryan
28 Apr 08 at 8:01 pm
[...] Five Essential Software to install in Ubuntu [...]
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1 May 08 at 10:17 am
Very useful tips.
Regards
Team
Derive Host
Derive Host
1 May 08 at 11:15 pm
AIR is essentially a pre-packaged security hazard. I wouldn’t install if even if Adobe held a gun to my head. I have a hard time trusting Adobe with root-access to my box, much less some random Joe Q. Scripter. Because that’s what it is. Every applet you install in air will need root-access.
Rebenga
2 May 08 at 7:28 am
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2 May 08 at 9:43 am
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4 May 08 at 3:26 pm
first thing i did to my new ubuntu 8.04 is install wajig then yakuake. it save time a lot.
bahmak2003
6 May 08 at 2:33 pm
@Jeff
You seem to be using Gentoo not ubuntu
linuxbot3000
10 May 08 at 5:25 am
Correct your link to GnomeDo review…. (in case you’re wondering, it is caused by this
featurebug of HTML).Sumesh from Blog Creativity
16 May 08 at 9:00 pm
@Sumesh: The link opens here. What problem are you having?
Shankar Ganesh
17 May 08 at 7:50 am
Why I failed to install compiz-config-manager.
the error is not found server. thanks.
wahyu007
18 May 08 at 8:40 pm
Nice list Shankar! My current linux desktop doesn’t seem to handle compiz very well. I am waiting for openSUSE 10.3 to kick my setup into the next gear.
K-IntheHouse
19 May 08 at 9:43 pm
I meant openSUSE 11. LOL
K-IntheHouse
19 May 08 at 9:43 pm
Hi,
I downloaded Ubuntu (studio) 8.04 and will be putting it on a partition in a few days.
Thanks for the great utilities! I will try them all. By the way, I will be struggling (probably for weeks) with linux command line to get the refresh rate up to 100 Hz. In windows, my trusty old but high-end Hitachi CM771 19″ monitor does 1152 lines at 100 Hz easy.
In Linux, this is a nightmare to setup! But I will try. I’ll try modeline generators & try entering horiz & vert Hz rates for the CM771. Question: If some guy could write an easy to use script utility for doing this in BEOS 5, (I got 100 Hz there), why on earth doesn’t somebody do it for Linux? This stuff should be plug & play, not command-line!
Yes, I will eventually buy an LCD monitor, where 60 Hz all day is fine, but for now, I need to use my Hitachi.
Peace, & thanks again for your great utils! Any help or tips would be appreciated too!
-Brian.
Brian
10 Jun 08 at 6:23 am
the adobe air works amazing. awesome article
Gravity
26 Aug 08 at 10:55 pm
also dont forget to install amarok or Songbird
And
vlc,pidgin and mplayer for all the multimedia needs
amol
12 Feb 09 at 12:54 pm