Saturday, June 6, 2009

Configure Your System With Ubuntu Tweak

Screenshot-Ubuntu Tweak
Ubuntu Tweak is an application designed to make configuring Ubuntu easier. It provides many useful desktop and system options that the default desktop environment doesn't easily provide. It also offers easy installation of popular programs and 3rd party repositories. It is only designed for an Ubuntu GNOME Desktop, and is available for both Ubuntu 8.10 and Ubuntu 8.04 but not for the lpia architecture.

Ubuntu Tweak provides system information:
Screenshot-Ubuntu Tweak-1
- these screenshots are from my desktop, not my Dell Mini 9.

Easy installation of popular applications & 3rd party repositories:
Screenshot-Ubuntu Tweak-5
- I recommend Ubuntu Tweak as the easy and safe way to install OpenOffice 3.0 Wine, Banshee, Mail Notification, Gnome Do and many other programs.

Configuring your startup programs (Autostart):
Screenshot-Ubuntu Tweak-3
- Great for stopping unneeded wanted programs from booting at start up. Making your PC boot faster.

System, Gnome & Nautilus Tweaks:
Screenshot-Ubuntu Tweak-4

I enjoy using Ubuntu Tweak, even though it is just a graphical user interface for other graphical user interfaces. All these 'tweaks' can be done through Gconf and editing source lists. The advantage of Ubuntu Tweak is that it has all these options together in one place, listed and presented in a easy to understand format. You still can mess up your install or nerf your system if you are not careful.

Installating Ubuntu Tweak
1. Download the lastest version of Ubuntu Tweak
-or-
2. Install the Ubuntu Tweak Repository
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-key adv --recv-keys --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com FE85409EEAB40ECCB65740816AF0E1940624A220
- to add the repository key

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
- to open your repository source list

Add the repository for your version of Ubuntu at the end of your source list
-for Ubuntu 8.04 Hardy heron
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ubuntu hardy main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ubuntu hardy main
- for Ubuntu 8.10 Intrepid Ibex
deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ubuntu intrepid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/tualatrix/ubuntu intrepid main

In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get update
- to update your sources
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak
- to install Ubuntu Tweak

Have a question or problem that this article doesn't cover?
Ask our Ubuntu Mini 9 Google Group for help.

8 comments:

Anonymous said...

So is this for the Mini 9 or not? I'm new to Ubuntu and just got my Mini on Monday.

redDEAD said...

yes it is for the mini. i just chose to use screenshots from my desktop.

SigmaBeta said...

Anonymous, you should be aware of two things:

1) This post is generally aimed at any Ubuntu user, if you are using a mini wtih Ubuntu on it then that includes you.

2) It's 8.10. As in, Eight point ten. The distinction is impotant because it refers to the release date, which is 2008 October (10-8.) The next version will be 9.04, not 8.2.

Compton said...

Thank you very much for posting about this program. I now have it installed on my mini 9 and I will always use it with future Ubuntu systems and on my IBM thinkpad. Thanks again. I hope you continue to recommend great software like this.

Anonymous said...

is there a recommended way for using ubuntu tweak in 9.04UNR

redDEAD said...

Anonymous

No there is not. Install a compatible version of Ubuntu Tweak for your Juanty install and use it how you want to.

Anonymous said...

so installed it... and can't find it. went into the configuration manager to reinstall it... it's still nowhere to be found. help!

redDEAD said...

log in and back out for the icon to populate.