Have Firefox Use Ubuntu's Notification System

- Firefox's notifications are not very elegant. They do not use the operating systems native notification system and stick out like a sore thumb.
- This guide will configure Firefox to use Ubuntu's notification system.
- The plugin used works for all versions of Ubuntu, not just 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope.

Step 1: Disable The Old Notification System
In Firefox's URL bar type about:config

- ignore the warning message


- Type browser.download.manager.showAlertOnComplete in the filter bar.
- Set the Value to false

Step 2: Download The FirefoxNotify Plugin

- You must check the"Let me install this experimental add-on" box to download the add-on.

Step 3: Restart Firefox

- Now Firefox will use Ubuntu's notification system.

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Remove The Pop-Up Update Manager

Pop-ups, pop-unders and any window that opens without being given permission is never a good idea. Remember the early days of the internet? This kind of annoying window behavior is unacceptable.





Prior to Ubuntu 9.04, an icon would appear in the notification area, indicating that new system updates were able to be installed. Only after clicking the notification icon would the update manager window appear.


In Ubuntu 9.04 the update-manager behavior was changed. It no longer uses the the notification area to let users know that updates are available. Now Ubuntu auto launches the the update manager window to let user know that software updates are available.



What is the point of having a notification area if you aren't going to use it? Even though the update window does not steal focus or stop workflow, it still launches without permission. I find this behavior annoying and contrary to creating a good user interface. Update notifications belong in the notification area. This is one of the new changes in Jaunty that I can't agree with. The good thing is, like everything else in Ubuntu, if you don't like it you can change it.

To stop the update manager window from auto launching and enabling the notification icon in a terminal type:

gconftool -s --type bool /apps/update-notifier/auto_launch false

- Now when system updates are available the icon appears and Jaunty's beautiful notification system tell you how many updates are available. I think this is a much better way of handling a very important system function. It integrates into the operating system better and gives me back control of my system.

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

Fix The Audio in Ubuntu 9.04 on the Dell Mini 9

After installing Ubnuntu 9.04 on your Dell Mini 9, you probably are not going to hear the familiar Ubuntu start-up sound or any sounds at all. Unlike Ubuntu 8.10 which required users to add a line to their alsa base-file to get sound working. Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope installs with sound enabled, it just that the speaker volume is turned completely down.

To fix this, left click on the volume applet in the upper right hand Gnome panel.

-select Volume Control

Under the HDA Intel (Alsa Mixer)

Turn up the speaker volume (last entry to the right)

Now your sound will be able to be heard in Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope.

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

Installing Ubuntu Netbook Remix in Ubuntu 9.04/9.10

- Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10


- Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.04

Installing Ubuntu Netbook Remix in Ubuntu 9.04 and 9.10 is easy. Unlike Ubuntu 8.04 or 8.10, you do not have to add any extra repositories to install UNR or add programs to the Startup Applications to get it to work.

The UNR packages have been added to the official universe repository. The developers have also created a package, ubuntu-netbook-remix-default-settings, that configures and adds the necessary programs, netbook-launcher and maximus, to your start-up applications.

To install Ubuntu Nexbook Remix
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-netbook-remix

Once you have installed Ubuntu Netbook Remix, you can configure your panels to give it the UNR look and feel. To do this, right click the Gnome Panel and select "Add to panel".

- Add the go-home-applet & window-picker-applet to the gnome panel.


- UNR with the go-home-applet and window-picker-applet running.

If you want to switch to the normal Ubuntu desktop you can use the desktop-switcher.

If you want to uninstall Ubuntu Netbook Remix
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get remove ubuntu-netbook-remix

If you are getting an "E: Couldn't find package ubuntu-netbook-remix" error. Try updating your source list.
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get update
Then try installing the Ubuntu Netbook Remix packages.

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

Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope Beta on the Mini 9

Installing Ubuntu on the Dell Mini 9 was never hard, but getting everything working was. Ubuntu 9.04 Beta does not require any extra fixes or patches. Audio works out of the box (you just need to turn up the speaker volume) and there is no longer a drive mounting problem after a LiveUSB install. Installing Ubuntu Netbook Remix doesn't require adding any extra repositories or adding items to your start-up programs.

I tested both the Ubuntu 9.04 Beta i386 and the Ubuntu Netbook Remix USB 9.04 Beta i386 Image for this article.

If you need need help making a LiveCD.

Installation
If you select the "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer" option and then try to install Ubuntu on your Mini, there is a minor issue. The windows are too large for the screen and get cut off. You will not be able to completely see the buttons on the bottom of the window to make your selections.

It does not hinder your ability to install Ubuntu on the Dell Mini 9 or and you can see what the buttons say. If you want to be able to move the windows and see the complete selection.
Go to System>Preferences>Appearances. Under the Visual Effects Tab select None.
- This will allow you move the windows up (click the window while holding down the alt key) and see the bottom of the buttons.

Video
The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950 driver has received some significant upgrades since Intrepid's release. Video playback is better, Compiz is running smoother and flash video is actually bearable to watch again.

Ubuntu Netbook Remix
Installing Ubuntu Netbook Remix used to require a little bit of work and extra know-how. In Jaunty, the Netbook Remix packages have been added to the official Ubuntu repositories and the included ubuntu-netbook-remix-default-settings package configures everything for you.

To install Ubuntu Netbook Remix
in a terminal type:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-netbook-remix

Note: The desktop switcher program is still slightly buggy. It has a tendency to crash when switching back from the normal desktop to Netbook Remix.

Compiz
The Intel Graphics Media Accelerator (GMA) 950 runs compiz without any special setup or configuration.

To get the most out of Compiz install the advanced configuration tool.
In a terminal:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

Note: You can find the Compiz Settings Manager under System->Preferences once you install it

Wireless
The Broadcom STA wireless driver was activated after install and connecting to both WEP and WPA poses no problem.

Wired
Worked out of the box. There was a Kernel Bug that prevented the wired Ethernet connection from working in Ubuntu 8.10 but the bug has been squashed and the Dell Mini 9's wired connection works perfectly.

Audio
Unlike Intrepid, audio works out of the box in Jaunty. You just need to turn up the speaker volume in the Volume Control on your first boot.


Webcam
Worked out of the box. To test the webcam, install Cheese.
In a terminal type:

sudo apt-get cheese

Note: The video may seem slow, you just need to adjust the webcam's resolution under Edit>Preferences

Bluetooth
Worked out of the box and includes the ability to enter the device PIN code through the GUI.


Card Reader
Worked out of the box. Secure Digital (SD) & SDHC (High Capacity), MultiMediaCard (MMC) and Memory Stick all worked.

Brightness & Volume
Brightness and volume keyboard short-cuts both work with any extra configuration.

Suspend & Hibernate
Suspend works incredibly well. I suspended my computer over and over without a problem.
Hibernate will not work if you do not have a swap partition. If you have a swap file, hibernate works well.

Video Out
Worked out of the box, you don't have to edit your xorg.conf file anymore. Just plug your external monitor/projector into your Mini 9 and send the video out.
Video has a tendency to jitter while Grub is loading and during the Ubuntu splash screen once you load into Ubuntu, the video corrects itself and all is smooth.

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