Maximus and Chromium

I know I said I wasn't supporting Ubuntu Netbook Remix on the site for Karmic but this fix is pretty important so I'll bend the rules a bit.

Ubuntu Netbook Remix users are installing Chromium and finding that maximus doesn't work properly. Chromium instances are not being created or launching maximized.


- Chromium by default uses a slick interface that doesn't use a title bar (compact boarders). This is what is inhibiting maximus. To fix this you need to tell Chromium to use system title bar and borders.

Click the wrench and select Options.

- in the options menu under the Personal Stuff tab
- check the Use system title bar and borders box

Due to the Mini's screen size you may not be able to see the option on the bottom of the window. It's directly below the Use GTK Theme button. You may not be able to see it but you should be able to click it. Depending on your personal setup you should be able to move the window by using you mouse while holding the alt key. Try turning off compiz or disabling y-constraint.

This also works for Google Chrome, but big boys and girls use Chromium. Now we just have to bug the Chromium developers to show netbooks some love and allow for the Options menu to be properly resized and moved when used on a small screen.

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

Benchmark Comparison Between Chromium OS, Moblin & Ubuntu Netbook Remix

Phoronix is a Linux technology website focusing on product reviews, distribution screenshots, interviews, and news. Today they released a benchmark comparison between Chromium OS, Moblin, Ubuntu Netbook Remix. Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala did extremely well.

From the article:

"Well, these results were certainly interesting to say the least and surprised us in some areas. When it came to our netbook performance tests from the desktop, there were not too many dissenting test results between the gaming, video playback, encoding, and disk test profiles. However, for those tests that did differ, Ubuntu Netbook Remix 9.10 usually came out in front as being the best performer."

These test were done with a Samsung NC10. The NC10 is almost identical to the Dell Mini 9/10v and Vostro A90, they all use the Intel Atom N270 processor and Intel 945GME + ICH7-M Chipset with the standard Intel 945 integrated graphics at a resolution of 1024 x 600 .

While I am not the biggest fan of Ubuntu Netbook Remix this release, the results hold true for the standard Ubuntu release. All Ubuntu Karmic Mini/Vostro users should be satisfied that their operating system is preforming nicely against the competition.

You can read the full article here.

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

Ubuntu Netbook Remix's Desktop-Switcher Isn't Broken, It's Gone

Desktop-switcher is an application that allows you to switch between Ubuntu Netbook Remix's user interface and the standard Ubuntu Gnome interface. It has been plagued with bugs and problems since Ubuntu 8.04. Desktop-switcher has killed many desktops and has lead to some very frustrating moments for users, and wasn't getting any more stable. While desktop-switcher was available during Karmic's pre-release, Ubuntu 9.10 shipped without desktop-switcher.

The official reason from the UNR developers:

The architecture/design of desktop-switcher of trying to update the live configuration (GConf settings and others) makes it really fragile and error prone; desktop-switcher also takes some backups of gconf settings in ~/ and attempts to restore them, which creates more code pathes and potential problems. It's easy to end up in a completely broken setup with some minutes of playing.

desktop-switcher was intended to help hardy UNR users to disable clutter/opengl when their setup didn't support that nicely. Nowadays, we except these to just work, so it's kind of not required.

Finally, desktop-switcher duplicates the settings from ubuntu-netbook-remix-default-settings, so we need to update two places when we change them,

In karmic+1, we'd like to implement this feature by having an UNR session on the GDM screen along GNOME, that would be a much more solid and clean design. This would also solve the duplication.

So to sum up, we'd like to unseed desktpo-switcher in karmic's UNR and revisit this differently in lucid. We will still attempt to fix top issues if time and complexity of the fixes permit.

UNR is an excellent desktop environment but sometimes the "standard" Ubuntu desktop is better suited for some tasks. Not having the desktop-switcher really hurts UNR usability and because of this I am dropping UNR support on the blog. Until desktop-switcher returns I cannot use/support a broken user interface.
I am excited to try the new dekstop-switcher implementation in the pre-release of Ubuntu 10.04 , but until then I'm focusing on other things.

This saddens me, as many of you know I'm a huge fan of Ubuntu Netbook Remix and loved using it even though it was slow, bloated and clunky.

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

Ubuntu Netbook Remix UI Gets Tweaked Again

Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala Alpha 4 brings another Ubuntu Netbook Remix user interface redesign. The colors has been lighted, the menus now dynamically resize to allow more of the background to be seen and launcher animations have returned.

Favorites-


Files & Folders-


System Preferences & Administration


Launcher Animations-


If you want to try out Ubuntu 9.10 Alpha 4, you can download it here

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

Ubuntu Netbook Remix's New User Interface

Ubuntu Netbook Remix's user interface is receiving a redesign for Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala.


- The original interface (Click image for a larger view)


- The redesigned Ubuntu Netbook Remix (Click image for a larger view)

I don't hide my love for Ubuntu Netbook Remix, but I'm well aware that the interface wasn't exactly perfect at first. It was clunky and misused screen space, two shortcomings that have thankfully been addressed in the redesign. The right side of the the launcher was removed and integrated into the left panel, and the color scheme was cleaned up, albeit with a slightly darker tone. As it stands, the new interface is sleek, sexy and feels more responsive.


- UNR now lists the folder shortcuts and drives in the left panel. (Click image for a larger view)


- Each icon now has an "Add to Favorites" menu button. You no longer have to drag and drop it into the "Go Home" applet to create a shortcut. The integration of the Ubuntu notification system is also a nice touch. (Click image for a larger view)


- The preferences and administration tabs were merged into the System category. This seems like a minor tweak but allows users to find everything they need to configure or edit their system in one tab.


- The launcher was changed. It no longer animates and has a sleek look that fits in with the tone of the redesign. It's faster and less distracting, a definite plus in my book. (Click image for a larger view)

I've already written about the exciting improvements in-store for Ubuntu 9.10, and Ubuntu Netbook Remix's redesign is making the wait unbearable.

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

Hack The Ubuntu Netbook Remix UI

With a little bit of work you can really change the look and feel of Ubuntu Netbook Remix's user interface.

- This only took me 2 minutes. It removes almost all of UNR's user interface and lets me show off my desktop wallpaper.


- The default Ubuntu Remix User Interface

The Netbook Remix user interface files are stored in:

/usr/share/netbook-launcher

To edit the files
In a terminal type:

sudo nautilus

- then navigate to /usr/share/netbook-launcher

The files are saved as Scalable Vector Graphics. To edit them, I recommend Inkscape, a free and open source vector graphics editor. It is a powerful graphic editing tool that is fully compliant with the XML, SVG, and CSS standards.

To install Inkscape
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get install inkscape

After editing the files, Log Out and back in for the changes to take effect.

My Inkscape skills are sub-par at best. My hack just erased the background. I would really like to see what the community comes up with. Feel free to take a screenshot (FN+Prnt Scrn) of your custom UNR interface and link to them in the comments. If you want, I can host your pictures and files and share them with everyone. Email me at redDEADresolve [at] gmail and I will put them in the article.

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

Desktop-Swticher is Kind of Broken

Desktop-Switcher is an application that allows you to switch between Ubuntu Netbook Remix's clutter launcher interface and the standard Ubuntu Gnome desktop. Many readers are complaining that they are losing Metacity (window borders) and the Gnome Panel when switching between the desktops.

This fix comes straight from the Ubuntu Remix Developer:
Run one of the following commands depending on your desktop environment via the terminal:

From the Ubuntu Netbook Dekstop:
gconftool-2 --set /desktop/gnome/session/required_components_list --type list --list-type=string ["windowmanager","panel"]

From the Classic Desktop:
gconftool-2 --set /desktop/gnome/session/required_components_list --type list --list-type=string ["windowmanager","panel","filemanager"]

There is also a i386 .deb (sorry lpia users) attached to the bug tracking thread that should fix the desktop-switcher errors
Download it here

Getting to the Terminal
Right click the desktop and select Create Launcher...




- Use the command gnome-terminal

-----
Below I'm leaving my not so elegant fix to the solution. Mainly as a reminder of I don't always have the right answer.

- Reboot your PC.
- Using the terminal reboot your Mini 9 using the command: sudo reboot
- Select the Failsafe Terminal Session at the Ubuntu Gnome Display Manager (gdm) login screen.
- After loading into the Failsafe Terminal session, use the command: sudo nautilus

to launch a gnome file manager. Go into your /home folder and after turning on hidden files (ctrl+H) delete the following folders: .gconf, .gconfd and .gnome2

- Reboot your machine.
- Now your panels and window borders will be back.

I then used my Stop Compiz-Fusion From Loading Automatically guide to remove Compiz as my default window manager. Rebooted my machine and then was able to safely switch between desktops using UNR's dekstop-switcher.

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

User Guides for Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope

Everything you need to get Ubuntu 9.04 up and running on your Dell Mini 9

An overview of Ubuntu 9.04 on the Dell Mini 9

Creating a LiveUSB Stick

Creating a LiveUSB stick using an .img file

Installing Ubuntu on the Dell Mini

Installing Ubuntu Netbook Remix

Enabling sound after installing Ubuntu 9.04

Installing Aircraft Manager, for turning Bluetooth and WiFi on and off

Stop Compiz-Fusion From Loading Automatically, necessary for running Ubuntu Netbook Remix and using desktop-switcher

Fixing The Desktop After Using Desktop-Switcher Applet, this guide will walk your through the steps of getting your gnome panel and windows back after using desktop switcher

Customizing Firefox for Netbooks, necessary for using Firefox on a small netbook screen

Installing media codecs, for playing mp3, DVD, avi, mp4, aac, etc

Installing Medibuntu, for encrypted DVD playback, Windows codecs and Microsoft fonts

Installing and Configuring Skype on the Dell Mini 9

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.

Screenshot Tour: Installing Ubuntu 9.04 on the Dell Mini 9

I installed UNR USB 9.04 Beta Image for this guide. Installing Ubuntu 9.04 Beta i386 works exactly the same. You can read my overview of of Ubuntu 9.04 Jaunty Jackalope Beta here.

Installing Ubuntu 9.04


Language Selection


Selecting Keyboard Layout


Starting the Partitioner



- I chose to manually specify partitions and setup Ubuntu with a separate / and /home partition.


Preparing Partitions

- I had previously installed Ubuntu 8.10 on my Mini 9.


Creating a / Partition

- I chose to give my /root partition 5GB for my Ubuntu system files and programs. I also chose to format this partition in Ext4. It is a journaling system and will write to my solid state drive more often. If you want to limit writes to your solid state drive, use Ext2.

Creating a /home Partition

- I also chose to reformat my my /home partiton in Ext4 to take advantages of Ext4 speed. If you want to continue using your pre-existing file system you can mark this partition as /home and simply choose not to reformat it. This will also save all your personal files and configurations.


Swap Error

- I chose to not install a swap partiton to limit hard drive usage. If you chose to not install swap partition simply ignore this message.

Partitioning Drives Complete



User Setup

- Here you can chose to log into Ubuntu automatically or require a password to log in. I chose to login.

Migration Assistant

- The migration assistant offered to carry over my files from my previous Ubuntu 8.10 install.


Installation Check

- Last check to make sure everything is correct before installing Ubuntu.


Partitions Formatting


Installing Language Packs


Installation Complete

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.