Linux Workstation Setup (Ubuntu 7.10 Gutsy Gibbon)

Intro

I have been installing Linux on several PCs, different models, and vintages. This entry will focus on the most common "workstation" setup that I typically make. The entry will be made in a form of notes and it may go through some changes over time.

Step 1: Backup Your Data

• Prior to installation make sure you data have been saved. Burn CD/DVDs, use external USB hard drive, flash disk, etc. I recommend using at least two backups before actually installing the new operating system.
• If you have Windows installation that you plan to keep, and resize its partition to make space for new Linux run defrag on the Windows disk prior to running the install.

Step 2: Default Setup

• Boot with Live CD or Alternative Setup CD and preform the default setup.
• Be careful when choosing the options for new partitions.

Step 3: Update

• First time you boot into new Linux, preform the system update.

Step 4: Adjust Clock

• Right click on the clock in the upper right corner. Select Adjust Time and Date.
• Verify your time zone and select to keep synchronized with servers. It will ask to install NTP related package. Do it.
  

Step 5: Add Applications

• Start Synaptic Package Manager
• Change Repositories to include Ubuntu Software, Third-Party Software, and all Updates
• Add the following packages:
  
  • amsn + libsnack2 (optional, I prefer/suggest Skype)
    
  • dia-gnome
  • ghex
  • brasero
  • mc
  • msttcorefonts
  • nautilus-open-terminal
  • ntfs-config
  • planner
  • wine
  • ubuntu-restricted-extras (installs gstreamer plugins, flashplugin, sun-java)
    
  • unrar
• Accept and install dependences offered for each package.
  

Step 6: Install Java

• Download JDK documentation zip file from Sun's Java SE Downloads website, change ownership to root:root and move it to /tmp
• Go back to Synaptic Package Manager, search and install the following packages:
  
  • sun-java6jdk
  • sun-java6fonts
  • sun-java6doc
  • sun-java6plugin
• Here also accept all the dependences and install.

Step 7: Install NetBeans (6.0.1)

• Download Linux binary install from www.netbeans.org
• Make the file executable, and install it with sudo.
• You may need to add it manually to the Applications menu.
  

Step 8: Additional Software, Mediabuntu

• Add Mediabuntu repositories (check references for Perfect Desktop) with following two commands issued in the terminal:
  

  • sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/gutsy.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list

  • wget -q http://packages.medibuntu.org/medibuntu-key.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update
    

• Install following packages from Mediabuntu reporitories using Synaptic:
  
  • acroread (including script, plugin, mozilla-acroread)
  • googleearth (optional)
    
  • nonfree-codecs
  • opera (Firefox is my first choice, however I noticed on some websites Opera behaves better)
    
  • skype
  • w32codecs

Step 9: Optimize (to be updated)

• Firefox Options and Add-ons (Foxmarks, FireFTP)
  
• Disable IP6: edit file /etc/modprobe.d/bad_list:
  sudo gedit /etc/modprobe.d/bad_list
  and add following line
  alias net-pf-10 off
  
• Fix Java printing by configuring page setting in Job Options for each printer to "Portrait" (not "Auto"). This fix the issue between Java and CUPS (and NetBeans).
• Fix Java and Compiz issue by editing /etc/environment and adding this line at the end:
  export AWT_TOOLKIT=MToolkit
  

References

http://www.howtoforge.com/the_perfect_desktop_ubuntu_gutsy_gibbon
http://sernaonubuntu.wikidot.com/tweaks