Yay! I've recently upgraded to the new Ubuntu 8.04 and it's really cool! The new version had built-in compositing so now I can run Avant Window Navigator without Compiz. Compiz was usually too slow to run on my old hardware. Avant Window Navigator (Awn) is an awesome Mac OSX-like dock for Linux. I put launchers for my most used apps on there. Left-to right on the image below you can see: Audacity, (sound editor) Gnome Sword, (Bible Study) Exaile, (Music player) Open Office Writer, Gimp, (Image Editor) Gtick, (Metronome) Blender, (3D suite) Stacks applet, (direct access to my home folder) and a trash applet!
On the top, I have a regular Gnome panel with: (from left to right) a show desktop button, main menu with access to applications, places such as my home folder, devices, etc., and system settings.
Next I have: desktop switcher, system monitor, force quit, (a really useful applet to shut down those stubborn programs) Exaile icon, network monitor, clock, and logout button!
I don't like the default theme for Ubuntu so I installed the Ubuntu-Studio theme which is really great! (I like clean, dark themes)
On the background is the Hardy Heron.
So what do you think? (Poll on the side.)
10 comments:
Dude! That is awesome that you had sooo much fun with it! It is also pretty cool if you are into that type of stuff. It looks okay too, but I don't really like it.
That is so cool! I have a quick question, I also use Ubuntu 8.0.4 but for some reason, I do not have the toolbar at the bottom of my desktop like you do, the one with the large icons. You can explain how to activate this feature?
Thanks,
ZettaGeek
(Could it be because I don't have desktop effects enabled?)
Yes you have to have some sort of compositing enabled. You can do with Compiz (desktop effects) or you can do it with the built-in compositing which is new with Ubuntu 8.04. I used the built-in compositing because desktop effects runs kinda slow on my computer.
You also have to install Avant Window Navigator. (which is the large tool bar that I have at the bottom.) So, just fire up good 'ol Synaptic Package Manager and do a search for "avant" and it's right there. You may have to do a little google searching for extra themes and such.
Good luck! Maybe I'll do a little "How To" guide for enabling it.
Looks pretty cool! (I can't really comment, sorry :'( )
Cool! A how to video for that would be awesome, I tried to install AWN, it installed but...... STILL NO DESKTOP EFFECTS!
One last question, I downloaded the Hardy-Mariux 2.0 theme, how do I make this my theme?
Thanks for all your help,
ZettaGeek
To enable desktop effects, go to the appearance thing.
To go to the appearance thing, right click on the desktop and go to change wallpaper, then change the tab accordingly.
To be able to use desktop effects, you need glx.
To be able to use GLX, you need 3d acceleration.
For 3d acceleration, you need both a good graphics card and a good driver.
AWN is only the dock mon ami.
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This is very interesting, I didn't like AWN in the past because I had to enable compiz, my computer is good enough for compiz but it still got compatibility issues with Java and ... firefox. So I think I should try AWN again, didn't know gnome got its own compositing.
It's not a problem, I did a little Googling, and found the source of my problem was that I needed to activate the Server XGL.
Now I can run Compiz, and its not slowing my computer down at all.
Of all the effects I think my favorite is the Workspace 3D cube.
Thanks for your help,
ZettaGeek
Oh man, love it, love it. Looks strangely similar to os x... maybe someone should tip apple... :) jk
Looks great, recently played with Compiz on my Gutsy system. Must upgrade...
Hi matt .. I am an animator myself. Got your link from shawn kellys blog. Anyways i got excited reading about ubuntu.
I am scared to do a full install while i am still with WinXP. What are your ideas on Live CD of Ubuntu. Is it good enough ??
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