Breaking in Ubuntu

I wrote about my leap to Ubuntu as a Linux newb a while ago. It's been an interesting experience. As much as I'm in love with Ubuntu now, I wouldn't recommend it to people who aren't confident with computers since there's a hell of a learning curve.

But I think, with some tweaks, Ubuntu is a much better experience than either Windows 7 or Mac OS. You just need to get to the point where you've configured everything to your liking.

What follows is the result of a bajillion Google searches. It's a list of the software and tweaks for Ubuntu that I've come to like. I'm hoping this list may end up saving someone else a little bit of time or reminding me what I need to re-install should something go horribly wrong.
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Advice for First-Timers

• You'll get most of your apps and packages from Ubuntu Software Center (Applications -> bottom of menu) or Synaptic Package Manager (System -> Administration -> Synaptic Package Manager). It's unlikely that you'll be hunting down installer packages directly from websites like you would in Mac OS or Windows. However, if you do end up looking for installers, getting .deb files is the easiest (non-command line) way to go about it.

• Don't have permission to make changes in certain directories even as an admin? Open up the terminal (Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal) and type gksu nautilus, input your password, and voila.
  

Appearance Customization

• CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM) - Install it and the add-on packages. Play around with it. It's awesome.
• Wallpapoz - A daemon that shuffles your desktop backgrounds based on specified files/folders. To get it to run on start-up, add it to your Startup Applications (System -> Preferences -> Startup Applications). By default, the run command will probably be /usr/bin/daemon_wallpapoz
• Xscreensaver - Uninstall the default screensaver app 'cuz all its screensavers are ugly. Install xscreensaver and the extra packages. The best one is "Flurry" with the "Classic" setting.
• GRUB 2 - I haven't messed with it yet, but if you're dual-booting and want a prettier OS select screen, check it out.

Extra Functionality (Note: I'm also a bit of a Mac person and these customizations reflect this. Be warned.)

• Mess around with CCSM. The "Desktop Wall" is especially useful for managing multiple workspaces. I have mine set to 2x2.
• Get DVD Playback Working - Go here and here. If you don't install libdvdcss2 and other packages, you won't be able to watch commercial DVDs.
• Beagle - The default file search app isn't that great. Try this instead.
• Avant Window Navigator - Mac OS-like dock for launching applications. Get rid of the default dock, install AWN, and you're good to go. To add specific folder "shortcuts," you'll have to add launchers with terminal commands. The Documents folder, for example, is gnome-open ./Documents/
• Dashboard-esque Widget Layer - Enable the widget layer in the CCSM. Install Goldendict and Screenlets (also, eventCal is pretty good screenlet). Start Gnome Sticky Notes (the default sticky note app). Under the Behaviour tab in the Widget Layer configuration menu in CCSM, type class=Stickynotes_applet | name=goldendict in the Widget Windows field. Here's my setup:

Awesome Pre-installed Apps

• OpenOffice.org - Disable Autocomplete at the start for Writer. I have no clue why it's on by default.
• Rhythmbox - I was surprised too. Customize it a bit and it's probably you're best bet for a music player, especially since Linux support for Songbird has been discontinued.
• Firefox - Install a theme to match your system theme to make it look a little better. "Ambiance Ubuntu" or "Ubuntu Radiance," depending on your theme. Also: SmoothWheel and DownloadHelper extensions. (If you're more into Chrome, try Chromium.)
  
• Brasero - Basic CD/DVD burning app.
  

Preferred Apps

• Gnome MPlayer - For some reason I like this better than Totem and VLC. (Note: When I tried it, it doesn't work to set it as the default player like you would in Windows. You need to right-click on a file, go Properties, and go to the Open With tab to make lasting changes to default players.)
  
• Guarddog - Firewall frontend.
• Cheese Webcam Booth
• Skype
• Lifeograph - Password-protected journal app.
• KolourPaint - Old-school MS Paint Clone.
• Bluefish - HTML Editor.
• gFTP - FTP Client.
• Emesene - If you only use MSN Messenger as your IM client.
• WINE - Windows App Emulator.
• Photoshop - I installed CS2 with Wine and it works beautifully. You'll need to install the Windows system fonts to get the menus to show up correctly. (Despite what your friends tell you, GIMP isn't that great.)