Setting up Ubuntu from scratch

Ubuntu logoThis is mostly to help me remember what I like to do when setting up Ubuntu on a new computer, but maybe other folks will find it useful too. I’ll probably update it over time.

  1. Update Ubuntu 
    sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get dist-upgrade
  2. Install frequently-used software (recommended for all) 
    sudo apt-get install vim flashplugin-nonfree msttcorefonts ubuntu-restricted-extras pidgin pidgin-otr thunderbird
  3. Install less-frequently-used software (my personal list) 
    sudo apt-get install hugin bitpim audacity wine lame vorbis-tools dia meld
  4. Remove software I don’t want 
    sudo apt-get remove f-spot
  5. Make sure SSH connections stay open
  6. Enable the TrackPoint (ThinkPad specific)
  7. Configure Firefox
  8. Install EditPlus in Wine
  9. Keyboard remapping
    Goto System > Preferences > Keyboard > Layouts > Layout Options

    • Ctrl Key Positions > Make CapsLock an additional Ctrl
    • Alt/Win key behavior > Control is mapped to the Win-keys
    • Compose key position > Right Ctrl”
  10. Set up “LAMP” for local web development (optional)

Also check out: Adventures in Linux with Ubuntu and the Ubuntu Guide. Everything else is just apt-get install and a lifetime of learning.

Sunday, September 7, 2008 12:47pm
Tech

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5 comments

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Braden

9/7/08 2:24pm

Heh, I did this myself this week.

The minimalist toolbar is brilliant, and Last Tab seems really nice. (Firefox comes one step closer to a full operating system.) Thanks.

You’re using vi and you have CapsLock as a Ctrl instead of Escape? xkeycaps for the win.

justin

9/7/08 3:44pm

Actually I just use vi/vim for in-terminal editing. Most of my code I write gets written in EditPlus (thanks to Wine).

Kenneth Reitz

11/7/08 2:09pm

I need to make a list like this. What’s more fun, though, is making your own bootable install image with the changes already made :D

justin

11/7/08 5:18pm

Kenneth—and update it every 6 mos? Nah. Well I’m not installing Ubuntu fresh all that often. But I’d love to see a set of instructions on how to appropriately script the changes I’ve described here. The apt-get ones would be easy. Not sure about FF and the various conf file changes.

justin

2/22/10 10:02pm

As of Ubuntu 9.10, the annoying pcspkr module is blacklisted (yay!), so I’ve removed the following from my standard list of instructions:

Turn off the PC speaker beep/bell

sudo rmmod pcspkr
sudo vi /etc/modprobe.d/blacklist

Then at the bottom add:

blacklist pcspkr

I also made the following updates, based on recent usage, and changes to Ubuntu since I wrote this.

  • Separated “Install frequently-used software” into two groups: general and personal
  • Added pidgin and pidgin-otr (since they are no longer installed by default) and thunderbird, which I use for email at work
  • Added dia and meld, which I use at work
  • Added Screengrab, a Firefox addon
  • Added a keyboard remapping step to enable the Compose key

monthchunks

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