It’s been a key criticism since the launch of Unity, that Ubuntu is now impossible to configure. Ubuntu 11.10, the latest version of Ubuntu, is a mixed bag on this front. Some things, like automated backup, are easier to configure than ever before. Other things, like screensavers, are seemingly completely missing.
Let’s take a look at some tools that give the power back to you, the user. Then let’s have a conversation about other tools for the job in the comments below.
Gnome Tweak
Designed to make Gnome 3 and its Gnome Shell easier to customize, Gnome Tweak gives access to many Ubuntu/Unity tweaks as well.
Those wanting to change Ubuntu’s look will be particularly interested, because Gnome Tweak Tool gives you back the ability to change icon themes and more. Why this disappeared in Gnome 3 I’m not sure, but at least with Gnome Tweak we can do this again.
Read more about Gnome Tweak or click here to install Gnome Tweak.
Looking for some worthwhile themes? Check out Bisigi.
Compiz Configuration
Do you want a finer level of control over how Ubuntu behaves? If you’re using the Unity 3D interface, you’re actually using Compiz. In fact, the Unity “desktop” is really just a Compiz plugin. This means the CompizConfig Settings Manager can give you a great deal of power over the Unity Desktop and its behavior.
Want to know more? Read more about configuring Unity with the CompizConfig Settings Manager or simply click here to install CompizConfig Settings Manager. You’ll find a wide variety of configuration options:
xScreenSaver
Most people probably didn’t notice this, because most people don’t really use screensavers anymore. If you’re a screensaver addict though, you almost certainly cried after installing Ubuntu 11.10, which pretty much completely removed all screensavers in favor of a blank screen.
Don’t worry: Liberian Geek found out how to re-add screensavers to Ubuntu 11.10. The process consists of the following commands:
sudo apt-get remove gnome-screensaver
sudo apt-get install xscreensaver xscreensaver-gl-extra xscreensaver-data-extra
Once you do that, you need to add this program to your startup, in the main Ubuntu settings menu:
xscreensaver -nosplash
This should give you access, once again, to your screensaver of choice. Need more precise instructions? Read Liberian Geek’s article on xScreenSaver.
Ubuntu Tweak
It is perhaps the single most famous Ubuntu configuration tool, and certainly the one with the most Ubuntu-specific customizations. If you want to make changes to Ubuntu, I highly recommend you check out Ubuntu Tweak.
Highlights include quick access to programs not found in the repositories, a package cleaner, theming access and the ability to change default programs for various filetypes. Read more about Ubuntu Tweak or Visit the project’s websites for download information.
Conclusion
There you have it – 4 tools for customizing Ubuntu. If one of these don’t work of you, of course, you could always test one of Ubuntu’s many versions in order to replace Unity entirely.
Those of you unwilling to take that leap, however, should join in the comments below. I’d love to discuss other tricks for tweaking Ubuntu, so let me know what you think of.
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