Lubuntu XELLINK Edition 14.04 was released in May. This report is an update from the previous version released in may, for those who which to know the inner workings and general direction of the operating system, especially for high end users who wish to emulate the system or find concepts to create their own operating system.
Security and essentials
1) Upgrade Lubuntu to the latest version
2) Add multiverse repositories
3) Install codecs that allow playback of media, mp3, flash, java, etc
4) Installation of gstreamer. Silverlight implementation (optional)
5) TLC to extend battery life. (for ultrabooks/netbooks)
6) Low carbon footprint software to extend battery life. (for ultrabooks/netbooks)
Comfort and Convenience
1) Screenshot manager: Allows you to choose where to save your screenshot and have better control
2) Compiz Compositing and windows manager: Allows transparent windows, snap, tiling
3) Settings implemented with modification of setting tools accessible by the end user to reduce clutter
4) Transparency set to maximise user comfort – turns transparent when moving windows or when inactive
5) Compiz key binding: Allow powerful management of keyboard shortcuts
6) All in one ‘off’ button
7) Number of clicks to achieve objectives minimised
8) Second language system implemented
9) Clipboard manager: Retains copied content even when main program is closed
Window Management
1) Dock – for launching frequently used programs and to control opened programs with intellihide
2) Close;max;min buttons on the right as per windows. This smoothens the learning curve for windows users. Generally mac users are able to use windows.
3) Synapse – Type what you want system
4) 2 virtual desktops, more can be implemented
5) Windows snap and tiling implemented to corners
6) Places system created, easy one click access to folder
7 ) Expose function implemented, assigned to <super> tab
Social, Browsing, Sharing, Cloud
1) Chrome installed and set to default. Firefox as backup.
2) Dropbox installed for cloud (optional)
3) Skype and pidgin installed
Media and Playback, image and video editing
1) VLC installed
2) Flowblade video editor installed
3) Shotwell and GIMP installed
Gaming and software compatibility
1) PlayOnLinux installed
2) Steam Installed. (optional)
Eye Candy
1) Compositing manager as previously mentioned.
2) 3d Dock implementation as above
3) Faenza icons
4) Set different wallpapers for different virtual desktops.
5) Shadows
Changelog
Use of LMDE as GNOME2 is depreciated.
Reinstated compiz due to better animations and more fluid interface without affecting battery life. More ways to optimise battery life available.
Conservative but slick animations, as required in an ultrabook, allows for smaller carbon footprint and longer battery life.
Software changes as described, selected based on usefulness. Software also updated. PITIVI dropped due to resource required. Openshot recommended instead.
2 workspaces: Workspace for work to create rich resourceful environment | Workspace for play to create relaxing environment
Most of the commands included below were used in the implementation of the OS. However, due to multiple events occuring at once, not all the commands were compiled into this document. Some were done by mouse and click. As such, the below commands will not magically work. Breakdown and assessment of each component is required.
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade
Add partners to repos
sudo apt-get install lubuntu-restricted-extras
sudo apt-get install numlockx parcellite (desktops)
sudo apt-get install vlc shotwell gnome-screenshot
sudo apt-get install libreoffice -y
Install gstreamer
Install flash
#Install Java
Test java and flash on firefox
<Note java has been scrapped in Chrome for linux and mac and soon windows>
Install skype
configure mic
configure pulseaudio for skype.
Test with skype call
Install modified synapse deb (not available on repos)
Double click time. (optional)
sudo apt-get install compiz compizconfig-settings-manager
Load XELLINK.profile save as default
Add compiz as core program.
edit /etc/pm/sleep.d/20_docky
Change permissions
———-
sudo apt-get install dock
Allow docky to autostart
Set docky to autostart on wake:
find /etc/pm/sleep.d and add
[code]#!/bin/sh
case $1 in
resume)
USER=`who | grep ":0" | head -1 | cut -d" " -f1`
USERHOME=/home/$USER
export XAUTHORITY="$USERHOME/.Xauthority"
export DISPLAY=":0"
su $USER – -c "dbus-launch /usr/bin/docky >/dev/null" &
exit 0;
;;
esac[/code]
—————–
Add multiverse
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/apps
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install playonlinux
sudo apt-get install steam
Wallpaper
Set transparency to panel
start button logo
TLC
PCMANFM
~/.local/share/file-manager/actions
text scripts
Faenza icons
Download latest deb
Chrome
——————–
Go applications, duplicate chrome shortcut and rename as google-chrome1.desktop (This will prevent the issue from reoccuring in future updates)
Gconf tool to allow docky
sudo gedit /usr/share/applications/google-chrome1.desktop
add:
StartupWMClass=Google-chrome-stable
———————–
to each group
Browser title bar on left
Place icons on dock.
install dropbox via deb
dropbox start -i
dropbox autostart y
Videoeditor: self install as needed, consider flowblade or openshot
grep “^MimeType=” /usr/share/applications/vlc.desktop | cut -d “=” -f 2 | xargs -d ‘;’ -n 1 | grep -e “^video/” -e “^x-content/video” | xargs -n 1 -I ‘{}’ xdg-mime default vlc.desktop ‘{}’
xdg-mime default transgui.desktop x-scheme-handler/magnet
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:linrunner/tlp
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install tlp tlp-rdw
Restart
sudo tlp-stat to ensure working
Brightness on resume
Install toshset
——–
sudo leafpad /etc/default/grub and add to line
[code]GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_backlight=vendor"[/code]
sudo update-grub
sudo leafpad /usr/share/X11/xorg.conf.d/20-intel.conf
[code]
Section "Device"
Identifier "card0"
Driver "intel"
Option "Backlight" "intel_backlight"
BusID "PCI:0:2:0"
EndSection[/code]
additional lines consider
[code]GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash acpi_osi=Linux acpi_backlight=vendor pcie_aspm=force i915.i915_enable_rc6=1 i915.lvds_downclock=1[/code]
reboot.