Installing Compiz

Please make sure you have already completed the Xgl or AIGLX installs mentioned in ["CompositeManager"].

Setting up repositories

This should already be done and is only included here agian for completeness.

Seting Up Repositories

Make sure that you have the proper repositories configured. Open a terminal and type

$ sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Make sure it contains the following lines:

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper main restricted universe multiverse 
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-updates main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-backports main restricted universe multiverse
deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu dapper-security main restricted universe multiverse

deb http://www.beerorkid.com/compiz/ dapper main
deb http://xgl.compiz.info/ dapper main

The packages in Quinn's compiz repositories can be gpg authenticated. If you want to be able to check the packages against QuinnStorm's [http://www.beerorkid.com/compiz/quinn.key.asc gpg signature], import her key by typing the following command in a terminal: {{{gpg --keyserver subkeys.pgp.net --recv-keys 0x31a5f97fed8a569e gpg --export --armor 0x31a5f97fed8a569e | sudo apt-key add -}}} You will now be automatically informed of updates to QuinnStorm's Compiz.

If you do not import the pgp key, you will receive an error message "The integrity of the packages cannot be verified".

For more on secure apt, see [http://wiki.debian.org/SecureApt Secure Apt] on the Debian wiki.

Now we update the package list and do a dist-upgrade to make sure we get the latest mesa packages and such:

{{{$ sudo apt-get update $ sudo apt-get dist-upgrade}}}

Alternative: Direct Download

You can download the latest source and debian packages from [http://www.beerorkid.com/compiz/ Quinn's web site] if you can not or do not want to change your repositories list. (Since you will not be informed automatically of updates, it is not recommended.)

Download the debian packages and extract them, then install by doing:

sudo dpkg -i libsvg*.deb compiz_0.*.deb compiz-gnome*.deb

Note: If you are on KDE instead of GNOME, replace compiz-gnome*.deb with compiz-kde*.deb. Edit: Actually the KDE packages are not ready at all, use the GNOME packages anyway.

Optionally: CVS repository

QuinnStorm provides access to the CVS repository for those who wish to have the absolute latest code.

cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@metascape.afraid.org:/cvsroot login
password: ''leave blank''
cvs -d:pserver:anonymous@metascape.afraid.org:/cvsroot co compiz

A web-view of the CVS can be found [http://metascape.afraid.org:13666/cgi-bin/viewcvs.cgi/compiz/ here].

Selecting Xgl and compiz packages

The packages we need are compiz-gnome (actually there are more packages but these two take care of all the dependencies).

Now to install the Compiz packages:

$ sudo apt-get install compiz-gnome gset-compiz

Getting Compiz to Run

Depending upon how you setup your Xgl or AIGLX will change how you get compiz to run. Method A can be used with GNOME, but method B will always work.

Method A: Session (GNOME)

We need compiz to start with the new Xgl server, so place the following in your session file. This is located at "System -> Preference -> Sessions. Go to the far right tab, and create a new entry and type in the following data:

compiz --replace gconf decoration wobbly fade minimize cube rotate zoom scale move resize place switcher water

• We need a window decorator to start with the new Xgl server, so place the following in your session file. This is located at "System -> Preference -> Sessions. Go to the far right tab, and create a new entry and type in the following data:

gnome-window-decorator

Method B: Script

Create the file ~/Desktop/Compiz:

$ sudo gedit ~/Desktop/Compiz

And paste this into it:

gnome-window-decorator &
compiz --replace gconf &
xmodmap /usr/share/xmodmap/xmodmap.us

If your keyboard layout isn't English US, then change the last two letters in the line 'xmodmap /usr/share/xmodmap/xmodmap.??'. If you need US with deadkeys, then use '.us_intl'.)

 sudo chmod +x ~/Desktop/Compiz 

Done!

Now type

$ sudo /etc/init.d/gdm restart

• to restart the X server and it should start in Xgl... After that you can double-click Compiz on the desktop to launch Compiz.

(Note: troubleshooting section will follow)