TurnUMPCDesktopIntoNetbook

Revision 4 as of 2008-11-03 15:37:39

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This HowTo describes the procedure to turn a fresh ubuntu-umpc install into an ubuntu netbook install with some easy steps.

The instructions below assume you have not made any changes to the default settings after install, else delete your users ~/.gconf directory that holds the desktop settings or revert what you have done.

First remove the apps specific for the touchscreen centric Ubuntu umpc image including it's desktop settings 

sudo apt-get remove --purge devilspie cellwriter xautomation midbrowser ubuntu-mobile-default-settings

Now install the apps that make up an Ubuntu netbook desktop 

sudo apt-get install firefox go-home-applet maximus window-picker-applet

Log out of the desktop

With the following setup changes you can now manually turn your desktop into an Ubuntu netbook, alternatively you can use the ubuntu-netbook-default-settings package from the following PPA: <URL here> to do that for you automatically.

  • Go to Settings->Preferences->Apearance

    • Switch off the Desktop Effects completely, else the netbook laucher app won't work properly
  • Delete the bottom Panel

  • Go to System->Preferences-Sessions

    • Add a new launcher for the netbook-launcher app
    • Add a new launcher for the maximus window maximizer app

  • Remove the menu from the panel (Right click -> remove from panel)

  • Remove the logout/switch user applet from the panel (Right click -> remove from panel)

  • Remove the Separator between the notification area and logout/switch user from the panel (Right click -> remove from panel)

  • Remove the Browser Launcher and Help item from the panel (Right click -> remove from panel)

  • Right click on the panel and select "Add to Panel" to open the add dialog.
    • Scroll to "Go Home" and click on "Add", the applet will be added to the panel, move it to the very left, Ricght click on it and check "Lock to panel"
    • Scroll to "Window Picker" move it next to the "Go Home" applet and lock it as well.

That's it, you successfully turned your umpc desktop into a netbook desktop using the Ubuntu netbook applications