Things to do after installing Ubuntu

[Spectre257]

First off, you maybe wondering what Ubuntu is.

Ubuntu is a computer operating system based on the Debian Linux distribution and distributed as free and open source software, using its own desktop environment. It is named after the Southern African philosophy of ubuntu, which can be translated as "humanity towards others" or "the belief in a universal bond of sharing that connects all humanity".

The above was pulled from Wikipedia.

After just re-installing Ubuntu on my new laptop, there were a few things I needed to do to make using Ubuntu a little bit easier.
I would recommend anyone who has just installed Ubuntu, or even had Ubuntu installed for a while to do these few simple things.

• [1] Change your repository server location.
  This configures Ubuntu to download, update, or upgrade packages from the Main download server, rather than the location-based servers.
  Type or Copy + Paste this command into a terminal:
  

  sudo software-properties-gtk

  In the window that pops up set the select "Main Server" from the drop down list, like in this picture.
  
  
  Now in the "Other Software" tab, make sure these options are selected.
  - Canonical Partners
  &
  - Canonical Partners (Source Code)
  Like this
  
  
  Now close the window and run an update in the terminal with this command:
  

  sudo apt-get update

  
  [2]Update and install your device drivers.
  In Ubuntu 12.10, jockey-gtk has been replaced by software-properties for managing third-party driver configuration. So, to access this feature, open the terminal and run this command:
  

  sudo software-properties-gtk

  In the window that pops up, click on the "Additional Drivers" tab.
  
  
  For Nvidia graphics cards, it is recommended that you use the Official Nvidia drivers instead of Nouveau Drivers to be able to get better graphics performance in games, HD videos and stuff.
  You can install the latest Nvida driver using the x-swat PPA with the following commands:
  First type, and run this
  

  sudo apt-add-repository ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get update

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get install nvidia-current nvidia-settings

  Using the same PPA, you can also install AMD Catalyst driver with these commands:
  

  sudo apt-get install fglrx-installer

  then this:
  

  sudo aticonfig --initial -f

  For NVIDIA Optimus laptops, you can install the graphics driver with these commands:
  

  sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bumblebee/stable

  then this:
  

  sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-x-swat/x-updates

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get update

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get install bumblebee bumblebee-nvidia

  [3] Installing media, and other stuff (Skype, GIMP, and more)
  
  GIMP
  
  
  To install GIMP, a GFX type program sort of like Photoshop, run these commands in a terminal:
  

  sudo add-apt-repository ppa:otto-kesselgulasch/gimp

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get update

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get install gimp gimp-plugin-registry gimp-resynthesizer

  Wine
  
  
  To install Wine, a Windows Emulator type program, run these commands in a terminal:
  

  sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntu-wine/ppa

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get update

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get install wine1.5

  VLC & MPlayer
  
  
  To download VLC & MPLayer, a media playing program for listening to music, and playing videos, run these commands in a terminal:
  

  sudo add-apt-repository ppa:videolan/stable-daily

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get update

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get install mplayer vlc

  Pidgin Chat Client
  
  
  To install Pidgin, an Instant Messenger that you can use to chat with your Windows Live, or Yahoo, or other contacts all in one, run these commands in a terminal:
  

  sudo add-apt-repository ppa:pidgin-developers/ppa

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get update

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get install pidgin pidgin-data pidgin-plugin-pack pidgin-themes

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get install pidgin-lastfm pidgin-guifications msn-pecan pidgin-musictracker

  Skype
  
  
  To install Skype, run these commands in a terminal:
  

  sudo add-apt-repository "deb (you need an account to see links) $(lsb_release -sc) partner"

  then this:
  

  ssudo apt-get update

  then this:
  

  sudo apt-get install skype

  [4] Installing Adobe flash player.
  
  
  To install Adobe flash player, to watch videos and play games online, run this command in a terminal:
  

  sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer gsfonts-x11

  [5] Installing Google Chrome
  
  
  To install Google Chrome, run these commands in a terminal:
  

  wget -q -O - (you need an account to see links) | sudo apt-key add

  -
  

  sudo sh -c 'echo "deb (you need an account to see links) stable main" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google.list'

  sudo apt-get update

  sudo apt-get install google-chrome-stable

[Spectre257]

There must not be any Ubuntu users here, haha.
And crap, my images messed up, I will fix them soon.

[danielsan]

I use ubuntu for developing web applications in ruby on rails, and I thoroughly enjoy it. At first I was intimidated by it, but now that I have had some experience with it, I could not see myself developing on any other platform.

[ewmeep]

Use it as a VPN :d

[Spoof04]

i'm an Ubuntu user!! *waggles hand in the air*

[sanji]

i use ubuntu in my house too i'm virus free with ubuntu

[lolperro]

I also use ubuntu occasionally

[Sky]

I use ubuntu primarily for my projects. It's pretty much the only system with the specs to handle such customization.