Precise Gnome Classic Tweaks and Tricks
Preamble
This guide is written for Ubuntu 12.04 LTS, which is a five year support version. With the removal of support in 12.10 for Unity 2D and Metacity, the future of the Gnome classic option looks doubtful. Therefore this wiki cannot be guaranteed to work on any later version of Ubuntu- it may work, but proceed at your own risk!
Note: This guide is almost totally reliant on copy-and-pasting commands into gnome-terminal. Why? Quite simply not ALL of this can be completed using GUI tools like Ubuntu Tweak or 'gnome-tweak-tool', and installing 'gnome-tweak-tool' results in installing a great deal of unneeded packages including 'gnome-shell', and the only concern of this guide is getting a "classic w/o effects" DE running efficiently.
Also, if "sudo" is not included in the command then it's not needed, and in rare instances may result in changed permissions, so please just copy-n-paste! If something appears to fail, support can be found in this Ubuntu Forums thread.
Introduction
For those who find it just too difficult to use the Unity desktop it's actually quite simple to get a classic Gnome look and feel in Ubuntu Precise. My focus has been on Classic (No effects) only, which uses Metacity, because it seems to be difficult to get compiz to run well in a classic DE. If you use compiz you'll likely encounter problems.
Here's a screenshot of Precise Gnome classic DE:
This screenshot shows only one panel at the bottom. Some may want two panels, or one at the top only, it's purely a matter of preference. The panel layout pictured here (beginning from the left) consists of:
Hide button/Main Menu/Terminal/Workspace Switcher/Screenshot/Firefox/Window List//Indicator Applet/Clock/Trash/Hide button And the Indicator Applet displays: /Update notifier/Caffeine/Network widget/Mail widget/Volume widget
Changes to Panels and Menus
Menu(s) for Gnome classic have changed, but you'll likely find what you want if you just spend a couple of minutes familiarizing yourself with the new menu layout. Be sure to check the System Tools> Administration, Preferences, and System Settings categories.
You also need to know that you must now hold down either Alt key while right-clicking on a panel or applet to be able to edit panel preferences or to add/edit/move/remove more applets. That was an intentional move by the Gnome devs to prevent people from unintentionally breaking things. And you also can't just add application applets by right-clicking them and selecting "add to panel" anymore. You must now open the "add-to-panel" window and select Application Launcher > Forward, then the window changes and you can click on the "bullet" to the left of each category to display and add any app in the menu to the panel:
Notice also these Panel Properties settings:
Note: While this isn't written with Compiz in mind you should know if you're using 'gnome-panel' in a standard Gnome classic session you'll need to press both the Alt & Super keys at the same time while right-clicking on the panel/applet you wish to edit, move, or remove. (The Super key is typically the one with the Windows logo).
Author's note: To be perfectly honest I now almost forget I'm even using Gnome 3 while running a classic (no effects) DE most of the time. This tutorial will take you step by step through customizing Gnome Classic to most accurately emulate Gnome 2.
Installing Gnome Classic
sudo apt-get install gnome-panel
Note: This does exactly the same as installing 'gnome-session-fallback' but why not keep it simple.
When that is complete it's time to take your first look at the new "classic" DE by simply logging out, then clicking on the Ubuntu emblem to the right of your user name on the login screen, selecting GNOME Classic (No effects), entering your password, and logging back in as shown here.
Remember it has already been stated that the standard GNOME Classic session uses Compiz and it has been found to have a number of problems such as a borked panel appearance, garbled graphics, or even booting to a Unity DE
Indicator Applets
Installing these is highly recommended so that they'll be available for placement in the panel (only 'indicator-applet-complete' is available by default):
sudo apt-get install indicator-applet indicator-applet-session
You can see the difference between the three indicator applets here.
Before continuing, please understand that all of these additional steps are optional. No two people want the exact same look, feel, or function out of a DE! This is simply one example. Pick and choose to suit your own desires.
Note: If you find the default terminal theme (white text on a purple background) undesirable, open the Terminal, click on Edit > Profile Preferences. Then click on the Colors tab and uncheck "Use colors from system theme", then select "Black on white" or whatever theme you prefer from the Built-in schemes.
"Run Command" Prompt
Many would like to get the "Run Command Prompt" back by pressing Alt+F2 just as it was in Gnome 2. This can be quite useful if you should ever do something silly like remove both panels and need to launch the terminal or another application without being able to access the menu(s).
To activate this go to System Tools > System Settings > Keyboard > Shortcuts > System and highlight the line that says "Show the run command prompt". Follow the instructions at the bottom of the window.
This can also be done using the CLI:
gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "<Alt>F2"
To revert to the default setting run:
gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "disabled"
Screen Lock
Some may find the screen lock to be very annoying; many don't like having to enter their password everytime the screen-"blanker" acivates. To disable this, go to System Tools > System Settings > Brightness & Lock and select Lock = Off.
This can also be done using the CLI:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled false
To revert to the default setting run:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled true
Notifications
- In Unity the update-notifications now show up in the Launcher but without the Launcher we now get no persistent update notifications. This can be rectified with 'indicator-applet' or 'indicator-applet-complete' in gnome-panel by running the command:
gsettings set com.ubuntu.update-notifier auto-launch false
To revert run:
gsettings set com.ubuntu.update-notifier auto-launch true
Move Minimize/Maximize/Close Buttons
To move window-management buttons back to the right run:
gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string ":minimize,maximize,close"
Note: to restore defaults run:
gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string "close,minimize,maximize:"
Window Button Appearance
Should you wish to improve window management button appearance:
sudo apt-get install shiki-colors-metacity-theme
gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Shiki-Colors-Metacity
To restore default theme run:
gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Ambiance
Disable Overlay Scrollbars
Some find the overlay-scrollbars to be inconsistent and annoying in the classic DE. They can be completely removed from the system, but a better way to do it is to simply disable them on a per-user basis. Simply run one command:
echo export LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR=0 >> ~/.xprofile
Then just log out and log back in for that change to take effect.
If you should later wish to revert, run:
sed -i 's/^export LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR.*/#&/' ~/.xprofile
Menu and Button Icons
To add the missing menu and button icons, run
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface menus-have-icons true
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface buttons-have-icons true
Desktop Icons
By default the Precise desktop is set to NOT display any icons, but it's possible for the desktop to display any combination of these icons/"actors":
Computer...........(computer-icon-visible) Home...............(home-icon-visible) Network............(network-icon-visible) Trash..............(trash-icon-visible) Mounted volumes....(volumes-visible)
But to do so you must first set the "stage" by running:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background show-desktop-icons true
But that only sets the stage for the actors, now you must decide which actors you want on the stage. You're now the director.
After running that command either reboot or log out and log back in. When you get back to a blank DE background decide what you want displayed. (Hint, the "true" or "false" at the end of these commands is the key):
To show the Computer icon run:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop computer-icon-visible true
To hide the Computer icon run:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop computer-icon-visible false
To show the Home icon run:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop home-icon-visible true
To hide the Home icon run:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop home-icon-visible false
To show the Network icon run:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop network-icon-visible true
To hide the Network icon run:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop network-icon-visible false
To show the Trash icon run:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop trash-icon-visible true
To hide the Trash icon run:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop trash-icon-visible false
To show Mounted Volumes run:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop volumes-visible true
To hide Mounted Volumes run:
gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop volumes-visible false
Disable Firefox and Thunderbird Global Menus
You may or may not find that you need to disable the Firefox and/or Thunderbird global menu add-ons. To do so in Firefox just go to Tools > Add-ons > Global Menu Bar integration and select Disable. You'll then be prompted to restart Firefox. Thunderbird will be similar.
Note: The remainder of these steps require the installation of packages from third party PPA's.
Screensaver Controls
Even having set Lock to Off it can be annoying to have the screen-"blanker" activate while trying to watch videos or such. In Gnome 2 you could use 'gnome-inhibit-applet' but it's not available in Gnome 3. However there is an excellent replacement: Caffeine.
https://launchpad.net/~caffeine-developers/+archive/ppa
In the original screenshot the caffeine applet shows up in the indicator-applet. Once installed and set up it allows you to "inhibit" the screen-"blanking". An example:
Should you choose to install it you can setup Caffeine by going to System Tools > Preferences > Caffeine preferences. Installation is easy:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install caffeine
Hardware Sensors
In gnome 2 the 'gnome-sensors-applet' or 'computertemp' were very useful to display system temps in the panel but again they're not available with Gnome 3. Thankfully Hardware Sensors Indicator comes to the rescue:
https://launchpad.net/~alexmurray/+archive/indicator-sensors
More about that here.
To install just run these three commands:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install indicator-sensors
It then shows up in System Tools > Hardware Sensors Indicator. After launching it the first time you must click on the new "applet" which just says "No active sensors" and click on Preferences. From there you can select which sensors to display and other options.
Expediting Conversion
This section deals with expediting the conversion process from Unity to Gnome classic (no effects) for those who might need to perform multiple or repetitive installations and/or conversions, but this should only be considered general instruction.
NOTE: This section is intended for intermediate to advanced users. No commands are intended to be copied-and-pasted
First of all some of the commands shown in the first section deal with installing packages using "apt" and the rest deal only with changing the existing configuration files either using gconftool-2 or gsettings. To expedite the process you must first have all of the needed packages installed. Note in section 2 of the original instructions that the installation instruction actually installs two packages, 'indicator-applet' and 'indicator-applet-session', with one command:
sudo apt-get install indicator-applet indicator-applet-session
There is virtually no limit to the number of packages that can be installed by running one such command so once you've decided what packages you want to install they can all just be added to the "string". In the original instructions numbers 1, 2, and 7 involve installing packages that are available from Ubuntu's own repositories, therefore they can be appeneded together:
sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme
The tutorial also requires 'caffeine', 'indicator-sensors', 'zukitwo-theme-all', and 'zukitwo-colors-theme' all of which require the installation of PPA's. These need to be added before installing the packages:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes
Next the repositories must be updated:
sudo apt-get update
Only then can you add those packages to the "string", eg;
sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme
Two other methods can be used to expedite installation: the use of the "-y" suffix to eliminate the need for confirmation of commands, and "&&" to combine commands. You've undoubtedly noticed that many commands result in you being asked to confirm your intent, but simply adding a "-y" to the end of the command eliminates that, and using "&&" easily combines commands. In this example all three of the aforementioned PPA's are added, the repositories updated, and only then are the desired packages installed.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes -y && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme -y
Note: Typos matter big time! Every space and hyphen matters!
If you have a backed up configuration (example here) for that machine you could simply stop installing packages and then import the required dot folders, but in dealing with upgrades from 10.04 to 12.04, etc. the old configuration files are virtually useless. Begin adding the desired basic configuration commands with "&&", no need for the "-y" suffix.
To get Alt+F2 to "Run Command Prompt" as described in section 3 of the above instructions:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes -y && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme -y && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "<Alt>F2"
To set the screen lock to off as described in section 4:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes -y && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme -y && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "<Alt>F2" && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled false
To get notifications to show up in the indicator applet as described in section 5:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes -y && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme -y && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "<Alt>F2" && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled false && gsettings set com.ubuntu.update-notifier auto-launch false
To move window-management buttons to the right as described in section 6:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes -y && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme -y && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "<Alt>F2" && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled false && gsettings set com.ubuntu.update-notifier auto-launch false && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string ":minimize,maximize,close"
To use the Shiki-Colors-Metacity theme as described in section 7:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes -y && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme -y && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "<Alt>F2" && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled false && gsettings set com.ubuntu.update-notifier auto-launch false && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string ":minimize,maximize,close" && gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Shiki-Colors-Metacity
To disable the overlay-scrollbars as described in section 8:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes -y && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme -y && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "<Alt>F2" && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled false && gsettings set com.ubuntu.update-notifier auto-launch false && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string ":minimize,maximize,close" && gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Shiki-Colors-Metacity && echo export LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR=0 >> ~/.xprofile
To restore missing menu and button icons as described in section 9 (two commands):
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes -y && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme -y && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "<Alt>F2" && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled false && gsettings set com.ubuntu.update-notifier auto-launch false && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string ":minimize,maximize,close" && gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Shiki-Colors-Metacity && echo export LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR=0 >> ~/.xprofile && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface menus-have-icons true && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface buttons-have-icons true
To have mounted volumes to appear on the desktop as described in section 10:
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes -y && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme -y && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "<Alt>F2" && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled false && gsettings set com.ubuntu.update-notifier auto-launch false && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string ":minimize,maximize,close" && gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Shiki-Colors-Metacity && echo export LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR=0 >> ~/.xprofile && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface menus-have-icons true && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface buttons-have-icons true && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background show-desktop-icons true && gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop volumes-visible true
I also want to use the Zukitwo-Dust gtk theme and change the cursor and icon themes as described here (three commands):
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:caffeine-developers/ppa -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:alexmurray/indicator-sensors -y && sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes -y && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme -y && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/global_keybindings/panel_run_dialog" --type string "<Alt>F2" && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.screensaver lock-enabled false && gsettings set com.ubuntu.update-notifier auto-launch false && gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string ":minimize,maximize,close" && gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Shiki-Colors-Metacity && echo export LIBOVERLAY_SCROLLBAR=0 >> ~/.xprofile && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface menus-have-icons true && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface buttons-have-icons true && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.background show-desktop-icons true && gsettings set org.gnome.nautilus.desktop volumes-visible true && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Zukitwo-Dust && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface icon-theme ubuntu-mono-dark && gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface cursor-theme DMZ-White
The results:
Log out, choose Gnome classic (no effects), and log back in. You will get a notification of bug #905686, but as it only effects 330 people, the devs will get to it sooner or later. It's only a one time error using Gnome classic (no effects) just disregard it now. Everything else is right, but you are given only the default panel layout and will need to manually tweak it:
As well as manually edit the settings for Caffeine and Hardware Sensors Indicator.
Here are the applicable logs:
/var/log/apt/history.log:
Start-Date: 2012-06-18 09:39:27 Commandline: apt-get install gnome-panel indicator-applet indicator-applet-session shiki-colors-metacity-theme caffeine indicator-sensors zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme -y Install: libpanel-applet-4-0:i386 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1, automatic), gir1.2-gconf-2.0:i386 (3.2.5-0ubuntu2, automatic), python-support:i386 (1.0.14ubuntu2, automatic), zukitwo-gtk-theme:i386 (2012.06.12-1~webupd8~precise, automatic), python-kaa-base:i386 (0.6.0+svn4596-1, automatic), alacarte:i386 (0.13.2-2ubuntu4, automatic), indicator-applet-complete:i386 (0.5.0-0ubuntu1, automatic), gtk2-engines-pixbuf:i386 (2.24.10-0ubuntu6, automatic), caffeine:i386 (2.4.1+419~precise1), zukitwo-theme-all:i386 (2012.06.12-1~webupd8~precise), zukitwo-colors-theme:i386 (20120606-1~webupd8), libsqlite0:i386 (2.8.17-7fakesync1build1, automatic), indicator-applet:i386 (0.5.0-0ubuntu1), indicator-sensors:i386 (0.2-1), python-kaa-metadata:i386 (0.7.7+svn4596-2, automatic), gnome-session-fallback:i386 (3.2.1-0ubuntu8, automatic), python-central:i386 (0.6.17ubuntu2, automatic), shiki-colors-metacity-theme:i386 (4.6-1ubuntu2), indicator-applet-session:i386 (0.5.0-0ubuntu1), python-sqlite:i386 (1.0.1-9, automatic), cups-pk-helper:i386 (0.2.1.2-1, automatic), gnome-applets:i386 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1, automatic), python-gmenu:i386 (3.0.1-0ubuntu7, automatic), gnome-panel:i386 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1), python-xlib:i386 (0.14+20091101-1, automatic), zukitwo-dark-gtk-theme:i386 (2012.06.12-1~webupd8~precise, automatic), gnome-applets-data:i386 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1, automatic), gir1.2-panelapplet-4.0:i386 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1, automatic), gnome-panel-data:i386 (3.4.1-0ubuntu1, automatic) End-Date: 2012-06-18 09:40:20
And /var/log/apt/term.log:
Log started: 2012-06-18 09:39:27 Selecting previously unselected package python-gmenu. (Reading database ... (Reading database ... 5% (Reading database ... 10% (Reading database ... 15% (Reading database ... 20% (Reading database ... 25% (Reading database ... 30% (Reading database ... 35% (Reading database ... 40% (Reading database ... 45% (Reading database ... 50% (Reading database ... 55% (Reading database ... 60% (Reading database ... 65% (Reading database ... 70% (Reading database ... 75% (Reading database ... 80% (Reading database ... 85% (Reading database ... 90% (Reading database ... 95% (Reading database ... 100% (Reading database ... 142913 files and directories currently installed.) Unpacking python-gmenu (from .../python-gmenu_3.0.1-0ubuntu7_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package alacarte. Unpacking alacarte (from .../alacarte_0.13.2-2ubuntu4_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package python-central. Unpacking python-central (from .../python-central_0.6.17ubuntu2_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package python-support. Unpacking python-support (from .../python-support_1.0.14ubuntu2_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package python-xlib. Unpacking python-xlib (from .../python-xlib_0.14+20091101-1_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package libsqlite0. Unpacking libsqlite0 (from .../libsqlite0_2.8.17-7fakesync1build1_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package python-sqlite. Unpacking python-sqlite (from .../python-sqlite_1.0.1-9_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package python-kaa-base. Unpacking python-kaa-base (from .../python-kaa-base_0.6.0+svn4596-1_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package python-kaa-metadata. Unpacking python-kaa-metadata (from .../python-kaa-metadata_0.7.7+svn4596-2_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package caffeine. Unpacking caffeine (from .../caffeine_2.4.1+419~precise1_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package gir1.2-gconf-2.0. Unpacking gir1.2-gconf-2.0 (from .../gir1.2-gconf-2.0_3.2.5-0ubuntu2_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package libpanel-applet-4-0. Unpacking libpanel-applet-4-0 (from .../libpanel-applet-4-0_1%3a3.4.1-0ubuntu1_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package gir1.2-panelapplet-4.0. Unpacking gir1.2-panelapplet-4.0 (from .../gir1.2-panelapplet-4.0_1%3a3.4.1-0ubuntu1_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package gnome-applets-data. Unpacking gnome-applets-data (from .../gnome-applets-data_3.4.1-0ubuntu1_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package gnome-panel-data. Unpacking gnome-panel-data (from .../gnome-panel-data_1%3a3.4.1-0ubuntu1_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package gnome-panel. Unpacking gnome-panel (from .../gnome-panel_1%3a3.4.1-0ubuntu1_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package gnome-applets. Unpacking gnome-applets (from .../gnome-applets_3.4.1-0ubuntu1_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package gnome-session-fallback. Unpacking gnome-session-fallback (from .../gnome-session-fallback_3.2.1-0ubuntu8_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package gtk2-engines-pixbuf. Unpacking gtk2-engines-pixbuf (from .../gtk2-engines-pixbuf_2.24.10-0ubuntu6_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package indicator-applet. Unpacking indicator-applet (from .../indicator-applet_0.5.0-0ubuntu1_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package indicator-applet-complete. Unpacking indicator-applet-complete (from .../indicator-applet-complete_0.5.0-0ubuntu1_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package indicator-applet-session. Unpacking indicator-applet-session (from .../indicator-applet-session_0.5.0-0ubuntu1_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package shiki-colors-metacity-theme. Unpacking shiki-colors-metacity-theme (from .../shiki-colors-metacity-theme_4.6-1ubuntu2_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package cups-pk-helper. Unpacking cups-pk-helper (from .../cups-pk-helper_0.2.1.2-1_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package indicator-sensors. Unpacking indicator-sensors (from .../indicator-sensors_0.2-1_i386.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package zukitwo-colors-theme. Unpacking zukitwo-colors-theme (from .../zukitwo-colors-theme_20120606-1~webupd8_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package zukitwo-dark-gtk-theme. Unpacking zukitwo-dark-gtk-theme (from .../zukitwo-dark-gtk-theme_2012.06.12-1~webupd8~precise_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package zukitwo-gtk-theme. Unpacking zukitwo-gtk-theme (from .../zukitwo-gtk-theme_2012.06.12-1~webupd8~precise_all.deb) ... Selecting previously unselected package zukitwo-theme-all. Unpacking zukitwo-theme-all (from .../zukitwo-theme-all_2012.06.12-1~webupd8~precise_all.deb) ... Processing triggers for hicolor-icon-theme ... Processing triggers for desktop-file-utils ... Processing triggers for bamfdaemon ... Rebuilding /usr/share/applications/bamf.index... Processing triggers for gnome-menus ... Processing triggers for man-db ... Processing triggers for install-info ... Processing triggers for libglib2.0-0 ... Processing triggers for gconf2 ... Setting up python-gmenu (3.0.1-0ubuntu7) ... Setting up alacarte (0.13.2-2ubuntu4) ... Setting up python-central (0.6.17ubuntu2) ... Setting up python-support (1.0.14ubuntu2) ... Setting up python-xlib (0.14+20091101-1) ... Setting up libsqlite0 (2.8.17-7fakesync1build1) ... Setting up python-sqlite (1.0.1-9) ... Setting up python-kaa-base (0.6.0+svn4596-1) ... Setting up python-kaa-metadata (0.7.7+svn4596-2) ... Setting up caffeine (2.4.1+419~precise1) ... gtk-update-icon-cache: Cache file created successfully. Setting up gir1.2-gconf-2.0 (3.2.5-0ubuntu2) ... Setting up libpanel-applet-4-0 (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu1) ... Setting up gir1.2-panelapplet-4.0 (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu1) ... Setting up gnome-applets-data (3.4.1-0ubuntu1) ... Setting up gnome-panel-data (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu1) ... Setting up gnome-panel (1:3.4.1-0ubuntu1) ... Setting up gnome-applets (3.4.1-0ubuntu1) ... Setting up gnome-session-fallback (3.2.1-0ubuntu8) ... Setting up gtk2-engines-pixbuf (2.24.10-0ubuntu6) ... Setting up indicator-applet (0.5.0-0ubuntu1) ... Setting up indicator-applet-complete (0.5.0-0ubuntu1) ... Setting up indicator-applet-session (0.5.0-0ubuntu1) ... Setting up shiki-colors-metacity-theme (4.6-1ubuntu2) ... Setting up cups-pk-helper (0.2.1.2-1) ... Setting up indicator-sensors (0.2-1) ... Setting up zukitwo-colors-theme (20120606-1~webupd8) ... Setting up zukitwo-dark-gtk-theme (2012.06.12-1~webupd8~precise) ... Setting up zukitwo-gtk-theme (2012.06.12-1~webupd8~precise) ... Setting up zukitwo-theme-all (2012.06.12-1~webupd8~precise) ... Processing triggers for python-support ... Processing triggers for libc-bin ... ldconfig deferred processing now taking place Log ended: 2012-06-18 09:40:20
Restoring Default Desktop
The purpose of this section is to provide basic info about how to restore a default desktop configuration, or how to back up and restore an existing desktop configuration.
There may be any number of other reasons why someone wants to restore a default configuration. Maybe you just messed things up, or sometimes upgrades will result in a somewhat poor overall configuration, and these same principles can be used to backup and restore configuration files as long as the proper packages are still installed.
GUI Methods
While the CLI is often preferrable to perform most such operations, the simplest way to do this is simply by opening your Home folder. You'll typically see only the expected user folders (eg; Desktop, Documents, Downloads, Music, Pictures, etc), but if you go to the navigation bar and click on View -> Show Hidden Files you'll see what I like to refer to as "hidden dots":
For the purposes of desktop configuration you'll typically be concerned only with .config, .gconf, .gnome2, and .compiz-1. But if this is an upgrade from a previous version of Ubuntu you may see both .compiz-1 & .compiz.
NOTE: While this deals only with some desktop configuration files, mention should be made that renaming or copying some hidden dots like .mozilla or .thunderbird will fail unless that process is killed first, eg; if .mozilla is copied while Firefox is running and you try to launch Firefox after restoring that configuration you will get a "Firefox is already running" warning. But this typically does not effect the aforementioned hidden dot desktop configuration files.
Assuming some reason such as messed up configuration, you can open your home folder and click on View -> Show Hidden Files.
Note: You can open your home folder easily if you applied the change in section 3 of of the original instructions.
Right click on the aforementioned .config, .gconf, .gnome2, and .compiz-1 folders and choose "Rename". After choosing Rename simply click within the highlighted "box" and add a suffix like "_OLD":
Once you've renamed the configuration files you can either reboot or just log out and log back into a fresh desktop environment so you can totally start over. If you later decide to restore the old hidden dots you can send the newest ones to the trash bin (or rename them) and remove the suffix from the ones you'd renamed previously.
Another way to create a "backup" of these hidden dots is to simply create an actual backup folder wherever you wish. Maybe just create a new folder in Home called Config_Backup. Then simply drag-n-drop or copy-n-paste those hidden dots to the new folder - remember they'll still be hidden files.
CLI Methods
By default the terminal looks in home unless told to do otherwise so just running "ls" will display your basic user files and folders but running "ls -a" will also display the hidden dots, (no sudo needed because it's your home folder) eg;
ls -a
Example:
user@ubuntu:~$ ls -a . examples.desktop .mozilla .. .fontconfig Music .adobe .gconf .opera .bash_history .gksu.lock Pictures .bash_logout .gnome2 .profile .bashrc .goutputstream-B0OKEW Public .cache .gstreamer-0.10 .pulse .compiz-1 .gtk-bookmarks .pulse-cookie .config .gvfs Templates .dbus .ICEauthority .thumbnails Desktop .indicator-sysmonitor.json Videos .dmrc .local .Xauthority Documents .macromedia .xsession-errors Downloads .mission-control .xsession-errors.old
Now I can either copy or rename those hidden dots using either cp -a or mv respectively. Examples:
Using "cp -a" to create a backup:
cp -a .compiz-1 .compiz-1_OLD
Note there are now two .compiz-1 files, .compiz-1 and .compiz-1_OLD
user@ubuntu:~$ cp -a .compiz-1 .compiz-1_OLD user@ubuntu:~$ ls -a . examples.desktop Music .. .fontconfig .opera .adobe .gconf Pictures .bash_history .gksu.lock .profile .bash_logout .gnome2 Public .bashrc .goutputstream-B0OKEW .pulse .cache .gstreamer-0.10 .pulse-cookie .compiz-1 .gtk-bookmarks Templates .compiz-1_OLD .gvfs .thumbnails .config .ICEauthority Videos .dbus .indicator-sysmonitor.json .Xauthority Desktop .local .xsession-errors .dmrc .macromedia .xsession-errors.old Documents .mission-control Downloads .mozilla
Using "mv" to rename:
mv .compiz-1 .compiz-1_OLD
Note that .compiz-1 is now .compiz-1_OLD
user@ubuntu:~$ mv .compiz-1 .compiz-1_OLD user@ubuntu:~$ ls -a . examples.desktop .mozilla .. .fontconfig Music .adobe .gconf .opera .bash_history .gksu.lock Pictures .bash_logout .gnome2 .profile .bashrc .goutputstream-B0OKEW Public .cache .gstreamer-0.10 .pulse .compiz-1_OLD .gtk-bookmarks .pulse-cookie .config .gvfs Templates .dbus .ICEauthority .thumbnails Desktop .indicator-sysmonitor.json Videos .dmrc .local .Xauthority Documents .macromedia .xsession-errors Downloads .mission-control .xsession-errors.old
After renaming the aforementioned configuration files you can either reboot or log out and back in to see the new default configuration.
Zukitwo Theme for Gnome Classic
The Zukitwo themes from webupd8 are popular for Gnome shell and Classic. This section will show how to install and use the various themes included in the pack. Before beginning please understand that themes are divided into two basic categories; gtk theme and window theme, but you may also find that some icon themes work better than others with different gtk themes.
Default Classic Settings
Let's first have a look at the default Precise settings before changing anything.
Default 12.04 Gnome classic uses an interesting mixture of themes. The default window theme is Ambiance; the gtk-theme is Adwaita; icon theme is Gnome and the default cursor theme is Adwaita.
Therefore, to restore those defaults, you'd use these commands:
gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Ambiance
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Adwaita
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface icon-theme gnome
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface cursor-theme Adwaita
Upgrades may change defaults, however and the following settings seem to be more consistently appropriate to obtain a usable out-of-box appearance in Precise.
gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Ambiance
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Ambiance
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface icon-theme ubuntu-mono-dark
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface cursor-theme DMZ-White
You can of course check your own settings before changing anything by using these commands:
gconftool-2 -g /apps/metacity/general/theme
gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme
gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface icon-theme
gsettings get org.gnome.desktop.interface cursor-theme
Or you might want to back up your existing configuration as detailed in the previous section.
Installing and Using Zukitwo
With the latest updates to the aforementioned PPA all of the following Zukitwo Gtk themes seem to work fairly well with the Shiki-Colors-Metacity window theme in Precise classic (no effects). They have not been tried by the author of this guide with other DE's such as Gnome-shell or Unity. Keep in mind that this material only applies to classic (no effects) which uses Metacity, NOT the standard "classic" session which uses Compiz.
Of course to try these you'll need to install the webupd8 PPA and install zukitwo-theme-all and zukitwo-colors-theme. Since this guide also uses shiki-colors-metacity-theme it's included in the commands.
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:webupd8team/themes
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install shiki-colors-metacity-theme zukitwo-theme-all zukitwo-colors-theme
Next, set the window theme:
gconftool-2 -s --type string /apps/metacity/general/theme Shiki-Colors-Metacity
Next I can use any of the following commands to install my preferred Zukitwo Gtk theme.
The Zukitwo-Dust theme blends very well with the Precise Pangolin wallpaper:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Zukitwo-Dust
Zukitwo Dark:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Zukitwo-Dark
All of the following seem to work OK with the Shiki-Colors-Metacity window theme.
Quite a grayish-blue:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Zukitwo
A bright, but light and pleasant blue:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Zukitwo-Brave
A bright, but rather light orange:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Zukitwo-Human
Pink, really pink:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Zukitwo-Illustrious
Purple:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Zukitwo-Noble
A rather pinkish red:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Zukitwo-Wine
A light, bright green:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface gtk-theme Zukitwo-Wise
There's a theme for every taste. 
Originally posted The Ubuntu Forums (ubuntuforums.org)