Useful packages and tips for Ubuntu
Tips and notes
Ubuntu doesn't have a root password by default; it prefers to let the account you made do stuff via sudo. If you want a root account, log in with the sudo-capable account, and do "sudo passwd root
" to set the password.
Start by using the
GUI updater, synaptic, or apt-get to do a full update.
Packages
Install these with synaptic or apt-get.
Essentials
openssh-server: SSH server
build-essential: Everything needed to compile C/C++ programs
manpages-dev: Manpages for system calls (open,close,mmap,etc.)
cvs: Basic source control and versioning package
vlc: A video player that plays virtually anything
sshfs: Mount a remote file system via ssh - compatible with any SSH-able machine
sun-java6-plugin: Install the Sun Java plugin without using their crappy installer
mozilla-thunderbird: An email client to match the firefox browser
wine: Run windows apps (sometimes)
xmms: Winamp for Linux
msttcorefonts: Core Microsoft fonts, so you can have true Times New Roman, Arial, Tahoma, etc.
Optional
subversion: Better source control and versioning package
sysstat: The "iostat" and related tools
kdiff3: A graphical diff tool
sun-java6-jdk: Install the Sun JDK 6.0 without using their crappy installer
celestia: Fly around an accurate 3D simulation of the universe as we know it.
For special purposes
KDE
To make KDE your windowing system, choose "Options | Sessions | KDE" from the login screen, and "Make Default" when prompted.
NIS (also known as YP)
To set up NIS:
Set up YP by editing /etc/yp.conf
and adding the appropriate line, e.g. "domain <YOUR_DOMAIN> server <YOUR_NIS_SERVER>
".
Enable the NIS service by running the "Services" configurator under "Settings", and turning on "Account information resolver (nis)".
Some versions of Ubuntu (including 6.06.1 LTS) aren't configured to use NIS out-of-box. Modify /etc/nsswitch.conf
so that the "passwd", "group", and "shadow" lines have the word "nis" at the end of the line. For example: "passwd: compat
" becomes "passwd: compat nis
".
NFS client
To set up a boot-time mount:
# mkdir /mymount
# TextEditorOfYourChoice /etc/fstab (insert the following line)
nfs-server.site.com:/remotemount /mymount nfs defaults 0 0
# mount /mymount
# ls /mymount
FORTRAN
Latex editing
Dual boot with Windows
If you're dual-booting with Windows for some reason, your best bet is to find a dual-boot guide online. Here's the short short version:
Boot into Windows installer
Clear all partitions, make a partition > 4GB for Windows, leave the rest unused.
Install Windows to the partition.
Boot into Linux installer
Claim rest of disk for Linux partitions
Tell Linux's grub to include an option to boot Windows (may be done automatically)