====== Ubuntu Desktop - Things to after installing 18.04 ======


===== Enable Additional Repositories =====

Ubuntu doesn’t come, by default, with enabling additional repositories. Before updating and upgrading your Ubuntu system must allow the additional canonical repositories.  

  * To do so, search for **Software & Update**. 
  * In the **Other Software** tab, enable “Canonical Partners.” 
  * Now close the window, ignore if it says reload.


<WRAP tip>
Ubuntu has several repositories from where it provides software for your system. These repositories are:

  * Main – Free and open-source software supported by Ubuntu team
  * Universe – Free and open-source software maintained by the community
  * Restricted – Proprietary drivers for devices.
  * Multiverse – Software restricted by copyright or legal issues.
  * Canonical Partners – Software packaged by Ubuntu for their partners 

Enabling all these repositories will give you access to more software and proprietary drivers.
</WRAP>



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===== Check for Update and Upgrade =====

<code bash>
sudo apt update
sudo apt upgrade
</code>

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===== Upgrade to a newer version, if needed. =====

<code>
sudo apt dist-upgrade
</code>

<WRAP warning>
WARNING:  Only do this step if you absolutely want to move to a new version.  This may take your system away from running an LTS (Long-Term Support) version.
</WRAP>

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===== Install Latest Graphics Drivers =====

Enable proprietary drivers. To install and see the availability of the proprietary drivers for your hardware,

  * To do so, search for **Software & Update**. 
  * Select the **Additional Drivers** tab.
  * Select one of the proprietary drivers that seems to be specific to your graphics card.

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===== Customize Gnome Shell =====

Install the Gnome Tweak Tool.

GNOME Tweak Tool, the settings manager for GNOME lets you customize the Ubuntu desktop according to your liking.

With the GNOME Tweak tool you can accomplish the following:

  * Change the look and feel of the Ubuntu Desktop Environment.
  * Change the default fonts.
  * Play with the Window buttons.
  * Effectively manage all GNOME extensions.
  * Enable/Disable desktop icons.

<code bash>
sudo apt install gnome-tweak-tool
</code>

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==== Install Gnome Shell Extensions ====

Gnome Shell Extensions is the best tool to customize your Linux.

Run the **gnome-tweak-tool** and tweak as needed.

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==== Change the Theme ====

Gnome Shell Extensions is the best tool to customize your Linux.

Run the **gnome-tweak-tool** and tweak as needed.

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===== Third-party Media Codecs & Extras =====

By default, Ubuntu does not provide any media codec to play multimedia files. So to enjoy movies, music, and entertaining application, you need to install media codecs. Use the following code into Terminal.

To be able to play media files like MP#, MPEG4, AVI etc., run:

<code bash>
sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras
</code>

Recommend to install the free version of **libavcodec** also to avoid an issue while performing media task with video editors or transcoder.  Use the following code.

<code bash>
sudo apt install libavcodec-extra
</code>

Moreover, to enable encrypted DVD playback, you have to install **libdvd-pkg**.

<code bash>
sudo apt install libdvd-pkg
</code>

----

===== Enable Night Light =====

According to recent studys, the blue light emanating from your PC or Laptop may cause considerable amount of eye strain.  Hence, you can turn on the Night light feature that will automatically adjust the blue light.

Go to menu:

Settings > Devices > Displays and toggle the Night Light on.

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===== Install Applications =====


  * VLC – media player for videos
  * GIMP – Photoshop alternative for Linux
  * Pinta – Paint alternative in Linux
  * Calibre – eBook management tool
  * Chromium – Open Source web browser
  * Kazam – Screen recorder tool
  * Gdebi – Lightweight package installer for .deb packages
  * Spotify – For streaming music
  * Skype – For video messaging
  * Kdenlive – Video editor for Linux
  * Atom – Code editor for programming
  * Android Studio –  For Android app development


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===== Tweaks For Ubuntu Power Management =====

Here are some tips, which help to get optimum output from Ubuntu Linux OS…

  * Turn off WiFi and Bluetooth, when it’s not required.
  * Reduced screen brightness to the optimum level.
  * It’s always better to hibernate rather than suspend power features. To do so follow…Settings >>Power Management >>On Battery Power
  * Try to disable keyboard brightness

Apart from these tips, you can follow to install TLP, which helps to keep the laptop cool and safe.

<code bash>
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:linrunner/tlp
sudo apt update
sudo apt install tlp tlp-rdw
sudo tlp start
</code>

You can also Install Laptop Mode Tools, which helps to reduce power consumption by slowing down Hard disk speed and kernel control. To install it run the following command.

<code bash>
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:ubuntuhandbook1/apps
sudo apt update
sudo apt install laptop-mode-tools
</code>

After installing, get the GUI for further customization. Run the command.

<code bash>
gksu lmt-config-gui
</code>

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===== Enable Firewall and Install Antivirus =====

Ubuntu has a firewall called UFW which is pretty good and straightforward. But you need to enable it first. You can either enable it through command or install a GUI for UFW.

To enable the firewall to execute:

<code bash>
sudo ufw enable
</code>

UFW is quite intuitive to use. To disable firewall execute:

<code bash>
sudo ufw disable
</code>

Managing UFW via GUI

<code bash>
sudo apt install gufw
</code>

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===== System Cleanup =====

You can clean partial packages using a command:

<code bash>
sudo apt autoclean
</code>

You can auto cleanup apt-cache:

<code bash>
sudo apt clean
</code>

You can clean up of any unused dependencies:

<code bash>
sudo apt autoremove
</code>

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