GNU/Linux Installation Notes (Xubuntu 8.04 Hardy Heron)

Here are the things I normally do to prepare my GNU/Linux box. I will update the post for the latest GNU/Linux distro I install on my computers.

Last Updated: 4-Jun-2008

1. Requirements

My requirements for my GNU/Linux box:

• Do not compromise system performance for fancier graphics
• A comfortable environment for software development + entertainment!

Over the years I find that the excellent Xfce provides me the best user experience. So I stick to a user-friendly GNU/Linux system with its GUI powered by Xfce:

• Distro: Xubuntu 8.04 (Hardy Heron)
• Installation CD: Xubuntu [PC (Intel x86) desktop install CD]

2. Installation

• [Base Xubuntu System] Boot the Xubuntu desktop CD; Install it. (Package information will be updated if the optional Internet connection is available.)
  
  • To install from a USB stick, refer to https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Installation/FromUSBStick
• [Development] Install packages build-essential manpages-dev.
• [OpenOffice.org] Install package openoffice.org.
• [Chinese and Input Methods] Use System -> Language Support. Enable 'Chinese' and 'Enable support to enter complex characters'. To use SCIM in non-CJK sessions, install scim-bridge-agent scim-bridge-client-gtk scim-bridge-client-qt scim-bridge-client-qt4, execute im-switch -s scim-bridge, and re-login.
  
  • Install 第五代简体仓颉输入法 if you need.
  • A system-wide configuration to make SCIM to work in non-CJK sessions is described here [help.ubuntu.com]. But it does not work with my system.
• [XSane] Install package xsane.
• [Adobe Flash] Install package flashplugin-nonfree.
• [Java] Install package sun-java6-plugin.
• [Wine] Add the repository from the official Wine site; Install package wine.
• [NTFS-3G] Install packages ntfs3g ntfs-config; Configure the write support with sudo ntfs-config.
• [VirtualBox]
  
  • Decide the version you want and install it
    
    • GPLv2 version
      
      1. Install packages virtualbox-ose virtualbox-ose-source
      2. Install the kernel module: sudo m-a prepare; sudo m-a a-i virtualbox-ose
      3. Let the kernel module to load at boot time: echo "vboxdrv" | sudo tee -a /etc/modules
    • PUEL (Personal Use and Evaluation License) version
      
      1. Add the repository from the official VirtualBox site
      2. Install package virtualbox
  • Assign yourself to have the privilege to use VirtualBox: sudo adduser $USER vboxusers
  • Restart the computer to update your group membership and to test if the kernel module loads properly at boot time.
• [Miscellaneous] Install packages mc k3b emacs gqview pdfjam psutils.
• [Anti-Virus; Anti-Spyware; Disk Defragmentation; System Crash Monitor/Analyzer]
  
  • What??
  • Well, It's N.A. Seriously. :)

3. Customization

• Use static IP if possible. It is faster than using DHCP especially if the DHCP server is not on.
• Configure various personal settings. (For new installation) Refer to this.
• Configure how removable media should be handled.. Settings -> Settings Manager -> Removable Drives and Media.
• Add the printer(s). Use Settings -> Printing which invokes system-config-printer.
  
  • Fuji Xerox WorkCentre PE220
• Configure the microphone settings. Somehow, Ubuntu does not seem to configure the microphone settings well out-of-box. Many have encountered many different problems when trying to capture the microphone input. (I've configured three machines, each with different problems) A few tips here.
  
  • Be sure that the microphone indeed functions properly, is turned on, and has been plugged properly into the correct socket. Surprisingly this can be a common mistake.
  • Make sure that you are controlling the volume for the correct sound device.
  • Configure the following options properly: Microphone, Microphone Capture, Capture, Mic Boost (+20 dB) (or Mic Auto Gain), Mic Select, Surround Jack Mode. The signal may have been detected but the sound has been muted somehow.
    
    • Some useful text-based utilities:
      
      • aplay -l shows all soundcards and digital audio devices.
      • alsamixer is an 'ultimate' ncurses mixer program for ALSA soundcard driver.
      • amixer is a command-line mixer for ALSA soundcard driver. Useful for presetting the volume settings if they do not persist after rebooting the machine. E.g., amixer get 'Capture', amixer set 'Capture' cap.
    • Can use krecord or gnome-sound-recorder to test the microphone. The 'Input Level' monitor of krecord is especially useful. Try to record from 'Microphone' or 'Capture'—Some machines work for both, but some work for only one of them.