Here's the complete workflow I use to set up Ubuntu 13.10:
A. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS DURING FRESH INSTALLATION
1. Allocate a 50GB partition and install the system there.
2. After installation immediately set the root password and create a new user with limited access.
3. Log on as the new limited user and utilize all free disk space to create multiple encrypted partitions.
4. Restore all backed up data to the encrypted partitions.
B. FIGHTING UBUNTU'S IDIOSYNCRASIES:
1. Visit fixubuntu.com and copy and execute commands from there. This will disable automatic online search and make several privacy enhancements.
2. Remap HUD Key which is "left alt" by default to something else
System settings -> Keyboard > Shortcuts > Launchers -> HUD key -> ctrl-alt-h
3. Open Software & Updates and disable multiverse to keep updates light.
4. Modify "security and privacy" settings to your requirements.
5. Disable paid software as described in another post.
6. Uninstall useless software to keep updates light.
apt-get autoremove gnome-contacts ubuntuone-control-panel-qt gnome-mines unity-lens-photos aisleriot gnome-mahjongg gnome-sudoku empathy remmina thunderbird vino unity-scope-gdrive rhythmbox totem gnome-control-center-signon gnome-user-share landscape-client-ui-install gnome-orca onboard deja-dup
C. INSTALL UPDATES AND ESSENTIAL SOFTWARE
apt-get update && apt-get upgrade
apt-get install geany g++ vlc gimp ghex alarm-clock-applet compizconfig-settings-manager
D. TWEAK GNOME/UNITY
1. Get rid of folders cluttering the home folder. To store your personal files use encrypted partitions created earlier.
rmdir ~/Public/ ~/Documents/ ~/Music/ ~/Pictures/ ~/Videos/ ~/Downloads/ ~/Templates/
rm ~/examples.desktop
2. If the system text is too small, scale it by an appropriate factor:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface text-scaling-factor '1.35'
3. If F4 requires Fn+F4, remap close window key to Super-Q:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings close "['<Super>Q']"
4. Highly recommended: Set bottom left screen corner to initiate window picker.
$ ccsm
Advanced Search >> Scale >> Binding >> Initiate Window Picker >> Bottomleft
5. Disable gedit as root (we'll be using geany instead):
cd /usr/bin
mv gedit gedit.backup Right click a .txt file and in its property dialog set default application as geany.
E. APPLICATION SPECIFIC MODIFICATIONS
1. Make geany more usable:
Open geany and in preferences dialog:
unselect interface->show sidebar
unselect interface->show statusbar
select editor->features->line wrapping
In the main menu:
unselect view->show message window
unselect view->show toolbar
2. Add adblock plus plug-in to firefox.
A. GENERAL CONSIDERATIONS DURING FRESH INSTALLATION
1. Allocate a 50GB partition and install the system there.
2. After installation immediately set the root password and create a new user with limited access.
3. Log on as the new limited user and utilize all free disk space to create multiple encrypted partitions.
4. Restore all backed up data to the encrypted partitions.
B. FIGHTING UBUNTU'S IDIOSYNCRASIES:
1. Visit fixubuntu.com and copy and execute commands from there. This will disable automatic online search and make several privacy enhancements.
2. Remap HUD Key which is "left alt" by default to something else
System settings -> Keyboard > Shortcuts > Launchers -> HUD key -> ctrl-alt-h
3. Open Software & Updates and disable multiverse to keep updates light.
4. Modify "security and privacy" settings to your requirements.
5. Disable paid software as described in another post.
6. Uninstall useless software to keep updates light.
apt-get autoremove gnome-contacts ubuntuone-control-panel-qt gnome-mines unity-lens-photos aisleriot gnome-mahjongg gnome-sudoku empathy remmina thunderbird vino unity-scope-gdrive rhythmbox totem gnome-control-center-signon gnome-user-share landscape-client-ui-install gnome-orca onboard deja-dup
C. INSTALL UPDATES AND ESSENTIAL SOFTWARE
apt-get update && apt-get upgrade
apt-get install geany g++ vlc gimp ghex alarm-clock-applet compizconfig-settings-manager
D. TWEAK GNOME/UNITY
1. Get rid of folders cluttering the home folder. To store your personal files use encrypted partitions created earlier.
rmdir ~/Public/ ~/Documents/ ~/Music/ ~/Pictures/ ~/Videos/ ~/Downloads/ ~/Templates/
rm ~/examples.desktop
2. If the system text is too small, scale it by an appropriate factor:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.interface text-scaling-factor '1.35'
3. If F4 requires Fn+F4, remap close window key to Super-Q:
gsettings set org.gnome.desktop.wm.keybindings close "['<Super>Q']"
4. Highly recommended: Set bottom left screen corner to initiate window picker.
$ ccsm
Advanced Search >> Scale >> Binding >> Initiate Window Picker >> Bottomleft
5. Disable gedit as root (we'll be using geany instead):
cd /usr/bin
mv gedit gedit.backup Right click a .txt file and in its property dialog set default application as geany.
E. APPLICATION SPECIFIC MODIFICATIONS
1. Make geany more usable:
Open geany and in preferences dialog:
unselect interface->show sidebar
unselect interface->show statusbar
select editor->features->line wrapping
In the main menu:
unselect view->show message window
unselect view->show toolbar
2. Add adblock plus plug-in to firefox.
