Ubuntu setup - Breezy 5.10

5/June/2006


Those details you never get told, and spend hours searching for the answers. In one page.

I'm not too well versed in Linux 5p34k, which may be advantageous to those of you reading this looking for help; inversely, it may be to my own detriment, trying to explain things that I don't honestly know the answer to.

Please note, the contents of this page, probably wont be maintained, therefore check the date before proceeding.

Table of Contents

System Configuration

Screen Refresh Rate
If like me you suffer with anything below 75Hz, and by default your monitor/adaptor constantly is set to 60Hz, then you may find this usefull. You will require your monitor manual.
It is advisable to backup anything before making changes, therefore: sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_backup
I found the config tool not much use therefore I edited the file manually and hey-presto! result!. By editing /etc/X11/xorg.conf in the following manner: sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf Then finding the following values: 
Section "Monitor"
	Identifier	"Generic Monitor"
	Option		"DPMS"
	HorizSync	28-51
	VertRefresh	43-60
EndSection
Replacing, HozizSync and VertRefresh values, with what is in your manual. Within my manual on the signal timing page, is listed a set of values for each refresh rate and screen resolution. The best performance for my screen would be at a resolution of 1024x768, and that is what I will be referring to throughout. The H. Frequency (HoziSync) starts off on the lowest at 48.77Hz and max is 68.077Hz. Thefore for by means of logic I replaced the 28-51 with my values, leaving the decimals to one side, as thus: 48-68.
Having altered the values appropriately, my end result is something like this:
Section "Monitor"
	Identifier	"Generic Monitor"
	Option		"DPMS"
	HorizSync	48-68
	VertRefresh	60-84
EndSection
Once you have saved this off. You'll need to restart the xserver Ctrl + Alt + Backspace (Warning! this will log you out and close all your windows).
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System Clock different from OS time
If like me you're in England and in the summer, you'll find by default Ubuntu will have the clock set to a differnt time to that of the system clock. Therefore if you're telling your computer to boot at a certain time, you're going to find that it is booting an hour later.
To rectify this you can edit: sudo gedit /etc/default/rcS ... search for "UTC" and replace the value with "no". Save, exit, done.
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Add Repositories
You will need new repositories, as the default ones you have wont suffice for all the applications you may be needing to use.
Firstly, backup the old: sudo cp /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list_backup
Open and edit: sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
Add the following to the bottom of the document: deb http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary universe
deb-src http://us.archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary universe

deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-security main restricted
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-security main restricted

deb http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-security universe
deb-src http://security.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary-security universe

deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary multiverse
deb-src http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hoary multiverse

deb http://packages.freecontrib.org/ubuntu/plf breezy free non-free
deb-src http://packages.freecontrib.org/ubuntu/plf breezy free non-free There will be more, but for the time being, those will do you.
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Java Runtime Environment
If like me you were stuck trying to get Azureus working, read on.
Firstly you'll need to make sure you've modified your repositories. Then, install: sudo apt-get install sun-j2re1.5
Make the java environment default by the following: sudo update-alternatives --config java Select the version you just installed.
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Static IP Address
This is another "learn to suck eggs" thing to do. I personally like to a static IP on my LAN, it makes port-forwarding simple, and remembering which machine is which even easier.
Simply: (from the top menu) System > Administration > Networking select your network device for your LAN, select properties and enter the IP, subnet and gateway.
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Auto Login
Whilst it isn't exactly advisable to let your computer login automatically; it seems a prerequisite for allowing your computer to switch itself on and run crontabs whilst you're sleeping. It is with that in mind that I do this. If you're having problems with your system clock time being different from your OS time please read here.
This is a very simple thing to set in Ubuntu. From the top menu System > Administration > Login Screen Setup, once inside the setup, on the first tab, in the centre of the pane will be the option to automatically login, select the checkbox and then the user you wish to login as and select close.
.
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Apache + PHP + MySQL
Essentially this could be installed with one line, I've done it in two. No explaination required. 
sudo apt-get -y install apache2 mysql-server
sudo apt-get -y install php4 libapache2-mod-auth-mysql 
php4-mysql
Also, if you're a fanatical XML fan you may also wish to install domxml. You might also need GD if you're going to be installing gallery, so for safe measure: sudo apt-get -y install php4-domxml php4-gd
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NumLocks = ON
If like me you like to have your NumLocks on at boot, you'll need to use the following code: sudo apt-get -y install numlockx && numlockx on
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Windows Codecs
If you need WMV or real player files to work and VLC doesn't seem to be doing a good job aobut reproducing the stream, try installing the windows codecs and playing the file in totem/gxine or whatever you're using.
To install the windows codecs do as follows: wget -c ftp://ftp.nerim.net/debian-marillat/pool/main/w/w32codecs/w32codecs_20050412-0.4_i386.deb sudo dpkg -i w32codecs_20050412-0.4_i386.deb
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Trivial Installations

Video Lan Client (VLC)
Keep in mind that I had great difficulty getting anything installed when I first started, vlc caused me the greatest grief. However assuming you have added the respositories as mentioned earlier, you'll be fine. Simply: sudo apt-get install vlc
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Thunderbird
I like Thunderbird, I also want it as my default email client. I've demonstrated another way of installing applications; however fun as apt-get is alternatives are welcomed.
To install, I used Synaptic Package Manager for this (Top Menu: System > Administration > Synaptic Package Manager).
Once inside, press Ctrl + F. Search for "Thunderbird". Once it appears, right click on it and select: "Mark for installation".
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K3b
Even if you're using gnome, K3b is by far the best linux burner in my experience (which is afterall quite limited).
Simple: sudo apt-get install k3b
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aMule
As an ex-windows user, emule was a p2p client of choice. Linux has it's own: amule.
From the top menu: Applications > Add applications. Select on the left of the window (that appears), the section, and either click on the trianle beside it, or double click on the title. Once you have done this the menu of internet applications appears. The ones with a tick are the ones already installed. You will need to select the sub-heading More programs... to find aMule.
If like me you're prompted to enable repositories, do so. Followed by ticking the aMule checkbox, and selecting Apply in the bottom right corner, and then another Apply to the following prompt.
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amaroK
However good this application is, there is a heck of a lot of work for you to actually get any pleasure from it. By default this application doesn't come with mp3 support, I have no idea why this is.
Firstly, download amaroK from the Add Applications tool. Once it is installed you may be prompted that there are updates needed to be done, follow them and that is stage one done.
Next, you'll find that amaroK wont play any mp3s so you'll need to install the following: sudo apt-get install amarok-arts amarok-engines amarok-xine libmad0
It would be to no surprise if amaroK is still not working, you'll need to play with the configuration of amaroK: Settings > Configure amaroK.... Select Engine, I'm personally using xine Engine, and it works for me.
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Azureus
You may find like I did that you needed to update your java runtime environment, please read up.
The documentation of how to install azureus is available on the azureus site, however, why stray from this page?
Firstly download the binaries.
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