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Ubuntu 12.04 LTS Unity Customization GuideUbuntu 12.04 LTSUbuntu 12.04 LTS

Unity Customization GuideUnity Customization Guide

Simplify Your LifeSimplify Your Life

System Settings

CCSMMyUnity

AchieveAchieve

Personal UnityPersonal Unity

Wai MoiWai Moi Edited by Charlene TessierEdited by Charlene Tessier ©© 2012 2012 and Randall Ross and Randall Ross

By: Wai Moi

Edited by: Charlene Tessier & Randall Ross

© 2012 Wai Moi, Charlene Tessier, and Randall Ross, except where noted. Some rights reserved.

Credits

Created with OpenOffice.org 3.3.0.

This work is licensed under the Creative Commons Attribution- NonCommercial-ShareAlike 2.5 Canada License.

ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS & DEDICATIONS

The author and editors of this guide wish to express thanks to thefollowing members of Ubuntu Vancouver that assisted with editing,proof-reading, and helpful suggestions:

Kip WarnerJoe LiauSighmon ButterfieldLuluLiam RiedellGabriel TanJohn AsbacherKim Kulak

Special thanks to Jason Smith, Manish Sinha, Rick Spencer, and Jorge Castro for their contributions to this document.

Personal thanks to Athena Koon (for your unwavering support) and Marlene Wu (for your invaluable insight and “eagle eye”).

This guide is dedicated to Mark Shuttleworth, Ubuntu visionary and founder of the Ubuntu project. Thank you for making the world a better place.

Table of Contents

1. Introduction..........................................................................................................................................4

1.1 To Customize or Not to Customize? That is the Question! ............................................................51.2 Using the Unity Customization Guide............................................................................................7

2. Ubun-Tools of the Trade: Customization Tools for Unity ...............................................................8

2.1 System Settings Application...........................................................................................................112.1.1 Personal Category Settings: The Look and Feel of Your Desktop.....................................................142.1.2 Hardware Category Settings: The Options Package and Accessories of Your Desktop.....................162.1.3 System Category Settings: The Specification and Maintenance Package of Your Desktop...............19

2.2 CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM) ...................................................................................212.2.1 Understanding Compiz and CompizFusion.......................................................................................232.2.2 Installing CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM)........................................................................252.2.3 CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM) Menu Options.................................................................27

2.3 MyUnity Application ....................................................................................................................312.3.1 Installing the MyUnity Application...................................................................................................322.3.2 MyUnity Customization Options.......................................................................................................34

3. Achieving Personal Unity..................................................................................................................37

3.1 Customization Scenarios...............................................................................................................383.1.1 “Beauty is Screen Deep”: Changing Desktop Background (Wallpaper)............................................383.1.2 “Icon-Cure!”: Adding Desktop Icons................................................................................................403.1.3 “Launching... Out?”: Modifying Unity Launcher Attributes.............................................................433.1.4 “Plug-in Away At IT!”: CCSM Unity Customization........................................................................483.1.5 “I Shot the Serif”: Changing System Fonts.......................................................................................543.1.6 “Locked and Loaded!”: Securing Unity............................................................................................593.1.7 “For The Record, I Want it Off the Record!” - Disabling Unity Event Log (Zeitgeist).....................633.1.8 “If You Build It, He Will Come-plain”: Contributing to the Evolution of Unity................................66

3.2 “I've Customized Too Far; What Do I Do?!”: Undoing Customizations.....................................683.2.1 System Settings.................................................................................................................................683.2.2 CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM)........................................................................................693.2.3 MyUnity............................................................................................................................................69

4. Achieve Personal Unity, But Not With Unity...................................................................................70

4.1 GNOME Classic Desktop..............................................................................................................714.2 Kubuntu (KDE) and Lubuntu (LXDE)..........................................................................................72

5. Final Thoughts....................................................................................................................................73

Achieve Personal Unity Unity. Simplify Your Life.

ACHIEVE PERSONAL UNITY

Your Guide to Unity Desktop Customization*

1. Introduction

The word unity is an expression that conjures up images of oneness, harmony, and a collection

of distinct parts coming together to achieve one goal. And Unity 5.10.0 on Ubuntu 12.04 LTS is

a perfect example of this expression: many people from all walks of life working together as

one to achieve a common goal of providing a free (gratis & libre) open-source operating system

that is available to everyone. Unity is more than just software, it is the essence of a

collaborative endeavour in the fullest sense: not only is Ubuntu an operating system that is

openly shared to the world, but the ideas and experiences using Unity are openly shared among

Ubuntu enthusiasts also.

But the concept of unity is not only an expression of a ”software” condition, it is also extends to

a personal condition. To achieve personal unity is to achieve a sense of oneness and harmony

with your environment, to attain a sense of flow with your surroundings that is unhindered and

unfettered. This is the aim of Unity as it is designed to be simple and intuitive, helping you to

easily navigate your desktop environment from one application to another.

But whether corporately or individually, achieving unity takes work! The purpose of this guide

is to help you achieve a Unity desktop environment that best fits your needs.

*Note: At time of writing, Unity's version was 5.12.0. This guide should be usable for any version of unity that begins with 5 and is higher than 5.10.0. (e.g. 5.10.0, 5.12.0, 5.14.0, 5.16.0)

Unity Customization Guide v1.0 © 2012 4


1.1 To Customize or Not to Customize? That is the Question!

Unity (an integral part of Ubuntu) is designed to provide you with desktop features, capabilities,

and applications aimed at simplifying your life. But you may ask yourself: what good is a sleek

and highly functional desktop environment if you cannot add a personal touch? Or make

modifications to suit your working style?

It is a fact that we all have our personal preferences: what works for others may not be your

“cup of Ubuntu”1. To Achieve Personal Unity, you may want to look at customizing the look

and feel of Unity that will make you say, “Perfect!”

However, we also believe as well that Unity is perfect just the way it is! It is the product of

many hours of development, programming, testing, and (most importantly) collaboration among

many, many dedicated paid programmers and volunteers whose goal is to provide you with the

best desktop experience possible. We truly believe that Unity is the best desktop package

available today for the following reasons:

• Unity is designed as a comprehensive desktop package that meets all your basic computer

requirements, such as publishing, multimedia, or communication needs;

• Unity is designed to be simple and intuitive, allowing for quick access and execution of

programs and applications;

• Unity is designed for the future, with a vision for easy expansion and growth in

applications and capabilities on new releases and upgrades,

• Unity is designed with an established set of support protocols; customizing may sidestep

these protocols, leaving you unsupported or under-supported.

1. Did you know that “A Cup of Ubuntu” is an event created and hosted regularly in Vancouver by the Ubuntu Vancouver Local Community group? You do now! Find out more here: http://meetup.com/ubuntuvancouver



You may like Unity as it is, may want to tweak it to your liking, or you might just want to get

down straight to the code to modify it. Whatever your needs or wishes, there is a customization

tool that is right for you to Achieve Personal Unity.

There may also be those who may not like at all what they see, and that is alright too! One thing

you will never hear from members of your local Ubuntu Community is “Take it or Leave it!”.

Ubuntu is a collaborative effort and not a shrink-wrapped piece of plastic: together, we make it

better!



1.2 Using the Unity Customization Guide

This guide will:

• introduce the tools and applications available to you in your quest to customize your

desktop environment to its optimal condition,

• provide examples of how these tools and applications can be used,

• and assist in finding the right desktop environment for you.

What this guide will not be is a step-by-step procedural manual for all customization options in

Unity. To help you Achieve Personal Unity, our goal is not to tell you what to do, but to help

you gain experience in using Unity and understanding its features and characteristics.

Experience is the best teacher, and the more you use and explore Unity, the easier it will be for

you to Achieve Personal Unity.

Also, your experience in using the customization tools described in this guide is valuable to all

Ubuntu enthusiasts, should you decide to share your knowledge with us by joining your Ubuntu

Local Community!

!!


Note: At time of writing, Unity was at Version 5.12.0. This guide is

applicable to versions of Unity from 5.10.0 and higher (such as

versions 5.10.0, 5.12.0, 5.14.0, and 5.16.0).


2. Ubun-Tools of the Trade: Customization Tools for Unity

To Achieve Personal Unity, you need the right tools to customize your desktop environment

and features to suit your personal tastes. But what are the right tools to use, you ask? This guide

will cover the three most popular applications that are used to customize Unity. They are:

• System Settings

• CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM)

• MyUnity

Now that you know what the tools are , your next question is most likely, “Which is the right

tool for me?” The answer to this question all depends on your approach to Achieve Personal

Unity.

There are those who simply want to choose a personalized wallpaper, change the colour

schemes of the windows, or tweak the appearance of their desktop environment to their personal

liking. They also want a tool that is easy and straightforward to use. For this group of users, the

perfect tools to Achieve Personal Unity are the System Settings, a one-stop shop for all your

customization needs, and MyUnity, a software utility that lets you customize Unity through a

very user-friendly graphical user interface (GUI).

But there are also a group of users who look beyond the appearance of the desktop environment

and want to change the hot key assignments, shortcut key combinations, and make changes to

the very heart of Unity. For this group of users, the perfect tool to Achieve Personal Unity is

the CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM).



For the group of users who want to change only the look and feel of their desktop environment,

they are encouraged to use either System Settings or MyUnity, and to avoid using CCSM, as

any changes that are incorrectly done in CCSM may result in disabling Ubuntu 12.04,

rendering your systems inoperable until Ubuntu 12.04 (or Unity itself) is reinstalled. For

people who are confident in their ability in using CCSM, approach this tool with the utmost of

caution: read the instruction manual, familiarize yourself with the tool, and use within specified

safety parameters.

Of course, when in doubt, you can always call for help! Do not hesitate to contact your nearest

Ubuntu Local Community (or Ubuntu LoCo): in Vancouver:

http://meetup.com/ubuntuvancouver

or elsewhere at:

http://loco.ubuntu.com

if you have any questions or issues using Unity; they will be more than happy to assist you .


A WORD OF CAUTION! CCSM allows you to deeply

configure Unity's settings. Unless used with great care, it

is possible to be left with an unusable desktop if options

are incorrectly configured.

**Consider setting up a secondary user account on your

computer to test out customization changes before

applying them to your main account.**

http://loco.ubuntu.com/

http://meetup.com/ubuntuvancouver


To Ubuntu enthusiasts who do not have access to a Ubuntu LoCo, you can find help from the

Ubuntu “online” Community at:

https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu

Whether you are new to Ubuntu or are a long-time user, we look forward to having you share

your experience and expertise with the Ubuntu Local Community!

Let's now look at how each application can help you Achieve Personal Unity.


https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu


2.1 System Settings Application

The System Settings application lets you change the system settings and device parameters of

your desktop environment (such as colours, display settings, and keyboard layout) with just a

click of a mouse button. You can call this your one-stop shop for all your desktop customization

needs. The application menu box can be seen in the figure below:

There are two (2) ways you can open the System Settings dialogue box:


Figure 1: System Settings Dialogue Box


Option 1:

1. Go to the top right-hand corner of your workspace and click on the Session Indicator. A

drop-down menu will appear.

2. Select System Settings... from the drop down menu, which opens the System Settings

dialogue box.

Option 2:

Click on the Systems Settings icon in the Ubuntu launcher to open the System Settings

dialogue box.


Figure 3: Opening the System Settings Dialogue Box Using the System Settings Icon

Figure 2: Opening the System Settings Dialogue Box Using the Session Indicator.


Once the application is opened, you will notice that the customizable settings are grouped into

three categories:

• Personal

• Hardware

• System

Why three categories? Think of Unity as a brand new car you have just bought. What are the

main factors that you would have considered before buying the car? The look and feel of the

car? The options packages and accessories included with the car? Or the vehicle specifications

(such as fuel economy), warranty, and ease of maintenance of the car? You probably considered

all of these factors and more. Using the new car analogy, we will look at the three categories of

the Unity System Settings dialogue box.


Note: If your system has more than one user account, changes made to

the Personal category settings will be unique to each user account.

Changes made in the Hardware and System category settings will be

applied to all user accounts.


2.1.1 Personal Category Settings: The Look and Feel of Your Desktop

The Personal category settings are similar to the look and feel of the car: the exterior and

interior colour, the type of seats, climate control, light dimmer, etc. Unity gives you the ability

to change the look and feel of your workspace to suit your personal taste and preferences.

(Note: If your system has more than one user account, changes made to the Personal

category settings will be unique to each user account.)

Table 1 gives an overall description of the Personal setting functions you can customize in the

System Settings dialogue box.

Table 1: Personal Settings Details

Settings Category: Personal

Icon Name Description

Appearance

The Appearance option lets you customize your workspace by choosing a new background colour, wallpaper, or theme. You can also modify the launcher parameters, such as the icon size and whether to hide or show the launcher.


Figure 4: Personal Settings Categories


Settings Category: Personal


Brightness and Lock

The Brightness and Lock option lets you change the screen brightness levels and the system lock attributes for your workspace.

Keyboard Layout

The Keyboard Layout option lets you choose or modify the key stroke capabilities of your system.

Language Support

The Language Support option lets you select the primary language for your workspace menus and windows. You can also choose the number, date, and currency formats you wish to display for your system.

Privacy

The Privacy option lets you manage and configure the system privacy parameters for browser history, files, and other system applications. It also lets you to enable or disable activity recording for applications and folders, as well as transmission of error reports for diagnostic purposes.

Ubuntu One

The Ubuntu One option lets you connect to the Ubuntu One cloud to store and share files with other users.



2.1.2 Hardware Category Settings: The Options Package and Accessories of Your Desktop

The Hardware category settings are equivalent to the options package and accessories included

with your new car: the alloy tires, wheel locks, GPS unit, air bags, etc. Unity gives you the

ability to add, remove, change and manage the features and properties of the physical hardware

connected to your system. This may involve using third-party drivers but Unity will also have

built-in system drivers available to help you configure any hardware added to your system.

(Note: If your system has more than one user account, changes made to the Hardware

category settings will be applied to all user accounts.)

Table 2 gives an overall description of the Hardware category settings you can customize in the



Figure 5: Hardware Settings Categories


Table 2: Hardware Settings Details

Settings Category: Hardware


Additional Drivers

The Additional Drivers option lets you add and manage third-party hardware drivers that your system is using. On clicking the Additional Drivers icon, the system will automatically search for new hardware on your system and install the driver for the new hardware.

It will also provide a list of existing third-party drivers installed on your system. This is especially useful for finding drivers that support your specific video chipset, enabling hardware acceleration that is needed for a full Unity experience.

Bluetooth

The Bluetooth option lets you install, activate, and manage all Bluetooth-capable devices on your system.

Color

The Color option lets you select and calibrate a colour profile for devices installed on your system. You can select either the default colour profile of your system or import a new colour profile to your system.

Displays

The Displays option lets you set the display type (monitor or laptop), resolution, and rotation of your desktop environment.

Keyboard

The Keyboard option lets you change the keyboard sensitivity, keystroke shortcuts, and cursor attributes of your system. It also has a quick link to access the Keyboard Layout option.



Settings Category: Hardware


Mouse and Touchpad

The Mouse and Touchpad option lets you calibrate the mouse and touchpad attributes (such as pointer speed, scrolling, and click sensitivity) on your system.

Network

The Network option provides you information on your wired, wireless, and network proxy settings and lets you change the networking parameters for your system.

Power

The Power option lets you select and manage power consumption settings of your system for when your system is running on battery or AC power.

Printing

The Printing option lets you add or delete printer drivers used on your system. Printer properties and settings can also be modified by clicking on the printer icon of your choice.

Sound

The Sound option lets you manage the input, output, and sound effects settings of your audio equipment on your system (built-in microphone and speakers or external microphone and headphones).

Wacom Graphic Tablet

The Wacom Graphic Tablet option lets you configure the properties and settings of any Wacom Graphic Tablet input devices installed on your system.



2.1.3 System Category Settings: The Specification and Maintenance Package of Your Desktop

The System category settings are akin to the specifications, warranty, and maintenance schedule

of the new vehicle. Unity gives you the ability to obtain all systems information, as well as to

install, configure and/or modify your system's features and properties to suit your personal taste

and preferences. (Note: If your system has more than one user account, changes made to

the System category settings will be applied to all user accounts.)

Table 3 gives an overall description of the System category settings you can customize in the


Table 3: System Settings Details

Settings Category: System


Backup

The Backup option lets you create a back-up copy of your files and folders. You can select the location of where you want to store your back-up files and select how often you want your system to back-up your files.


Figure 6: System Settings Categories


Settings Category: System


Details

The Details option lets you to view your system's information (software version, RAM size, etc.), choose your default applications (for web browsing, email, calendar, music, video, and photo viewer), and configure how multimedia files should be handled.

Management Service

The Management Service option installs and configures the Landscape systems management tool (software that helps you monitor, manage and update your entire Ubuntu infrastructure from a single interface) on your computer.

Generally this is only useful if you will be using your Ubuntu computer at work and with an IT department supporting you.

Time and Date

The Time and Date option lets you set the system time and date by region. It also lets you select your clock and calendar display preferences.

Universal Access

The Universal Access option lets you configure your system's input devices properties. You can change your screen display contrast and font size, turn on visual alerts, modify your keyboard settings and sensitivity, and configure your cursor responses.

User Accounts

The User Accounts option displays profile information for all system user accounts. It also lets you activate password authentication upon start-up for any user.



2.2 CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM)

You may find it strange that we introduce the CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM) tool

with a call to get rid of it! But before you jump to conclusions, here is a short history on

CCSM.

In its earliest manifestation, the Ubuntu desktop environment (GNOME) was primarily

customized using CCSM. But because of its unpredictability (and because not all users fully

understood the inner workings of CompizConfig), disastrous results would occur, the most

severe being the total shutdown of the user's system, making it inoperable. The Unity desktop

environment was developed as a way to have a functional and visually pleasing desktop without

having to use CCSM. Nevertheless, CCSM still remains a popular customization tool for

former GNOME users, even with its unpredictability. It was through the battle cry in the quote

above by Jorge Castro (a member of Canonical's Community Team) that the usability of CCSM

was looked at more closely by the Ubuntu Local Community and improvements were made to

make this tool more user friendly.2

2 This is a perfect example of how the Ubuntu Local Community can work together to achieve great open-source products for everyone. To join the Ubuntu Local Community closest to you, either move to Vancouver BC or go to http://loco.ubuntu.com.


...I'd like to propose the removal of compizconfig-settingsmanager.

I don't mean "stop telling people to use it" or "add a warning", I mean total removal from the archive until the tool is either better tested or doesn't break people's configuration.

Jorge O. Castro's, “It's time to Jettison CCSM” on Ubuntu discussion forum, Jan 2012



CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM) lets you customize the appearance and effects of

Unity by managing and configuring the many plug-ins that Compiz and CompizFusion use to

give Unity its unique look and feel. It is a tool that is favoured by users who want to get into the

inner workings of CompizFusion (the engine that powers Unity) and change it from both a

functional and cosmetic standpoint.

Before we continue on the topic of how to use CCSM, let's look at what exactly Compiz and

CompizFusion are.


Using CCSM is not for the faint of heart. Any changes to the desktop

environment using CCSM may result in Ubuntu 12.04 crashing and

rendering your system inoperable!

**Consider setting up a secondary user account on your computer to

test out your new customization changes before applying them to your

main account.**

Figure 7: CompizConfig Settings Manager Main Menu View


2.2.1 Understanding Compiz and CompizFusion

Compiz and CompizFusion3 are open-source graphics subsystems that use your system's 3D

graphics hardware to power the desktop effects that you see in Unity (such as opening, closing,

maximizing, and minimizing your windows). According to information found in

wiki.compiz.org/AboutCompizFusion:

It seeks to provide an easy and fun-to-use windowing environment, allowing use of

the graphics hardware to provide impressive effects, amazing speed and unrivalled

usefulness.

For enthusiasts who are more technically inclined, the same information source offers this

explanation about Compiz and CompizFusion:

CompizFusion is:

• a hardware-accelerated window management and desktop compositing through

OpenGL, using rendering paths like AIGLX, Xgl and direct rendering

solutions on some hardware.

• a powerful and flexible plug-in interface, allowing almost limitless extension

possibilities.

• an ARGB rendering, allowing true transparency when the applications support ARGB visuals.

3 Though there is a close relationship between Compiz and CompizFusion, it is important to note that they are not the same thing. Please visit http://wiki.compiz.org/CompizFusionVsCompiz for more details.


http://wiki.compiz.org/AboutCompizFusion

http://wiki.compiz.org/CompizFusionVsCompiz


In short, Compiz and CompizFusion are the engines that makes Unity look and perform the

way it does. By using CCSM to customize your desktop, you directly affect the programming

codes of the very engines that powers Unity.

However, if you feel up to the challenge and are confident in your ability to get down into the

nuts and bolts of what drives Unity, you definitely can Achieve Personal Unity with CCSM!


As stated earlier, any changes to the desktop environment using

CCSM may result in Ubuntu 12.04 crashing and rendering your

system inoperable.

**Consider setting up a secondary user account on your computer

to test out your new customization changes before applying them to

your main account.**


2.2.2 Installing CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM)

To use CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM), it must first be installed onto your system

and can be obtained through the Ubuntu Software Centre. To install CCSM:

1. Click on the Ubuntu Software Centre icon in the launcher, which opens the Ubuntu

Software Centre dialogue box.

2. Type “CompizConfig Settings Manager” in the Ubuntu Software Centre dialogue box

search field, located at the top right-hand side of the box.


Figure 9: Ubuntu Software Centre

Figure 8: Ubuntu Software Centre Icon


3. Click on the CompizConfig Settings Manager search result to activate the More Info and

Install buttons.

4. Click on the Install button to install CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM). Type

in your administrator password, if prompted to.


Figure 10: CompizConfig Settings Manager Search Result


2.2.3 CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM) Menu Options

CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM) lets you customize Unity by enabling or disabling

plug-ins options that are used by Compiz and CompizFusion to power Unity. The CCSM

interface provides a list of all plug-ins that have been installed and allows for you to view and

edit these plug-in settings. These plug-ins have been grouped into eight (8) categories, as

shown in Table 4:4

Table 4: List of Compiz / CompizFusion Plug-in Categories

CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM) Plug-in Categories

Category Name Description

General

This category contains the core plug-in options for Unity.

Accessibility

This category contains plug-ins to make your desktop easier to use, especially if you have a reading or viewing disability.

4 Information obtained from http://wiki.compiz.org/CCSM)


http://wiki.compiz.org/CCSM




Desktop

This category contains plug-ins to configure how your desktop behaves, like the Desktop Cube and Desktop Wall.

Effects

This category contains plug-ins to configure various animations and effects, such as the 'Wobbly Windows' plug-ins or the 'Animation' plug-in.


The Ubuntu Unity Plugin check box

controls your Unity desktop environment. DO NOT un-check this box as it will disable and remove the Unity launcher and status menu bar on the top right-hand of the screen, rendering your system inoperable.




Extras

This category contains plug-ins that serve a minor or ambiance purposes.

Image Loading

This category contains plug-ins that allow various image formats to be loaded.

Utility

This category contains plug-ins that provide internal functionality, or small but useful features, like DBUS and Resize Info.





Window Management

This category contains plug-ins that provide basic to advanced window management functionality, like moving windows to grouping and tabbing windows.

For more information on CCSM, contact the Ubuntu Local Community closest to you

(http://loco.ubuntu.com/) or visit the Compiz wiki at http://wiki.compiz.org/CCSM.


http://wiki.compiz.org/CCSM



2.3 MyUnity Application

MyUnity is a third-party utility that was developed specifically to tweak the characteristics of

the Unity desktop environment. This tool provides full customization of Unity features, such as

the Unity launcher, dash, panel, desktop, font, and themes. As described by the Ubuntu

Software Centre:

Here are a few samples of desktops that have been customized using MyUnity:


“This program allows one to configure and tune Unity with a

pleasant and comfortable graphical interface”.

Figure 11: MyUnity Customization Example 1

Figure 12: MyUnity Customization Example 2


2.3.1 Installing the MyUnity Application

To use MyUnity, you must first install the application onto your system. MyUnity can be

obtained free of charge through the Ubuntu Software Centre. To download and install

MyUnity:

1. Click on the Ubuntu Software Centre icon in the launcher, which opens the Ubuntu

Software Centre dialogue box.

2. Type “MyUnity” in the Ubuntu Software Centre dialogue box search field, located at the

top right-hand side of the box.


Figure 13: Ubuntu Software Centre Icon


3. Click on the MyUnity search result to activate the More Info and Install buttons.

4. Click on the Install button to install the MyUnity application. If prompted, type in your

administrator password to proceed.


Figure 14: Ubuntu Software Centre

Figure 15: MyUnity Search Result Screen


2.3.2 MyUnity Customization Options

Once installed, you can launch MyUnity from your desktop launcher. Table 5 provides a list of

options that can be customized using MyUnity, as well as a screenshot of the graphical user

interface.

Table 5: List of Customizable Options for the MyUnity Application

MyUnity Customizable Options

Category Customizable Options Screenshot

Launcher The Launcher tab lets you choose the launcher colour, change the launcher transparency level and icon size, and adjust backlight, display, behaviour attributes.

Dash The Dash tab lets you display recent and available applications, modify your dash size, as well as applying a blur effect on your desktop.





Panel The Panel tab lets you tweak the transparency level of Unity.

Desktop The Desktop tab lets you add some basic icons to the desktop, such as the home, networking, devices, and trash icons. It also lets you activate windows animations and configure the number of viewable desktops.

Font The Font tab lets you set the font, font size, and format in Unity for window titles, documents, desktop, system and monospace. It also sets font hinting and antialiasing.





Theme The Theme tab provides you a list of desktop and icon themes that can be used to customize Unity.



3. Achieving Personal Unity

Now that you have been introduced to the tools that can help you Achieve Personal Unity,

there are many ways you can go about customizing your Unity desktop environment. But as

mentioned in the Introduction section, the purpose of this guide is not to give you a set of

comprehensive, step-by-step procedures for all customization options in Unity; the goal is to

help you gain experience in using the tools to customize Unity and to help you understand its

features and characteristics.

Therefore, in order to help you Achieve Personal Unity, this section of the guide will give you

several examples of how to use the three customization tools (System Settings, MyUnity, and

CCSM) through a series of customization scenarios or case studies. The customization

scenarios presented are considered the most frequently asked questions when it comes to

customizing Unity. Solutions provided for each scenario are not the only solutions; again, our

goal is to have you understand and gain experience in using the tools that can be used to

customize Unity.

So, if you are ready, buckle your seat belts and lets get ready to Achieve Personal Unity!



3.1 Customization Scenarios

3.1.1 “Beauty is Screen Deep”: Changing Desktop Background (Wallpaper)

Scenario:

Lulu is a new Ubuntu user and she is impressed with how the new Unity desktop environment

looks and feels. She is happy with how everything is set up, except for one thing: she always

uses the same picture of her pet “Spades” as her desktop background and she want to use it

again for her Unity desktop environment.

Solution:

Lulu can import her favourite picture to use as her desktop wallpaper in the Look tab of the

Systems Settings tool Appearance option.

Customization tool: System Settings

Path:


(Look Tab)


In this screen, Lulu can choose the Pictures Folder option in the drop-down menu to import

her favourite picture to use as her wallpaper.

If her favourite picture is not in the pictures folder, Lulu can click on the “+” button to

search for the folder containing the picture of her choice.

If Lulu should change her mind about using a personal picture as her wallpaper, she can also

choose any available system default wallpaper, or choose to create a colour gradient for her

desktop background using the Appearance option.


Figure 16: System Settings Appearance Option

1

2

1

2


3.1.2 “Icon-Cure!”: Adding Desktop Icons

Scenario:

Joe is also a new Ubuntu user and decided to try Unity after attending an Ubuntu Loco Meet-

up. Joe generally likes what he sees but not the fact that the desktop environment does not

contain desktop icons as shortcuts to his folders. Joe, being a creature of habit after using

Microsoft Windows for so long, wants to find a way to add desktop icons.

Solution:

Joe can add desktop icons to his environment by using the MyUnity desktop interface.

Customization tool: MyUnity

Path:

The desktop option has six (6) different icons that can be activated: home, networking, devices,

trash, show desktop, and panels icons (as shown in Figure 17).


Desktop Option


Toggle

Switches

By sliding the toggle switches towards the right to the ON position, Joe can add icons to his

desktop environment as shown in the following illustration (Figure 18):


Figure 18: Adding Desktop Icons Using MyUnity

Figure 17: MyUnity Desktop Option

4

12

3

1

2

3

4


In Figure 18, the home , network servers , installed devices , and trash icons

were added to the desktop environment.

With the MyUnity desktop option, Joe can also modify the windows animation and the number

of desktops that can be viewed in Unity (the default number of desktops that can be viewed is 4

in a 2x2 configuration).


1 2 3 4


3.1.3 “Launching... Out?”: Modifying Unity Launcher Attributes

Scenario:

Genny has been using Ubuntu for a few months and is enjoying the features and applications

that Unity offers. But Genny feels that the Unity launcher takes up too much space on the

desktop and wants to find a way to hide the launcher until she needs to use it, or change the size

of the launcher icons to make them smaller.

Solution:

Genny can use either of the three tools (System Settings, MyUnity, or CCSM) to change the

behaviour or the icon size of the launcher. Which tool Genny chooses will depend on how

comfortable Genny is in using each tool. In order to help Genny make her decision, let's

summarize how each tool can be used to complete Genny's customization need.

1. Genny can select the System Settings Appearance option and change the launcher behaviour

in the Behavior tab:

Customization tool: System Setting

Path:


(Behavior Tab)


The launcher auto-hide feature is activated when the toggle switch is set to the ON position .

Genny can also set the launcher reveal location and reveal sensitivity level .

2. Genny can also use the MyUnity launcher interface to change the launcher behaviour:


Path:


Figure 19: Setting the Unity Launcher to Autohide in Systems Settings

1

2

1

2

Launcher Option


The launcher auto-hide feature is activated when the Autohide option is selected from the

Display drop-down menu .

With the MyUnity launcher interface, Genny can also select the launcher background colour,

transparency level, launcher icon size, launcher backlights, behaviour, and configure the

launcher to show attached devices as icons items.

3. Finally, Genny can modify the launcher behaviour by reconfiguring the Ubuntu Unity

Plugin options in CCSM.

Customization tool: CCSM

Path:


Figure 20: Setting the Unity Launcher to Autohide in MyUnity

1

1


The launcher auto-hide feature is activated when the Autohide option is selected from the Hide

Launcher drop-down menu in Figure 21.

To change the launcher icon size, Genny needs to click on the Experimental tab and

modify the value of the Launcher icon size parameter , as shown in Figure 22.


Figure 21: Setting the Unity Launcher to Autohide in CCSM

1

2

4

1

2

3


NEVER uncheck the Enable Ubuntu Unity Plugin check box!

This plug-in controls your Unity desktop environment:

unchecking this box will disable and remove the Unity launcher

and status menu bar on the top right-hand of the screen,

rendering your system inoperable.


Figure 22: Changing Launcher Icon Size Using CCSM

34

2

4


3.1.4 “Plug-in Away At IT!”: CCSM Unity Customization

Scenario:

Myra is very particular when it comes to the setup of her desktop environment. Myra expects

that when she places her hand on the keyboard, every keystroke or mouse click command

entered is completed with a specific action. So when Myra started using Ubuntu, she

immediately looked for ways to customize Unity to her personal preferences. Myra is not

nearly as concerned with wallpaper, icons sizes, and launcher attributes as she is with menu and

windows animation and responses, ease of switching between windows, and the ability of

modifying shortcut keystrokes.

Solution:

The best tool for Myra to use is CCSM. To customize Unity, Myra will use the Ubuntu

Utility Plugin option to customize Unity to her personal preferences. Myra can access this

option by clicking on the Ubuntu Unity Plugin icon in the Desktop category:

Customization tool: CCSM

Path:



Make sure that the Enable Ubuntu Unity Plugin check box is

always checked! This plug-in controls your Unity desktop

environment: unchecking this box will disable and remove the

Unity launcher and status menu bar on the top right-hand of

the screen, rendering your system inoperable.

The Ubuntu Unity Plugin customization dialogue box contains three (3) tabs (Behavior,

Switcher, and Experimental), each containing parameters that modifies specific functions

within Unity.


Figure 23: CCSM Desktop Category plug-ins


1. Behavior Tab:

In the Behavior tab, Myra can customize and define:

• shortcut keys for the panel menu,

• search commands,

• the key to start the launcher application switcher,

• the key to show the Heads-up-Display (HUD),

• and launcher applications and behaviour.


Figure 24: Ubuntu Unity plug-in Behavior Tab


2. Switcher Tab:

In the Switcher tab, Myra can customize the switcher properties, such as:

• switcher window expand timer,

• application sorting,

• and application views.


Figure 25: Ubuntu Unity Plugin Switcher Tab


3. Experimental Tab:

In the Experimental tab, Myra can customize options such as:

• desktop background attributes,

• icon animation behaviour (for window launch and warning indication),

• menu fade-in and fade-out characteristics,

• and the display of keyboard shortcut overlays.

There are many more plug-ins in CCSM that Myra can experiment with to customize Unity.


Figure 26: Ubuntu Unity Plugin Experimental Tab


As stated earlier, we are not here to provide a comprehensive set of step-by-step procedures, but

our goal is to help you with your first steps in gaining experience with the different

customization tools. We encourage you to experiment with CCSM (using great care!) to gain

both experience and understanding of the tool, hoping that once you become well versed in

using CCSM, you would be willing to share your knowledge of this tool to all Ubuntu

enthusiasts (both new and long-time users) at the Ubuntu Local Community closest to you.



3.1.5 “I Shot the Serif”: Changing System Fonts

Scenario:

Wayne believes that the spice of life is variety! Wayne abhors anything ordinary or run-of-the-

mill; he needs something exciting and eclectic! So when Wayne first laid eyes on Unity, his

first thought was, “Let's change the fonts!”.

Solution:

Wayne can use the MyUnity font interface to change the system fonts in Unity.


Path:


Figure 27: MyUnity Font Customization Interface

Font Option


With the MyUnity font interface, Wayne can customize the font for the following applications

and features:

• Window Titles

• Documents

• Desktops

• System

• and Monospace.

Wayne can also adjust the display of the outline font (Hinting) as well as how smooth the fonts

are displayed (Antialiasing).



3.1.6 “Locked and Loaded!”: Securing Unity

Scenario:

Liam is concerned with security, and likes everything under lock and key. This also applies to

his desktop, as he is paranoid of anyone looking into his system without his permission or

knowledge. Before Liam commits to using Ubuntu, he wants to be assured that Unity will

provide the desktop security he wants.

Solution:

Unity can secure Liam's desktop in two (2) ways using the System Settings tool:

1. the User Accounts option,

2. and the Brightness and Lock option.


Path 1: User Accounts Option



Liam can set log-in options for all users of his system using the User Accounts option.

The Account type option sets permission level for users of the system, while the Login

Options configures system access using passwords (if the Automatic Login option is in

the OFF position, users are required to use a password to access the system).


Figure 28: System Settings User Accounts Option

1

2

1

2

3

3


Path 2: Brightness and Lock Option

Using the Brightness and Lock option, Liam can also set his desktop to lock when it is left

unattended for a period of time by setting the Lock option to the ON position.

Liam can also set the duration for screen lock from between 30 seconds to 1 hour.

Finally, by placing a check in the Require my password when waking from suspend option ,

Liam can be assured that password access is required when returning to the desktop.


Figure 28: System Settings Brightness and Lock Option

1

2

3

1

2

3


3.1.7 “For The Record, I Want it Off the Record!” - Disabling Unity Event Log (Zeitgeist)

Scenario:

Gabriel enjoys using Unity, but his one dislike is the Ubuntu dash. “Why is it logging all

applications that I have used, and all recent files that I have accessed?”, he asks. Although

Gabriel understands that this is a feature in Unity aimed at providing easy access to

applications and personal files, he cannot get over the fact that someone, or something, may be

monitoring all his desktop activities. Gabriel wants to deactivate this option as part of his Unity

desktop customization.

Solution:

First, let us give you a little bit of background on the Unity event log.

Unity incorporates within its Dash function an activity journal that uses the Zeitgeist

framework for classifying files using metadata (such as time and date of previous accesses,

location of files, file type, and tagging). The purpose of using Zeitgeist was to provide Unity

users with easy access to its most and recently used data (files/folders/applications), as well as

an ability to perform searches over the Zeitgeist FTS (Full Text Search) extension5.

While many would agree that having this event logger does Simplify Your Life in terms of

accessing system files and applications, we do appreciate the fact that some people may not

want to have their desktop activities logged at all. As a result, the event logger can be disabled

using the System Settings Privacy option.

5 http://zeitgeist-project.com/experience/




Path:

As long as the Record Activity toggle switch is in the ON position, all desktop activities will

be logged into the Dash. To deactivate this logging activity, slide the Record Activity toggle

switch to the OFF position.


Figure 29: System Settings Privacy Option

1

1


If later on down the road you feel you want to activate the Unity event logger but do not want

all your files and activities to be logged, the Privacy option lets you choose which files, folders,

and applications to log, as shown in Figure 30 and Figure 31.


Figure 31: System Settings Privacy Option: Applications Tab

Figure 30: System Settings Privacy Option - Files Tab


3.1.8 “If You Build It, He Will Come-plain”: Contributing to the Evolution of Unity

Scenario:

Roscoe knows what he likes, and he does not like Unity! “It's too plain!”, “It's not functional

enough!”, and “It's nothing more than a poor man's Windows!” are the complaints that you will

hear from Roscoe. But criticism aside, Roscoe does see potential in Unity, and feels that his

involvement in the further evolution of Unity will help make it better.

Solution:

We look forward to hearing from people like Roscoe! Although we may agree to disagree when

it comes to Unity (we think Unity is the best!), we always welcome new ideas and insights from

everyone who feels they want to contribute to make Unity the best desktop package there is out

in the market! We encourage Roscoe to get involved with Ubuntu in the following ways:

1. Join Ubuntu through In-Person Meetings

In-person meetings are a great way to meet other Unity users who also have ideas on improving

the overall package of Unity and are ready to share their knowledge. These meetings are with

real people like Randall, Joe, Charlene, Kim, Allison, Roscoe, and Stefan, who have real

experience and expertise in using Unity, instead of reps on the other side of a toll free number

reading pre-scripted responses. If you live in Vancouver, please visit:

http://www.meetup.com/ubuntuvancouver

to join the Ubuntu Local Community closest to you.

If you do not live in Vancouver, you can find the Ubuntu Local Community closest to you by

visiting:


http://www.meetup.com/ubuntuvancouver



2. Join the Unity Design Mailing List

By joining the Unity design mailing list, Roscoe can get first-hand, up-to-date information of

new developments in Unity, as well as being part of a select group of designers and

programmers who are dedicated to the Ubuntu spirit.

Prerequisites to joining the mailing list are:

i. Go to https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Unity for more information on Unity and its on-going

projects.

ii. Read the Code of Conduct in regards to joining the Unity design mailing list.

iii. Have your email address added to the Unity design mailing list6.

6 Mailing list address: [email protected]


mailto:[email protected]

https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Unity



3.2 “I've Customized Too Far; What Do I Do?!”: Undoing Customizations

You have now customized Unity and you have realized one thing: you still have not Achieve

Personal Unity. And why? Because you have done too much and over-customized your

desktop environment!

Luckily for you, what's done CAN be undone. Each of the three customization tool contain

safeguards to return you to default settings, should you go overboard in your customization

endeavour.

3.2.1 System Settings

Within the System Settings tool there contain many areas in which will let you return options to

default settings. Look for the following indicators or buttons in System Settings:



3.2.2 CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM)

Every CCSM plug-in option has a Reset setting to the default value button that lets you

restore the plug-in option to its default setting. The button is located at the end of the option

line, as shown below:

3.2.3 MyUnity

Every MyUnity graphical user interface has a default settings button that lets you restore any

options you have changed back to its default value, as shown below:



4. Achieve Personal Unity, But Not With Unity

Unity is a shell for GNOME, even if it isn't GNOME

Shell. We're committed to the principles and values of

GNOME.

Mark Shuttleworth, Ubuntu Founder

For many in the Ubuntu Local Community, Unity is the future. But there are some within the

community who are nostalgic for the past, and feel more comfortable with earlier versions of

Ubuntu desktop environments. Though we look to the future, many are aware of the fact that

Unity is built on components of the GNOME desktop environment, and thus we are still

committed to principles and values of GNOME, as per the above quote from our Founder,

Mark Shuttleworth.

Therefore, for those who long for previous versions of the Ubuntu desktop environments, or

wish to use open-source desktop environments other than Unity, here is how you can do it.



4.1 GNOME Classic Desktop

To change from Unity to the GNOME desktop environment:

1. Start up your computer.

2. Click on the Ubuntu logo at the Ubuntu login screen. A drop-down menu will

appear.

3. Select GNOME Classic option in the drop down menu to change to the GNOME

desktop environment.



4.2 Kubuntu (KDE) and Lubuntu (LXDE)

Kubuntu (KDE) and Lubuntu (LXDE) are alternative, open-source operating systems whose

core is based on Linux and Ubuntu.

• To download Kubuntu, go to http://www.kubuntu.org/.

• To download Lubuntu, go to

http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/releases/12.04/release/.

N OTE: While you can still run Unity-based applications

on both Kubuntu and Lubuntu, the applications may not

operate or appear as it would if operating on the Unity

platform.


http://cdimage.ubuntu.com/lubuntu/releases/12.04/release/

http://www.kubuntu.org/


5. Final Thoughts

Customizing Unity to Achieve Personal Unity can be a one-time task or a never-ending work-

in-progress, but with the right tools and a good understanding on how to use the tools, your

customization goals will be achieved.

We hope that this guide is able to help you in your first steps to Achieve Personal Unity. With

the System Settings, CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM), and MyUnity applications,

we are confident that you have all the tools to address your Unity customizations needs. Of

course, there is always the chance that you will find other useful Unity customization tools and

applications in the wonderful place we call cyberspace, and we hope that you will share your

knowledge of this tool or application with us at the Ubuntu Local Communities or at our online

community. Together, we can make things better for all Ubuntu enthusiasts.

Whatever your customization needs are, and whatever path you decide to choose, we sincerely

hope that you realize all your goals in your quest to customize your desktop environment and

indeed, Achieve Personal Unity!



Alphabetical IndexAlphabetical Index

AA

Additional Drivers..............................................17

Appearance..........................................14, 38p., 43

BB

Backup.................................................................19

Bluetooth..............................................................17

Brightness and Lock...............................15, 56, 58

CC

CCSM......................................................................

Behavior Tab..............................................43, 50

CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM)......21

Experimental Tab.......................................46, 52

Installing CompizConfig Settings Manager

(CCSM)............................................................25

Switcher Tab....................................................51

Color....................................................................17

Compiz and CompizFusion....................22pp., 27

CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM)

Menu Options..........................................27

Accessibility.....................................................27

Desktop............................................................28

Effects .............................................................28

Extras ..............................................................29

General ...........................................................27

Image Loading ................................................29

Utility...............................................................29

Window Management......................................30

Customize your Desktop Environment ..............7

DD

Default Setting.....................................................65

Desktop Icons......................................................40

Desktop Security.................................................56

Details...................................................14, 17, 19p.

Displays................................................................17

GG

GNOME.....................................................21, 66p.

HH

Hardware Category Settings.................................

Third-party Drivers.........................................17

Heads-up-Display (HUD)...................................50

KK

Keyboard.......................................................15, 17

Keyboard Layout..........................................15, 17

Kubuntu (KDE)..................................................68



LL

Language Support..............................................15

Login Options......................................................57

Lubuntu (LXDE)................................................68

MM

Management Service..........................................20

Mouse and Touchpad..........................................18

MyUnity...................................................................

Installing the MyUnity Application.................32

MyUnity Application........................................31

MyUnity Customization Options......................34

Dash.................................................................34

Desktop............................................................35

Font..................................................................35

Launcher..........................................................34

Panel................................................................35

Theme..............................................................36

NN

Network...............................................................18

PP

Password.........................................20, 26, 33, 57p.

Plug-in............................22p., 27pp., 47pp., 52, 65

Power...................................................................18

Printing................................................................18

Privacy.....................................................15, 59, 61

SS

Screen Lock.........................................................58

Shortcut Keys......................................................50

Sound...................................................................18

System Fonts.......................................................54

System Settings Application...............................11

System Settings dialogue box..........11pp., 16, 19

System Settings Application Menu Options.........

Hardware Category Settings...........................16

Additional Drivers.......................................17

Bluetooth.....................................................17

Color............................................................17

Displays.......................................................17

Keyboard.....................................................17

Mouse and Touchpad..................................18

Network.......................................................18

Power...........................................................18

Printing........................................................18

Sound...........................................................18

Wacom Graphic Tablet................................18

Personal Category Settings.............................14

Appearance..................................................14

Brightness and Lock....................................15

Keyboard Layout.........................................15

Language Support.......................................15

Privacy.........................................................15

Ubuntu One.................................................15

System Category Settings................................19

Backup.........................................................19



Details.........................................................20

Management Service...................................20

Time and Date.............................................20

Universal Access.........................................20

User Accounts.............................................20

TT

Third-Party Drivers .................................16p., 31

Time and Date.....................................................20

UU

Ubuntu Local Community..7, 9p., 21, 30, 53, 62,

66

Ubuntu One.........................................................15

Undoing Customizations....................................64

CompizConfig Settings Manager (CCSM)......65

MyUnity...........................................................65

System Settings................................................64

Unity Design Mailing List..................................63

Unity Launcher.......................................................

Auto-hide Feature.......................................44pp.

Icon Size...........................................................46

Launcher Icon Size..........................................46

Universal Access..................................................20

User Accounts............................................20, 56p.

User Permission Level s.....................................57

WW

Wacom Graphic Tablet......................................18

Wallpaper............................................................38

Windows Animation.....................................42, 48

ZZ

Zeitgeist................................................................59

Record Activity Toggle Switch.........................60

Unity Event Log.........................................59, 61
