Enable Snow on ubuntu desktop using compiz fusion

This tutorial shows how to enable snow on your ubuntu desktop using compiz fusion plugin.It is tested in ubuntu 9.10(karmic).
First,make sure you have compiz installed and enabled 3D effect.You can click here for this information.
Download following plugin:
for amd64 user:
compiz-fusion-plugins-unsupported_083git20090911-1ubuntu1_amd64
for i386 user:
compiz-fusion-plugins-unsupported_083git20090911-1ubuntu1_i386
double click to install,or use this in terminal(Applications/Accessories/Terminal):

sudo dpkg -i package_name

Update:

Previous deb package might be old for your Ubuntu, here is how to compile and install the snow plugin from source code.
First, install the required packages:

sudo apt-get install build-essential git libtool

Then,use git command to download the source:

git clone git://anongit.compiz.org/fusion/plugins/snow

Navigate to the new created folder, and make and make install:

cd snow
make && make install

Now, open CCSM and you should the the “Snow” option in Extras.

Setting Up :

After this,open System->Preferences->CompizConfig-Settings-Manager.TickSnow in Extra tab.

Now,press win(Windows super key)+F3 key combination and see effect!

Increase the size of Compiz shadows

By default CCSM’s (CompizConfig Settings Manager) ‘Shadow Radius’ setting for Window Decorations the fixed at a maximum of 18; you’re unable to go higher using the slider or by adjusting the value box.

However, you are able to enter a value much greater than CCSM offer via gconf-editor:

• Open up gconf-editor (ALT+F2 > gconf-editor)
• Navigate to /apps/compiz/plugins/decoration/allscreens/options/
• Change ‘shadow_radius‘ to a higher value; the effect will apply immediately for you to gauge reaction

I played around, setting mine to 25 and then 48. The result was a very deep shadow that gives the appearance of ‘lifting’ windows off the page. Your tastes will likely vary, so have a play around with different values to find a setting that suits you.

Compiz radius shadow at 48

Compiz radius shadow at 25

Compiz Config Settings 3

Compiz Config Settings 2

Compiz Config Settings

Eyecandy Compiz Animations and Effects

Who doesn't like some eyecandy for their desktops, definitely not me. Compiz has enthralled Ubuntu users for years now. When GNOME officially ditched Compiz for Mutter for its next version, Ubuntu decided to stick with Compiz for its Unity Shell. Compiz is actively being developed now and we can expect a lot of surprises for next major Ubuntu release, Ubuntu 11.04 "Natty Narwhal". Here is a collection of Compiz experimental plugins that does not come with the default package and which is definitely going to blow you away.

• Freely Transformable Windows gives you the ability to rotate, slant, flip, and grow or shrink windows by scaling them. Unlike resizing a window normally, a scaled window's contents grow and shrink along with the windows - text, buttons, and images inside the window will actually appear larger or smaller.

• Stack Window Switcher is an absolutely eyecandy alternative to your normal Alt+Tab. If you are seeing it for first time, *big* surprise guaranteed.

• Cube Atlantis breaths in new "life" to desktop cube compiz plugin. Cube Atlantis plugin adds fish from the Atlantis screensaver to the inside of the cube. 

• Snow plugin makes snow fall on your desktop, simple as that.

• Three new animations plugin. Animations Add-On, Animations Plus and Simple Animations. Brings in new animations life Helix, Blinds, Shatter etc.

• Ghost plugin is awesome. Above screencast will give you the idea. There are a ton of other plugins too like Anaglyph, Minimize Effect, Fireflies, Stars, Elements etc. And you can install them all by doing the following.

How to Install Compiz Experimental Plugins in Ubuntu Maverick, Lucid?

• Read our detailed instructions on how to install Compiz experimental plugins in Ubuntu Maverick, Lucid for both 32bit and 64bit systems.

• After following the steps as given in the link above, goto System - Preferences - Compiz Config Settings Manager and you will find the new Compiz experimental plugins installed and ready to go

compiz-fusion-plugins-extra

This is the full list of compiz packages I have installed (Intrepid):

compiz
compiz-core
compiz-dev
compiz-fusion-plugins-extra
compiz-fusion-plugins-main
compiz-fusion-plugins-unsupported
compiz-gnome
compiz-gtk
compiz-plugins
compiz-wrapper
compizconfig-backend-gconf
compizconfig-settings-manager
emerald
gnome-compiz-manager
libcompizconfig0
libemeraldengine0
libgnome-compiz-manager0
python-compizconfig

Ubuntu Tips And Tricks : Compiz Fusion

Compiz Fusion is available as a separate Windows Manager, to allow advanced desktop effects such as the rotating cube desktop. Many Ubuntu users choose to run Compiz, which is quite fast in Ubuntu. 

Install:

sudo apt-get install compiz compizconfig-settings-manager compiz-fusion-plugins-main
compiz-fusion-plugins-extra emerald librsvg2-common

To change to Compiz as the Window Manager:

System -> Preferences -> CompizConfig Settings Manager

Note: You must logout and log back in for the change to take effect.

Fusion Icon

Fusion Icon is a tray icon that allows you to easily switch between window managers, window decorators, and gives you quick access to the Compiz Settings Manager. This allows quick toggling of 3-D desktop effects (that may not be compatible with some applications).

sudo apt-get install fusion-icon

Applications -> System Tools -> Compiz Fusion Icon

You can then easily access CompizConfig Settings Manager from the icon.

 

Rotate the Compiz Cube

Set the CompizConfig Settings Manager to enable the "Desktop Cube" and "Rotate Cube" and "Viewport Switcher" options. Click on the icon for each to customize settings. For example, to change the appearance of the cube, click on the Desktop Cube icon to access its settings. You can set the hotkey buttons for rotating the cube in the "Viewport Switcher" settings. Otherwise, hold down the Ctrl+Alt+Left mouse button and drag the mouse (or touchpad) the direction you want to rotate the cube.

Remember, the cube rotates between desktops. It's not a cube unless you have at least 4 desktops running. You will not get a cube if you are only using 2 desktops (you will get a "plate"). You can still rotate the sides of the plate, of course, but it will not be a cube. (Recent users from the Windows OS may have no experience with the concept of simultaneous desktops, but they are nice once you learn how to use them).

When running Compiz fusion as the Windows Manager, you must change the default number of desktops from within CompizConfig Settings Manger. To enable 4 desktops:

CompizConfig Settings Manager -> General -> General Options -> Desktop Size -> Horizontal Virtual Size -> 4

When you start an application, you can assign it to any one of the 4 desktops by right-clicking the upper left corner of the application window and choosing the "To Desktop..." option. Rotating the cube shows the different desktops. You can also go to a desktop using the taskbar icon which shows the 4 desktop.

Fix Low Screen Resolution At Start UP

Step 1: Hit the ALT+F2 key combination, paste the following command and check the "Run in terminal" option:

sudo apt-get install v86d

...a terminal window will appear. Enter your password when asked, hit the Enter key and wait for the package to be installed. The terminal window will automatically close!

Step 2: Hit the ALT+F2 key combination, paste the following command and check the "Run in terminal" option:

gksu gedit /etc/default/grub

...enter your password when asked and hit the Enter key.

- Replace the following line (line number 9):

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash"

with this one:

GRUB_CMDLINE_LINUX_DEFAULT="quiet splash nomodeset video=uvesafb:mode_option=1280x1024-24,mtrr=3,scroll=ywrap"

- Replace the following line (line number 18):

#GRUB_GFXMODE=640x480

with this one:

GRUB_GFXMODE=1280x1024

The file should look like this:

Save the file and close it!


Step 3: Hit the ALT+F2 key combination, paste the following command and check the "Run in terminal" option:

gksu gedit /etc/initramfs-tools/modules

When the text window appears, add the following line at the end of the file:

uvesafb mode_option=1280x1024-24 mtrr=3 scroll=ywrap

It should look like this:

Save the file and close it!
Step 4: Hit the ALT+F2 key combination, paste the following command and check the "Run in terminal" option:

echo FRAMEBUFFER=y | sudo tee /etc/initramfs-tools/conf.d/splash

...a terminal window will appear for a second or two. The terminal window will automatically close!

Step 5: Hit the ALT+F2 key combination, paste the following command and check the "Run in terminal" option:

sudo update-grub2

...a terminal window will appear. Enter your password when asked, hit the Enter key and wait for the command to finish. The terminal window will automatically close!

Step 6: Hit the ALT+F2 key combination, paste the following command and check the "Run in terminal" option:

sudo update-initramfs -u

...a terminal window will appear. Enter your password when asked, hit the Enter key and wait for the command to finish. The terminal window will automatically close!

Step 7: Reboot your computer. When the system starts, you should see a better looking Ubuntu logo!

What to do after install Ubuntu 10.04LTS

1) Update Driver
Does the hardware on your Ubuntu system need proprietary drivers work at peak performance?  Today we take a look how easy version 10.04 makes it to install them.

Ubuntu 10.04 finally automatically recognizes and installs drivers for most hardware today, it even recognized and configured Wi-Fi drivers correctly every time in our tests.  This is in contrast to the past, when it was often difficult to get hardware to work in Linux.  However, most video cards still need proprietary drivers from their manufacturer to get full hardware video acceleration.

Even though Ubuntu doesn’t include any non-open source components, it still makes it easy to install proprietary drivers if you wish.  When you first install and boot into Ubuntu, you may see a popup informing you that “restricted” drivers are available.

You may see a notification asking you if you’d like to install optional drivers from your graphics card manufacturer when you try to enable advanced desktop effects.  Click Enable to directly install the drivers right there.

Or, you can select the tray icon from the first popup, and click Install drivers.

        

Alternately, if the tray icon has disappeared, click System, then Administration, and select Hardware Drivers.

This will open a dialog showing all the proprietary drivers available for your system, which may include drivers for your video card and other hardware depending on your computer.  Select the driver you wish to install, and click Activate.

Enter your password, and then Ubuntu will download and install the driver without any more input.  After installation you may be prompted to reboot your system.

Now, you should be able to take full advantage of your hardware, including fancy desktop effects with hardware acceleration.

If you ever wish to remove these drivers, simply re-open the drivers dialog as above, select the driver, and click Remove.  Once again, a reboot may be required to finish the process.