Ubuntu Desktop Configuration: Difference between revisions

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This page details steps to significantly improve and customize desktop functionality for Ubuntu systems.
This page details steps to significantly improve and customize desktop functionality for Ubuntu systems.<br>
This page also assumes that you're using the default Ubuntu interface, which is called {{ ic |Gnome}}.




== Ubuntu 16.04 ==
== Useful Extensions ==
{{ Todo | Document compiz config workspace + screen split functionality }}


Quick reference for useful Gnome Extensions (which can be found at the [https://extensions.gnome.org/| Gnome Exensions website]):
* Workspace Matrix
* Put Windows
* Dash to Dock


== Ubuntu 18.04 ==
Ubuntu 18.04 is an improvement over 16.04 in a lot of ways. However, for some reason, it also drops some functionality that previously came out of the box with 16.04.


The main problems are Workspaces and Screen/Window Snapping.
Note, for any of these, you need to first install the Gnome Tweaks and Gnome Extensions packages (see [[Apt-Get Packages]].


{{ Todo | Link apt install info }}
This will let you customize all installed extensions.


=== Workspaces ===
=== Workspace Matrix - Workspace Grids ===
Ubuntu 16.04 allowed horizontal and vertical dimensions for workspaces. But 18.04 only allows vertical, out of the box.


We fix this with a Gnome Desktop extension. First install gnome tweaks and gnome extensions (see [[Apt-Get Packages]]).
Ubuntu 16.04 allowed horizontal and vertical dimensions for workspaces. Aka, allowing workspaces in the form of a grid. It was really convenient and handy for organization.


Open the newly installed {{ic | Tweaks}} program and go to the {{ic | Workspaces}} panel.<br>
However, as of Ubuntu 18.04, default configuration only allows vertical workspaces, out of the box. It's a huge downgrade.
From here, check {{ic | Static Workspaces}} (this step is important or else the extension will not work properly).
{{ Tip | While you're here, optionally also check {{ic | Workspaces Span Displays}} if you wish workspaces to affect all your monitors, instead of just one.}}


Next, open the {{ic | Ubuntu Software}} program (comes with Ubuntu) and search for {{ic | Workspace Matrix}}. Install this extension and you're all set!


Finally, if you want to customize, you can edit extension settings in the {{ic | Tweaks}} program, under the {{ic | Extensions}} tab.
We can fix this with the [https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1485/workspace-matrix/| Workspace Matrix] extension.


=== Screen Snapping ===
Ubuntu 16.04 allowed holding the windows (aka "super") key and hitting the number pad to automatically snap the selected window to the screen edge.


We can re-enable this functionality with a Gnome Desktop extension. First install gnome tweaks and gnome extensions (see [[Apt-Get Packages]]).
=== Put Windows - Application Window Snapping ===


Next, open the {{ic | Ubuntu Software}} program (comes with Ubuntu) and search for {{ic | Put Windows}}. Install this extension and you're all set!
Ubuntu 16.04 allowed holding the windows (aka "super") key and hitting the number pad to automatically snap the selected window to the screen edge.<br>
It was very handy for quick and clean placement of windows.


Finally, if you want to customize, you can edit extension settings in the {{ic | Tweaks}} program, under the {{ic | Extensions}} tab.
Once again, as of Ubuntu 18.04, this functionality was removed.
 
 
We can re-enable this functionality with the [https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/39/put-windows/| Put Windows] extension.
 
 
=== Dash to Dock - Application Dash Bar Customization ===
 
As of Ubuntu 20.04, it seems that there is less robust customization available for the application dashboard.
 
 
Expanded customization can be enabled via the [https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/307/dash-to-dock/| Dash to Dock] extension.
 
 
{{ warn | As of Jan 2022, this extension seems to possibly act buggy for some installations.<br>Some bugs can be fixed by making sure to disable any other dash extensions, such as {{ ic |Ubuntu Dash}} that seems to come default with Ubuntu 20.04. }}

Latest revision as of 02:23, 22 January 2022

This page details steps to significantly improve and customize desktop functionality for Ubuntu systems.
This page also assumes that you're using the default Ubuntu interface, which is called Gnome.


Useful Extensions

Quick reference for useful Gnome Extensions (which can be found at the Gnome Exensions website):

  • Workspace Matrix
  • Put Windows
  • Dash to Dock


Note, for any of these, you need to first install the Gnome Tweaks and Gnome Extensions packages (see Apt-Get Packages.

This will let you customize all installed extensions.

Workspace Matrix - Workspace Grids

Ubuntu 16.04 allowed horizontal and vertical dimensions for workspaces. Aka, allowing workspaces in the form of a grid. It was really convenient and handy for organization.

However, as of Ubuntu 18.04, default configuration only allows vertical workspaces, out of the box. It's a huge downgrade.


We can fix this with the Workspace Matrix extension.


Put Windows - Application Window Snapping

Ubuntu 16.04 allowed holding the windows (aka "super") key and hitting the number pad to automatically snap the selected window to the screen edge.
It was very handy for quick and clean placement of windows.

Once again, as of Ubuntu 18.04, this functionality was removed.


We can re-enable this functionality with the Put Windows extension.


Dash to Dock - Application Dash Bar Customization

As of Ubuntu 20.04, it seems that there is less robust customization available for the application dashboard.


Expanded customization can be enabled via the Dash to Dock extension.


Warn: As of Jan 2022, this extension seems to possibly act buggy for some installations.
Some bugs can be fixed by making sure to disable any other dash extensions, such as Ubuntu Dash that seems to come default with Ubuntu 20.04.
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