7 Hidden Features of Ubuntu 11.10

New Features in the Latest Ubuntu Release

With the arrival of the newest Ubuntu version, the development team has diligently incorporated a range of user-friendly features.

While certain enhancements are widely publicized, others remain relatively obscure, potentially offering unexpected benefits to users.

Notably, not all features are enabled by default, yet they can prove exceptionally valuable once installed and configured.

Key Features to Enhance Your Ubuntu Experience

Let's explore the functionalities that have the potential to significantly improve your workflow and overall system usability.

• Improved Performance: The latest release boasts optimizations that contribute to a faster and more responsive system.
• Enhanced Security: Security enhancements have been implemented to better protect your data and privacy.
• New Application Support: Updated software packages and compatibility with the latest applications are included.

These improvements, alongside less prominent additions, collectively contribute to a more refined and efficient Ubuntu experience.

Discovering these hidden gems can unlock further potential within the operating system, tailoring it to your specific needs.

Taking the time to explore these features is highly recommended for both new and experienced Ubuntu users.

Personalizing Your Account with a Profile Picture

Upon initial setup, Ubuntu offers a user-friendly experience when selecting a display image for your account. Beyond a standard selection of pre-designed icons, the operating system conveniently activates your webcam.

This allows for the immediate capture of a personal photograph directly during the account creation process. Should you be dissatisfied with the webcam image, it can be readily substituted with a preferred picture at any time.

Effortless Image Selection

The process of choosing an account image is designed to be straightforward. Ubuntu provides both pre-existing options and the capability to create a custom image using your device’s camera.

• Webcam Integration: Seamlessly utilizes your webcam for instant photo capture.
• Flexibility: Allows for easy replacement of the initial image with a more suitable alternative.
• User Choice: Empowers users to personalize their accounts with a visual representation of their choosing.

This feature streamlines the personalization of your Ubuntu experience, ensuring a visually identifiable account. The ability to quickly take a picture simplifies the setup for new users.

Application Synchronization Across Ubuntu Systems

A particularly valuable, yet often overlooked, capability within Ubuntu is the synchronization of applications across multiple computers running the operating system.

This functionality provides a streamlined method for maintaining a consistent software environment on all your Ubuntu devices.

Benefits of Application Synchronization

• It eliminates the need for repetitive software installations.
• Time and effort are conserved by avoiding redundant processes.
• A uniform software selection is ensured across all utilized computers.

The process of installing software once and then replicating that installation on other machines is significantly simplified.

To utilize this feature, a login to an existing Ubuntu One account is required.

Alternatively, a new Ubuntu One account can be created to enable this synchronization capability.

Locating and Installing Specific Packages Using Ubuntu Software Center

When seeking to install software on your Ubuntu system, you may have encountered advice suggesting a search within the Ubuntu Software Center by package name.

However, it's common to find that the search results prioritize complete programs rather than the underlying individual packages.

Accessing Package-Specific Search

A dedicated function exists within the Ubuntu Software Center to specifically search for packages. This feature isn't immediately obvious, potentially causing delays for users.

To access this functionality, look for a button located at the bottom of the application window. Activating this button will refine the search to display individual packages.

This method proves particularly useful for those who require precise control over software installation and dependency management. Discovering this button can save significant time and effort.

Many users have reported spending considerable time searching before locating this essential feature. Its availability streamlines the process of installing specific packages on Ubuntu systems.

Enabling Global Menu Integration for LibreOffice

Ubuntu’s Global Menu feature is a visually appealing characteristic, designed to replicate the menu presentation found in Mac OS X. Although many applications readily support this functionality, some encounter difficulties or lack the necessary programming for seamless integration.

LibreOffice is frequently cited as an application that doesn't automatically utilize the Global Menu. This can disrupt the consistent user experience Ubuntu aims to provide.

Installing the lo-menubar Package

To activate Global Menu support within LibreOffice, the lo-menubar package must be installed. This can be achieved through two primary methods.

• Ubuntu Software Center: Search for "lo-menubar" and proceed with the installation.
• Terminal: Execute the following command:

sudo apt-get install lo-menubar

This command utilizes the Advanced Package Tool (APT) to download and install the required package.

Finalizing the Integration

Following the installation of the lo-menubar package, a system restart is necessary. This ensures that the changes are properly applied and recognized by the operating system.

After the restart, LibreOffice should now integrate with the Global Menu, behaving consistently with other applications on your Ubuntu system. The application’s menus will then appear in the top panel, offering a more streamlined interface.

Integrating Google Chrome with the Global Menu in Ubuntu

Google Chrome possesses native support for utilizing the Global Menu feature. However, achieving seamless integration can sometimes present challenges for users.

If you encounter problems like duplicate close, maximize, and minimize buttons appearing, the following steps can resolve the issue.

Configuration Steps

First, ensure the Google Chrome browser window is not in a maximized state. Sufficient desktop space surrounding the window is necessary for proper functionality.

Next, verify that Chrome is configured to employ the "System Title Bar and Borders" theme. This option is accessible via a right-click within an empty tab area.

Following this adjustment, you can then maximize the Chrome window. It should now integrate effectively with the Global Menu, presenting a unified interface.

Important Note: Correctly configuring these settings will eliminate redundant window controls and provide a cleaner user experience.

These adjustments allow for a more streamlined and visually consistent desktop environment when using Google Chrome in Ubuntu.

Conveniently Integrated Settings Options

Ubuntu leverages the newest GNOME version for functionalities outside of the Unity interface. The core system components are fundamentally based on standard GNOME. Consequently, the configuration settings are remarkably similar to those found in a pure GNOME installation.

However, the Ubuntu team has proactively incorporated several options that traditionally required access via the GNOME Tweak Tool.

Among these is the ability to define the system's behavior when the laptop lid is closed. This is particularly beneficial as it minimizes the necessity of installing the GNOME Tweak Tool simply to adjust settings that should be readily available alongside other standard options.

GNOME Integration and Accessibility

The integration of GNOME components within Ubuntu provides a familiar experience for users accustomed to the GNOME desktop environment. This approach ensures a consistent user experience across various system settings.

By including previously hidden options directly within the Ubuntu settings, developers have enhanced accessibility and streamlined the customization process for users.

• Simplified Customization: Reduces reliance on third-party tools.
• Enhanced User Experience: Offers a more intuitive settings interface.
• Core GNOME Compatibility: Maintains consistency with standard GNOME configurations.

The decision to integrate these settings demonstrates a commitment to user convenience and a desire to provide a comprehensive and easily configurable desktop environment.

Customizing Unity's Configuration

The concluding hidden capability within Unity involves the option to modify its settings. This functionality isn't immediately accessible, however, it can be readily obtained through installation.

Installing CompizConfig Manager

Users can locate and install compiz-config-manager by utilizing the Ubuntu Software Center's search function. Alternatively, the following command can be entered directly into the terminal:

sudo apt-get install compiz-config-manager

This command will initiate the installation process, granting access to advanced Unity configuration options.

Further details regarding this process are available in a dedicated article for those seeking more comprehensive guidance.

Through compiz-config-manager, a greater degree of personalization and control over the Unity environment becomes achievable.

Concluding Remarks

Ubuntu incorporates numerous functionalities that may not be immediately apparent, yet these can significantly enhance user experience. Although the majority of users can effectively operate Ubuntu without leveraging these features, more experienced individuals are likely to appreciate their utility.

The features detailed here represent a selection of those discovered; undoubtedly, a greater number remain to be explored.

Share Your Insights

We invite you to share any undiscovered Ubuntu features you may know. Furthermore, any recommendations or feedback you wish to provide are welcome.

Please contribute your thoughts in the comments section below!