Transparencies and Opacity in Compiz-Fusion

Another cool tweak for your menus. This adds a bit of transparency to your menus, drop down menus, tooltips, notifications and a few other small things. It gives them a clean look with just a hint of transparency.

In CompizConfig Settings Manager, under General Options, in the Opacity settings:



Select edit and copy this into the pop up window:
((type=Menu | PopupMenu | DropdownMenu | Tooltip | Notification | Combo | Dnd | name=sun-awt-X11-XWindowPeer) | (type=Normal & override_redirect=1)) & !(name=sun-awt-X11-XFramePeer | name=sun-awt-X11-XDialogPeer)

I set the Opacity window values at 96-98, giving it a nice clean look. You can set it to whatever you like. I think everyone should check this tweak out, it really pretties up the desktop.

Beryl in Feisty with Xgl

This is the guide everyone has been waiting for, enjoy. The trick is that you have to force bery-core to use 0.2.0~0beryl1 because later versions don't work with Xgl. This not only works for the Dell Inspiron 1501 but works for any computer running an ATI card using Xgl.

Check ATI Driver
In a terminal type:
fglrxinfo

You should see this output on your terminal window:
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: RADEON XPRESS Series
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6334 (8.34.8)

Install Xgl & Beryl
Add the Beryl repositories to your source list.
In a terminal type:
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Add this line to Your Source Lists
deb http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org/ feisty main
save and close file

Grab the Key for the repository, in a terminal type:
sudo wget http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org/root@lupine.me.uk.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -

Update Your System
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get update

Now install Xgl & Beryl
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl beryl-ubuntu beryl-manager

Setting Up XGL
In a terminal type:
sudo gedit /usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh

and this to the file:
#!/bin/sh
Xgl :1 -fullscreen -ac -accel xv:pbuffer -accel glx:pbuffer &
DISPLAY=:1
cookie="$(xauth -i nextract - :0 | cut -d ' ' -f 9)"
xauth -i add :1 . "$cookie"
exec dbus-launch --exit-with-session gnome-session
save and close file

Then make the xgl script executable by entering this into a terminal:
sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh

Creating a XGL Login
Make the script, by typing this into a terminal:
sudo gedit /usr/share/xsessions/xgl.desktop

add this text to the file:
[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Xgl
Comment=Start an Xgl Session
Exec=/usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh
Icon=
Type=Application
save and close file

Change Your Repository Settings
In a terminal type:
sudo gedit /etc/apt/preferences

Then add this ext to the file
Package: *
Pin: release o=lupine
Pin-Priority: 1000
save and close file

Update Your System
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get update

Roll Back Beryl-Core
Downgrade beryl- core to a version that works with Xgl
In a terminal type:
sudo apt-get install beryl-core=0.2.0~0beryl1

Now you just have to log off and log into your Xgl session and run Beryl.

edited by pHreaksYcle

Install kiba-dock on Edgy Eft

This article was written by a reader of my blog, linrunix. It's a great guide enjoy.
-redDEAD

kiba-dock is an application launcher that works like Mac OSX's dock. It allows you to put your favorite applications on "dock" on your desktop for quick and easy access. Check Out the Video, start drooling.

Note: For a better understanding every terminal command is in blue letters and the Menus and buttons of each application is inside of “ ”.

First we remove and purge kiba-dock (if we got it install)
sudo apt-get remove –purge kiba-dock

Then we install the necessary packages for compiling kiba-dock
sudo apt-get install automake1.9 build-essential cvs libpango1.0-dev libgtk2.0-dev libgconf2-dev libglitz-glx-dev librsvg2-dev checkinstall libglade2-dev

Now we download the kiba-dock source
wget http://usuarios.lycos.es/abrahamtamayo/kiba-dock-0.1.tar.bz2

Now we untar the source in a folder called kiba-dock (you don't need to create it.)
tar -xf kiba-dock-0.1.tar.bz2

Then we move to the kiba-dock folder created by the above command.
cd kiba-dock

Now we generate the compile files.......
./autogen.sh

Now.... Start Compiling...
make

Compiling.... Almost done!.
make install-schemas

Now... this is the last one.
sudo make install

Now we have kiba-dock install in our system we can run it just by typing this in a terminal:
kiba-dock

(it should bring a blue bar, you can right-click the bar and go to "Kiba Utils" and then "systray" to have a configuration applet on the upper panel.)

Now we are going to drag-and-drop some launchers into the blue bar.

Go to "Applications" in the upper panel and find the application you want.... drag it and drop it in the blue bar.

Now let's make kiba dock start every time you log in. (for those who want it. you can start it by yourself running the "kiba-dock" command or pressing ALT+F2 and writing "kiba-systray.py" this one comes with the configuration applet)

to make it start every time we log in.... go to "System" in the upper panel then "Preferences" then "Sessions" then "Startup Programs" then click "Add" and write this "kiba-systray.py" then "Close".... and now we're done!!!

Enjoy your kiba-dock.
-linrunix

linrunix also translated it into spanish

kiba-dock es una barra de lanzadores que funciona como Mac OSX's dock. este te permite agregar tus aplicaciones favoritas a la barra para tener acceso mas fácil y rápido a las mismas. Observen el vídeo, y vean lo que creían imposible.

Nota: Para un mejor entendimiento cada comando esta en negrita y los menús y botones de cada aplicación están dentro de “ “.

Primero removemos y purgamos kiba-dock (si lo tenemos instalado)
sudo apt-get remove –purge kiba-dock

Después instalamos los paquetes necesarios para compilar kiba-dock
sudo apt-get install automake1.9 build-essential cvs libpango1.0-dev libgtk2.0-dev libgconf2-dev libglitz-glx-dev librsvg2-dev checkinstall libglade2-dev

Ahora descargamos el souce
wget http://usuarios.lycos.es/abrahamtamayo/kiba-dock-0.1.tar.bz2

Luego descomprimimos el source en un folder llamado kiba-dock (usted no necesita crearlo.)
tar -xf kiba-dock-0.1.tar.bz2

Después nos movemos al directorio kiba-dock creado por el comando anterior
cd kiba-dock

Ahora generamos los archivos para compilar.......
./autogen.sh

Luego.... Comenzamos a compilar.......
make

Compilando.... Casi terminamos!.
make install-schemas

Luego... este es el ultimo.
sudo make install

Ya tenemos kiba-dock instalado en nuestro sistema para ejecutarlo escribimos el siguiente comando en un terminal:
kiba-dock

(ahora debe haber aparecido una barra azul en la parte de abajo, puedes hacerle click-derecho a la barra e ir al menú “Kiba Utils” y luego haces click en “systray” para tener un applet de configuración en el panel superior de ubuntu.)

Ahora agregaremos algunos lanzadores al kiba-dock (lo arrastraremos a la barra azul.)

Vamos a “Applications” en el panel superior de ubuntu buscamos la aplicación que queremos..... y la arrastramos a la barra azul.

Ahora hagamos que kiba-dock inicie automático cada vez que iniciemos sección (Para los que quieran. tu puedes iniciarlo manualmente ejecutando el comando kiba-dock o presionando ALT+F2 y escribiendo "kiba-systray.py" este iniciara con el applet de configuración)

para hacerlo iniciar automático cada vez que iniciemos sección... vamos a "System" en panel de arriba luego "Preferences" después "Sessions" y luego "Startup Programs" después hacemos click en "Add" y escribimos "kiba-systray.py" luego hacemos click en "Close".... y Terminamos!!!

Disfruta tu kiba-dock.

edited by pHreaksYcle { I don't know a lot of Spanish =) }

Fix for Shift+Backspace Restarting X

There is a annoying glitch with Beryl that has been around since Compiz. It causes x to restart when you hit the shift and back space keys at the same time. This is how to fix it:

Open up a Terminal:
sudo gedit /usr/local/bin/x_restart_fix.sh

Add this line to the script:
xmodmap -e "keycode 22 = BackSpace BackSpace Terminate_Server"
Save and close the text file.

Make it executable:
sudo chmod 755 /usr/local/bin/x_restart_fix.sh

Go to System>Preferences>Sessions> Startup Programs and then add to your Startup Programs:
/usr/local/bin/x_restart_fix.sh

Now shift+backspace doesn't ruin your fun. Enjoy!

edited by pHreaksYcle

Beryl 2.0 Out, I Remove Shoe from Mouth

I posted last week about how much I thought Beryl sucked. I didn't like the fact that neither my desktop nor Dell Inspiron 1501 could run it without complicated fixes/silly hacks. I even went as far to switch over to Compiz. Now I'm going to have to eat a little crow. Beryl works again. Wednesday's stable release marks a huge step forward for the Beryl Project. It no longer sucks. Beryl 2.0 worked on both my machines, ran smoothly, and most importantly works really well on the Dell Inspiron 1501.

• Beryl Settings Manager has been cleaned up and everything is a logical place.

• New window animations

• New plugins (I like thumbnails but have it turned off)

The best part of this whole ordeal is that I learned you can combine Compiz and Beryl. Compiz's window manager is so much better then Beryl's Emerald. It's a simple gtk window decorator that allows you to use any gtk theme. I love it and without it working in Beryl I would have never left Compiz.

edited by pHreaksYcle

Compiz with ATI Graphic Card and XGL (For Edgy Eft)

This guide just isn't for the Dell Inspiron 1501, it is also for any computer running the ATI drivers. The first seven steps will show you how to properly install the ATI Drivers in Ubuntu.

Compiz does have issues on the Dell Inspiron 1501, opening programs causes the screen to go black and white. It goes away after moving objects on the desktop. So far this is the only issue I've had.

Step 1: Install and Configure the ATI Driver.
Enable Restricted Repository
Go to your System Menu > Administration > Software Sources. Place a check next to "Proprietary drivers for devices (restricted) The Option Highlighted in Red," click Close, click Reload, and let the application update the package list.


Step 2: Update Your System
Open up a Terminal Window, Then:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

Step 3: Edit Your xorg.config File

sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf

Find Section "Extensions" add this lines to the section

Section "Extensions"
Option  "Composite" "Disable"
EndSection

Section "ServerFlags"
Option  "AIGLX" "off"
EndSection

Step 4: Install Driver
Use Method 2 from the Unofficial ATI Driver Wiki, I couldn't write a better or more straight forward guide.


Step 5: Verifying Proper Installation

fglrxinfo

You should see this:

red@red-laptop:~$ fglrxinfo
display: :0.0  screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: RADEON XPRESS Series
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6334 (8.34.8)

Step 6: Setting up XGL

sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl

Step 7: Make an XGL Session

sudo gedit /usr/bin/startxgl.sh

Add this to the text file:

#!/bin/sh
Xgl :1 -fullscreen -ac -accel xv:pbuffer -accel glx:pbuffer &
DISPLAY=:1
cookie="$(xauth -i nextract - :0 | cut -d ' ' -f 9)"
xauth -i add :1 . "$cookie"
dbus-launch --exit-with-session gnome-session

SAVE AND CLOSE
For Different Windows Manager (KDE/XFCE) Check Here

Then make the script executable:

sudo chmod +x /usr/bin/startxgl.sh

Step 8: Add XGL Option to the Gnome Login Manager

sudo gedit /usr/share/xsessions/xgl.desktop

[Desktop Entry]
Encoding=UTF-8
Name=XGL
Comment=Start an Xgl Session
Exec=/usr/bin/startxgl.sh
Icon=
Type=Application

SAVE AND CLOSE
To log into XGL, logout of your current session, and from the login screen click "Options" and "Session chooser".
Select "Xgl" from the Session menu.
DON'T DO IT NOW, Continue with guide

Step 9: Edit Your Source List
Add the following line to the bottom:

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Add:

deb http://gandalfn.club.fr/ubuntu edgy dev

SAVE AND CLOSE

Download the gpg key:

gpg --keyserver hkp://wwwkeys.eu.pgp.net --recv-keys 0x483170E9 ; gpg --export -a 0x483170E9 | sudo apt-key add -

Step 10: Install Compiz

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install compiz compiz-plugins compiz-extra compiz-extra-plugins compiz-extra-gnome gnome-compiz-manager

Optional But Recommended:
Download the Compiz Settings Manager, gives you complete control over Compiz settings.

Last:
Turn off gtk-window-decorator, if not Compiz tries to load even when not in XGL session.
Go to "System>Preferences>Sessions"
Click gtk-window-decorator (Highlighted in red) and click the disable button

edited by pHreaksYcle

Beryl with XGL on DELL 1501 (For Edgy Eft)

This guide is going to show you how to install Beryl using Compiz's gtk window manager. Beryl allows you to change managers on the fly so you can install both, use Compiz, or Beryl's Emerald window manager or switch at your leisure. If you don't want to install Compiz's gtk window manager skip all Compiz steps. Beryl will install properly either way.

Beryl's 2.0 release is impressive, it runs extremely well on the Dell Inspiron 1501. This guide is straight forward and easy. Don't be afraid, remember blue text is what you put into your terminal window, red text is import information that you should pay extra attention to.


Install the ATI Proprietary Driver:
Using The Unofficial Linux ATI Driver guide

This is the most important step, without doing this right you can't run Beryl. Installing your ATI driver is easy, follow the guide and you won't go wrong. Use Method 2

Now, check to see if you installed the driver right!
fglrxinfo

You should see this ouputed on your terminal window:
display: :0.0 screen: 0
OpenGL vendor string: ATI Technologies Inc.
OpenGL renderer string: RADEON XPRESS Series
OpenGL version string: 2.0.6334 (8.34.8)

Now test this:
fgl_glxgears

if you see these gears spinning you know you did it right and you've enabled 3D.

Setting Up Beryl & Compiz Repositories:
Add the Beryl & Compiz repositories to your source list, this will bring up your source list.
sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

The you will add the line to the bottom of your source list for Beryl:
deb http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org/ edgy main

And add this line for to the bottom of your source list below Beryl's:
deb http://gandalfn.club.fr/ubuntu edgy dev

Now you have to add the key so you can download from the Beryl Repo:
wget http://ubuntu.beryl-project.org/root@lupine.me.uk.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add -

Then add the key so you can download from the Compiz Repo:
gpg --keyserver hkp://wwwkeys.eu.pgp.net --recv-keys 0x483170E9 ; gpg --export -a 0x483170E9 | sudo apt-key add -

Update your repositories.
sudo apt-get update

You are now able to download from the Beryl and Compiz repos

Setting Up XGL:
Download your xserver-xgl: (can't run an xgl session without it)
sudo apt-get install xserver-xgl

Adding an XGL login session:
Do this by creating this script:
sudo gedit /usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh

and this to the file:
#!/bin/sh

Xgl -fullscreen :1 -ac -br -accel glx:pbuffer -accel xv:pbuffer &
sleep 4
export DISPLAY=:1
cookie="$(xauth -i nextract - :0 | cut -d ' ' -f 9)"
xauth -i add :1 . "$cookie"
exec gnome-session
now please SAVE IT, and do not add this line only the blue text.

Then make it executable:
sudo chmod a+x /usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh

Creating a XGL Login:
Make the script.
gedit /usr/share/xsessions/xgl.desktop

add this to the file:
[Desktop Entry]

Encoding=UTF-8
Name=Xgl
Comment=Start an Xgl Session
Exec=/usr/local/bin/startxgl.sh
Icon=
Type=Application
now please SAVE IT, and do not add this line only the blue text.

Install Compiz Window Manger:
sudo apt-get install compiz-core compiz-gnome

Install Beryl:
sudo apt-get install beryl emerald-themes

Now You are technically done, but you have to login into your XGL session before you can run Beryl. On the Ubuntu login screen choose sessions and then choose XGL.

To use Compiz Window manager which allows you to use any gtk theme as your window skin, including Ubuntu own gtk human theme. Simple run Beryl Manager from Applications>System Tools>.
Then right click the red emerald>Select Window Decorator>GTK Window Decorator. Now you can use your gtk theme with Beryl.

Have Fun!