Some Things I Do After Each Installation

Things differ from distro to distro..
Some things I like to be my way...
I might have repeated some, just because this was not edited all at once.

• Edit grub
• Remove unwanted lines, for example, remove the lines for the same distro, older kernels
  
• Reduce timeout to just enough to enter when alert. 5 Seconds is sufficient when you are alert to press any key
  
• If there is no "quiet" or "splash" add them
  

• Update the distro


• Most of the distro's have the default auto-update enabled. I try to make sure I wait for this to popup and execute it.
  




• Make sure wireless works, make sure sound works (I still have some distros with problems with one of these two.)

• Install vlc
• It may be as simple as sudo aptitude install vlc or using "add/remove software" type application.
  


• Install latest firefox (curently 3.5)




• Install Ubiquity Addon


• Change the keystroke to CTRL+SPACE (go to settings tab on ubiquitiy's help page)


• Remove the Bookmark Toolbar (I can just type CTRL-B to see th e bookmark toolbar)


• Use small icons for toolbars (View->Toolbars->Customize->Use Small Icons)




• Remove Thunderbird (if exists)


• Fine tune the desktop




• KDE




• Date format, add date to time display


• Lock all the panels, after I am happy with the setup




• Gnome




• Reduce the icon size to 66%, set list view as default, etc


• Workspace switcher increase to 4, two rows and two columns


• Remove one of the panels either top or bottom and include all the stuff on the only one left out




• Common




• Create shortcuts to terminal (konsole/gnome-terminal), firefox etc


• Remove any unwanted shortcuts (mail, trash, show desktop)


• Try to set the font on the terminal to a convenient size.


• Adjust the default terminal size (use gnome-terminal --geometry 100x25 for example)
  






• Install flash - Each distro has its way to install the flash, mostly have to follow instructions when prompted for.
  


• Install vim/gvim




• On Ubuntu sudo aptitude install gnome-vim works


• Other ways include looking for vim in the package manager (add/remove software)




• Make sure user ids and groups ids match the existing distros to access the common stuff


• I have a /dump partition which is common to all the distros. Here is where I store all my music, pictures, etc.
  



• Depending on the box I am on, configure compiz (Its System->Preference->Appearance->Visual Effects->Extra On Ubuntu based distros


• Try to get the terminal (gnome-terminal or konsole) to have transparent background (40%), Color->White on Black.