Netbooks News, Hacks and HowTo’s

While we all know it’s not officially out, you can already download and install the Ubuntu Netbook Remix on your little friend Eee PC. I was able to install it without any hassle, though with minor inconsistencies with the expected result. After all, my Eee PC is now closely similar to Ubuntu Mobile.
The Ubuntu Netbook Remix comes with several modules for UI and background manipulation. The UME Launcher is the main beauty of this tool though in my case, its beauty did not bloom perfectly. The icons that are supposed to be larger stayed small and I don’t know how to fix it yet. I have tried reinstalling the new theme but it did not fix the problem. Maybe I need to try once more?

The maximus module on the other hand, functions perfectly from the first install. I assume it does not add automatically to auto-started applications since the instruction asks you to add it yourself. The purpose of this module is to make all opened and being opened windows in their maximized state. It’s even beyond that since it also removes the window borders and title bars for a tabbed feel. Those windows that do not have maximize properties kept their sizes such as the Screenshot tool, and other message dialog boxes.

The tabbed feel for every window does not automatically appear on the Eee PC. The responsible module for this is the window-picker-applet, which runs automatically with UME Launcher (I suppose), but you need to add it manually on the main panel.

The go-home-applet is another module included on the installation. The basic purpose of this small application is to provide a shortcut on your panel to easily access your desktop. There’s a BIG problem though when I tried to launch it on my Eee PC 701. It returns a serious error that I again do not know how to fix.

The workaround I did is I just used the Show Desktop applet, which functions basically the same. I realized I should have not install the go-home anyway. If you don’t like the Show Desktop, follow your heart and just press Ctrl+Alt+D instead. Now, it makes it even easier.

Another module included on the installation is the new Human theme, specially designed for the Ubuntu Netbook Remix. I personally can’t notice the big difference with the original human theme though. Maybe it’s the borderless window that I initially suspect being caused by maximus. I do not know exactly.

Despite these minor and major inconsistencies, I don’t think I would remove this uber cool tool on my Eee PC. Thanks to all who made this possible. I wish I could give more than just giving opinion and blah blah about every application that I freely avail and use.

After so much issues I encountered installing and configuring Ubuntu Eee on my Eee PC, I was finally able to make it work like complete OS. Compiz Fusion is also working but apparently, it crawls easily. I’m running it on my 630Mhz, 512MB Asus Eee PC.
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Ubuntu EEE comes along with compiz-fusion so you don’t have to post-install it. It is pre-configured to its default values, thus, desktop cube and other coolness factor of compiz don’t work initially. Now, you have to install, compizconfig-settings-manager (ccsm). ccsm is an application, very useful in configuring compiz-fusion. It comes with pre-installed plugins including Desktop Cube, Rotate Cube, etc. etc.

HowTo install compizconfig-settings-manager on Hardy Heron

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

After ccsm is successfully installed, you may now follow Forlong’s guide on how to setup compiz-fusion.

Note that it’s not vital to have the rotating cube and all eye candies, but it’s worth it. Cool to have it. Here’s mine.

Now, the coolest OS ever made for Asus Eee is on my hands. It’s the Ubuntu Eee. I have not installed it on my eee yet but I will in a while. In the meantime, I’ll try the Live mode.

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You might also have experience with your OpenOffice to have no title bar, in fullscreen, and you can’t minimize, move or resize it when on compiz-fusion. And just like me, you can’t figure out what’s wrong and don’t know what to do. I did some research and got good ideas and formulated own idea from those. I hope my solution helps you.

Here are the problems I had with OpenOffice.

• When I open it, it’s always in fullscreen mode.
• It does not have title bars.
• The window flickers when I initiate popup menus.
• I cannot minimize, move or resize OpenOffice.
• When on xfce environment, all windows do not have title bars.

Here’s how to resolve the problem.

1. Switched off compiz-fusion. You can easily switch it on/off using Forlong’s Compiz-Switch tool.
2. Run xfce manually on the terminal window. You may notice that after running it manually, all windows, including OpenOffice will have title bars will automatically.
3. On the terminal, type ‘xfwm4′ and press enter.
4. Run compiz-fusion on xfce. To do this, run compiz-switch xfwm4 on the terminal window. To run this automatically with compiz-switch tool, I needed to add Compiz-Switch shortcut to the Program Launcher and on the command field, I put ‘compiz-switch xfwm4′. How to add a Program Launcher.
5. Problem solved! More information about compiz-switch can be found on Forlong’s blog.

You may also read on below about how I discovered the problem if you’re still not bored.

I was playing with my system configuration last week to discover more about compiz-fusion and eeexubuntu. I was able to configure the animation, session settings, etc. to what I like but then, when I started my OpenOffice, I noticed that menus don’t come out as expected. Everytime a menu pops out, the whole window will flicker and then the menu hides again.

I knew it has something to do with my new config. So I tried to bring back my new configuration but there’s something I have missed and I dont know what. Then I started to investigate and research.

There are a lot of distros already being run on Asus Eee but I just have tried Xandros and eeeXubuntu so far. The Xandros in Easy Mode is the best in terms of user friendliness and easy access to applications. Because of its tabbed UI, you can have different categories to contain shortcuts to applications. It’s not that efficient before because you cannot add additional icons, until the Easy Mode Editor.

The advancec mode by the way is way better in terms of usability. You can gain more access to other applications that are beyond most users knowledge. In other words, Advance Mode is for advanced users. I was able to enjoy using it with Beryl installed until I messed up with my default Xandros. I was not able to explore a lot about Advance Mode since I still use the Easy Mode most of the times.

Then I install eeeXubuntu and find it way way better than Xandros whether it’s Easy Mode or Advanced. I have been exploring eeeXubuntu for a week already and so far, I see big differences. I can’t explain it though because I’m just a nood Linux user pretending to know everything.

Now, I am running Compiz-Fusion on it and it’s more enjoyable to use. Better than Beryl + Eee PC.