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Fixing and Customizing Ubuntu 12.10

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Released in October, 2012, Ubuntu 12.10 is the newest Ubuntu distribution of the Linux operating system. After you have downloaded Ubuntu 12.10 according to Download Ubuntu for your desktop, and installed it according to Install Ubuntu 12.10, this document can help you:

  1. Fix two problems
  2. Customize your Unity launcher
  3. Customize your desktop

Fixing Two Problems
Ubuntu 12.10 has two problems that have upset many loyal Ubuntu fans. However, after you fix these problems through the simple procedures below, you can again enjoy the high quality Ubuntu you have learned to expect. The first problem, unsolicited Amazon search results, is an unwise marketing ‘feature’ that, fortunately, you can disable. The second problem (frozen Dash) is a software bug that might not affect your PC, depending on its hardware. If your Dash freezes, you can probably fix it by installing a proprietary display driver.

Disabling Unsolicited Amazon Search Results – If while searching for internal files and folders through Dash, you would rather not see Amazon online search results (ads), do the following:

  1. Click the “System Settings” icon (gear and wrench) to display its window.
  2. In the Personal section, click the “Privacy” icon to display its window.
  3. As shown in the first image above, select “Search Results” and then click the top-right switch to toggle search results to “OFF.”

Correcting the Frozen Dash Problem – As of November, 2012, a bug in Ubuntu 12.10 might cause your display to freeze (hang up) intermittently while you are using Dash. If this problem affects your machine, you might be able to correct it by installing a proprietary display driver as follows:

  1. Reboot your PC by pressing its “Restart” button.
  2. Click the “System Settings” icon to display its window.
  3. In the System section, click “Software Resources” to display its window.
  4. As shown in the second image above, select “Additional Drivers,” select a “proprietary, tested” driver and then click “Apply Changes.”

Customizing your Unity Launcher
At the left in the Ubuntu 12.10 desktop, the Unity launcher contains icons that let you access your applications quickly. You can customize your launcher by removing unneeded icons, relocating icons and automatically hiding the launcher.

Removing Unneeded Launcher Icons – For a neater desktop, you might wish to remove launcher icons that you neither need nor want. For example, you need only one LibreOffice application icon, if any. Through any LibreOffice application, you can launch any other. Through Dash, you can launch any application, including any LibreOffice application. To remove unneeded launcher icons, you can follow this general procedure:

  1. As shown in the first image above, right-click the “LibreOffice Calc” icon, and then click “Unlock from Launcher” to remove that icon from the launcher.
  2. Likewise, remove the “LibreOffice Impress” launcher icon.
  3. Remove the “Amazon” icon. Anytime you wish to shop on Amazon, you can use your internet browser.
  4. Remove the “Ubuntu One Music” icon. You can search for it through Dash.

Relocating Launcher Icons – To relocate any launcher icon, do the following:

  1. Drag the icon to the right of the launcher.
  2. Move the icon up or down, and pay attention to the white line in the launcher. As you move the icon, its line indicates where you can drop it.
  3. When you have the icon line where you want it, release the mouse key to drop the icon into its new location.

Note: In previous Ubuntu Unity releases you could not relocate launcher icons.

Automatically Hiding Your Launcher – To increase usable screen space, you can hide the launcher when you are not using it. To hide the launcher automatically, do the following:

  1. Click the “System Settings” icon to display its window.
  2. In the Personal section, click the “Appearance” icon to display its window.
  3. As shown in the fourth image above, select “Behavior” and then click the top-right switch to toggle auto-hide to “ON.”

Customizing Your Desktop
You can customize the appearance of your desktop as follows:

  1. Click the “System Settings” icon to display its window.
  2. In the Personal section, click the “Appearance” icon to display its window and then select “Look.”
  3. In the Background section, click on any wallpaper to select it.
  4. In the Theme section, use the dropdown menu to select a theme, such as “Radiance” as shown in the fifth image above.

Source:

Canonical Ltd, “Ubuntu”, Ubuntu.com website

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