Lucid Tips

When I first tested Ubuntu 8.04 LTS on Compaq Evo N610c I was unable to use advanced desktop effects because the graphics card was not powerful enough. The resolution fix for ATI Mobility Radeon 7500 did not help either. I recently managed to get Compaq nc6000 that uses ATI Mobility 9600 video card and Advanced Desktop Effects worked correctly.

Disclaimer: These steps have worked for me and have been tested on Compaq nc6000 running Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Hardy Heron). YMMV. I am not responsible for loss of data or damage to computers.

Installation of Ubuntu 8.04 LTS on Compaq nc6000 was very straight forward. After the install it automatically detected the ATI Mobility Radeon 9600 and prompted me to install restricted drivers which allows you to fully utilize the 3D potential of ATI cards. See screenshots.

Check if your video card can support 3D graphics

1. Click on System->Preferences->Appearance
2. Select Visual Effects tab
3. Select Normal or Extra
4. If you see “Desktop effects could not be enabled” message then your video card cannot support 3D graphics and you will not be able to use Advanced Desktop Effects.
5. Click Close

Install compizconfig-settings-manager

To you use Advanced Desktop Effects Settings you need to install compizconfig-settings-manager. You can install it using Synaptics Package Manager (System->Administration->Synaptics Package Manager) OR from the command line using the following command (you will be prompted for password)

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

You should now be able to use Advanced Desktop Effects. My favorite is the Rotate Cube effect which allows you to switch between workspaces.

1. Click System->Preferences->Advanced Desktop Effects Settings (see screenshot)
2. Select Rotate Cube (see screenshot)
3. A message “Rotate Cube requires plugin Desktop Cube” will be displayed. Click Enable Desktop Cube (see screenshot)
4. A message “Plugin Desktop Wall provides feature largedesktop which is also provided by Desktop Cube” will be displayed. Click Disable Desktop Wall (see screenshot)
5. Click Close

To use Round Cube to  switch between workspaces by using Ctrl-Alt-Left or Ctrl-Alt-Right. To use Desktop Wall to swtich between workspaces first press Ctrl-Alt-Down and then Ctrl-Alt-Left or Ctrl-Alt-Right.

Another cool effect is Water Effect (see screenshot)

There are many more effects … play around with different settings and have fun