This is my way of working when installing a new operating system.
1 Updates, drivers and kernels
2 Software and patches
3 Change settings to my liking
4 Fun stuff
#What can you do if the script does not execute?
Since I sometimes forget to make the script executable, I include here what you can do to solve that.
A script can only run when it is marked as an executable.
ls -al
Above code will reveal if a script has an "x". X meaning executable. Google "chmod" and "execute" and you will find more info.
For now if this happens, you should apply this code in the terminal and add the file name.
chmod +x typeyourfilename
Then you can execute it by typing
./typeyourfilename
#1 Kernel, Nvidia and Cinnamon
As described at http://erikdubois.be/linux/the-ultimate-linux-mint-update I try to get the latest of everything. This attitude tends to break things. You have been warned. But the best way to learn about linux.
The first time I suggest you follow the steps in the article.
I have written a script to automate my installation.
You have a choice.
- kernel 3.x
- kernel 4.x
If you want to install a kernel 3.x or a kernel 4.x, I have to take a different approach for my hardware. Therefor I have split it up in two files.
- ./kernel_3_X the_ultimate_Linux_Mint_update_vx.sh
- ./kernel_4_X_the_ultimate_Linux_Mint_update_vx.sh
The only reason is that my hardware, the nvidia driver and kernel 4 are not compatible at the time of writing. You can read about that at
http://erikdubois.be/linux/linux-mint-17-1-and-the-linux-4-0-kernel
Do not forget to type "./" in front of the name.
You can run any of these scripts by downloading the zip file from github. Go to the download folder and right-click to Extract here. Go inside the folder and right-click in a blank space to go to the terminal. Now your terminal is opened in this extracted folder.
Type in the terminal
- ./kernel_3_X the_ultimate_Linux_Mint_update_vx.sh
or
- ./kernel_4_X_the_ultimate_Linux_Mint_update_vx.sh
The very latest cinnamon version will be installed on your system by adding the following repository.
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:gwendal-lebihan-dev/cinnamon-nightly
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install cinnamon -y
Nvidia drivers will NOT be installed as they are very specific to your hardware. But checkout the code. This code can be uncommented.
# sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:xorg-edgers/ppa
# sudo apt-get update
# sudo apt-get install nvidia-340 -y (for example)
Check on Nvidia.com which driver you should use.
Wait for the installation and reboot.
#2 Software installation
We start the installation script of all the needed software in the same way as above.
- ./script_to_install_Linux_mint_17_2_def_vxx.sh
Do not forget to type "./" in front of the name.
And a specific script for samba (sharing of maps on your home network) if you need it. This script is NOT necessary. Linux Mint shares folders just fine. If you need a program to have an oversight of all the shared maps. This is the one.
sudo apt-get install system-config-samba
#3 Changing settings
I like bash but I prefer zsh with lots of different theme to spice things up. So let us install that in the script
./install_zsh.sh
Go and find that hidden file .zshrc (CTRL+H) and edit it
Change
into
ZSH_THEME="random"
Latest script will take care of that automatically.
All interesting themes and icons have been consolidated here :
https://github.com/erikdubois/themes-icons-pack
This icon theme can be downloaded here.
https://github.com/erikdubois/Sardi
I do not need to have the google drive on my computer but if you do
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:thefanclub/grive-tools -y
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install grive-tools -y
There is no need to have an antivirus but if you want to scan your windows files
sudo sh -c 'echo "deb http://download.bitdefender.com/repos/deb/ bitdefender non-free" >> /etc/apt/sources.list'
wget http://download.bitdefender.com/repos/deb/bd.key.asc
sudo apt-key add bd.key.asc
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install bitdefender-scanner-gui
More info at http://linuxaria.com/howto/bitdefender-a-good-antivirus-for-linux-system
Move the content of the folder nemo-scripts to the hidden folder ~/.gnome2/nemo-scripts/ and change to your liking. These are quick fixes and one backup script to a Backup folder.
But if you are using the latest nemo you have to place them in your home folder in ~/local/share/nemo/scripts. Nemo has an extra menu "Plugins".
Start plank from the menu. Right-click the plank and choose preferences and put in on top. I choose as theme transparent. But there are more themes out there if you want. If you want to autostart this everytime. Type in the menu " startup". Start startup applications. Add application and choose plank or do it the old way and point to /usr/bin/plank.
If you miss the microsoft fonts ... Verdana, Courrier, Comic, Arial, ...
sudo apt-get install ttf-mscorefonts-installer -y
#4 Fun stuff
The most fun goes in changing the look of your system.
I have gathered a lot of themes, icons and cursors I like and bundled them here.
https://github.com/erikdubois/themes-icons-pack
Matrix (screen with green letters as seen in the movie)
sudo apt-get install cmatrix
Try cmatrix -b
Aurora is a collection of conky's I like.
Download it from http://sourceforge.net/projects/auroraconkytheme/.
Installation is described at
http://erikdubois.be/category/conky
In this downloadfolder you will find an installationscript as well i.e. Auto_LinuxMint_Rebecca_cinnamon_aurora.sh
But basically unpack the zip file. Change the name of the unpacked folder to "Aurora" and make the hidden folder .conky and place it in in there.
Install conky-manager that will make life easy.
sudo add-apt-repository -y ppa:teejee2008/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install conky-manager
Start up conky-manager and choose the conky to your liking.
You should arrive at something similar depending on theme and icons choices:
Then you take the script apart and you write your own code.
This github script is explained more in depth on my website.
http://erikdubois.be/linux/the-ultimate-linux-mint-update
#But that is the fun in Linux.
You can do whatever Y O U want.