Enabling Compiz “Extra” or “Normal” effects per bash in Ubuntu

Question

Enabling disabling compiz per bash is pretty simple per compiz --replace,

But how can I switch between the None / Normal / Extra -- Visual Effects in the "gnome-appearance-properties" only using a shell..

PS. This is for a kiosk mode pc, which will have NO mouse/keyboard devices attached! gnome panel menus and everything is disabled...

Answer 1

I peeked at the sources for gnome-control-center (apt-get source gnome-control-center, then in debian/patches/95_desktop-effects-integration.patch it adds the options for the compiz settings.). For setting Normal effects it appears to unset /apps/compiz/general/allscreens/options/active_plugins (in gconf) so that it gets set back to default. For Extra effects it appears to do the same, but appends shift and wobbly to the list.

To browse and edit gconf visually, use gconf-editor. To query and edit gconf settings from a shell, you need to use gconftool

So if the above information pans out, man gconftool should set you on the right track.