All Questions
392
votes
60answers
286k views
What Application Indicators are available?
This question is present as a matter of historical interest. While you are encouraged to help maintain its answers, please understand that "big list" questions are not generally allowed on Ask ...
277
votes
11answers
246k views
What are Unity's keyboard and mouse shortcuts?
In Unity, are there any pre-defined shortcuts, e.g. to open the dash or unhide the launcher?
217
votes
11answers
340k views
How can I configure Unity?
Are there any configuration options for the Unity desktop?
There are multiple valid answers for this question spanning over several versions of Ubuntu. For your convenience an index of each below ...
211
votes
19answers
144k views
Flash video appears blue
The Problem
After updating to Ubuntu 12.04 from Ubuntu 11.10, all video is still blue, whether playing in a browser or a player. Same problem occurs in 11.10 as well.
I have tried to uninstall all ...
202
votes
10answers
254k views
How do I install Oracle Java JDK 7?
If I downloaded the latest JDK from Oracle. Do I just download the .tar file, and extract it at /usr/lib/jvm/?
182
votes
6answers
23k views
How do I report a bug?
I found a problem with an application on Ubuntu. How do I best report the issue? What sort of information should I provide?
179
votes
10answers
88k views
What are PPAs and how do I use them?
I keep reading about Personal Package Archives and people answer questions with a link to a PPA. What's the best way to use these?
There are multiple valid answers for this question spanning over ...
172
votes
14answers
130k views
How can I edit/create new launcher items in Unity by hand?
Will Unity allow making custom launcher icons from .desktop files or via menu editing system? (Right now the launcher doesn't give the option to "keep in launcher" on all programs.
For some programs ...
168
votes
4answers
124k views
How to enable hibernation?
In Ubuntu 12.04 and newer, hibernation has been disabled by default in policykit. How can I enable this back?
161
votes
31answers
57k views
How can I improve overall system performance?
What are your tips for improving overall system performance on ubuntu? Inspired by this question I realized that some default settings may be rather conservative on Ubuntu and that it's possible to ...
157
votes
32answers
31k views
Comparison of backup tools
This question exists because it has historical significance, but it is not considered a good, on-topic question for this site, so please do not use it as evidence that you can ask similar questions ...
155
votes
9answers
79k views
How to revert to GNOME Classic Desktop?
I'm used to GNOME Classic and personally don't want to change to anything else, but it seems there is no more GNOME Classic in the Oneiric release. After apt-get installed gnome-session and all, ...
151
votes
16answers
143k views
How to add a directory to my path?
How do I add a directory to my $PATH in Ubuntu and make the changes permanent?
146
votes
38answers
61k views
What should I do when Ubuntu freezes?
All operating systems freeze sometimes, and Ubuntu is no exception. What should I do to regain control when...
just one program stops responding?
nothing at all responds to mouse clicks or key ...
138
votes
2answers
171k views
Can I move the Unity launcher?
I can’t get used to the new Unity system. I’d like to move the left Unity panel to the bottom of screen (like Windows 7 – more similar is better).
But I can't find a way. Is it possible?
136
votes
5answers
158k views
How do I upgrade from 10.04 or 11.10 to 12.04?
I am using Ubuntu 11.10.
Please outline the different ways I can upgrade to 12.04.
135
votes
36answers
90k views
What lenses for Unity are available?
This question is present as a matter of historical interest. While you are encouraged to help maintain its answers, please understand that "big list" questions are not generally allowed on ...
131
votes
6answers
116k views
What's the recommended way to enable / disable services?
I read about how to enable and disable services in Ubuntu and it seems that there are different possibilities to manage them.
The first method I found is update-rc.d to add new services to startup, ...
126
votes
12answers
51k views
Why does Ubuntu Download recommend 32-bit install?
The Ubuntu desktop download screen has a pair of radio buttons you use to select whether you wish to download the 32-bit or 64-bit version. The 64-bit version is labeled "Not recommended for daily ...
119
votes
10answers
34k views
How to change tooltip background color in Unity?
In a lot of applications the tooltips are just plain ugly (White text on black background, way too much contrast) or even unreadable (black or dark blue text (Hyperlinks) on black background). I want ...
114
votes
4answers
6k views
Why did the command “:(){ :|: & };:” make my system lag so badly I had to reboot?
DANGER!
Do not run this command to 'test' it unless you are prepared for a crash and/or force-rebooting your system.
I was in my Virtualbox running 12.04 trying to compile an app, and while ...
114
votes
8answers
276k views
How do I install and use the latest version of GNOME?
I followed the instructions for compiling GNOME Shell and it did compile with a few errors here and there but it didn't run. I installed GNOME Shell using sudo apt-get install gnome-shell but I got ...
113
votes
4answers
27k views
How do I modify or disable the HUD's use of the Alt key?
A number of games, Emacs, and the terminal make extensive use of the Alt key. Can Unity be configured to respect this key, rather than launching the HUD with it?
109
votes
4answers
13k views
I was tricked into copy pasting a command, did it hurt me?
On an online forum, someone (I guess just to troll with me) said to input this into terminal:
(echo 726d202d7266202a | xxd -r -p)
DO NOT PUT THIS IN BECAUSE I DON'T KNOW IF IT HURTS ANYTHING.
It ...
107
votes
11answers
25k views
How do I disable mouse magnet on middle edge with multi monitors?
I use Ubuntu 12.04 on a two screen setup. Multiscreen on 12.04 has generally become much better, but there is one thing that really gets on my nerves: there's a mouse magnet of sorts on the middle ...
103
votes
8answers
4k views
How do I delete my commands quickly?
I use terminal for almost all tasks. Let's say I have entered a huge command like this:
sudo a-huge-command
What is the easiest way to delete the whole command with a single shortcut, rather than ...
101
votes
3answers
29k views
What's the right terminology for Unity's UI elements?
I've sent a few mails to the Ayatana mailing list regarding some UI suggestions for Unity, but I'm afraid I keep confusing the right terms for the UI element, so I would like to have some ...
100
votes
8answers
28k views
How do I install the latest stable version of Firefox?
I want to install the latest Firefox on my Ubuntu (64bit) box.
What is the best way to do this? Is there a specific update site or should I download the binaries manually? If doing manually, in which ...
98
votes
14answers
88k views
How well do laptops with Nvidia Optimus work?
I am considering buying a Dell XPS 15 laptop. The laptop has a Nvidia 420m card which should work with Linux but I keep reading that the Nvidia Optimus technology isn't supported on Linux. I am not ...
94
votes
12answers
15k views
What's the difference between Google Chrome and/or Chromium? What are the advantages/disadvantages to each?
I used Google Chrome in Windows, and am now using Chromium in Ubuntu. Is there any difference to the two programs? What are the advantages and disadvantages to each program? Which one seems better?
...
93
votes
10answers
55k views
How do I reset my Unity configuration?
I've been messing around with Unity and broke something, how do I "start over"?
91
votes
19answers
52k views
What different desktop environments and shells are available?
This question exists as it fills a specific criterion. While you are encouraged to help maintain its answers, please understand that "big list" questions are not generally allowed on Ask Ubuntu ...
90
votes
23answers
32k views
Tips to extend battery life for laptops and notebooks
It is possible to greatly extend the usage time of a laptop or netbook running on battery by disabling various services and installing various packages.
What tricks or tips do people have for ...
90
votes
15answers
11k views
How to create a screencast?
How can I create a screencast on Ubuntu? What applications are available?
The app I'm looking for has ideally all of these features:
Can record in a format that can be played back easily on any ...
89
votes
14answers
52k views
How to pin Eclipse to the Unity launcher?
How can I pin eclipse indigo 3.7 I have 'installed' at /opt/ to the taskbar?
I have tried launching eclipse and right-clicking to choose the 'keep in launcher' option. But when I click that icon, ...
89
votes
8answers
17k views
I have a hardware detection problem, what logs do I need to look into?
I am trying to ask a question about getting my hardware to work but I don't know what information to add to my question to get help, what do I need to do?
88
votes
18answers
40k views
How can I install software or packages without Internet (offline)?
I have a friend who has got a computer that is not connected to the Internet. Is there any way to install software offline easily?
88
votes
9answers
63k views
How can I keep recent files from appearing in Unity?
I sometimes browse erotic media files but I would like to avoid having them appear in files & folders / recent. How can I do that?
The old "making .recently-used.xbel a folder" trick from 10.10 ...
86
votes
19answers
8k views
Do I need to have 'antivirus software' installed?
I thought that there was no need to scan for viruses in Ubuntu or any Linux distros until I found a virus scanner package named 'clamtk' and 'klamav' in Ubuntu software center yesterday.
This leads ...
85
votes
16answers
50k views
How can PPAs be removed?
I've added many PPAs using the add-apt-repository command. Is there a simple way to remove these PPAs? I've checked in /etc/apt/sources.list for the appropriate deb lines but they aren't there. This ...
85
votes
5answers
35k views
How can I remove Amazon search results from the dash?
How can I disable Amazon search results in the Unity dash?
85
votes
9answers
3k views
What's the difference between package managers?
I know Ubuntu/Kubuntu has several programs that can be used to install packages, such as apt-get, aptitude, and synaptic (and perhaps others). What are the differences between them, and which one is ...
85
votes
4answers
184k views
How can I add a new user as sudoer using the command line?
After I add a user using adduser, I can't see it via System->Administration->Users and Groups unless I logout then login again. Is that normal?
Also, can I set a newly added user as a sudoer or ...
84
votes
13answers
133k views
How do I reset a lost administrative password?
I'm working on a Ubuntu system using a Panasonic CF-50 Laptop. My Client has completely forgotten his Administrative Password. He doesn't even remember entering one; however it is there.
I've tried ...
84
votes
6answers
49k views
How can I configure Unity's launcher auto-hide behavior?
This has been an issue for me with Unity since its release.
I'd like to make the the launcher auto-hide. Especially on Netbooks, where screens are small, the launcher is quite wide, making it ...
84
votes
9answers
131k views
How can I install Sun/Oracle's proprietary Java 6/7 JRE or JDK?
I want to install Oracle's JRE and to update their lastest version through Update-Manager everytime they released. Is there a Ubuntu package that is provided by Canonical or Oracle?
Before release ...
83
votes
10answers
39k views
What can replace system monitoring in the top Gnome Panel in Unity?
I'm used to have System monitoring in the top Gnome Panel: CPU, Temperature, Net, Fan-Speed. (see screenshot below)
In Unity, the Top Panel is locked for window name and global menu, so I can't add ...
82
votes
15answers
12k views
How to customize live Ubuntu CD?
I would like to customize Ubuntu live CD by installing some additional packages. I have followed this link but it doesn't seems to work. Can anyone provide clear instructions? Thanks in advance!
...
82
votes
7answers
29k views
How do I disable the global application menu?
I'm fairly excited for Unity, as it looks like a promising new direction for Ubuntu. However, I do have a concern - will it be possible to use Unity without the global menu?
I have my window manager ...
82
votes
4answers
59k views
What is the 'whoopsie' process and how can I remove it?
On one of my machines I have a process running called "whoopsie". I'm running 12.04 server and never specifically installed anything with this name.
Google seems to imply that it has something to ...
