Last week we learned about a new version of Ubuntu, Ubuntu 17.10 and with it numerous changes that the Canonical distribution has introduced in our computers and in the distribution itself. Users who have updated their version of Ubuntu, will not have major problems, except for changes such as the desktop or some new tools.
But if we perform a clean installation, we need to carry out a series of post-installation tasks to make our distribution as perfect as possible (with Ubuntu 17.10 and with any GNU/Linux distribution, for that matter). Below, we'll explain the steps to take after installing Ubuntu 17.10 to ensure everything works to our liking.
Upgrade the system
Although the distribution is new, the Ubuntu community is very active, which means that we often find new bugs or important program updates within a few days . We'll do this first, as something that isn't working might be fixed after this update. So, open the terminal and type the following:
sudo apt-get update sudo apt-get upgrade
Codec Installation
Many of you will use your computer to record and play videos or multimedia content. Ubuntu doesn't include many of the necessary codecs for these files by default , so it's always recommended to install the "Restricted Extras" package. This package contains all the extra codecs we need. To install it, simply open a terminal and type the following:
sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras
Use of proprietary drivers
This step is optional for many users. You might have a graphics card or other hardware that requires proprietary drivers. This hardware will work, but not as well as if you were using the proprietary drivers. To do this, simply go to "Software & Updates" and, in the "Additional Drivers" tab, select the proprietary driver. Then close the window, and the changes will be applied.
Install Gnome Tweak Tool
Ubuntu 17.10 comes with GNOME as its default desktop environment. This represents a change for many users, but it also adds new tools for extensive customization. The queen of these tools is undoubtedly GNOME Tweak Tool, which not only allows you to install themes but also customize the desktop's functionality and even manage extensions . To install it, open the terminal and type the following:
sudo apt-get install gnome-tweak-tool
Activate night mode
The inclusion of Gnome means we can adjust and change our screen brightness to protect our eyes . It addresses the dreaded blue light that many seek to eliminate. To do this, we go to Displays within the Preferences menu and activate the "Night Light" tab. We'll notice the screen takes on an orange hue, indicating that the filter has been applied.
Gnome extensions
GNOME allows us to use extensions for certain functions, just like web browsers with their extensions. To install extensions, simply go to the official extensions website and download the desired extension. After downloading, simply double-click on the package or use the GNOME Tweak Tool.
Java and Gdebi
The Java plugin has become very important for Gnu / Linux, as it allows the installation of many cross-platform applications. The same happens with GDebi, a package manager that allows the installation of any deb package with just double clicking on it. To install this software we have to open the terminal and type the following:
sudo apt-get install gdebi sudo apt-get install openjdk-8-jre
This will install Java and Gdebi on our Ubuntu 17.10.
Install more programs
Ubuntu 17.10 is a very complete distribution, but it's true that many users need to install essential or basic programs for certain tasks. For example, many install Google's Chromium or GIMP for image editing. Others install VLC to use instead of GNOME Media Player. All of these programs can be installed from the GNOME Software Center, an application that works like the Google Play Store, but adapted for our computers.
Change the theme of the layout
I personally really like Ubuntu's artwork, but I know many users don't; therefore, changing the Ubuntu desktop theme is a common task for many . In this case, we can go to Gnome-Look and download the desktop theme we like. Then we extract it to the appropriate folder and apply it using the Gnome Tweak Tool.
File decompressor
Even though we currently browse the internet at high speeds, many files still use compressed formats for transmission. Ubuntu recognizes some formats but not all, so it's a good idea to have all compression programs installed . To do this, open the terminal and type the following:
sudo apt-get install p7zip-full p7zip-rar rar unrar
This will allow us to compress and decompress any file without the need for another tool, only with the mouse and our Ubuntu.
Conclusion
These are the steps to follow after installing Ubuntu 17.10 but they are not the only ones we can do, it really all depends on how we use the team that has Ubuntu 17.10 installed, but with these steps surely the operation will be almost perfect.