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Setting up Corporate Ubuntu Desktops

This guide has been updated for Ubuntu Hardy 8.04.1. The following is the official installation guide:

[WWW] https://help.ubuntu.com/8.04/installation-guide/i386/index.html

The preseed method will enable a more automated install. You will want to enter the proxy a local apt-cacher server if you have one to speed up the updates and installs of new packages.

Post Installation Tasks

Updating and Installing Packages

  • In Synaptic, configure proxy as needed. If you have an apt-cacher service running on the proxy server, it will make your updates much faster if the packages have already been downloaded by a prior machine.

  • Click on Reload

  • Click on Upgrade

  • Install ubuntu-restricted-extras

  • Install ttf-liberation

  • Apply

Configure Desktop to Remove Annoying Stuff

  • In System -> Administration -> Login Window -> Accessibility, uncheck the sounds

  • In System -> Preferences -> Sounds -> Sounds, uncheck Play System Sound to remove annoying sounds

If you want to change the desktop wallpaper for everyone:

  1. In the desktop, type Alt-F2

  2. gksudo gconf-editor

  3. Enter your password if prompted

  4. Choose /desktop/gnome/background from the tree on the left

  5. Change the picture_filename key to (e.g.) usr/share/backgrounds/ubuntu-calendar.png

  6. Right click and Set As Mandatory or Set As Default. Mandatory means users cannot change the wallpaper.

You will also want to change the default fonts to the liberation fonts. It makes the menus and fonts in your applications more compact.

The scripts below will set the default fonts and settings without going through the GUI. Just change the mandatory to defaults if you want to allow users to change it. 

sudo gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.mandatory --set /apps/nautilus/preferences/desktop_font --type string "Liberation Sans 9"
sudo gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.mandatory--set /desktop/gnome/interface/document_font_name --type string "Liberation Sans 9"
sudo gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.mandatory--set /desktop/gnome/interface/font_name --type string "Liberation Sans 9"
sudo gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.mandatory--set /desktop/gnome/interface/monospace_font_name --type string "Monospace 9"
sudo gconftool-2 --direct --config-source xml:readwrite:/etc/gconf/gconf.xml.defaults --set /desktop/gnome/sound/event_sounds --type bool "false"

Adding a New User

  1. System -> Administration -> Users and Groups, Unlock (You will asked for your password.)

  2. Add User as Desktop User Profile. This user will not be able to install new packages.

Adding a Printer

  1. System -> Administration -> Printing

  2. New Printer -> HP JetDirect

  3. Enter the IP of the network printer

  4. Change Printer Options to a default media size of Letter instead of A4 if you are in the Philippines.

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