INSTALL.md

Install

Overview

Most of the setup must be performed manually. Laptop or desktop specific configurations are indicated when required.

Whenever a debian package needs to be manually installed, prefer sudo apt install ./<package>.deb instead of sudo dpkg -i <package>.deb, to ensure no broken deps.

Table of Contents:

• Required Packages
• Dotfiles
• Ubuntu Settings
• Tweaks and Extensions
• Misc Settings
• i3 and polybar setup

Required Packages

# Record system changes
sudo apt install etckeeper

# General Tools
sudo apt install curl apt-transport-https htop git

# media
sudo apt install vlc ubuntu-restricted-extras imagemagick nautilus-image-converter

# archive
sudo apt install rar unrar p7zip-full p7zip-rar

# battery life (laptop)
# https://linrunner.de/tlp/index.html
sudo apt install tlp tlp-rdw

# tweaks
sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell gnome-tweak-tool

# Other Good to Have
sudo apt install gparted synaptic

# Development
sudo apt install clang-format emacs shellcheck

# i3 and polybar setup
sudo apt install i3          # i3
sudo apt install playerctl   # media player control using media keys
sudo apt install feh         # set background
sudo apt install arandr      # display configuration
sudo apt install rofi        # dmenu replacement
sudo apt install compton     # window composer: transparency and transition effects
sudo apt install i3lock      # lockscreen lock
sudo apt install scrot       # lockscreen screenshot
sudo apt install imagemagick # lockscreen blur

Polybar must be compiler from source. Please see the instructions on the README.

Dotfiles

# Get
git clone https://github.com/mpavezb/dotfiles .dotfiles

Ubuntu Settings

• Power Settings
  • Power Saving > Blank Screen > Never
  • (laptop) Suspend & Power Button > Automatic Suspend > When on battery power (30 min), Plugged (NO)
• Privacy Settings
  • Screen Lock > Off
  • Problem Reporting > Sends reports automatically > ON.
• Region & Language
  • Language: English (United States)
  • Input Sources:
    • Enable English and Spanish keyboards.
    • Options: Use the same source for all windows.
• Removable Media
  • Never prompt or start programs on media insertion.
• Search:
  • Disable All but Calculator and Applications (implicit).
• Date & Time
  • Automatic Date & Time > ON.
  • Automatic Time Zone > ON.
• Displays:
  • Night Light > ON

Tweaks and Extensions

Tweaks

• Top Bar > Enable Clock Date / Weekday
• (laptop) Top Bar > Battery Percentage
• Workspaces > Static Workspaces / Number of Workspaces=9

Gnome Extensions: Enable the following extensions

• Last checked in GNOME Shell 3.36.9. (gnome-shell --version).
• Extensions: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1036/extensions/
• Desktop Icons (native):
  • Show Home, Hide other.
• Alternate Tab:
  • Extension is not needed anymore. Read this: https://blogs.gnome.org/fmuellner/2018/10/11/the-future-of-alternatetab-and-why-you-need-not-worry/
  • Either AlternateTab: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/15/alternatetab/
  • Or Alt Tab Workspace: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/310/alt-tab-workspace/
• Workspace Matrix: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1485/workspace-matrix/
  • Set workspaces to 9.
• Sound Output Device Chooser: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/906/sound-output-device-chooser/
• Open Weather: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/750/openweather/
  • Set City and units.
• Bluetooth Quick Connect: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/1401/bluetooth-quick-connect/
• Dash to Dock: https://extensions.gnome.org/extension/307/dash-to-dock/
  • Position and Size > Position on screen: bottom.
  • Launchers > Show Trash Can [NO].
• Pomodoro:
  • sudo apt install gnome-shell-pomodoro

DNS: Set up manual google DNS for every connection.

• Connection > IPV4 > Automatic (false) > 8.8.8.8,8.8.4.4

Misc Settings

Hide default folders in home into .ubuntu/ folder. This requires logging out and then removing the ~/Desktop folder by hand.

# XDG user dirs
bash ~/.dotfiles/linux/xdg/setup.bash

Hide remaining folders in home using the .hidden file. More info in this thread:

echo "snap" >> ~/.hidden

Create "Empty Document" shortcut

touch ~/.ubuntu/Templates/Empty\ Document

These other setup procedures are also not yet automated:

• Disable Terminal Bell: Terminal > Edit > Preference: Uncheck Terminal Bell.
• Nautilus Markers: Add markers to important folders
  • workspaces
  • downloads
  • documents
  • HDDs

Monitor Layouts

1. Use arandr (GUI tool for xrandr) to generate a valid xrandr configuration.
2. Save the configuration to ~/.config/xrandr/layout.sh.
3. The script will be executed whenever i3 (re)loads.

i3 and polybar setup

# i3 config
mkdir -p ~/.config/i3/
cd       ~/.config/i3/
ln -sf ~/.dotfiles/linux/i3/i3.cfg config

# Fonts
mkdir -p ~/.local/share/fonts
cp -rf ~/.dotfiles/linux/fonts/* ~/.local/share/fonts
fc-cache -f -v

# polybar
mkdir -p ~/.config/polybar/
cd       ~/.config/polybar/
ln -sf   ~/.dotfiles/linux/polybar/polybar.cfg config
ln -sf   ~/.dotfiles/linux/polybar/launch.bash launch.bash

# networkmanager_dmenu
mkdir -p ~/.config/networkmanager_dmenu/
cd       ~/.config/networkmanager_dmenu/
ln -sf   ~/.dotfiles/linux/network_manager/config.ini
#
mkdir -p ~/.local/share/applications/
cd       ~/.local/share/applications/
ln -sf   ~/.dotfiles/linux/network_manager/networkmanager_dmenu.desktop
#
mkdir -p ~/.local/bin/
cd       ~/.local/bin
ln -sf   ~/.dotfiles/linux/network_manager/networkmanager_dmenu

Wallpaper

Getting Images: 0. Check saved wallpapers in GDrive.

1. Get images you like. You can use these services: https://unsplash.com/, http://simpledesktops.com/.
2. Copy them onto ~/.ubuntu/Pictures/wallpaper/.

Using shotwell (ubuntu)

1. Import the folder to shotwell.
2. Select desired images.
3. File > Set wallpaper slideshow.

i3 and feh

The i3 settings use the feh program to randomly pick images for every monitor on load.