How to Make Ubuntu 12.04 Run Faster on Netbook

Right now I install Ubuntu 12.04 LTS on my netbook and totally I work on it, it means that I use my netbook for doing almost my job, such as blogging, multimedia, chatting, and many more.

Before I install Ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise Pangolin) on my netbook, I have tried Ubuntu 10.04 LTS and it run fast enough but Ubuntu 10.04 consumes too much battery power so it make my netbook short life in battery power.

But with Ubuntu 12.04 LTS my netbook can life for long time because Ubuntu 12.04 consume less battery power or resources even it enable 3D effect and that's why I like this ubuntu version.

About the speed, for me Ubuntu 12.04 runs fast enough on my netbook with 1GB RAM and CPU Intel Atom N450 (1.66 GHz) but with some tweaks, it can make your Ubuntu 12.04 run faster in netbook.

These are some ways to make Ubuntu 12.04 run faster on netbook.

Tips 1 - Install cleaning tool and run it to clean up your Ubuntu machine from junk files at least once a week - they are Ubuntu-Tweak and BleachBit. 

Ubuntu tweak is a great tool to configure your Ubuntu system and has many great functions such as to set Ubuntu theme, application and many more, but with Janitor in Ubuntu Tweak can be used to clean up your Ubuntu system from junk files and increase Ubuntu speed. 

Copy following commands in terminal to install latest Ubuntu-Tweak.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tualatrix/ppa

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak

BleachBit is great cleaner too, like CCleaner in windows Operating System, BleachBit clean Ubuntu system deeper and need longer time to cleanup your Ubuntu while Ubuntu-Tweak only clean around applications junk files.

Tips 2 - Try install lightweight Desktop Environment for Ubuntu such as XFCE or LXDE, and for me LXDE is faster than XFCE. Optional you can also try to install lightweight applications and install package or applications only you need.

Tips 3 - Upgrade RAM 1GB to 2GB for netbook will increase Ubuntu speed.

That's it some tips how to make ubuntu run faster on my netbook. Try the best for your Ubuntu netbook.

How to Install Firefox 15 on Ubuntu

Firefox 15 almost release, it still in beta version at the moment, but it will bring new features such as initial native support for PDF files, support for SPDY networking protocol v3, better memory usage for add-ons, and much more.

Canonical will most likely update ubuntu to firefox 15 as soon as Mozilla release at the end of the month, but if you want try it now just install it by following steps.

Mozilla firefox 15 can be installed in ubuntu 12.04 LTS (Precise Pangolin), ubuntu 11.10 (Oneiric Ocelot), ubuntu 11.04 (Natty Narwhal), ubuntu 10.04 LTS (Lucid Lynx).

Add the firefox 15.0 repository

Open the terminal in ubuntu, then type following command

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:mozillateam/firefox-next

Hit the enter key and type your password when asked then hit enter again.

Install firefox 15.0 on ubuntu

Now paste the following command in the terminal again

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y firefox

Wait the installation process until finish, now firefox 15.0 is now fully installed in yaour ubuntu machine. You'll need to restart firefox for the change to take effect.

Ubuntu vs Lightweight Linux

For long time I have been using ubuntu as my primary Operating System because I install some OS in my computer beside ubuntu, but I use ubuntu most in my computing activities.

Here I will tell you about my experience about using ubuntu than other lightweight linux distributions.

Some times ago I tried some lightweight linux based on JWM, LXDE, XFCE etc, my focus and my purpose is about the speed. Yes, I try them in order to use my computer in fast computing such as applications and performance, they are really fast enough to doing some my jobs such as: just need a second to open application, fast booting, run applications etc.

But some things that I dislike is about feature and performance. I often find some problems such as not stable enough, find some crashes in my computer, no full of application support because some times it difficult to me to find some applications in lightweight linux distro, it different when I use ubuntu - almost every software and application I need, I can find and install it.

For me, ubuntu is rich of feature that support everything my job from applications and stability and ubuntu is ready for use.

It just my personal opinion how about you?

Make Ubuntu Look Like Mac

Make Ubuntu look like mac os x in your ubuntu is easy. There are some ways to make ubuntu look like mac such as Macbuntu and Mac4lin.

But here I will show you about my way to make my ubuntu look like mac os x lion and it look great. I take this method from noobslab blog and it works.

All you need only download mac os x lion wallpapers, install cairo dock, and install ubuntu-tweak (to change themes, icons and cursors).

1. Download Mac OS X Lion Wallpaper or you can download your own mac wallpaper by searching in google image.

2. Install Cairo Dock by execute following commands in terminal

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:cairo-dock-team/ppa
• sudo apt-get update
• sudo apt-get install cairo-dock cairo-dock-plug-ins

After you run cairo dock, right click on cairo dock > selsect Launch Cairo-Dock on startup.

3. Install Apple logo in Unity-Launcher (optional) but if you prefer ubuntu logo skip this step.

Execute or copy following commands in terminal

• wget -O apple-logo.zip http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53319850/NoobsLab.com/apple-logo.zip
• sudo unzip apple-logo.zip -d /usr/share/unity/5/

Press "A" on keyboard to confirm then press enter.
If you want ubuntu logo back just copy following commands in terminal

• wget -O ubuntu-logo.zip http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53319850/NoobsLab.com/ubuntu-logo.zip
• sudo unzip ubuntu-logo.zip -d /usr/share/unity/5/

It will ask to replace file, just type "A" then press enter.

4. Now Install the theme to make ubuntu look like mac os x (icons and theme)

Execute following commands in the terminal

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/themes
• sudo apt-get update
• sudo apt-get install mac-os-lion-icons-v2
• sudo apt-get install mac-os-lion-theme-v2

To install mac cursor, enter following commands

• wget -O mac-cursors.zip http://dl.dropbox.com/u/53319850/NoobsLab.com/mac-cursors.zip
• sudo unzip mac-cursors.zip -d /usr/share/icons/
• sudo rm mac-cursors.zip
• cd /usr/share/icons/mac-cursors
• sudo chmod +x install-mac-cursors.sh uninstall-mac-cursors.sh
• ./install-mac-cursors.sh

Enter following comands to uninstall mac cursor

• cd /usr/share/icons/mac-cursors
• ./uninstall-mac-cursors.sh

5. Install Ubuntu-Tweak to change Theme, Icons, and Cursor

• sudo add-apt-repository ppa:tualatrix/ppa 
• sudo apt-get update
• sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak

That's all I do in my ubuntu, look at your own result.

Learn More about Ubuntu 12.04 with Ubuntu manual

There are many free resources online to learn more about Ubuntu, How to use Ubuntu, How to configure it, Learn more about Unity, etc. One of the best resource is ubuntu forums.

Another way to learn more about Ubuntu is with ubuntu manual, a free ubuntu e-book that can help new user to find out more about ubuntu. It is free to download, read and modify and share.

Ubuntu manual will help us become familiar with ubuntu daily task such as browse the web, listen to the music and play the movie, and office task like printing and scanning documents. It is suitable for all level of experience with easy to follow instructions.

"Getting Started with Ubuntu 12.04" is available to download for free from Ubuntu Manual website. We can also order printed copy of manual with for a small fee.