Updated : OK, I installed Ubuntu! now what?

What most people used to do is just install any OS and start their work, they don’t care about security…. they don’t care about the integrity of the system….. so the life span of those systems are very small! After some time they get…. viruses…. corrupted files……continues system errors and many more….

We must establish our base camp before going to War! We must build a strong camp before the enemy……. enough of that war stuff!! lets get into the topic…. lets see, what really should we have to do after installing Ubuntu?

1) Enable the 3rd party software sources :

• Go to System > Administration > Software Sources , in it go to the “Third-Party Software” tab and tick all the options (by default you will get only 2 sources) and click “Close”

2) First things first…. as soon as you install Ubuntu update your system

• Method 1 : From the GUI

In the main menu go to System > Administration > Update Manager then click on “Check” to update the software list first, next, when your done, click on “Install Updates” to install the updates.

• Method 2 : From the command line

In the main menu go to Applications > Accessories > Terminal , In the terminal enter:

sudo apt-get update

To update your software list. Next enter:

sudo apt-get upgrade

To update the software.

3) Install a Firewall

You can install Firestarter (Firestarter is an Open Source visual firewall program) as a firewall. Open the terminal and update the software list first (Note : Its a good practice to update the software list before you install anything… so you will get the latest software) sudo apt-get update . Next install Firestarter by issuing the following command sudo apt-get install firestarter .

Earlier we used firestarter.. But recently, we found out that firestarter is abandoned by its developers and its only an interface to control the default Ubuntu Firewall! (For more information, refer : What is the Best Firewall for Ubuntu? UFW or Firestarter? )

So, now, we are going to use ufw to configure our firewall. To activate it you can issue the following command in the terminal (Applications > Accessories> Terminal) :

sudo ufw enable

For normal users, it might be difficult to manage the firwall from the command line! Not to worry, this is where GUFW comes to the picture! GUFW is the graphical user interface for UFW. To install it issue the following command in the terminal :

sudo apt-get install gufw

4) Install Ubuntu restricted extras

• As usual first update your software list… then issue the following command

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

5) Install Ubuntu Tweak

• You can download Ubuntu Tweak from here : http://ubuntu-tweak.com/

6) Install BleachBit

• About BleachBit:

BleachBit quickly frees disk space, removes hidden junk, and easily guards your privacy. Erase cache, delete cookies, clear Internet history, remove unused localizations, shred logs, and delete temporary files. Designed for Linux and Windows systems, it wipes clean over 50 applications including Firefox, Internet Explorer, Flash, Google Chrome, Opera, Safari, Adobe Reader, APT, and more.

• Download it from BleachBit download page
• After installing remember to run BleachBit and clean your system (Note: better to do this on a regular basis)

7) Optional : If you don’t have the latest version of Firefox :

• How to Install Firefox 3.6 on Ubuntu

8) If you want to customize your desktop :

• Give a New Look to Your Ubuntu Desktop with Conky
• Ubuntu Customization Guide : Purple Boy
• 10 Linux Themes to give your desktop a new twist
• 10 Cool Linux Wallpapers to Decorate Your Desktop
• Turn your Linux Desktop into a Mac!
• 18 Great Looking Linux GTK Themes

9) Learn how to install software on Ubuntu :

• Ubuntu : 4 Ways to Install Software

10) If you want to change the boot loader, lets learn how to do it the easy way :

• Ubuntu : How To Edit Your Boot Loader Without Committing Suicide!

11) Came from Windows? Lets install your Windows software on Ubuntu :

• How To Install Windows Programs on Linux Using Wine

12) Enable Compiz to experience more cool desktop effects :

How To Change Settings of Compiz in Ubuntu (Add Effects Like the Rotating Cube)

Ok, now your all set up! Now you can install your normal software (you can use Ubuntu tweak to do this) and enjoy your base camp! or shall I say Charge!