What you will need for this bit o’ trickery is a working Ubuntu 9.10 using Xsplash (it’s the default, so you won’t have to monkey with that installation), a python script, imagemagick, and a groovy wallpaper to use.  That’s it.

The script

The first thing you need to do is download the Python script. This script can be found here. Once you have that tar file downloaded, move it into your home directory and unpack it with the command:

tar xvzf 11498-wallpaper-daemon_1.2.tar.gz

The above command will extract a file called wallpaper-daemon.py. You can leave this file in your home directory if you like. But you do have to make sure it has executable privileges. There are two ways to do this:

A) Issue the command chmod u+x wallpaper-daemon.py

B) Follow these steps:

1. Open up the Nautilus file manager.
2. Right click the wallpaper-daemon.py file.
3. Select Properties.
4. Click on the Permissions tab.
5. Make sure the “Allow Executing file as program” check box is checked.
6. Close the Properties window.

Your script is ready to execute. But before you execute the script, make sure you have ImageMagick installed. Open up a terminal window (you’ll need two of them open anyway) and issue the command:

sudo apt-get install imagemagick

If the application is already installed it will inform you so, otherwise it will install.

Now you are ready to start.

Go to one of your terminal windows and issue the command:

~/wallpaper-daemon.py

This will require your users password, so type it and hit the Enter key.

Figure 1

The next step is to open up the Appearance Preference window to the Background Image tab (see Figure 1). You can do this by right clicking the desktop and selecting Change Background Image. Select a background image to use (you can add a new background image if you don’t like anything listed).

Once you have changed your background go to your other open terminal window and issue the command:
sudo xsplash

What you will see is a representation of your new splash screen, using your selected image. You can hit the <Esc> key to exit out of this.

Make it work

Figure 2

Of course, as it stands, this won’t work when you reboot (or logout). You need to add the wallpaper-daemon.py to the startup applications. Do this by going to the Preferences sub-menu of the System menu and selecting Startup Applications. When the Startup Applications window opens (see Figure 2) click the  Add button and fill out the following information:

• Name: Wallpaper Daemon
• Command: ~/wallpaper-daemon.py

Click the Add button and you’re done. Now when you log out or reboot your machine, you will see your new background as the Splash screen.

Final thoughts

It’s not going to make you a better PC user or make your machine run better. But for those who like to have complete control over the personalization of their computers, this is another step in the right direction. And if you are a business that likes your brand everywhere – this is right up your alley.

But can this tool take the place of the original tools? Can the Ubuntu Software Center usurp both Add/Remove Software and Synaptic? Let’s examine the tool and draw our conclusions.

The ultimate goal for the Ubuntu Software Center is to become a single point of focus for software management in Ubuntu. Effectively, the Software Center is going to become the Ubuntu version of the iPhone App Store. Here are the current and planned features:

• Install open source/free software (Version 1).
• Install commercial/non-free software (Version 3).
• Rate and review software (Version 2).
• Replace Synaptic and Gdebi (Version 2).

So by Version 3 the Ubuntu Software Center will be a total one-stop shop for Linux software installation in Ubuntu. Exciting times indeed. But right now we’re at Version 1 and the big question is, does it stand up to previous tools. Let’s take a look.

The interface

Figure 1

When you fire up the Ubuntu Software Center (done by clicking on the entry in the Applications menu) the main window is laid out very clearly (see Figure 1) will be the Banshee (since it has been referenced a number of times on Ghacks.)

To locate Banshee either click on the Sound & Video category (from the main page) or enter “banshee” (no quotes) in the search field and hit Enter.

Figure 2

When the listing appears, select the entry, and click on the right-pointing arrow that appears (see Figure 2). When you click that arrow you will be presented with an information window that allows you to either install the software or visit the software’s web page.

Figure 3

In order to install the selected software, click on the Install button (see Figure 3) which will require you to enter your sudo password. Upon entering your password a new pane will open up showing the progress of the installation. Depending upon the size of the application, this progress could take a while. The speed of the download will also be directly effected by the newness of the 9.10 release and how busy the repositories are.

Once the software is installed you will be returned to the information window that will look a bit different. Where the “Install” button was is now a “Remove” button and, if available, a screenshot will appear.

Adding repositories

Where adding new software sources in Synaptic could be somewhat confusing to new users, adding these same sources in the Software Center has become incredibly easy. All you have to do is follow these steps:

1. Click on the Edit menu.
2. Click the Software Sources entry.
3. Enter your password if you haven’t already authenticated.
4. Click on the Other Software tab in the Sources window.
5. Click the Add button.
6. Enter the entire line (the same line you would add to the /etc/apt/sources.list file in the text area).
7. Click the Add Source button.

You’re done. You no longer have to enter multiple pieces of information for a repository to be added.

Final thoughts

At first I was skeptical about the new Software Center. But after using the tool, and seeing where the tool is heading, I like what I am seeing (and using). I think Ubuntu is going to have a major hit on their hands with the Software Center.

The Linux installation experience has changed tremendously in the past decade. What once required a computer science degree or lots of dedication has now changed to an installation that is comparable to that of the Windows operating system.

Wubi, a Windows application that makes it possible to install Ubuntu right from within Windows, simplifies the installation of Ubuntu Linux even further. We reviewed Wubi back then when it was released publicly by the developers for the first time. It has been updated regularly since then to keep up with the Ubuntu development cycle.

Wubi 9.10 has now been released so that users of the Windows operating system can install Ubuntu 9.10 from within their operating system. A dual-boot environment will be created by the installer so that it is possible to boot either into Windows or Linux once the installation completes. Users who would like to download and use Wubi can find additional information and download links at the Wubi website. Those who prefer a direct installation can download Ubuntu at the website of the Linux distribution.