Burg

Here's how to install BURG

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

Insert these lines to /etc/apt/sources.list

deb http://ppa.launchpad.net/bean123ch/burg/ubuntu lucid main
deb-src http://ppa.launchpad.net/bean123ch/burg/ubuntu lucid main

You should replace lucid with the correct code name. Currently the following release are supported: jaunty (9.04), karmic (9.10), lucid (10.04), maverick (10.10).

And install burg and related themes using these commands:

sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install burg

If you want to avoid the warning about unknown signature, use these commands to import it:

gpg --keyserver keyserver.ubuntu.com --recv 55708F1EE06803C5
gpg --export --armor 55708F1EE06803C5 | sudo apt-key add -

Then, install burg to MBR with the following command:

sudo burg-install /dev/sda
sudo update-burg


Even this works, and is highly recommended

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:bean123ch/burg
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install burg
sudo update-burg

Installing New Lock Dialog Theme on Lucid/Karmic

For the last couple of ubuntu versions, gnome-screensaver, which is also the gnome screen-locking program, has been using gtkbuilder .ui files for configuration; unfortunately almost all of the third-party themes (e.g. on gnome-look.org) use .glade files. Here's how to convert a .glade file to a .ui file for use with current versions of gnome-screensaver:

1. Open a shell
2. Unpack your downloaded theme file
3. Run this command:
gtk-builder-convert -w mynewtheme.glade mynewtheme.ui
The -w switch is important. The gtk-builder-command should already be installed on your system, but if not, it is a script which you can google and run directly from your download directory.
4. transfer the theme files, including the unmodified .gtkrc, to /usr/share/gnome-screensaver. Do not stash the config files in a subdirectory.
5. change the gconf setting (e.g. with gconf-editor) of /apps/gnome-screensaver/lock-dialog-theme to your new theme (e.g. "burst", or "arc-colors-human").

Get broadcom wireless working on ubuntu

Go to System->Administration->Hardware Drivers
Choose the Broadcom STA wireless driver
Activate

Sometimes the driver does not show up in the Hardware Drivers choices. In
this case, try reintalling the driver from the GUI or shell like this:

From the GUI:
Package Manager (System>Administration>Synaptic Package Manager). Click the
Reload button in the upper left corner of Synaptic to refresh your index then
search for and reinstall the package named bcmwl-kernel-source.

From the shell:
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get --reinstall install bcmwl-kernel-source

In either GUI or text case, after reinstalling, reboot your machine.

Now go back to System->Administration->Hardware Drivers
and you should see the driver enabled and working.

what to do after messing up gnome settings

If you mess up gnome display settings, there might be a situation where gnome does not load. It might log in and then hang. In such a situation, all you have to do to get the default settings back is to delete the configuration files in your home folder.
Log into KDE or start a virtual terminal (CTRL+ALT+F1), and delete the folders .gconf, .gconfd, .gnome2, .gnome2_private. (try rm -rf from terminal)
This will remove all settings and you'll be back to the day when you logged in the first time.

Note: this does not resolve hardware issues!

updating synaptic after first update

On updating karmic for the first time, the package list in synaptic might not be updated. To update the list, run this code.
sudo apt-get update
This will add all the packages like vlc, thunderbird etc in synaptic.