From time to time it may happen that you have to reinstall your system. In the following article, I collected some points that are important for me during an installation.

If the basic system (in this case Ubuntu) is installed, you can set up some little helpers that facilitate the daily work.

Switch the monitor via shortcut keys

If you want to switch between the monitors, you can create shortcuts for that task:

• System -> Preferences -> Keyboard Shortcuts
• "Switch to workspace 1" -> Alt-1
• "Switch to workspace 2" -> Alt-2
• "Switch to workspace 3" -> Alt-3
• "Switch to workspace 4" -> Alt-4
• Close

Setting the zsh

I personally use the zsh for my daily work. That can be easily set up and installed.

• Applications -> Accessories -> Terminal
• sudo apt-get install zsh
• sudo chsh
• /bin/zsh
• chsh
• /bin/zsh
• Log Out
• Start a new terminal and follow the zsh configuration

Create an alias

To perform usual tasks in the console, you can set up aliases that reduce typing.

• vim .zshrc
• alias l='ls -la --color=tty'
• alias cls='clear'

Editor of your choice (my is vim)

Everyone needs an editor which is used for editing files. I decided for vim. Vim is a great editor, designed for fast work and can open very large files in seconds.

sudo apt-get install vim vim-scripts vim-common

After vim is installed, you can adjust the .vimrc file to your daily work. I create an older article that illuminates this step in more detail.

vimrc adjustment

Install the urxvtc daemon

The rxvt is a fast terminal emulator, that also protects the resources of the computer.

• sudo apt-get install rxvt-unicode
• set keyboard shortcut
• name: urxvt command: urxvt -cd /home/HOME shortcut: ALT-SHIFT-X

Now you can polish up. I have an article that describes this "make cool".

rxvt unicode look

Install Opera (best browser ever)

The web browser usually depends on the personal taste of each user. I like Opera. Opera is just awesome. This browser is fast and has always the latest features that could later be found in most of the other browsers.

• Got to: http://www.opera.com
• download and install

The prompt

A further improvement can be achieved if we change the prompt of the terminal. For this purpose the following article is very helpful and provides interesting ideas.

style your shell prompt

Install htop

If you want to know what happens to your system and which programs are running, you can install a little helper. Htop provides an overview of the system and the processes.

sudo apt-get install htop

Some other programs that can simplify the daily work are listed in the following article.

unix system tools

Apache, PHP, MySQL

If you want to set up a web server for web development, you have to install different programs. This article describes the important steps.

install webserver

Close button in the terminals in Ubuntu 10

• put window close button on the right
• terminal -> gconf-editor
• apps -> metaity -> general
• button_layout -> menu:minimize,maximize,spacer,close

Sylpheed mail client

As a mail program I can recommend Sylpheed. It is a very fast and elementary mail program.

sudo apt-get install sylpheed

Messenger Pidgin

Pidgin became my instant messenger during the last years. That messenger makes it possible to manage all contacts from a wide range of sources.

sudo apt-get install pidgin pidgin-otr pidgin-libnotify

Install Java

Although Oracle now holds the oar in hand, Java is a great programming language besides many others.

sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jdk sun-java6-source sun-java6-demo sun-java6-fonts sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin

Attention: Add the Canonical partner sources to your packages.