Section: How To

Discover a mix of tutorials on everything from how to install the latest versions of apps or enable new features, to workarounds for known issues – alongside general ‘configuring Ubuntu’ advice.

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[How To] Help Test An Improved Unity Files Lens

Ubuntu 12.04 Beta users are being asked to help test an improved version of the Files Lens for Unity. The file search in the ‘testing’ version has been tweaked to look for files sources additional […]

6 March 2012
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Lazy Saturday? Help Gwibber & Kazam Hunt Bugs

The Ubuntu Global Jam – a weekend-long session of community activities to help improve Ubuntu – wraps up tomorrow, but if you feel a bit left out of activities here’s your chance to contribute. The […]

3 March 2012
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[How To] File a Bug in Ubuntu

Ubuntu is not perfect. It crashes, breaks and bugs out on us – often at the worst of times. But as talented as many developers are they are not psychic. In order for issues to […]

29 February 2012
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[How To] Improve Spotify Stability With A Simple Script

Ever since Spotify for Linux gained Apps support its stability has taken a noticeable nosedive. Thankfully Benjamin Kerensa (yes, of 'FOSS Yeah' fame) has put together a short script that tempers the buggy attitude caused, says Kerensa, by 'unwanted data being left in cache or config temps'.

16 February 2012
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[How To] Try Firefox’s New Speed Dial Page in Ubuntu

It's been a long time coming but Mozilla are prepping the release of 'new tab speed-dial' to ship in Firefox 13. The feature has been in nightly builds of the browser for a few weeks but has just been pushed to the 'Aurora channel' builds so that wider feedback can be sought.

12 February 2012
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[How To] Change Unity-2D Launcher Color and Opacity

The pace of development on Ubuntu’s Unity interface sees ever-more options added to it, much to the delight of tweakers everywhere. But for Unity-2D, the lighter and less resource intensive version of Unity, customisation options […]

11 February 2012
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[How To] Increase Volume Past 100% in KDE

Veromix plasmoid for KDE offers many features, including per-app volume control, configurable equaliser and global hotkeys, but it also allows you to increase system volume past the default 100% point, thus making it handy when encountering a barely audible movie or audio file. Reader Ovidiu-Florin sent in a step-by-step guide for us to share with you on installing and configuring Veromix for this purpos

8 February 2012

[How To] Make Google Earth 6.2 Look ‘Native’ in Ubuntu 11.10/12.04 LTS

We showed you how to fix Google Earth's 'ugly fonts' issue on Linux. Now, here's a quick workaround to make the entire app appear more native on Ubuntu.

31 January 2012
Font issue fixed in Google Earth on Ubuntu

How to Fix Google Earth’s Font Issue on Ubuntu

Google Earth 6.2 released with improved imagery and faster search. One thing wasn't improved: font issues on Linux. So here's how to solve it – very easily!

31 January 2012

[How To] Change The Unity Dash Color in Ubuntu 11.10

Ubuntu 12.04 adds a (much longed for) option to choose your own custom color for the Unity Dash. In Ubuntu 11.10 however the Dash colour is not configurable and relies solely on the 'Chameleon' approach (unless you've braved the upgrade to Unity 5.0). So what to do if you really wish your Dash was another colour, but don't fancy switching through reams of wallpapers to try and 'get it'? Reader Guillaume mailed in with a trick so simple you'll kick yourself as to why you didn't know about it sooner.

25 January 2012
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[How To] Install Unity’s HUD Feature in Ubuntu 12.04

Reading about a new feature is all well and good - but there's nothing quite like playing with it, right? HUD, Ubuntu's new modern approach to using application menus, will land in Unity on Ubuntu 12.04 over the next month or so. But chances are you can't wait that long so, assuming you're using Ubuntu 12.04, a HUD-enabled version of Unity can be installed from the Unity Team HUD PPA.

24 January 2012
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[How To] Change Computer Name in Ubuntu 11.10

The hostname of the Ubuntu install on my netbook reads more like a barcode than a 'computer name'. Thankfully changing it to something more memorable is a snap. Read on for instructions...

23 January 2012
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Give Ubuntu a New Look with the ‘Edgebound Desktop’

Want your desktop to look totally different to others? Meet the 'Edgebound' desktop set-up. This marvellous-looking mash-up combines elements of Unity-2D and GNOME 3 with the Avant Window Navigator into a slick , easy to use desktop.

22 January 2012
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[How To] Make Unity’s Launcher GNOME-Shell Friendly

The expression ‘Have your cake and eat it‘ springs to mind when looking at the following GNOME-Shell tweak put together by Tobias Mann. ‘Unitary GNOME’ lets you run a modified version of the Unity 2D […]

15 January 2012

[How to] Install Unity 5.0 in Ubuntu 11.10

Unity 5.0 hit Ubuntu 12.04 last night, but Ubuntu 11.10 users don't need to miss out: Unity 5.0 is also available to install in Oneiric.

14 January 2012
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[How to] Install Ubuntu TV via PPA

There’s a good chance that following all of the screenshots and videos of Ubuntu TV you’d like nothing more than to play with it yourself. The good news is that you can – but there […]

10 January 2012
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New Flickr/Shotwell Photo Lens Seeks Testers

A new photo-orientated Lens for Unity that lets you browse through your Shotwell library and online Flickr collection is seeking testers. The 'Photo Lens' adds an easy-to-access photo-centric pane to your Unity Dash that's powered by two 'Scopes' (search backends) - one for Ubuntu's default photo app Shotwell, and the other for popular online photo service Flickr.

8 January 2012
Deepin Software Centre in Ubuntu

[How to] Run the Linux Deepin Software Centre in Ubuntu 11.10

Were it an actual physical place then the Linux Deepin Software Centre would surely take the form of a high-end department store. With a custom look, an easy to navigate layout, and a number of intuitive features the Deepin Software Centre makes Ubuntu's default store look a bit... last season. So keep up with the trends: here's how to run the Deepin Software Centre in Ubuntu 11.10...

4 January 2012