Enhance the Look of Ubuntu 8.04 using Emerald Themes Manager

After googling a lot, I find solutions how to enhance the look of my Ubuntu, by using Emerald Themes Manager. By default, Ubuntu comes with only one theme. You can download some themes by click on this link: http://mirrors.kernel.org/ubuntu/pool/universe/e/emerald-themes/emerald-themes_0.2.1-0ubuntu1_all.deb

I install the package by running command:
# dpkg -i /emerald-themes_0.2.1-0ubuntu1_all.deb

Go to Applications menu, Add/Remove.



On the Add/Remove Applications window, on the Show drop-down list, select 'All Available Applications'. On the Search box, type: Compiz. Then select Compiz Fusion Icon.



Click Enable, then click Apply.



Go to Applications menu, System Tools. Select Compiz Fusion Icon.



Compiz Fusion Icon will appear on the Notification Area (system tray). Right-click on the Compiz Fusion Icon, click Select Window Decorator, click Emerald.



This is some themes from the emerald-themes package.



From this picture, I show you the effect on the Windows Title Bar.

Ubuntu 3D DesktopHow to Enable

First, I should have a supported graphics adapter. If not, I can still have some effects, but not as good as shown in my previous post.
In this case, I have an NVIDIA.
I install the driver by selecting menu System -> Administration -> Hardware Drivers



Then click the check box to enable NVIDIA accelerated graphics driver.



Click the Enable button. It will download the necessary drivers from the Internet and ask to restart after installation completed.







Use the Synaptic Package Manager, I can install the necessary packages easily.



Just use search, type "compiz".
I did right-click on 'compizconfig-settings-manager', select 'Mark for Installation'. I did the same for emerald package. Then click Apply to start downloading and installing the packages.





After package installation completed, go to System, Preferences, Advanced Desktop Effects Settings.



Here are the many desktop effects you may set. I don't think that I will ever try all of these effects:









I also use Emerald Theme Manager to set another effects.





As you see in the previous post, I have tried some interesting desktop effects. Check out this link:
http://danielr-ubuntu.blogspot.com/2008/08/ubuntu-3d-with-compiz.html

3D Desktop Effects on Ubuntu

Here are the examples of 3D Desktop Effects with the default shortcut keys on Ubuntu. I do not cover all, too many. At least I give the snapshots of the interesting effects.

3D Cube Desktop



[Alt] [Tab] - Application Switcher



[Windows] [Tab] - Shift Switcher



[Windows] [Tab] - Ring Switcher



[Windows] [E] - Expo



Water Effect



Fire Effect (Paint Fire on the Screen)



Woobly Windows



Fold



Window Previews