This is my compilation of instructions for configuring Ubuntu Hardy Heron on a first-generation MacBook, once it's been installed. For installation instructions, visit the semi-official instructions.

Last updated: 05/11/08

  1. Run Update Manager first.

  2. To install and configure the Synaptic touchpad:
    • Go to Synaptic Package Manager and add gsynaptics.
    • At the terminal:
      sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
    • Add this line to the "synaptics" touch pad section:
      Option "SHMConfig" "true"
    • Restart X by pressing ctrl-option-delete.
    • Open Touchpad in System >> Preferences. You can configure it to your liking, including disabling the touchpad and using a USB mouse.


  3. Enabling multimedia support:
    • Enable the Medibuntu repository at the terminal:
      sudo wget http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/hardy.list -O /etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list
      wget -q http://packages.medibuntu.org/medibuntu-key.gpg -O- | sudo apt-key add - && sudo apt-get update
    • Go to Add/Remove and add Ubuntu Restricted Extras in Other.
    • For music and video at the terminal in one line:
      sudo apt-get remove icedtea-gcjwebplugin openjdk-6-jre && sudo apt-get install alsa-oss compizconfig-settings-manager faad gstreamer0.10-ffmpeg gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad gstreamer0.10-plugins-bad-multiverse gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly gstreamer0.10-plugins-ugly-multiverse gstreamer0.10-pitfdll libflashsupport liblame0 sun-java6-fonts sun-java6-jre sun-java6-plugin pulseaudio-utils unrar w32codecs
    • For sound conversion at the terminal:
      sudo apt-get install soundconverter oggconvert
    • For VLC playback at the terminal:
      sudo apt-get install vlc
      sudo apt-get install libdvdcss2 libdvdread3 libdvdnav4 build-essential debhelper fakeroot
      sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread3/install-css.sh
    • To make VLC the default player:
      • At the terminal:
        gksudo gedit /etc/gnome/defaults.list
      • Find x-content/video and change totem.desktop to vlc.desktop. Save and close.
      • Go to Places >> Computer >> Edit >> Preferences >> Media >> DVD Video and select VLC.
      • Right-click on Applications >> Edit Menus >> Sound & Video. Right-click on VLC >> Properties and change the launch command to vlc --volume 512 --fullscreen %m
    • To fix the speakers:
      • Open Synaptic and search for alsamixer. Install if needed.
      • Open terminal and type alsamixer.
      • Navigate with arrow keys and make sure nothing is set to MM (mute). Press m on any categories that are set to mute.


  4. Downgrading Firefox 3 Beta to Firefox 2:
    • Open Synaptic and search for firefox
    • Mark for Complete Removal the following packages: firefox, firefox-2, firefox-3.0, firefox-3.0-gnome-support, ubufox. Apply.
    • Open nautilus and show hidden files. Remove the .mozilla folder.
    • Then in Synaptic search for firefox and add the following: firefox-2, firefox-2-gnome-support, firefox-themes-ubuntu, ubufox. Apply.


  5. To set up Compiz and Emerald:
    • At the terminal:
      sudo apt-get install compiz compizconfig-settings-manager
      compiz --replace
    • Open Synaptic and install emerald.
    • Go to System >> Preferences >> Sessions and make a new session with emerald --replace &
    • Restart X.


  6. To set up Amarok for my Creative Zen:
    • Open Synaptic and Mark for Complete Removal libmtp6 and amarok. Apply.
    • At the terminal:
      sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
    • Add ##Hardy##
      deb http://archive.ubuntu.com/ubuntu hardy main restricted universe multiverse      . Save and close.
    • Return to Synaptic and search for libmtp7, Amarok and mtp-tools. Install.
    • At the terminal:
      sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list
    • Remove the above two lines. Save and close.





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