Post-Installation

Configuring the Login Screen

Although the default login screen is fine for most people, you may want to customize it. This could include changing the artwork to show your organization's logo instead of the Ubuntu logo, providing automatic login, or another type of customization. You can configure this screen by clicking System > Administration > Login Window.

The window that appears allows you to configure a number of different aspects of the login screen. Instead of discussing what each button does in exhaustive detail, it is more productive to cover how to configure particular tasks. By far the most important tasks are changing the artwork, automatic logins, and remote access.

Changing the Artwork

To change the artwork to your own you first need to create an image for your resolution. Find out your resolution by clicking Preferences > Screen Resolution, and then create an image for that size. Note where you save the image (such as in /home/jono), and then click Add in the Local tab to select the new image. The image is added to the list box. Now select the new image.

Enabling Automatic Logins

Click the Security tab, and tick the Enable Automatic Login checkbox. Now select the user to log in under from the User combo box.

Tip: The Big S Word

Always remember that automatic logins are a security risk. Someone could use your computer without you knowing it. If you are happy taking this risk, or if the risk is low because this is your personal computer, using this feature is fine.

Enabling Remote Graphical Logins

One of the most powerful features in the X window system (the graphical engine that drives the Ubuntu desktop) is the ability to run graphical applications from a separate computer on your own computer.

By default, Ubuntu has this feature disabled. To enable it, click the Remote tab, and select Same as Local from the combo box.

You can connect to the computer with the following command (change the IP address to the relavant one):

 foo@bar~$ X -query 192.168.0.2 

This will run the remote connection on your current X server. To run it on another server, run this command:

 foo@bar~$ X :1 -query 192.168.0.2 

Setting Up Printers

Ubuntu has good support for printers, and the drivers for many common printers are already included. Printers come in two formslocal or remoteand Ubuntu supports both.

Remote printers are hosted somewhere on the network, and you can typically scan for these printers and have them configure automatically. To do this, click Global Settings and then Detect LAN Printers. A warning box will appear, indicating that a port will be opened on your computer that could potentially be used for malicious purposes. It is recommended you only run this scan on a trusted local network. If you don't trust the network 100 percent, cancel the scan. If you are willing to go ahead, click "OK," and after a minute or so the printers will appear in the box.

Local printers are printers that are attached to your computer. The vast majority of printers come with USB connectors now, and setup should just be a case of plugging in the printer and it being recognized and configured automatically. Plug in your printer, and then click the New Printer icon. If your printer is detected, you can select the Use a Detected Printer radio button, and then select the printer from the list. If the printer is not detected, select the port for the Printer Port combo box, and then click Forward. On the next screen select the manufacturer and model of your printer, and then click Forward. Finally, click Apply.

To test whether or not a printer works, whether it is local or remote, right-click the printer icon, and click Properties. In the dialog box that pops up, click Print a Test Page. A page should then be sent to the printer.

If you have problems with printing, refer to Chapter 7 or visit http://help.ubuntu.com/ or www.ubuntuforums.org/, and ask for help.