Chapter 9: Getting Graphical with Video Bling

Overview

When you install the Ubuntu desktop, the video display becomes the single most important system. If the mouse doesn't work, you can use the keyboard. If the keyboard does not work, then you can remotely login. However, if the display does not work, then you cannot see what you are doing and are completely out of luck.

Some Linux versions install very basic VGA or SVGA graphics support. It is up to the user to upgrade the driver to something other than the default low resolution (for example, 800 × 600 with 256 colors).

Ubuntu takes the next step. During the installation of the graphical desktop, it tries to detect your video card. In most cases, you will end up with at least 1024 × 768 and 24-bit color (16 million colors). Although this is good for getting started, it might not be the best you can do.

Note 

If you start off with 800 × 600 and 256 colors, then you probably have an unsupported video card. Video cards have really come down in price-you can get a decent one that can do 1024 × 768 (or higher resolution!) with true color for under $30. See https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSupport for a list of supported video cards.

With graphics come customizable elements such as screen savers and animated background. I've seen some people spend hours selecting and tuning screen savers. Other customizations that are becoming really common are dual-monitors and cross-desktop systems. With Ubuntu (and a little tweaking) you can enable two monitors on the same computer, or use a second computer as a second monitor.