How to set up Ubuntu Desktop

Before you start

Back up all browser favorites, databases, crontabs, and filesystems!

Install

Pay attention to what's going on with the network connection.

Backup disk

Create /backup directory, then add this line to /etc/fstab:

/dev/sdb1  /backup  xfs  noatime,nodiratime 0 0

Mount the /backup partition and create a link to the dirvish backup tree called /restore.

SSHD config files

Restore ssh server files to /etc/ssh.

Install packages

remove the following:

apt-get remove indicator-me

install these:

sudo apt-get install apache2 curl dcmtk dirvish gedit-plugins gimp gm-notify hddtemp keepassx libmysqlclient-dev 
medcon mercurial mysql-server php5 python-mysqldb ruby rubygems libruby ubuntu-restricted-extras

for Lucid, will need to add gm-notify ppa to repositories:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gm-notify-maintainers/ppa

For Unity-based Ubuntu, may also need indicator-multiload and indicator-sensors (Google these if they don't show up under apt-get).

Devices and preferences

Work through System -> Preferences and System -> Administration to set up things like:

• Install any restricted drivers (may need to run nvidia-settings to access second monitor)
• Fix resolution/display settings
• Printer (be sure to choose the foomatic/hpijs driver, not the postscript)

Restore data

Restore data to home dir, /var/www, and /etc as necessary. These hidden directories should be restored to the home dir: .ssh, .VirtualBox

Restore crontabs

Including /etc/cron.d/scan