Install Compiz Fusion on Ubuntu: Karmic Koala

Compiz brings some real eye candy to Linux and makes it look better than any other operating system on the planet. Some argue that the real power of Linux lies in it’s terminal and I dont refute the fact. However, if you want to make linux a household name you have to ensure that Linux has the visual elements which soothes the eye. You don’t have to go too far and compiz can make it a great looking OS.

Enable Hardware Drivers

Unfortunately compiz effects are dependent on your graphic card. The better you have the better it’ll look. Let’s see how to enable the hardware drivers to support the compiz capabilities. Go to System > Administration > Hardware Drivers to detect the graphic card and to install associated drivers.

Install Compiz Config Setting Manager on Ubuntu

Once you have installed the required drivers, we need to install compiz fusion on Ubuntu. You can install it by dropping to the terminal and typing the following command:

sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager

Depending on your connection speed, compiz config manager will be installed.

Starting CCSM (Compiz Config Setting Manager)

You can install and start playing with compiz using the ccsm. You can start it by going to System > Preferences > CompizConfig Settings Manager.

In the next post in the same series we’ll see how to configure CCSM for some amazing effects, along with the infamous cube!