Ubuntu 12.04 tweaking

I wrote about experiencing a lot of issues with upgrade to Ubuntu 12.04. I survived that, but had to do a bunch of tweaking to make the system usable, and it's still not ideal yet. :(

Below is a brief list of my tweaks and some useful links.

First, a very helpful article about configuring Unity:
http://askubuntu.com/questions/29553/how-can-i-configure-unity

My Launcher changes:
- Run CompizConfig Settings Manager
- Reduce the Launcher icon size
- Backlight Mode -> Backlight Toggles

Customize workspace layout:
- Run CompizConfig Settings Manager
- Open General -> General Options -> Desktop Size
- Modify Horizontal & Vertical Virtual Size
or
- Run gconf-editor
- Open apps/compiz-1/general/screen0/options
- Change hsize/vsize

Disable workspace switcher animation:
- Run CompizConfig Settings Manager.
- Desktop -> Desktop Wall -> Viewport Switching: set Wall Sliding Duration to 0

Add task bar:
Solution 1: Use tint2
- http://linuxandfriends.com/2011/10/29/how-to-add-a-taskbar-in-ubuntu-11-10/
- The problem with tint2 is it does not work properly with workspaces - it shows all running applications on the task bar

Solution 2: Use GNOME panel
- Run gnome-panel - it will display normal GNOME top and bottom panels
- Use Super+Alt+Right-Click on the top panel, select "Delete This Panel"
- The bottom panel seem to work fine as a task bar
- Customization: http://askubuntu.com/questions/69576/how-to-customize-the-gnome-classic-panel
- cp /usr/share/themes/Ambiance/gtk-3.0/apps/gnome-panel.css ~/.config/gtk-3.0/gtk.css

Pidgin icon is hidden:
It is under the Envelope icon
http://askubuntu.com/questions/67312/how-do-i-enable-the-pidgin-system-tray-icon

Configure time:
http://blog.mattrudge.net/2012/02/11/custom-date-time-format-in-the-unity-tray/

Grub: Save the last selected system for the next boot:
- Open /etc/default/grub:
- Change "GRUB_DEFAULT=0" to "GRUB_DEFAULT=saved"
- Add "GRUB_SAVEDEFAULT=true"


More links:
http://www.webupd8.org/2011/10/things-to-tweak-after-installing-ubuntu.html
http://castrojo.tumblr.com/post/4795149014/the-power-users-guide-to-unity
http://www.techsupportalert.com/content/ubuntu-tips-and-tricks.htm
http://news.softpedia.com/news/Top-10-Ubuntu-11-04-Unity-Panel-Applets-208034.shtml