Elementary Os

Linux is my preferred desktop operating system. And given the number or great distros available, I test and try out many of different ones. My current, and longest standing set up was Ubuntu running a Gnome 3 desktop. It was a great set up, very minimal desktop, but wasn’t running as fast as I wanted. Ubuntu had a lot of software and packages I didn’t want, and Gnome 3 was more graphic intense than it needed to be. I am the type of user that would rather make my software more efficient, than upgrade my hardware.

I was looking for the out-of-box functionality of Ubuntu with the minimalist approach of CrunchBang. I think I found the middle ground with Elementary OS.

I installed the OS via USB using UNetbootin. Installation was easy and fast. After installing I made a few adjustments to get the desktop environment just how I wanted it.

Uninstalled Empathy Internet Messaging through the Software Center.

Removed scrollbar. The default scrollbar is sometimes a pain to use on a laptop. I wanted a tradition set up.

$ sudo apt-get remove scrollbar*

Installed Elementary Tweaks. This allows you to make some refinements not available in the default settings menu.

$ sudo apt-add-repository ppa:versable/elementary-update $ sudo apt-get update $ sudo apt-get install elementary-tweaks

Installed Wingpanel Slim

$ sudo apt-get install wingpanel-slim

Install Firefox from Software Center

That’s all the post installation changes I’ve made so far. I’m sure I will be making some more tweaks as I go. It’s been a week so far and I’m very happy with the set up and speed improvements.