20 Things You MUST DO After Installing Ubuntu 24.04 LTS (Right Now!)

Summary

This video guides users through essential post-installation steps to enhance their Ubuntu experience, focusing on customization, performance, and security. It highlights customizing the GNOME desktop, setting up shortcuts, optimizing the system with tools like Synaptic and BleachBit, and boosting gaming with Steam on Linux. The video also discusses fractional scaling for better display resolution on laptops, improving security with firewalls, and managing software more efficiently. Whether you’re a beginner or experienced Linux user, these tips ensure a more personalized and efficient Ubuntu setup.

Takeaways

• 😀 Customize your desktop environment to reflect your personal style, with free icon packs and wallpaper changes.
• 😀 GNOME Desktop's Super Button is a powerful tool for navigating between applications, workspaces, and searching for files.
• 😀 Tailor the search functionality to your needs by turning off unwanted categories like files and folders to improve productivity.
• 😀 Ubuntu allows you to fine-tune settings and personalize workflows, such as adjusting the icon size, notifications, and cloud integrations.
• 😀 Gaming on Linux has become more accessible with Steam's Proton feature, enabling easy play of Windows-exclusive games like *Cyberpunk 2077* and *GTA 5*.
• 😀 Use fractional scaling on modern laptops to optimize text and UI element sizes, improving readability on high-resolution displays.
• 😀 Enable a firewall for added security, even though Ubuntu doesn't turn it on by default, to protect against incoming threats.
• 😀 Synaptic is a more convenient software manager for power users who want a traditional package management experience instead of Snap apps.
• 😀 Periodically clean your system with BleachBit to remove junk files and maintain optimal performance, especially after updates.
• 😀 Ubuntu offers flexibility with various desktop flavors, allowing you to choose the right environment to suit your needs.

Q & A

What is the role of the Super Button in GNOME Desktop?

The Super Button in GNOME Desktop is a key productivity tool. It helps you switch between apps, workspaces, and quickly open applications by using the search feature.

How can I customize GNOME Desktop's search feature?

You can customize GNOME's search by turning off the search for files and folders, reorganizing the results, and selecting which categories (like apps or calculator) are shown in search results.

How do I change the appearance of my system in Ubuntu?

To change the appearance of your system, open the settings where you can adjust the wallpaper, dashboard placement, icon size, notifications, and connect to cloud services for a more personalized experience.

What is Proton in Steam, and how does it benefit Linux gaming?

Proton is a feature in Steam that allows you to play Windows-exclusive games on Linux without additional setup, providing access to titles like The Witcher 3 and Cyberpunk 2077 natively on Linux.

How can I improve text visibility on high-resolution laptop screens?

To improve text visibility on high-resolution screens, use fractional scaling in the display settings. Setting it to 125% makes text and other UI elements more readable on smaller laptop screens.

What are the security benefits of enabling a firewall on Ubuntu?

Enabling a firewall on Ubuntu adds an extra layer of protection to your system by blocking unauthorized incoming connections, even though Ubuntu doesn't expose any ports by default.

How can I install and use the Synaptic Package Manager on Ubuntu?

You can install Synaptic Package Manager by running 'sudo apt install synaptic' in the terminal. It offers a more refined way to manage packages, with better control over updates and package installation than the default app center.

What is the advantage of using Synaptic over the Ubuntu App Center?

Synaptic is preferred by many power users because it manages traditional Debian (deb) packages, which use less storage and launch faster compared to Snap apps available in the default Ubuntu App Center.

How do I clean up my Ubuntu system to improve performance?

To clean up your system, you can use the BleachBit tool. Install it with 'sudo apt install bleachbit' and run it to remove system junk, application, and browser cache files. Doing this periodically can make your system more responsive.

How often should I clean my Ubuntu system with BleachBit?

Running BleachBit every 6 months or so is recommended for system maintenance. It helps remove unnecessary files and keeps the system running efficiently.