Ubuntu 2d – Some tweaks

Recently my install of Ubuntu on my work desktop started complaining about now being out of support… so I decided to upgarde to the latest LTS version (Ubuntu 12.04). Overall the install went fine apart from a couple of little things that I needed to address

Desktop size to big for Unity 3D

Sadly my graphics card did not support running Unity 3D across my dual-head setup (2 x 24 inch monitors). This, I didn’t feel, would be too much of an issue as I wasn’t too interested in all the desktop eye-candy. All I did here was then choose the Unity 2D option at the login prompt.

The 2D setup itself was not hassle free though;

Quick Synergy, Very Laggy

I noticed that for some reason the usually great Quick Synergy (which I highly recommend if you want to share mouse/keyboard across multiple PCs… including different OS) was very laggy. This was not the case if I used Unity 3D in mirrored monitor mode or if I used any of the other Gnome desktops at login. I had no luck in finding a solution to this… that was until I decided to solve my next issue… read on for the Quick Synergy lag issue solution.

Terminal Window Always on Top

I found that the Terminal windows always remainded on top (in front of) other windows I had opened. Now I’m the kind of guy that uses the Terminal a lot, so this was going to be a show-stopper if I couldn’t find an answer.

After a brief search I came across this link which details a solution. In essence it just tells you to disable metacity from being the composting manager (and how to do it too).

I’m not sure what adverse side-affects might be suffered from this… so far I’ve not noticed any. One good bi-product of this chnage though was that Quick Synergy sped right back up again and became super-responsive once more… WIN!