As an Ubuntu user, I am faced with the task of installing a new OS every 6 months. I know I can do the upgrade through the Update Manager, but I always prefer the fresh install. I've done this process so many times now for the new Ubuntu versions and also to switch to different distros. To make this process easier, I've written a simple bash script to automate parts of the process. I figured somebody else might benefit from this. Also I wanted to keep the script here so I won't lose it 
In the future, I would like to polish this script so that it will be flexible for different versions of Ubuntu. Perhaps I can call it Tubuntu for Tak's Ubuntu
I think it would be great because once a person uses the script, everything I like to use (which hopefully are the same things you like to use) gets installed automatically. And yes, I got the idea from Automatix.
Before you use this script, please read the following
Use at your own risk! If you are unsure, please don't use it.
Some of the programs to be installed by "AutomaTaks"- CPU temperature / governing applets
- Mozilla Thunderbird
- VLC & MPlayer
- Gstreamer plugins, W32Codecs*, and DVD codecs*
- Liferea
- GChempaint
- Acrobat Reader
- A whole bunch of plugins for Firefox (eg Acrobat Reader, Java, etc)
- Audacity and Banshee
- Skype
- e-Sword installer
- Avant Window Navigator
- OpenOffice Clip Art
Here is the script. Simply run the script called "run_me" after you set all three files' permissions to be executable.
cd automaTaks
chmod +x *
sudo ./run_me
Other things I do on my fresh install of Ubuntu
SwiftFox
I like to use Swiftfox rather than the regular Firefox. Swiftfox is simple Firefox binary that is compiled specifically for your CPU. It does make some difference on my laptop. You can use this guide to install Swiftfox.
One thing I don't like about Swiftfox is the icons. If you agree with me and you are using Gutsy (it won't work for Feisty), you can use this script to change the icon. Once you download the package and untar it, simply run the script by the following commands:
sudo ./swiftfox_icons
to
GKRELLM
This program lets you directly control (which has its own risks) the CPU fans, etc. It works great for me to keep the CPU temp down. For my Inspiron laptop, I think the BIOS controls the fan by default, but it doesn't kick in until the temp is in the higher 50's. Use synaptics to install the following packages.
- gkrellm
- gkrellm-i8k
- i8kutils
if you get an error with i8k you must do the following
sudo gedit /etc/modules
Then add the following line to the end of the file:
Icons
I like using the OSX icons. You can download them right here and see a screenshot of them below.
Once you download the package, go to Systems --> Preferences --> Appearance
Then click on "customize" button at the bottom.
Then click on "Icons" tab and choose "OSX" in the list.
Foxnews Video
Due to the faulty way Foxnews puts together their Flash video, you cannot view them with the regular Flash plugin for Firefox. 
Fear not. There is a solution, which was borrowed from here.
First, get the greasemonkey addon for Firefox, then click here to install the script for the greasemonkey addon.
Other things
Coming soon!
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