Ubuntu MultiMedia Computer Post-Install Instructions

Note: If networking connectivity seems spotty, or some sites are accessible but others aren't, then chances are, it's a problem with IPV6. To test, try running this command from a terminal:

sudo echo 0 > /proc/sys/net/ipv4/tcp_window_scaling

If that fixes the problem, turn it off permanently, by adding this line to /etc/sysctl.conf:

net.ipv4.tcp_window_scaling=0

• Uncomment all the sources from /etc/apt/sources.list (after backing up the original, of course), and run apt-get update and upgrade.
• Add more software (at the minimum, k3b, and mplayer)
• To fix gcc-type errors, open a terminal and run:

sudo apt-get install build-essential

• If the CD burner is a lightscribe, then download/install lightscribe software from http://www.lightscribe.com/downloadSection/pse/
• Add DVD support:

First, please read this quote, which came from http://nmglug.org/pipermail/nmglug/2004-July/000320.html :
 "Both mplayer and xine (which is in standard debian repos) make great DVD players, the problem is that there are legal issues with 
the little piece that decodes CSS (content scrambling system?) Because CSS is a form of encryption and has been labeled 'copy protection' 
(though it is not any significant hindrance to copying) It is in theory protected by the onerous DMCA. So it can conceivably be considered 
'illegal' to use any form of DeCSS that is not being licensed from the MPAA . So this functionality is not provided in the core versions
 of these utilities. However for the convenience of those who are not in the US or are otherwise not subject to this absurdity of a law, 
there is a simple script included in the libdvdread packages that enables this. So if you're certain that this is legal where you live 
(nudge, nudge, wink, wink) you can enable viewing (the primary and exceptionally legal use) of your expensive and legally purchased 
DVDs, by connecting to the internet and running '/usr/share/doc/libdvdread<version>/examples/install-css.sh'   :)"

• Select System, Administration, Software Sources and ensure that the first, second, and fourth check boxes are checked. Close the dialog box when you're through.
• Open a terminal and then enter:

sudo apt-get install libdvdread3

• Install the necessary decryption library:

sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread3/install-css.sh

• Install the vlc DVD player:

sudo apt-get install vlc

• To fix playback problems in vlc movie player:

sudo apt-get install vlc-plugin-esd
sudo apt-get install mozilla-plugin-vlc
sudo apt-get install libdvdcss2

• To make VLC fire up automatically when you insert a DVD, click System, Preferences, Removable Drives and Media. On the Multimedia tab, find a text box labeled Command under Video DVD Discs; it probably has totem %m in it. Change this value to vlc %m.

* For more video support inside Firefox, install the MediaPlayerConnectivity add-on from mozilla.com.

* To add offline documentation for Ubuntu:

cd ~/Documents
wget -r -k -p -np --no-check-certificate  https://help.ubuntu.com/7.10/

Then create a launcher on the desktop (right-click on desktop, “Create Launcher”). Type: Location, Name: Learn about Ubuntu!, Location: browse to the index.html file in ~/Documents/help.ubuntu.com. After the launcher is created, right click on it, select “Properties”, and click on the icon, and choose /usr/share/pixmaps/firefox.png.

Work-in-progress: ubuntu 8.04.1 postinstall