10 Things To Do After Installing Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

You’re reading this post because you either plan to upgrade to Ubuntu 16.04 LTS or you already have — that makes you awesome!
But before you award yourself a well-earned pat on the back I heartily suggest you check out this list of the top 16 things to do after installing Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.

You’ll find it jam-packed with common-sense tips, nifty tweaks and helpful advice. It doesn’t matter if you’re a brand new Ubuntu user (welcome!) or an experienced stalwart (how’s it going?) – you’ll find something of use.
Feel free to use the comments section at the bottom of this article to share you own post-install must-dos with other readers.
Ready to dive in?

1. See What’s New in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

New options! New apps! New kernel! New… everything!
Some exciting new changes feature in Ubuntu 16.04 LTS so be sure to take a few minutes to familiarize yourself with what’s new and improved.
Whether you upgrade from 2014’s Ubuntu 14.04 LTS or waddle on up through the Wily Werewolf, you’re going to find the same neat new features and apps on offer.
For example, if you’re doing a fresh install then the Unity Dash no longer includes online search features by default. You will need to explicitly opt-in to see web links, shopping results and other cruft in the Unity Dash. In earlier versions of Ubuntu you had to opt-out.
Seasoned Ubuntu pros and fresh-faced newbies alike can peruse a full list of all the natty new features in our release recap post:

See What’s New In Ubuntu 16.04 LTS

2. Check for Any Last Minute Updates

Update notification in Ubuntu 16.04

Now that you’re up to speed on what’s new, next step is to check for updates.
Yes, I appreciate that this sounds like an odd thing to do after upgrading or installing but it’s important that you do it.
Firstly, not everyone is reading this list on release date. And even if you are, a few last-minute security, stability or bug fixes may have slipped out between the installation image being created and you installing from it — bugs don’t stick to the same deadlines that developers do!
How to check for updates on Ubuntu:

1. Launch the ‘Software Updater’ tool from the Unity Dash
2. Click the button to check for updates
3. Install (if needed)

3. Install Linux Graphics Drivers

Install GPU drivers

Ubuntu supports most Nvidia and Intel graphics hardware out of the box, giving you a choice of free, open-source drivers or proprietary, closed-source drivers.
But to get the best performance from your Ubuntu PC you will want to use the latest proprietary graphics drivers available for your hardware.
Ubuntu makes it easy to do this, and you benefit from a smoother Unity desktop experience as a result.  You’ll squeeze higher frame rates out of your favourite games, too. ;)
If you plan to play the latest Steam games on Ubuntu or use GPU heavy apps like Blender you should install the latest proprietary Linux graphics drivers available for your hardware.
To do this:

1. Open up the ‘Software & Updates’ tool from the Unity Dash
2. Click the ‘Additional Drivers’ tab
3. Follow any on-screen prompts to check for, install and apply any changes 

Gamers using Nvidia hardware who are willing to trade a bit of stability for a whole lot of newness can use the Nvidia Graphics PPA to install newer Nvidia Linux graphics drivers.

Those of you on Radeon device should be aware that the standard AMD driver is NOT SUPPORTED in 16.04 at this time. A future point release is expected to bring support for the new AMDGPU driver. Expect a regression in system performance if you upgrade.

4. Install Media Codecs

Playing MP3s in Rhythmbox

Legal issues stop Ubuntu from being able to play MP3, MP4 and other media files ‘out of the box’.
Ubuntu can play your audio and video files, you just have to tell it to do so.
The easiest way to do this is to check (tick) the ‘Enable Restricted Formats‘ box during installation. This will install all the required multimedia codecs automatically, along with the OS itself.
If you forgot to do that (or upgrade from an earlier release) you can install the multimedia codecs manually via the Software app:

5. Enable ‘Minimise on Click’

Click on an app launcher icon to open an app. Click on the same icon again to minimise the app. Intuitive, right?
That may be, but it is not the default behaviour in Unity — which can be off-putting to new users. It’s also not obvious how to enable it.

6. Move The Unity Launcher

Ubuntu positions its app launcher on the left-hand side of the desktop by default.
Ubuntu 16.04 finally lets you choose where the Unity launcher is positioned.

7. Install New GTK and Icon Themes

Ubuntu can be themed to suit your tastes

Ubuntu’s default look is nice enough, but it’s not to everyone’s tastes.
For those who switch to Ubuntu from Mac OS X, Windows 10 or a different design-led Linux distro like elementary, the stock Ambiance GTK theme and Ubuntu Mono icon set can seem humdrum and old-fashioned.
The good news is that it is easy to make Ubuntu look fantastic. You can do this in a number of ways.
The ‘Appearance‘ section in Ubuntu System Settings lets you adjust parts of the Ubuntu desktop to suit your needs, including:

• Change the desktop wallpaper
• Switch to a light theme
• Adjust the size of icons on the Unity launcher

For more customization options, be it changing the desktop font or choosing which side window controls appear, install the free Unity Tweak Tool from Software.

Install Unity Tweak Tool from the Ubuntu Software Center

For a more thorough visual revamp you can install new GTK and icon themes, like our current favourite Arc.

8. Decide Where App Menus Show Up

Do you prefer app menus to show in-app?

Application menus appear in Ubuntu’s top panel by default and auto-hide after a set several seconds.
A great way to save space, but also a great way to confuse. When you’re using several apps it’s often hard to know which app the ‘Files’, ‘Edit’, etc. strip at the top of the screen belongs to — or where they’ve suddenly vanished to!
Ubuntu provides options inside the System Settings > Appearance pane that allow you to choose where app menus appear.
If you’d rather see menus inside the window of the app they belong to:

1. Go to ‘System Settings > Appearance’
2. Select the ‘Behavior’ tab
3. Find the section headed: ‘Show the Menus for a Window’
4. Check (click) the circle next to ‘In the window’s title bar’

To make application menus ‘Always Show’:

1. Go to ‘System Settings > Appearance’
2. Select the ‘Behavior’ tab
3. Find the section headed: ‘Menus visibility’
4. Check (click) the circle next to ‘Always displayed’

9. Explore The New ‘Software’ Store

A new software store ships as part of Ubuntu 16.04 LTS.
Direct from the department of “Long Overdue Changes”,  this all-new app store replaces the Ubuntu Software Center which has shipped in every Ubuntu release since Ubuntu 9.10!
‘Software’ (inspired name, right?) is a sleeker, snappier storefront letting you browse, install and update apps. If you’re used to the old Software Center then be prepared to relearn a few tricks.
The ‘Software’ tool is host to thousands of free apps, including: 

• Steam – Game distribution platform
• GIMP – Advanced image editor similar to Photoshop
• Corebird – Desktop Twitter client
• VLC – Versatile media player
• Chromium – Open-source web browser (differences)
• Skype¹ – VoIP service
• Shutter – Screenshot annotation tool

10. Install Your Favourite Apps

Not every app you wish to use is available to install through the new Software tool. In fact, a wealth of awesome Linux software exists outside of the main Ubuntu repositories.
You won’t find these in the Ubuntu software store. Easy-to-install .Deb package downloads, which you double-click on to install, are available for most of the following apps:

• Google Chrome – Web browser with built-in, up-to-date Flash for Linux
• Nylas N1 – A modern, stylish email client
• Dropbox – Cloud storage service
• Spotify for Linux – Music streaming service
• Lightworks Free – Professional non-linear video editor
• Viber – Cross-platform Skype alternative
• Vivaldi – Developer focused web browser

The official websites of the apps mentioned are linked above to help you learn more about them and to download an Ubuntu installer.

If you want even more awesome app suggestions why not bookmark our Apps section?

Source: omgubuntu