How to Enable Compiz Fusion on Ubuntu 8.10

Compiz Fusion allows you to use gorgeous 3D effects like the desktop cube or wobbly windows. This tutorial will walk you through the process of installing Compiz Fusion on an Ubuntu 8.10 operating system.

Obtain a 3D-capable graphics card. For the purposes of this tutorial, we will base the instructions on an NVIDIA GeForce FX 5200. (See Resources below if you are using another graphics card).

Step #1
Enable Your NVIDIA Driver
The NVIDIA driver can be installed from the Hardware Drivers tool. To open this tool, click on the System button located near the top of the screen, and then click Administration, then Hardware Drivers.

The Hardware Drivers tool should notify that there is an NVIDIA graphics driver available for your computer. To install the driver, simply click Activate. You will then need to type in your password to continue. The NVIDIA driver will then be downloaded and installed.

The Hardware Drivers tool should tell you that you need to reboot your computer to activate the driver. Click Close to exit the Hardware Drivers tool. Restart your computer. Once re-booted, your system will use the NVIDIA graphics driver.

Step #2
Install the Simple Compizconfig Settings Manager
The next thing you need to do is install the Simple Compizconfig Settings Manager, or simple-ccsm. To do this:

• Click the System button located at the top of the screen.
• Click Administration and then Synaptic Package in the dropdown menu that appears.
• Next, select the simple-ccsm package to install the Compizconfig Settings Manager

Step #3
Enable Compiz Fusion
With the the Compizconfig Settings Manager installed, you need to configure and enable Compiz Fusion. To do this:

• Click the System button located at the top of the window.
• Click Preferences from the dropdown menu that appears, and then click Appearance.
• Select the Visual Effects tab in the window that appears. Once you have opened the tab, click Custom.
• Click on the Preferences button to configure and enable Compiz Fusion.

Quick TipsYou

• can also configure Compiz Fusion by clicking the Settings button located at the top of the window. Once the dropdown menu appears, click Preferences and then CompizConfigSettings Manager. The CompizConfig Settings Manager will then appear. You are now free to configure Compiz Fusion according to your personal preferences.
• If you are using another graphics card, you may need to adjust certain instructions in this tutorial. The main difference you will encounter is when you try enable the driver for your specific graphics card. In this case, instead of enabling the NVIDIA graphics card, enable the driver for your specific card.