Installing Ubuntu from USB:

Use unetbootin to write the ISO to the usb stick

When it boots, select "Default", then hit tab for more options. Add "cdrom-detect/try-usb=true" to the kernel parameters.

Install as normal.

More random Linux goodies needed:

Prevent asking for password on resume from standby:

Open gconf-editor
Go to apps / gnome-power-manager
Switch off "lock_on_suspend"
Reboot or log off to activate the new settings.

Enabling Wake On Lan:

sudo ethtool -s eth0 wol g

Also - remove -i from halt in /etc/init.d/halt, or set netdown=no in same

Disable Firefox autohide toolbars on full screen:

about:config
Filter for autohide
Set browser.fullscreen.autohide to false

Optimizing the OS

Before I get down to explaining myself better, I have to make note of some OS optimizations that I'll need to go forward with the project. I took the trouble to track them down, but if I don't write them down I'll forget them. Then I'll be annoyed, and you wouldn't like me when I'm annoyed. Or something.

Windows - automatic login for WinXP:

start->run->"control userpasswords2"
Select user you want to automatically log in as, then remove the checkmark from "Users must enter a user name and password to use this computer"
( source: http://www.tweaksforgeeks.com/XP_Skip_Login.html )

Linux (Ubuntu 9.04) - disable screen blanking:

System->Preferences->Power Management
Set preferred screen blanking/power saving/hibernation behavior.
Then go turn off the screen saver! (System->Preferences->Screensaver).
Don't I just feel like an idiot :P


There. Now I can format that machine.