Setting up a new Ubuntu 10.04LTS build

I was just thinking about the optional extras I like to have on a fresh build... Ubuntu comes pretty well ready to use out of the box, however there are some things I like to have that aren't open source, but are freely available to use.


This is a list of some of the things I would normally install.


UPDATE: If you want to suggest additional applications/components, please leave a message in the comment section below.


Google Chrome web browser
I love the browser from Google, you can create an account and sync all your bookmarks. This is nice if you work across multiple computers like I do. Chromium is the open source equivalent and available from Ubuntu Software Center for click-to-install convenience. Chrome and Chromium differ in that their build streams are obviously different. I'd like to think that the consumer Chrome product 'sold' by Google is more polished and stable, but Chromium would have the latest features. Chromium also comes in multiple 'streams', depending on how bleeding edge you like to be. 
Get Google Chrome - Download the appropriate DEB package (32/64bit)


Medibuntu
Adding Medibuntu to your repositories will give you a bunch of the free-to-consumer stuff that's considered non-free because it's not open source. It's not complicated, it's not gonna cost you anything and it's completely legal.
Ubuntu Community Documentation - Medibuntu
Cutting to the chase, here's what I do.
In terminal:
Add Medibuntu repository:

sudo wget --output-document=/etc/apt/sources.list.d/medibuntu.list http://www.medibuntu.org/sources.list.d/$(lsb_release -cs).list && sudo apt-get --quiet update && sudo apt-get --yes --quiet --allow-unauthenticated install medibuntu-keyring && sudo apt-get --quiet update

Make Medibuntu apps appear in the Ubuntu Software center:

sudo apt-get --yes install app-install-data-medibuntu apport-hooks-medibuntu

Add the Ubuntu Restricted Extras package:

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

Optional extra step, purge any other flash:

sudo apt-get purge flashplugin-nonfree flashplugin-installer

For 64bit, add genuine flash for 64bit:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:sevenmachines/flash && sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install flashplugin64-installer

OR
For 32bit, add genuine flash 32bit:

sudo apt-get install flashplugin-installer

Optional extra step, purge any other java:

sudo apt-get remove -y --purge openjdk-6-jre openjdk-6-jre-lib openjdk-6-jdk gcj

Add the partner repository:

sudo add-apt-repository "deb http://archive.canonical.com/ lucid partner"

Update apt and install genuine java:

sudo apt-get update

sudo apt-get install sun-java6-jre sun-java6-jdk sun-java6-fonts sun-java6-plugin

Make encripted DVDs work:

sudo apt-get install libdvdcss2

Add mplayer and VLC for the extra codecs/formats:

sudo apt-get install mplayer vlc

Add Gnome Partition Editor:

sudo apt-get install gparted

Ripping CDs to your PC automated
I use Asunder. It's lite and available from the software center.
You'll also need to install Lame from the software center.
I set up Asunder preferences as follows:

When you insert an audio disc, it will ask what app to run, select custom and simply add asunder as the command. Then each time a CD in inserted, your PC will begin to rip it to MP3, update the track info from the web and eject the disc when it's finished.

Build Essentials and Subversion
Occasionally, you will try to follow steps in walk through or resolve a problem and things won't be working for you (like compiling a driver). Build Essentials sets up your machine...

sudo apt-get install build-essential checkinstall

sudo apt-get install cvs subversion git-core mercurial

VirtualBox and Windows
VirtualBox is a really professional and free virtualisation tool that will allow you to switch on and off an alternative operating system at will. I use it to run windows for those pesky applications which don't have Linux compatible counterparts (like my Dynojet Power Commander software).
You can get Virtualbox from the Ubuntu Software Center, but it's the lighter version that doesn't include USB support. Better to go to the Virtualbox downloads page and get the latest version.
Installing the alternative operating operating system is as easy as starting Virtualbox and following the wizard to install just like you would a clean install. I pretty much just use the defaults.
When the install is complete, you'll need to set up a few things...
USB
Also available from the Virtualbox downloads page, is the VirtualBox Extension Pack. Download and install it. Start the VirtualBox software, but don't start your alternative OS. Go to the settings menu and look for USB, and set up a filter. Easiest way is to plug in the device you want the virtual OS to control, hit the add button and select your device from the list.
Guest Additions
Guest additions will help with auto-capturing the mouse pointer and keyboard, making your experience a lot more intuitive.
With your VB running, go to 'Devices', and select 'Install Guest Additions...'