This tweak actually involves changing the window manager and desktop interface that you use (you will probably be using Gnome) to Xfce (…XFCE.org. This actually isn’t very complicated butitmay take a bitof getting used to if you are used to gnome.

This is what XFCE looks like on my setup:

Instructions to get XFCE running on your Ubuntu Setup:
1) Load up Synaptic Package Manager and do a search for XFCE
2) Find the package “XFCE” and select it for installation, allow all the dependencies it wants to install, and press apply
3) Let it install
4) Once it has installed, log out to GDM, and from your sessions list select “XFCE Session” and log in
5) Welcome to your XFCE desktop

It may look a little bland to begin with, but it is easily customised, which I shall cover in my next post. You should notice quite a marked speed increase in XFCE because it is a lot lighter than Gnome / KDE. I would keep your gnome installation just in case. I like to log into mine ever so often

Automatix – www.getautomatix.com – A brilliant resource for installing those more tricky, but usefull things for Ubuntu

EasyUbuntu – easyubuntu.freecontrib.org – Like Automatix, but also good to use

Ubuntu System Panel – www.ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=156 – A brilliant replacement for the Gnome menus, much easier to use and looks excellent!

Swiftfox – getswiftfox.com – Based on the Firefox web browser, but optimised for individual CPUs. Works a lot quicker than firefox and with less quirks!

Enjoy!

Make sure you’re using the correct kernel! Most of the specialised kernels in Ubuntu (K7, K8, i686 etc…) are no obselete and have been replaced with the “generic” kernel which is installed by default. If you are using a dual core processor, make sure you boot using the generic kernel and not the default i386/i686 kernel as Ubuntu won’t recognise both cores of your processor. Any kernels you don’t use can be uninstalled in Synaptic Package Manager.

Disable any services or scripts you don’t need You can do this through the “sessions” and “services” dialog boxes from the administration / settings menu in Ubuntu. For example, if you don’t use bluetooth or a printer, you can disable CUPs or anyother printing related services.

Run the script that I have attached to this post. It is intended for Dapper (6.06) but I found it works well with Edgy (6.10) too. This script has helped me a lot and I urge you to try it. Make sure you open it in a text editor first and make sure it will only do what you want it too!

http://houglinux.files.wordpress.com/2006/12/faster-ubuntu.txt

Use Boot Up Manager (BUM) to speed up your startup You can install this either through Synaptic, or Automatix (www.getautomatix.com) and this will help you to easily boost the speed of your start up.

All of these tweaks worked fine on my setup and should do on yours. But there is no guarantee and I am not responsible if you tudify your system up. Do this at your own risk! Feedback is always welcomed.