setting Visual Effects
The desktop effects with Windows Vista (Aero interface) are neat, but they in no way compare to the desktop effect with Linux (Compiz Fusion extension). There is another interesting fact: those desktop effects in Linux have already been used for many years (like 7-10 years)...! Another advantage of open source software development offering the newest and "coolest" effects... The ability to use special desktop effects in any operating system depends on your hardware, particularly, your graphics card. Therefore, if you cannot setup the coolest desktop effect, you have an older graphics card...
To turn on special desktop effects, select SYSTEM -> PREFERENCES -> APPEARANCE , then select the Visual Effects tab.
There are three settings:
- None (Provides a simple desktop environment without the effects - this is the default when Linux OS is installed)
- Normal (Provides improved usability and good balance between attractiveness and moderate performance requirements)
- Extra (Provides the best visual effects, but requires a faster graphics card)
Select Extra if you want the best desktop effects. If there is a problem, the system will notify you that you can't choose Extra, and will remain with the previous selection.
Make Panels Appear Transparent
If you are able to set your desktop visual effects to "Extra", then you can immediately see the difference by making your panels transparent. When you make your panels transparent, your desktop looks better instead of the typical panel appearance from the default Linux install...
To make your panels transparent, right-click on an empty area of your panel, then select "Properties" from the context menu. In the "Panel Properties" dialog box, you can set the location and size of your panel. Next, select the "Background" tab. Select "Solid Color" and move the "Style" slide bar to set the appropriate amount of transparency for your panel...
Install Compiz Configuration Settings Manager
To be completed...
Using Desktop Effects
To be completed...