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Linux for Starters: Your Guide to Linux – 8 Things to do after installing Ubuntu – Part 5

Last Updated on May 22, 2022

6. Enable GNOME Extensions

Over the years GNOME developers decided to remove functionality from their desktop environment with the aim of making things easier for newcomers. We largely agree with the approach taken. But for many Linux enthusiasts tinkering with the desktop is an addictive passion. Step forward GNOME Extensions.

GNOME Extensions allow you to customize of the default GNOME Shell interface and its parts, such as window management and application launching.

We need to install a Firefox browser add-on and a native host messaging application.

Navigate your Firefox browser to https://extensions.gnome.org/. Click the link near the top of the page. You’ll see the following. Click the Continue to Installation button.

Linux for Starters - GNOME Extensions

This will add GNOME Shell integration. You’ll get a confirmation message saying that GNOME Shell integration was added.

Next, open a terminal and install the native host messaging application with the command:

$ sudo apt install chrome-gnome-shell

We are now set to install our favorite GNOME extensions from the GNOME Extensions site.

There’s tons of GNOME Extensions. To save you time, we’ve compiled our favorite extensions. Most of the extensions are not officially supported by GNOME. But they all take the desktop to the next level, either by adding useful functionality, improving your workflow, or simply offering a touch of panache to the desktop.

Next Page: Page 7 – Install BleachBit


Pages in this article:
Page 1 – Initial Update
Page 2 – Install Drivers
Page 3 – Enable Backups
Page 4 – Video/Audio Codecs and TrueType Fonts
Page 5 – GNOME Tweaks
Page 6 – GNOME Extensions
Page 7 – Install BleachBit
Page 8 – Night Light and Summary


All articles in this series:

Linux For Starters: Your Guide to Linux
1What is Linux? Why use Linux? What do I need?
2Choose a Linux distribution meeting your specific needs and requirements.
3Make a bootable Ubuntu USB stick in Windows.
4We show you how to install Ubuntu 21.04 on your hard disk.
5Things to do after installing Ubuntu.
6Navigating your way around the Desktop.
7Updating the system, install new software.
8Open source replacements for proprietary Windows desktop software.
9Get started with the power and flexibility of the terminal.
10We cover the basics of files and permissions.
11Getting help from your system.
12Learn all about the file system.
13Manipulating files from the shell.
14Maintain your system with these simple tips.
15Managing users on your system.
16Explore different desktops to GNOME 3.
17Gaming on Linux.
18Protect your privacy with this guide.
19Access the Windows desktop from Linux using a remote desktop client.
20Set up a virtual machine running Ubuntu as the host and openSUSE as the guest.
21Wine lets you run Windows programs on Linux without emulation.
22Extend your GNOME desktop with extensions and themes.
XUseful Linux commands.
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Gremlin
Gremlin
3 years ago

Why only cover Ubuntu?

Jon
Jon
3 years ago
Reply to  Gremlin

From independent surveys Ubuntu is the most popular Linux distro. Ignore the charts you see on some web sites that often have fairly obscure distros top. Their fanboys just vote them up using bots, partly because they are very passionate about them.

Interestingly, Linus Torvalds (the creator of the Linux kernel) has never even tried Ubuntu.

Craig
Craig
3 years ago

What about the command line? Newcomers shouldn’t only use GUIs in my opinion.

Nico
Nico
3 years ago

How about what to do when app doesnt have a package?

James
James
3 years ago

How about as a Linux user you whine, cry and criticize ever tutorial and article ever printed? It really gets old. I use Linux, I use Ubuntu, I use other OS’s. I appreciate people with the skill and knowledge to write tutorials and articles that can help others. No article can cover ‘everything Linux”. Thank you Steve.