Enabling Compiz Fusion On A Fedora 8 GNOME Desktop (ATI Mobility Radeon 9200)
Version 1.0 Author: Falko Timme
This tutorial shows how you can enable Compiz Fusion on a Fedora 8 GNOME desktop (the system must have a 3D-capable graphics card - I'm using an ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 here). With Compiz Fusion you can use beautiful 3D effects like wobbly windows or a desktop cube on your desktop.
This document comes without warranty of any kind! I do not issue any guarantee that this will work for you!
1 Preliminary Note
I have tried this on my 3-year old HP Pavilion zt3000 notebook which has an ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 graphic card, and it works really good there.
2 Graphic Card Driver
If you're using a new Nvidia or ATI graphic card, you will most likely have to install a proprietary driver for it. Fedora 8 doesn't come with these drivers by default, so you must install them from a third-party repository such as rpm.livna.org . Just install this package: http://rpm.livna.org/livna-release-8.rpm ; afterwards you should find drivers for your graphic card under Applications > Add/Remove Software.
If you are not sure, please try to get Compiz Fusion working without a proprietary driver first, and if it doesn't work, install the proprietary driver for your graphic card.
I don't have to do this because my ATI Mobility Radeon 9200 is old enough to be supported by default. :-)
3 Installing Compiz Fusion
Open the Package Manager (Applications > Add/Remove Software):
Type in the root password:
After the Package Manager has started, go to the Search tab and search for compiz:
In the list of found packages, please mark the following ones for installation:
• emerald-themes • compiz-fusion-extras • emerald • compiz-fusion • compiz-manager • compiz-fusion-extras-gnome • gnome-compiz-manager • libcompizconfig • compiz-fusion-gnome • ccsm
Click on Apply afterwards:
Confirm your selection by clicking on Continue:
The selected packages might have a few dependencies that must be installed as well. Click on Continue to accept these dependencies:
The packages are now being downloaded:
If the current version of one of the selected packages is on your Fedora DVD, you will be prompted to insert it. Click on OK afterwards:
It might happen that your system doesn't know the GPG key of a package. If that happens, simply click on Import key to continue with the installation:
The packages are now being installed:
You can close the Package Manager afterwards:
4 Enabling Compiz Fusion
To enable Compiz Fusion, go to System > Preferences > Look and Feel > Desktop Effects:
Click on Enable Desktop Effects:
The new settings are now being tested. If everything seems to work ok, click on Keep settings (otherwise you won't be able to use Compiz Fusion):
Afterwards, you can enable Windows Wobble when Moved and Workspaces on a Cube, if you like, and click on Close to leave the Desktop Effects window:
Compiz Fusion should now be working.
To configure Compiz Fusion, open the CompizConfig Settings Manager (System > Preferences > Look and Feel > CompizConfig Settings Manager):
In the CompizConfig Settings Manager you can define the behaviour of Compiz Fusion:
5 Keyboard Shortcuts
Here's a list of the most common Compiz Fusion keyboard shortcuts:
SUPER+SHIFT+DRAG LEFT MOUSE = draw fire SUPER+SHIFT+C = clear fire CTRL+ALT+DRAG LEFT MOUSE = rotate cube CTRL+ALT+LEFT ARROW = rotate cube CTRL+ALT+DOWN ARROW = flat desktop SHIFT+ALT+UP = initiate window picker CTRL+ALT+DOWN = unfold cube ALT+TAB = window switch SUPER+TAB = flip switcher or ring switcher, depending on which is enabled. ALT+F7 = initiate 'move windows' SHIFT+F9 = water effect SHIFT+F10 = slow animations CTRL+ALT+D = show desktop
For Grouping and Tabbing: SUPER+S = select single window SUPER+T = tab group SUPER+Left = change left tab SUPER+Right = change right tab SUPER+G = group windows SUPER+U = ungroup windows SUPER+R = remove group window SUPER+C = close group SUPER+X = ignore group Hold the SUPER button then select the windows you want to group and then hit SUPER+G.
The SUPER key is the Windows key on most keyboards.
6 Some Screenshots
Here are some screenshots of Compiz Fusion in action:
7 Links
• Compiz Fusion: http://www.compiz-fusion.org • Fedora: http://fedoraproject.org