Scrolling

I am using Ubuntu 8.04 on my Lenovo x61 laptop. Most of the features worked immediately "from the box", except wireless connection and TrackPoint scroll button. So this is the way to solve the scroll button problem:

1. Backup your xorg.conf file:
   sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_bak
   or
   sudo cp /etc/X11/xorg.conf /etc/X11/xorg.conf_old
   Just try to be consistent choosing filename ending. The backup operation is necessity in case your actions will lead to undesired results.
2. sudo gedit /etc/X11/xorg.conf
   
3. To enable using the middle mouse button to scroll, replace the "Configured Mouse" section with the following:
   

   Section "InputDevice"
    Identifier "Trackpoint"
    Driver  "mouse"
    Option  "CorePointer"
    Option  "Device"  "/dev/input/mice"
    Option  "Protocol"  "ImPS/2"
    Option  "ZAxisMapping" "4 5"
    Option  "Emulate3Buttons" "true"
    Option  "EmulateWheel"       "true"
    Option  "EmulateWheelButton" "2"
   EndSection
   

   It is recommended to mark any block you are editing with a comment above it, like:
   #Added/edited by John at 27/08/2008 during ABCDEFG software installation.
   
4. Now save the file and exit the GEditor. Close all your open windows and programs. Restart the X by pressing Ctrl+Alt+Backspace and login again.

via

UPDATE: wonderful GUI solution

FIRST STEPS: Ubuntu #3

As a "former" Windows user, the first that I wanted to do was:
1.How to remove HD's shortcuts from the desktop?

1. gconf-editor
2. Apps > Nautilus > Desktop > Volumes Visible

2.How create desktop shortcut to a folder?

1. Right click on the Desktop
2. Create launcher
3. Give it a name
4. In "command" line type: nautilus "[folder path]"

3.How to Add a Program to the Ubuntu Startup List (After Login)?

1. System \ Preferences\ Sessions

4.How to costume visual effects?

1. sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager
2. System \ Preferences\ Appearance \ Visual effects

FIRST STEPS: Ubuntu #2

IMPORTANT!!!

The first thing you should do is to set superuser password!
Run your Terminal:
Applications > Accessories > Terminal

(c)

And type a command: sudo passwd

Now, you may be interested in additional Terminal capabilities.

The most accessible source of information about any command is the Terminal itself. Just type: man [command name] or check on-line.
Also about Manual Pages.

You can learn much more about the Shell from the "Bash Guide for Beginners" by Machtelt Garrels
Copyright © 2003−2005 Machtelt Garrels. Permission is granted to copy, distribute and/or modify this document under the terms of the GNU Free Documentation License

Additional examples of useful commands and their combination will be provided in the following posts.

FIRST STEPS: Ubuntu #1

So why Linux? First on that that is an alternative!

Many of us are not noticing that, accustomed to working with Windows. A major shortcoming, in my view, is the fact that we have limited use of the resources of our computers. Year after year, lazy programmers and cunning economists in Microsoft compel us to purchase new computers just to ensure that their software could be sold.

Change decades habits are not easy, but worth a try.

Install Ubuntu is easy! Advise read this article before.
I want to focus your attention on the process of redistribution of the hard disk. It is desirable to print instruction or have it on the second computer during installation.
Good Luck!

Disclosure: I have Ubuntu on my PC for about a year, but began to actively use only recently.