Ubuntu 18.04 LTS ‘Bionic Beaver’ - 11 Things To Do After Installing

By Scott Bouvier Updated 2019-06-07

Install Updates

Software Updater

Enable Media Codecs

 

Ubuntu offers to install third-party codecs, restricted extras (like the Adobe Flash plugin) and proprietary drivers automatically as part of the install process.

But if you if you didn’t notice the tick box during install (or forgot about it entirely) you won’t be able to play MP3 files, watch online videos, or take advantage of improved graphics card support until you install all of the relevant packages.

Install Media Codecs in Ubuntu

Install a Better Ubuntu Theme

And the easiest way to give Ubuntu a new feel is to install the Communitheme from Ubuntu Software.

Install Communitheme on Ubuntu 18.04

Once installed you need to restart your computer,  and select the ‘Ubuntu with communitheme snap‘ session from the login screen:

Future Proof your system with Flatpak

Once done you’ll need to install the Flathub repository. This is the quasi-official Flatpak app store.

You can follow along to the official set-up guide on the Flatpak website. Alternatively, when you first download an app from the Flathub app store website the Flathub repo, the app you want, and any runtimes it needs to work are automatically pulled in.

Using Flathub you can install the latest versions of  popular apps like (get ready for déjà vu) SkypeSpotifyLibreOfficeVLC, and Visual Studio Code.

Install Microsoft Windows Fonts In Ubuntu 18.04 LTS

$ sudo apt update
$ sudo apt install ttf-mscorefonts-installer
$ sudo fc-cache -f -v

If you don't accept the first time use

$ sudo apt-get install --reinstall ttf-mscorefonts-installer

Install font manager

$ sudo apt update && sudo apt -y install font-manager

Install Gnome Tweak Tool

$ sudo apt install gnome-tweak-tool
$ gnome-tweaks