Need help getting around Ubuntu...

I think the better place to start for you is: https://help.ubuntu.com/8.04/

To enable desktop effects http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/desktopeffects

Then split your questions into single question to get better help.

Hope this helps

I have been there Marcobra, pretty basic info there....
I have installed the emerald theme manager, still not seeing what I want to see.

To use Emerald you may have to run:-
emerald --replace
in the runner which can be brought up with Alt+F2.

About the Edubuntu thing, you can do the necessary changes to the login screen through System>Administration>Login Manager(or something similar, I can't rightly remember), the tab you are looking for is Local.

About the splash screen, install the galternatives package through Synaptic, run the Alternatives Configurator in Applications>System Tools and then select the proper option for the usplash theme.

You need to install compiz

sudo aptitude install compizconfig-settings-manager

This will add an entry to your System > Preferences menu listed as “Advanced Desktop Effects Settings”.

Make sure that you have “extra effects” turned on by navigating to System > Preferences > Appearance, selecting the Visual Effects tab, and selecting Custom at the bottom. Clicking the Preferences button will also launch the Compiz Config Settings Manager.
and below are the most used short cuts:
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

also You can add new shortcuts.. all that you have to do is just you can select one of the plugin(double click on it) and in actions tab of the plugin, under bindings you can change the shortcuts. You can even add a screen edge as a binding so that when you move your mouse cursor to screen edge(say top left) compiz will execute the particular action. It goes really nice with expo plugin. have a great time with compiz fusion!
(the one with windows logo on it (in some keyboards along with windows logo "start" is printed)
This is the super key..

for 3d windows

Get the scrpt from here:

http://forum.compiz-fusion.org/showpost.php?p=33165&postcount=15

and follow the instructions in the post

and emerald window decorator is available in the repositories..

type sudo aptitude install emerald in a terminal to install emerald

and type emerald --replace in a terminal to use emerald theme manager
(warning : its not officially supported, use at own risk)

Next up desktop cube

System > Preferences > Advanced Desktop Effects Settings”. Click on “General Options” at the top of the list and select the “Desktop Size” tab. The first slider on that tab is for “Horizontal Virtual Size”. Change this from two to four and close the window. You should now have four desktop panes for use with a cube v/s the two desktop panes as default.

Next up sphere instead of cube

Refer this link

http://maketecheasier.com/make-your-ubuntu-desktop-rotate-as-a-cylindersphere/2008/07/28

Regards

To change loging scren and thinges
 http://ubuntu-tweak.googlecode.com/files/ubuntu-tweak_0.3.5-1%7Eppa1_all.deb

hit tht in ur address bar and install it

and do have a look at this video u ll learn a lot

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uz4ZoRUk0GM

THANK YOU ALL.... you all have been VERY helpful, it looks like I have some reading to do....again thank you!