Ubuntu
gnome-panel package

Help with changing desktop wallpaper & Screen Resolution

Asked by Dick Metzger

I have seen nice looking desktop wallpaper for Ubuntu on Ebay showing several different pictures such as Dolphins - clouds with pasture similar to Windows , slick looking sports car's ,etc.
Along with those screenshots you see all the various links to click on to launch programs or check weather, etc.
I have been stuck with just the dull drab brown desktop that is standard with installing Ubuntu and cannot find out how to change to something a bit more eye pleasing or add links to programs I want to run. Also, since I installed Ubuntu on a clean hard drive with no other operating system, I cannot change the screen resolution from the super large size that showed up after install. I found the location to change it but there are no other resolutions available. When you click on the arrow to change, it just reverts back to the original. Can anyone help me with any of these issues? Will sure apprreciate it! may Thanks: Dick

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Ubuntu gnome-panel Edit question
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Solved by:
Vassilis Pandis
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Vassilis Pandis (pandisv) said : 		#1

Hello. The wallpaper can be "installed" this way: Save the image to your hard disk, go to System->Preferences->Desktop Background, click "Add" and select the image. You can also find plenty of wallpapers and other artwork at http://art.gnome.org.

The various links you are talking about and the weather applets are probably "gDesklets". You can install a variety of these by installing the "gdesklets" package in Synaptic (System->Administration).

The resolution issue you are talking about is probably a bug in the hardware detection software. You can workaround it by following the instructions at http://help.ubuntu.com/community/FixVideoResolutionHowto . If you have the time, it would be a very good idea to file a bug report about this. You will only help make Ubuntu better - not only for your, but for others as well :-)

If I was unclear or you still have more questions, feel free to ask! Thanks.

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Dick Metzger (rlmetzger) said : 		#2

Thank you for the help. I managed to change the screen resolution by changing monitors. The older monitor was a Dell brand about 5 years old. I switched to a newer model Samtron brand and was able to go in and change the resolution in the place provided. And I found some very nice wallpaper in the location you advised me about, so have setup a new attractive desktop view now!
Thanks Again: Dick

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Lisa Peers (lisageek) said : 		#4

I also want to change the desktop image to one of the skateboard helmet images which I found here https://skateboardgeek.com/best-skateboard-helmet/ , should I follow the same method or is there any updating technique?