Setting window opacity (trasnparency) level in C++ / C# / VB.NET

• C++: form1->Opacity = .#
• C#: form1.Opacity = .#
• VB.NET: Me.Opacity = #

# is the level of opacity (0.0 to 1.00)

MSDN

Show/hide Desktop icons (Computer/Home/Network) [Ubuntu]

• run in terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T): sudo gconf-editor
• go to apps / nautilus / desktop and enable/disable the icons you need

Desktop Gadgets for Ubuntu

• Screenlets

sudo apt-add-repository ppa:screenlets/ppa
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install screenlets

Change login Screen [Ubuntu]

1. Activate the Appearance window at login:

• sudo cp /usr/share/applications/gnome-appearance-properties.desktop /usr/share/gdm/autostart/LoginWindow

2. re-login
3. select a wallpaper from the background tab
4. Disable the Appearance window at login:

• sudo unlink /usr/share/gdm/autostart/LoginWindow/gnome-appearance-properties.desktop