Remove applications menu from top panel [Unity/Ubuntu]

Applications menu will be displayed in the main window, not in the top panel:

sudo apt-get remove indicator-appmenu

Google Chrome: Restore Last Session

In case your browser crushes, run chrome with this parameter: --restore-last-session

Disable Ubuntu Startup sounds

• go to System / Preferences / Startup Applications

Install Conky (Linux Theme)

• install Conky: sudo apt-get install conky

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