The basic steps I often do every time I install a new Ubuntu system. The order of things is important.

<aside> ☝ Check my favorite apps on Linux.

</aside>

<aside> ☝️ Most of commands are for both Ubuntu and Pop!_OS, there are some which are only for Pop!_OS.

</aside>

<aside> 👇 For Pop!_OS: You don't need to do everything in below steps.

</aside>

1. Download Ubuntu ISO. If you like a MacOS-like version, you can choose Elementary OS.

2. Using Rufus (on Windows) or Etcher (on any system, recommended) or popsicle (usb flasher, on Pop!_OS) to create a bootable USB driver.

3. [Pop!_OS] Download Pop!_OS (with NVIDIA)

   1. (Update 05 Jun 2021 - IMPORTANT) If you're using DisplayLink Dock (more than 1 external screens, Pop!_OS doesn't work with the DisplayLink Driver 5.4 but it works for Ubuntu 20.04). So, you have no choice to use Ubuntu instead of Pop!_OS!!!! Read more.
   2. Choose a custom partition while installing > use at least 2 partitions for the installing (1 which is main for Root / and one which is ~500MB for Boot /boot/etc)

4. Update & Upgrade

   sudo apt update & sudo apt upgrade
   

5. Download and install Google Chrome. 👈 I use Brave

   1. Sign in to Google Account + sync all extensions + settings.
   2. Disable Tab hover information: Go to chrome://flags/ and search "tab hover" then choose "Disable".
   3. Install also these extensions:
      1. mate translate, google dictionary, TabCloud, raindrop, last pass, AVIM, adblock, GNOME Shell integration.
      2. Google Aut alternative on Chrome: use this.

6. Install Guake Terminal (drop-down terminal supporting tabs). We install it first because we working mainly on terminal.

   sudo apt-get install guake
   # then add it to startup applications
   #
   # load preferences
   guake --restore-preferences ~/Downloads/guake_prefs
   

   Note that: read Terminal + ZSH to install a good font and use zsh for terminal.

7. Install GNOME Tweaks from App Store.

8. Install Dash to panel extension and use this config for pop and this for ubuntu.

9. Install git 👈 Check more in Github.

   sudo add-apt-repository ppa:git-core/ppa
   sudo apt update
   sudo apt install git
   

   After that,

   # Tell who you are
   git config --global user.name "Thi"
   git config --global user.email "[email protected]"
   

   # Create a new ssh
   # Windows + Linux
   ssh-keygen -t rsa -b 4096 -C "[email protected]"
   # (-C for adding comment only)
   # Enter a file:
   # Linux: /home/thi/.ssh/id_rsa
   # Windows: C:\\Users\\dinha\\.ssh\\id_rsa
   # Enter password
   
   cat /home/thi/.ssh/id_rsa.pub
   # copy the public key
   # then go to: <https://github.com/settings/keys> to add this key
   

   And then clone the repositories.

10. Using rEFInd 👈 Just install and then restart to see the result!

    sudo apt-add-repository ppa:rodsmith/refind
    sudo apt-get update
    sudo apt-get install refind
    

    In case you wanna hide some options in the boot manager with rEFInd, you can use - button to hide it.

    • Old method

11. Make Alt-Tab show windows instead of applications: change in Settings > Keyboards > Custom keyboards > Switch windows. Gnome: install this one to switch between windows on current screen only.

12. [Optional] Make emojis showing up

    sudo apt install fonts-noto-color-emoji
    

    After that (make browser recognize more icons), create a new file

    ~/.config/fontconfig/conf.d/01-emoji.conf
    

    with this content.

13. Cannot use f keys on keyboard Keychron K8 (this is useful too):

    echo 0 | sudo tee /sys/module/hid_apple/parameters/fnmode
    # restore
    echo 1 | sudo tee /sys/module/hid_apple/parameters/fnmode
    

    Hint: You can add this command to a script on startup.

14. [Ubuntu only] Auto install drivers

    sudo ubuntu-drivers autoinstall
    

    In case you wanna switch between Intel (more power efficient) and NVDIA driver (more powerful)

    sudo prime-select intel
    sudo prime-select nvidia
    

15. [Ubuntu only] Check the NVDIA driver and install the newest version: check in Additional Drivers. In case you wanna remove it and reinstall it later, use

    sudo apt purge nvidia-*
    

16. [Ubuntu only] Install GNOME Shell extensions

    sudo apt install gnome-shell-extensions
    

    Install also chrome extension. Go to the corresponding extension link and turn it on and install it.

    <aside> ☝ My favorite list of extensions.

    </aside>