back to ubuntu. version 11.10

1. install from CD
2. command-line mode

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade

3. restart
4. install codecs, flash support

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras

5. install gnome 3 shell, as a replacement to Unity

sudo apt-get install gnome-shell

6. logout, and pick gnome as your session, login again
7. install the gnome tweak took and the shell extension, download some gnome themes you like, change the theme, etc. - mostly taken from this Tech Drive-in link
The Tech Drive-in link is also where I got to install some cool Gnome-shell themes, and the Faenza icon theme. 8. put the window controls (maximize, close) to the right instead of the default left position (link) -

gconftool-2 --set "/apps/metacity/general/button_layout" --type string "menu:minimize,maximize,close"

9. Install Chromium Web Browser from the Ubuntu Software Center app. Same look and feel as the Google Chrome browser.
10. Install Ubuntu Tweak - yes, a release version is now available. But I notice the version for 11.10 doesn't have as much features as previous versions for older Ubuntu releases like 10.04 LTS.