How to get the latest compiz packages on Ubuntu

It's really simple, actually. First you'll backup your sources.list file to be on the safe side, so do:

sudo cp -v /etc/apt/sources.list /etc/apt/sources.list-backup

Now we'll edit the file:

sudo gedit /etc/apt/sources.list

At the end of the file add one of these lines:

deb http://www.beerorkid.com/compiz dapper main
deb http://media.blutkind.org/xgl/ dapper main
deb http://ubuntu.compiz.net/ dapper main

Next you need to add the public key of the repository you chose, so run one of these commands:

wget http://www.beerorkid.com/compiz/quinn.key.asc -O - | sudo apt-key add -
wget http://media.blutkind.org/xgl/quinn.key.asc -O - | sudo apt-key add -
wget http://ubuntu.compiz.net/quinn.key.asc -O - | sudo apt-key add -

Now do:

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

Now all your compiz packages should be updated to their latest version. If you want to do it the graphical way, after doing the apt update go to System > Administration > Update Manager and it will list the available compiz updates, along with any other updates your system may require.

Also, if you installed XGL/Compiz following the Ubuntu Guide instructions, you may need to install cgwd, which is the windowd decorator recommended for compiz. So do this:

sudo apt-get install cgwd cgwd-themes gnome-compiz-manager

Gnome-compiz-manager is a graphical configuration tool for compiz, which allows to set how many virtual desktops you want, enable or disable effects, etc.

Cgwd-themes is a theme pack for cgwd.

Also, if you start compiz with /usr/bin/thefuture you need to edit it, because gnome-window-decorator is obsolete now.

Make it look like this:

#!/bin/bash

cgwd & compiz --replace gconf decoration wobbly fade minimize cube rotate zoom scale move resize place switcher &
xmodmap /usr/share/xmodmap/xmodmap.us

Remember to set the appropiate xmodmap!

UPDATE: The latest updates change the way Compiz starts and the thefuture script is no longer usefull.

To start Compiz add the following line to the 'Startup Programs' in System > Preferences > Sessions:

/usr/bin/compiz-start

And don't forget to remove the thefuture script from there too!

That's all, I hope this is usefull.