How to Enable extra compiz fusion effects in Mandriva Linux One Spring 2008
I have always used windows infact ever since I started using computer and honestly I have never been a fan of Linux but Mandriva Linux One has changed my opinion about Linux, it has been called “almost perfect Linux distro” by many and rightly so. It is the easiest to use Linux distro i have ever came across and I have started recommending it to every person that wants to switch to Linux from windows.
Now back to compiz fusion, well enabling compiz fusion effects in Mandriva Linux One was a no brainer and easiest to do compared to other Linux distros like ubuntu, when you are done installing Mandriva Linux one it asks you whether you want to use Metisse (that is the 3d desktop effect manager that comes with Mandriva which doesn’t have all the features that compiz has) , Compiz Fusion or no 3d effect at all, just select compiz fusion or if you missed that you can manually select compiz fusion by clicking on the Configure Your Computer icon in the panel (near the show desktop icon) and goto hardware tab and click on Configure 3D desktop effects under the Configure graphics heading. When Mandriva loads up for the first time you will immediately start seeing compiz fusion effects if you chose it. Mandriva installs CompizConfig by default so that you can configure compiz fusion easily, to access compiz config goto menu–>Tools–>CompizConfig Settings Manager.
Now there is a problem Mandriva by default doesn’t have some cool extra compiz fusion plugins like “3D windows” plugin which presents open windows in 3D way by elevating them from the desktop, “Paint Fire on the screen” plugin allow you to write on your screen with fire text which looks uber cool, “Snow” plugin which shows snow on your desktop and few more.
Customize Compiz Fusion effects In Ubuntu
Ubuntu 8.04(Hardy Heron) comes with a full featured version of Compiz Fusion, but the main problem is that there is no way to configure these effects. To configure the different options we will use a tool called Compiz Config. To install it open up synaptic manager and search for Compiz Config
Once Compiz Config is installed, open it and you will get an interface similar to this:
The interface is pretty simple a checked option means the effect is enabled and an unchecked option means the effect is disabled, to configure individual effects like key bindings click on the image of the effect. Now I am going to show you some of my favourite effects and their output:
1) Fire on the screen: You can use it to paint text with fire on your screen, to use it press the key combo Shift+ windows key and left click and fire will be painted on the screen.
While the fire text is on your screen your normal desktop works and you can do all tasks such as browsing the web. To clear the text press the key combo Shift+Windows Key+C and the fire text will be cleared
2) Expo: Gives you a preview of your desktops that are enabled, to use it press the key combo Windows key+e
3)Wobbly Windows: a favourite for many people who use Compiz Fusion. It basically makes your windows wobble like water
4) Water Effect: Makes it rain on your desktop extremely good for killing productivity. To activate it press Ctrl+Windows key
5) Shift Switcher: Goes through your windows in a way similar to cover flow in iTunes. To use it press Windows key+Tab
6) Ring Switcher: Makes your windows form in a ring to use it simply use the Alt+tab because this plugin disables the default view of alt+tab
So start customizing Compiz fusion to your liking! 
