For a while now, I'd been running Ubuntu 8.04 on my Thinkpad T61 (work machine) with Visual Effects disabled.

Why?

There were weird bugs with compiz and xterm that caused corruption at times. So I shut it off and never thought about it again. But a few days ago, I upgraded to 8.10 despite the apparent increase in WiFi related lock-ups I can expect to see (apparently I don't have the Intel wireless in this machine... grumble).

Switching virtual desktops, or "Workspaces" as they're called, seemed to be even slower than before--almost intolerable. Just for kicks I decided to go play with the settings.

Ubuntu Visual Effects Preferences

Imagine my surprise when switching that selection from "None" to "Normal" resulted in an dramatic increase in virtual desktop redraw perfomance.

Yay!

Counterintuitive, but yay anyway.

Posted by jzawodn at March 24, 2009 11:29 AM

Reader Comments
# Nick said:

Not quite counterintuitive -- except that it really is not 'desktop effects', but 'accelerated opengl assisted graphics', which means huge gains if you have discrete graphics. Unfortunately, most of the Intel GMA cards still suck with it on.

on March 24, 2009 12:10 PM
# Loyd said:

I just had to reinstall Ubuntu also after DPKG took to erroring and wasn't able to download updates anymore. Like you I was surprised by the way Ubuntu is handling the desktop now. I have an older P4 with only 32mb video and it's working MUCH better than it did before.

on March 24, 2009 09:59 PM
# watzabatza said:

Before I say so, where can we download this software? Is there anybody help me about this. I like this stuff..

on March 26, 2009 07:47 PM
# runescape gold said:

What goes on and off, from the set of bulbs in my brain. Some are colored, some are broken, and some are dim. Sharing the experience of living in UK, insights on Pop culture, Art, Social Middle Eastern matters and more.

on April 10, 2009 06:40 PM
# Arun said:

I am not able to change it to normal or extra.The err message says the desktop effects could not be enabled!!

wht should i do... i have a ati radeon 3450 in the laptop

on June 1, 2009 11:24 PM
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