I saw a post on problems with xrandr and that reminded me that I still had some ranting to do on X11 under Ubuntu. For some reason, I have no idea why, my system keeps insisting on resetting my Virtual Desktop size to 2432 by 1024 pixels. My external monitor is 1680×1050, so that won't fit. Consequently, I've had to change the Virtual Desktop size manually in /etc/X11/xorg.conf and had to chattr +i it so it couldn't be modified by god himself. I shouldn't have to do that, as I've got more than enough video memory for a way larger Virtual Desktop size, and I don't like it when my custom settings get overridden.
Also, I can't use my external monitor without running this script:
xrandr --newmode "1680x1050_60.00" 147.14 1680 1784 1968 2256 1050 1051 1054 1087 -HSync +Vsync xrandr --addmode VGA 1680x1050_60.00 xrandr --output VGA --mode 1680x1050_60.00
Pretty annoying. The Display configuration in Ubuntu (System -> Preferences -> Display) also doesn't list my external monitor's native resolution, even when I boot up my laptop with the external screen attached and set as the main display (by pressing the 'Switch to external monitor' button-thingamajiggy on my laptop). Probably a BIOS issue, but it would be nice if it would simply let me add a new mode by entering a resolution.
Hopefully 2010 will be the year of Linux on the desktop. 2009 sure ain't.
Of course 2010 will be the year of Linux on the desktop. Just like 2009. And 2008. And 2007. And 2011 and onwards. has been proclaimed the year of desktop Linux for a long time and why change an old tradition?