This tutorial is here because many of you have asked us to publish some instructions on how to revert our "Ubuntu 8.10 Desktop Customization Guide." And, because that guide was quite long, we decided to post a new one.
OK, so what is the goal of this tutorial? Very simple... to obtain a default Ubuntu 8.10 desktop. In other words, change the looks of your desktop:
Right click on your desktop and choose "Change Desktop Background"...
...and select the default Ubuntu 8.10 wallpaper...
In order to make the upper panel visible, right click on it and select "Properties"...
In the "General" tab, uncheck the "Autohide" option and set the Size to 24...
On the "Background" tab select the "None (use system theme)" option...
The upper panel will be visible again. Right click on it and choose the "Add to Panel" option...
In the Add to Panel window, double click on the following applets:
1. Clock 2. Menu Bar 3. Notification Area 4. User Switcher 5. Volume Control
Now, all these applets will not appear in their original location, so you will need to right click on each one and move them, by using the "Move" option...
When you finish moving the applets to their original location, right click on each one again to lock them, by using the "Lock To Panel" option...
To add the application shortcuts back on the panel, go to each one from the Main Menu, right click on the entry and choose the "Add this launcher to panel"...
To close AWN (Avant Window Manager), right click in a corner and choose the "Close" option...
To close all the opened screenlets, right click on each one and choose the "Quit this..." option...
To restore the bottom panel, right click on the upper one and choose the "New Panel" option...
The bottom panel will appear. Right click on it and choose the "Add to Panel" option...
In the Add to Panel window, double click on the following applets:
1. Show Desktop 2. Window List 3. Workspace Switcher
Now, all these applets will not appear in their original location, so you will need to right click on each one and move them, by using the "Move" option...
Note: Please note that the "Window List" applet is very thin and you may not notice it on the panel. It can be recognized by the three little lines a.k.a. the handler (see the above screenshot).
When you finish moving the applets to their original location, right click on each one again to lock them, by using the "Lock To Panel" option...
Now, we need to remove the AWN and the Pidgin Screenlet (or any other screenlet you have installed) from the autostart programs. Go to System -> Preferences -> Sessions...
...and uncheck the "Avant Window Navigator" entry...
...and the "PidginScreenlet" entry...
...and of course, any other screenlet you have installed!
That's it! If you want, you can log out and log back in to make sure that your desktop is as it was and that neither Avant Window Navigator nor any screenlets will appear again on your Ubuntu 8.10 desktop.