Missing GDM??

If you used Ubuntu before the last 9.10 Karmic Koala release, or if you used other distros before, you may have realised the lack in functionality in GDM as you moved to this latest release. Essentially, the previous versions of GDM were a lot more customizable, allowing users to change their login screens as they pleased through the use of themes.

In addition, on top of the loss of functionality, the guys at Ubuntu have come up with a very serious and profesionally looking GDM default theme, which obviously didn't do it for everybody. People liking colorful login screens, or the ability to change them every now and then, were frustrated by this situation.

SUFFER NO MORE, FOR GDM2 IS HERE!

GDM2 is a login interface management utility for the new GDM. Among other features, GDM allows for wallpaper customization, autologin option and prompted or userlist login. If you want to give it a try, do the following (instructions specific to Ubuntu 9.10 Karmic Koala):

From the command line, run the following commands:

    sudo add-apt-repository ppa:gdm2setup/gdm2setup

    sudo apt-get update

    sudo apt-get install python-gdm2setup

Just to clarify, the steps above simply import a new PPA, update your repository list and then install the GDM2 application.

That should do it. You should now see a new menu item labeled "Login (GDM2Setup)" under System > Administration.

Good luck and happy GDM'ing!