How to build a custom Ubuntu Image

Remastersys can do 2 things: It can make a full system backup including personal stuff to a live cd or dvd that you can use anywhere and install OR It can make a custom distro that you can share with others. This will not have any of your personal user data in it.

*I know at one time the makers of Remastersys were discontinuing support for this product but I'm not quite sure they have yet...until then check it out:

Change the wallpaper in Ubuntu

Why is something so easy sometimes so difficult?

Method 1

Install Ubuntu Tweak.  Ubuntu Tweak will let you tweak many things including the login screen background.

Ubuntu Tweak

To install Ubuntu Tweak add the third party repository to your list of repositories.

Go to System-Administration-Software Sources, Third-Party Software tab, Add:

 deb  http://archive.getdeb.net/ubuntu lucid-getdeb apps

Add the repository GPG key, open a terminal window and type:

 $ wget -q -O-  http://archive.getdeb.net/getdeb-archive.key | sudo apt-key add -

Install ubuntu-tweak from the command line.

$ sudo apt-get update

$ sudo apt-get install ubuntu-tweak

Method 2

Copy your favorite background .jpg file to /usr/share/backgrounds

$ sudo cp  mypic.jpg /usr/share/backgrounds

$ sudo cp /usr/share/applications/gnome-appearance-properties.desktop /usr/share/gdm/autostart/LoginWindow

Logout

You should see an “Appearance Preferences” window, select the Add button and select the .jpg file that you want for your login screen background.  Close the window.

Appearance Preferences

Login again and remove the gnome-appearance-properties.desktop file that you copied in the previous step.  This will prevent you from getting the appearance-properties windows at every gdm login.

$ sudo rm /usr/share/gdm/autostart/LoginWindow/gnome-appearance-properties.desktop Personally I prefer Method 2...