Setting Advanced Desktop effects

The following guidelines are drawn from Forlong's blog.

1. in System/Preferences/Appearance/Visual Effects select 'Extra'
2. install the required package which is called compizconfig-settings-manager.
3. start the settings manager via System → Preferences → Advanced Desktop Effects Settings.

Getting the cube
Firstly, enable the following plugins (by checking the box next to them):
* Desktop Cube - to actually use it, we might have to disable some other plugins (just follow the popup)
* Rotate Cube - that is necessary to spin the cube
* Viewport Switcher (optional) - if you want to change desktops with the mousewheel
* Cube Caps (optional) - lets you use an images on top and bottom of the cube

Secondly, increase the number of the virtual desktops to 4
at General Options → Desktop Size → Horizontal Virtual Size
(the other two options have to be left at 1 - it should look like this then)

Now we can switch desktops via [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Left]/[Right] and spin the cube via [Ctrl]+[Alt]+[Left Mousebutton] (or via middle-click on the desktop).

Configuring the Cube
# Set Desktop Cube → Transparent Cube → Opacity During Rotation to 75 (or 80)
# Enable the Cube Reflection plugin
# Enable the Cube Gears plugin

Configuring the Wobbly Windows
# disable Wobbly Windows → General → Snap Inverted to prevent windows from adhering to screen edges.
# to make panel menu wobbly as well, choose Shiver in Wobbly Windows → General → Map Effect

Shift switch
# hold down the Windows key and tab to initiate shift switch between open windows; hit tab again to shift focus

Real transparency in the GNOME-Terminal
Open the terminal and go to Edit → Current Profile → Effects and select Transparent background. Change the level of opacity with the scrollbar.