Ubuntu/Bespin/Gnome Setup

Now time to tweak the Gnome theme/appearance. You already have Tweak tool installed (see above apt-get install line).

Install Macbuntu Theme

Set it up to look like a mac by installing the macbuntu theme - see http://www.linuxandubuntu.com/home/macbuntu-transform-ubuntu-1604-to-mac-os-x

First activate the PPA from noobslab and pull in the new packages:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/macbuntu
sudo apt-get update

Now install the macbuntu icons and themes:

sudo apt-get -y install macbuntu-os-icons-v1804 macbuntu-os-ithemes-v1804

Pick Theme in Tweak

Now you can open the Tweak tool and pick the Macbuntu theme. You might have to log out and log in, or refresh Gnome (Alt + F2, then enter "r" as the command to run, to refresh Gnome).

Install Plank

Plank is a dock replacement. To install it:

sudo apt-get -y install plank

Noobslab also provides a Macbuntu theme for Plank, to make it look more like the Mac dock. You will need the PPA from noobslab set up (see above add-apt-repository step).

sudo apt-get -y install macbuntu-os-plank-theme-v1804

Start it at boot by creating a file in ~/.config/autostart.

First create the folder:

mkdir -p ~/.config/autostart

Now create a Plank startup script:

~/.config/autostart/plank.desktop

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Exec=plank
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
Name=Plank

To open Plank preferences, right-click on the right or left side of the Plank dock and choose Preferences.

Disable Launcher

Run these commands to disable the ubuntu-provided launcher dock:

cd /usr/share/gnome-shell/extensions/
sudo mv ubuntu-dock@ubuntu.com{,.bak}

It will take effect when you log out or restart. If you can't wait to see it go, type Alt + F2, then enter the letter "r" in the input box. This will refresh gnome.

Install Albert

Albert is a spotlight/quicksilver replacement.

Install it like so:

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:noobslab/macbuntu
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get -y install albert

Start it at boot by creating the following file:

~/.config/autostart/albert.desktop

[Desktop Entry]
Type=Application
Exec=albert
Hidden=false
NoDisplay=false
X-GNOME-Autostart-enabled=true
Name=Albert

Albert Shortcut

We want to assign the shortcut Alt + Space to Albert, but this is currently occupied by a default system keyboard shortcut to open the window menu.

Let's remap that to Super + Space, then map Alt + Space to Albert.

Open Settings, then click Keyboard, and find the Windows section. Look for the Open Window Menu which is assigned the keyboard shortcut Alt + Space. Reassign it to Super + Space. By default this is assigned to something else, which can be disabled.

Now run albert from the command line: albert

Open the albert preferences. Assign Alt + Space to the Albert shortcut.

Disable Super Key Launcher Shortcut

Once you have Albert and Plank, you don't want the super key to open the Launcher because you don't need the launcher. Also, we disabled it.

Disable the Super key shortcut, where pressing Super by itself opens the launcher, by running this command:

gsettings set org.gnome.mutter overlay-key 'Alt_R'

This works immediately and will survive reboot.

Source: https://askubuntu.com/a/1037679

Test with Restart

Restart and test that the startup services start okay:

sudo reboot now

You should see:

The Plank dock on the bottom of the screen
No launcher on the left side
The super key should not open the launcher
(If you have set the Alt + Space shortcut for albert) Alt + Space should open albert

Disable Crash Reporting

Apport

Disable apport crash reporting:

/etc/default/apport

Change this:

enabled=1

to this:

enabled=0

Disable the service:

sudo systemctl disable apport
sudo systemctl stop apport

Whoopsie

Disable whoopsie crash reporting:

/etc/default/whoopsie

report_crashes=false