===== Project Looking Glass on Ubuntu =====

'Project Looking Glass' is the name given to a 3D desktop based around java. Also known as LG3D and Looking Glass, the project was created by [[http://www.sun.com/software/looking_glass/|Sun Microsystems]] and released open source as an advanced experiment exploring new ways for us to interact with our desktop environment.  What follows is a quick and simple guide detailing how to install it from .deb files to Ubuntu.

==== Supported Hardware ====

According to Sun, you require the following hardware to run LG3D.

  * 1.4 GHz Processor
  * 512 MB RAM
  * 32 MB 3D Card 
  * Driver support for OpenGL 1.3

To check if you currently support OpenGL 1.3 run glxinfo 

<code>glxinfo | grep "GLX version"</code>

This should return GLX version: 1.3 or later. If it returns less than 1.3 you'll need to update your graphics drivers.

==== Setting up your apt repositories ====

First of all, you'll need to add the LG3D repositories to apt so open up your sources list:

<code>sudo nano /etc/apt/sources.list
</code>

Then copy and paste these lines into it. As you can see, you can choose from stable, testing or unstable but unless you're feeling particularly adventurous, I'd stay with stable:

<code>## LG3D repsoitories
deb http://javadesktop.org/lg3d/debian stable contrib
# deb http://javadesktop.org/lg3d/debian testing contrib
# deb http://javadesktop.org/lg3d/debian unstable contrib
</code>

Save by pressing CTRL and O and then update your list of packages.

<code>sudo apt-get update</code>

==== Installing ====

You can now begin the install:

<code>sudo apt-get install lg3d-core</code>

You will need to agree to some of Sun's licensing terms during the installation.


==== Testing your installation ====

Change directory to your LG3D installation:

<code>cd /usr/share/lg3d/bin</code>

Run LG3D:

<code>./lg3d-app</code>

Hopefully a window should open with a 'mini' desktop in it. Have a play, if you see it it's working. To terminate the app click on the skull and crossbones in the bottom right corner.

==== Running Full Screen ====

You should now be able to close your current x session CTRL ALT BCKSPC and select looking glass as a desktop session. Have fun!