After the Install: setting up a desktop Ubuntu box (Gutsy 7.10)

This is roughly the procedure I use to set up a box for someone new to Ubuntu who'd like to use it right away.
Estimated time: 1 hour on fast DSL connection. Anyone who knows automation procedures would be my friend.

Software Sources:

• Ubuntu Software tab: Untick CD as a source
• Tick all other sources
• Third Party tab: Tick partner
• Updates tab: change Automatic updates to Download all updates in the background
• Statistics tab: tick Submit statistical information

Add/Remove:

• ubuntu-restricted-extras
• kubuntu-restricted-extras
• Amarok
• DeVeDe
• Xine
• VLC
• Flickr Uploader
• Gmail notifier
• Audacity
• Bluefish (Quanta Plus installs confusing extras into other menus)
• Mplayer
• Streamcast
• Scite text editor
• KmyMoney
• Inkscape
• Scribus
• Dia
• Wine

The above will take care of multimedia plugins, KDE, msttcorefonts, and enabling any other necessary repositories beyond Canonical.

Medibuntu:

Peripherals:

• System → Administration → Restricted Drivers Manager
• Check monitor settings in System → Administration → Screens and Graphics
• Check wireless if applicable
• Set up any nearby printers, print test page
• test nearby USB devices
• Make sure System → Preferences → Keyboard is configured for proper keyboard

Themes:

sudo apt-get install blubuntu-look peace-look tropic-look

Appearance:

• Change Theme to Blubuntu (note ramifications for OpenOffice)
• Change Application/Document/Desktop/Window title fonts to DejaVu Sans Condensed
• If monitor known, alter Rendering accordingly
• Test Visual Effects

Time and Date Settings:

• Set Time Zone
• Configuration: Keep synchronized with Internet servers (install NTP)

Wine:

• In Firefox, find vcredist_x86.exe on microsoft.com and install
  (this 2Mb download adds a handful of runtime libraries not handled by Wine)
  

OpenOffice:

• View: change icon set back to Human
• Java: make sure OOo finds JVM
• Fonts: substitute the following:
• Helvetica → FreeSans
• Bookman → URW Bookman L
• Avant Garde → URW Gothic L
• Century Gothic → URW Gothic L
• Optima → MgOpen Cosmetica
• Zapf Chancery → URW Chancery L
• Palatino → URW Palladio L
• Palatino Linotype → URW Palladio L
• Book Antiqua → URW Palladio L

GRUB:

• If dualboot, edit /boot/grub/menu.lst accordingly to correct default boot, hiddenmenu on

File Sharing:

• Create temp folder on desktop, turn on sharing and install both NFS/Samba sharing

Passing it on:

• Go to ubuntuforums.org and bookmark it to toolbar
• Use CD burning app to copy install disc to desktop, check MD5 sum:
  9a4ae3cfd68911a861d094ec834c9b48 *ubuntu-7.10-alternate-i386.iso
d2334dbba7313e9abc8c7c072d2af09c *ubuntu-7.10-desktop-i386.iso

Final checklist:

• GRUB hides menu
• Firefox (internet works)
• Sound card plays
• Audio CDs autoplay in correct player
• Audio CD burning app works
• DVDs autoplay in correct player (may have to be changed to VLC)
• Trash emptied