When you start out with elementary OS there are a couple of useful things that you should do to have a better experience working with your system.

General

”Software & Updates” for Additional Drivers

The easiest way to install the proprietary nVidia Drivers (in Ubuntu) is to go to System Settings > Additional Drivers and then simply select the driver.

This option is not available in Elementary. However, by installing the package software-properties-gtk you can get the program.

sudo apt install -y software-properties-gtk

Now by clicking on Applications on the top right, and then type “Software & Updates” you can access the Settings.

Easy way to add PPA

With the command line tool add-apt-repository you have a quick way to add additional PPA’s. To get this tool you need to install the package

sudo apt-get install software-properties-common

Add a Minimize Button to Windows

Some of the Elementary Windows do not have an easy way to minimize the window.  With Elementary Tweaks you can add a button to the windows.

Officially the elementary team does not encourage users to use the tweaking tool, since it also exposes switches to functionality that could mess up your system, so use the tool with caution.

sudo add-apt-repository ppa:philip.scott/elementary-tweaks
sudo apt install elementary-tweaks

Microsoft Font Compatibility

sudo apt-get install ttf-mscorefonts-installer

Replace Screenshot tool

sudo apt remove screenshot-tool
sudo add-apt-repository ppa:shutter/ppa
sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get install -y shutter

Chrome

wget -q -O - https://dl-ssl.google.com/linux/linux_signing_key.pub | sudo apt-key add -
sudo sh -c 'echo "deb [arch=amd64] http://dl.google.com/linux/chrome/deb/ stable main" >> /etc/apt/sources.list.d/google-chrome.list'
sudo apt-get update
sudo apt-get install google-chrome-stable

Skype

wget https://go.skype.com/skypeforlinux-64-alpha.deb
sudo dpkg -i skypeforlinux-64-alpha.deb

Office

sudo apt install libreoffice

Graphic Editors

sudo apt install gimp inkscape shutter

Video

Video Lan

sudo apt install -y vlc

Codecs

sudo apt-get install ubuntu-restricted-extras ffmpeg

Other

Redshift

A simple program to prevent Eye Strain

sudo apt install redshift gtk-redshift

Laptop Battery Saver

sudo apt install tlp tlp-rdw

Last Steps

Remove Programs

sudo apt remove pantheon-mail -y
sudo apt remove maya-calendar -y
sudo apt remove epiphany-browser -y
sudo apt remove audience -y

Update your system

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get dist-upgrade