Solve Ubuntu Network Manager problems

If you are a user of Ubuntu 8.10 or 9.04 you know how awful the built-in Network Manager is. It doesn't save your settings, and settings doesn't get applied so it's literary impossible to change your IP address using it.

One solution is to remove the Network Manager and edit the network configuration files manually. But there's an easier approach. You can install Wicd to do the configuration for you. This is an alternative to the default network manager which does it job right. It's really simple and straightforward to use.

Here are the simple steps required.

1. Install wicd through Synaptic Package Manager.
2. Network Manager will be removed from the tray panel when you install wicd.
3. Go to System -> Preferences -> Startup Applications and disable the Network Manager.
4. If newly installed wicd network icon isn't there in the tray panel, launch it from Applications -> Internet -> Wicd Network Manager. It will start automatically from next startup.
5. In the Wicd Manager, expand Wired Network section and click Advanced Settings.
6. Enter your IP address details here. The settings will be applied as soon as you click the OK button.
   
7. You can open a terminal and type "ifconfig" to check whether the IP address settings have been correctly applied.

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