How do I customize Ubuntu desktop?

Hello all. I have recently come across this os and I am quite happy with it; it is fast, secure, and intuitive. I have seen other Linux users have customized theirs desktop with their transparency, cube thingy, effects and what not. How do I do? Show me please, thanks in advance. Serious answers only.
Enabling Compiz Fusion On An Ubuntu 10.04 Desktop (NVIDIA GeForce Cards)

http://www.howtoforge.com/enabling-compi



ATI Cards

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Radeon

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Radeon

https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Radeon



Compiz Documentation



CompizConfigSettingsManager (CCSM)

http://wiki.compiz.org/CCSM



CompizPlugins

http://wiki.compiz.org/CompizPlugins



CompizPluginsMain

http://wiki.compiz.org/PluginsMain



CompizPluginsExtra

http://wiki.compiz.org/PluginsExtra



EmeraldThemeManager

http://wiki.compiz.org/EmeraldThemeManag





LUg.