Compiz is a window manager for Linux that gives Linux desktops amazing 3d visual effects that surpass those of Windows 7 and Mac OS X Snow Leopard.
Ubuntu and Mint come with Compiz pre-installed and it is automatically enabled on computers with supporting 3d graphics cards.
Unfortunately on computers that are not powerful enough Compiz interferes with 3d applications and games, so the solution would be to disable Compiz before running a 3d app or game.
Unfortunately the way to disable Compiz is time-wasting and tedious as you have to go to Preferences>Appearance click on the Visual Effects tab and click none.
Fortunately there is a way to make disabling and reenabling Compiz easier and quicker, a small system tray applet called Fusion icon.
Search for fusion-icon in your package manager and then install it.
After you have installed Fusion icon it will appear in your menu.
Click on the Fusion icon icon to launch Fusion icon and it will appear in your system tray.
Right-clicking on Fusion icon shows a menu with various options.
We are only concerned with Select Window Manager (which allows you to switch between Compiz and Metacity (the normal 2d window manager)).
To make Fusion icon automatically start when your desktop starts you have to add it in Startup Applications.
