On starting up Ubuntu, I seem to have to do the following, all the time:

• Enter the password for the keyring to unlock, so that it connects to wifi
• Enable the "Extra" Visual effects from the Appearances preferences
• Start skype.

How can I automate all of these.

Bonus points, if I can use the existing chat bundled in the system to use my skype account.

Also, since I dual boot, I get the grub options initially to select Windows or Ubuntu that waits for 10 seconds for me to choose. How do I make it go to ubuntu, unless I explicitly not press a key to boot to windows.

Thanks in advance.