How do I set up my online accounts?

The Online Accounts panel doesn't appear if you are using Unity. In theory, you don't need it with stock Ubuntu 12.04. However, it is useful if you have installed Evolution Mail, Contacts or Documents.

In some of these applications, like Contacts, you can open the Online Accounts panel directly from their own menus. Otherwise, you can get to it in the following ways:

If you have System Settings open, close it. Open a terminal, and run the following command:

env XDG_CURRENT_DESKTOP=GNOME gnome-control-center online-accounts

Alternatively, install GNOME Shell in Software Centre, log out, and log in again but choose the GNOME session before typing your password. (To choose a session from the login screen, click the cog icon to the top right of the password field). When you open System Settings from the user menu, you will see Online Accounts as one of the options.

I think you are looking for Broadcast accounts.

1. Open terminal.

2. Type the following command:

   sudo gedit /usr/share/applications/gnome-online-accounts-panel.desktop
   

3. Scroll down till you see the following:

   OnlyShowIn=GNOME;
   

4. Change it to look like the following:

   OnlyShowIn=GNOME;Unity;
   

5. Click save. Then try searching accounts in the dash.

To reenable contacts import window in the same state as it appears first time, you need dconf-tools:

sudo apt-get install dconf-tools

1. Run:

   dconf-editor
   

2. Go here: org > gnome > Contacts, uncheck option "did-initial-setup".

3. Run:

   gnome-contacts