Unable to resize windows
It sounds to me like you're using Gnome-classic with Compiz, and in that case resizing windows doesn't work because the plugin is disabled by default (not sure why).
To enable it, install CCSM:
sudo apt-get install compizconfig-settings-manager
Then run CCSM:
alt+f2ccsm+enter
Then in CCSM enable the resize plugin:
If resize doesn't work immediately, you may need to restart Compiz:
compiz --replace & disown