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Index
Cover
Title
Copyright
Dedication
Contents at a Glance
Contents
About the Authors
About the Technical Reviewer
Introduction
Chapter 1: Meet Ubuntu Linux
Ten Reasons to Try Ubuntu Linux
What Is Ubuntu Linux Anyway?
Ubuntu Linux Is an Operating System
Ubuntu Is a Distribution of Linux, Based on Debian
Ubuntu Linux Is a Full Desktop Solution
The Ubuntu Linux Experience
“Linux for Human Beings”
A Powerful yet Flexible Operating System
Continuous Improvements
The Product Family
The Ubuntu Linux Community
Praise for Ubuntu Linux
Should I Stop Using Windows?
Ubuntu Linux and Its Strengths
Summary
Chapter 2: GNU “slash” Linux
UNIX
The Rise of the IBM PC… and of Microsoft
RMS on Free Software
Copyleft
The Quest for a UNIX-like Operating System
Linus Torvalds and His Little Project
GNU “slash” Linux
The Linux Diaspora
Open Source
The South African Factor
An Operating System for the Future
Summary
Chapter 3: Pre-installation Steps
Understanding Partitioning
Freeing Up Space
Reclaiming Space
Removing Windows
Using Another Hard Disk
Backing Up Your Data
Backing Up E-Mail Files
Making Notes
Summary
Chapter 4: Installing Ubuntu
An Overview of the Installation Process
A Stage-by-Stage Installation Guide
Stage 1: Prepare the Windows Partition for Resizing
Stage 2: Boot from the DVD-ROM
Stage 3: Try or Install
Stage 4: Preparing to install Ubuntu
Stage 5: Repartition Your Hard Disk
Stage 6: Configure your Regional Settings
Stage 7: Set Up a User
Stage 8: Import Documents and Settings
Stage 9: Completing the Installation
Stage 9: Perform Installation
Stage 10: Reboot and Enjoy Ubuntu!
Summary
Chapter 5: Solving Installation Problems
A. Preinstallation Problems
The Disc Doesn’t Boot
The Computer Is Having a Kernel Panic
The DVD Starts to Boot, but the Screen Goes Blank or Corrupted
The Computer Freezes During Installation
Installer “Unrecoverable Error” Message
My Notebook Display Looks Corrupted During Installation
I’m Using a KVM, and the Screen Looks Wrong
B. Installation Problems
I’m Offered Only a Text Login
The Computer Can’t Find My Hard Disk
I See Lots of Hard Disks in the Partitioner
I Have Too Many Partitions
C. Postinstallation Problems
My Monitor Resolution Is Not Recognized
My Keyboard or Mouse Isn’t Working
The Computer No Longer Boots
Ubuntu Is Working, but Windows Won’t Boot
I Can See Only a Text Login Prompt
Graphical Problems
Summary
Chapter 6: Booting Ubuntu for the First Time
Starting Up
Logging In
Exploring the Desktop
First Impressions
Exploring the Top Panel and the Unity Launcher
Shutting Down or Restarting Ubuntu
Quick Desktop Guides
Running Programs
Working with Virtual Desktops
Using the Mouse
Cutting and Pasting Text
Summary
Chapter 7: Getting Everything Up and Running
Will Ubuntu Support My Hardware?
Using Proprietary vs. Open Source Drivers
Installing Device Manager
Configuring Ubuntu
Configuring Input Devices
Configuring Mouse Options
Changing Keyboard Settings
Creating Keyboard Shortcuts
Getting Online
Using NetworkManager
Configuring Wired Networking
Connecting to a Wireless Network
Installing Windows Wireless Network Device Drivers
Connecting to a Mobile Broadband Network
Working with a Proxy Server
Adding a Printer
Configuring a Local Printer
Configuring a Network Printer
Configuring a Windows/SMB Shared Printer
Administering a Printer
Using Digital Cameras, MP3 Players, and USB Memory Sticks
Configuring a Scanner
Installing 3D Drivers and Activating Desktop Visual Effects
Configuring Bluetooth
Pairing Bluetooth Devices
Transferring Files Between Bluetooth Devices
Using a Bluetooth Keyboard or Mouse
Configuring Sound Cards
Using Power-Management Preferences
Summary
Chapter 8: How to Secure Your Computer
Windows Security vs. Linux Security
Root and Ordinary Users
Encryption
Setting Up for Encryption
Encrypting and Decrypting Files
Signing and Encrypting E-Mail
Commonsense Security
Online Updates
Configuring the Ubuntu Firewall
Installing Firestarter
Configuring Firestarter
Adding Virus Scanning to Ubuntu
Installing ClamTk
Updating the ClamAV Database
Dealing with Infections
Summary
Chapter 9: Personalizing Ubuntu: Getting Everything Just Right
Unity or Classic
Choosing Your Session Type Permanently
Changing the Look and Feel
Altering the Theme
Changing the Desktop Background
Setting Font Preferences
Using Desktop Visual Effects
Changing Your Login Picture
Adding and Removing Desktop Items
Creating a Launcher
Personalizing the Panels in Ubuntu Classic
Adding and Removing Menus in Ubuntu Classic
Moving Panel Items in Ubuntu Classic
Working with Applets in Ubuntu Classic
Summary
Chapter 10: Managing Your Data
Using Nautilus
Changing the View Mode
Searching for Files
Working with File and Folder Icons
Special Nautilus Windows
Launching Files and Running Programs
Viewing File Sizes and Other Information
Tips and Tricks for Nautilus
The Home Folder
Understanding File System Concepts
The File System Explained
Drive References
Names of Files
Real Files and Virtual Files
Working with Disks and Volumes
Mounting Volumes
Viewing Disk and Volume Information
Managing Disks
Managing Volumes
Advanced File Operations
Working with Files in Windows Partitions
Accessing Networked Files
Sharing a Folder from Within Ubuntu
Accessing Removable Storage Devices
Working in the Computer Window
Ejecting Media
Summary
Chapter 11: A World of Applications
Available Software
A Quick Start with Common Ubuntu Programs
Word Processing: LibreOffice Writer
Spreadsheet: LibreOffice Calc
Presentations: LibreOffice Impress
Database: LibreOffice Base
E-Mail/Personal Information Manager: Evolution
Web Browser: Firefox
Media Player: Banshee
Movie Playback: Totem Movie Player
CD/DVD Burning: Brasero/Nautilus CD/DVD Creator
Photo Editing: F-Spot and GIMP
Other Handy Applications
Calculator
Archive Manager
Dictionary
Empathy Instant Messaging Client
Ekiga
Games
Windows Applications
Summary
Chapter 12: Working with Text Files
Text: A History Lesson
Piping and Redirecting
The Text Editor Wars
Working with Text Files
Introducing gedit
Working with gedit
Comparing Multiple Files with Diffuse
Summary
Chapter 13: Making the Move to LibreOffice
Introduction to LibreOffice
LibreOffice Key Features
File Compatibility
The Right Fonts
Copying Windows Fonts
Installing TrueType Core Fonts
Introducing the Interface
Customizing the Interface
Adding Functions to Toolbars
Adding a New Toolbar
Customizing Menus
Personalizing the Look and Feel
Configuring LibreOffice Options
Using LibreOffice Core Functions
Using Wizards
Getting Help
Inserting Objects with Object Linking and Embedding
Creating Macros
Saving Files
Beginning LibreOffice Applications
LibreOffice Word Processor: Writer
LibreOffice Spreadsheet: Calc
LibreOffice Presentation: Impress
Summary
Chapter 14: Communicating with Others
Introducing Evolution
Basic E-Mail Tasks
Configuring E-Mail Access
Sending and Receiving E-Mail
Reading E-Mail
Deleting Messages
Flagging Messages
Composing a Message
Creating an E-Mail Signature
Advanced E-Mail Tasks
Creating New Folders
Dealing with Junk E-Mail
Sorting and Filtering Messages
Creating Search Folders
Contacts
Adding or Editing Contact Information
Creating a Contact List
Calendars
Specifying Appointment Types
Adding or Editing a Diary Entry
Additional Calendars
Memos and Tasks
Configuring Instant Messaging
Installing Skype
Ekiga
Summary
Chapter 15: Social Networks and Cloud Computing
Social Networking Applications
Introducing the MeMenu
Microblogging with Gwibber
Cloud-Based Services
Storing Your Data Online with Ubuntu One
Summary
Chapter 16: Digital Audio
Issues Surrounding Multimedia Playback
Playing Audio Files
Installing Codecs in a Single Package
Using Banshee
Purchasing from Online Music Stores
Using the Jamendo Store
Purchasing from Magnatune
Purchasing from Ubuntu One
Tuning In to Online Radio Stations
Listening to Podcasts
Listening to Audio CDs and Ripping Tracks
Choosing a Format
Ripping Tracks
Creating Your Own CDs
Recording from a Microphone
Summary
Chapter 17: Movies and Multimedia
Installing Playback Software
Installing Codecs
Installing RealPlayer 11
Adding Flash Support
Adding Java Support
Watching Movies
Watching DVDs
Watching TV
Checking for Video Input
Installing tvtime
Summary
Chapter 18: Digital Photos
Downloading and Cataloging Images
Connecting Your Camera
Importing Photos Using F-Spot
Using GIMP for Image Editing
The Basics of GIMP
Making Color Corrections
Cropping and Healing
Applying Filters
Sharpening
Summary
Chapter 19: Playing Games
Linux Games
Official Sources
Additional Sources
Adobe Flash and Web-based Gaming
Installing Windows Games
Summary
Chapter 20: Installing and Removing Software
Using the Ubuntu Software Center
Navigating the Ubuntu Software Center
Browsing and Searching for Software
Rating and Reviewing Software
Software Installation Basics
Formats of Linux Installation Files
Package Management
Dependency Management
Software Repositories
Advanced Application Management
Managing Ubuntu Software Options
Adding Software Sources
Managing Software Updates
The Synaptic Package Manager in Depth
Searching for Software
Installing Software
Removing Software
Manually Installing Using Ubuntu Software Center
Installing Windows Applications with Wine
Installing and Configuring Wine
Installing a Windows Application
Installing from Source
Installing the Compiler Tools
Unpacking the Source Tarball and Solving Dependencies
Compiling
Summary
Chapter 21: Understanding Linux Users and File Permissions
Understanding User and Group Accounts
Users and Groups
Root User
Users and File Permissions
Root vs. Sudo
UIDs and GIDs
Adding and Deleting Users and Groups
Adding and Changing Passwords
Understanding File and Folder Permissions
Viewing Permissions
Typical Data File Permissions
Permissions on a User’s Directory
Permissions on a Directory Owned by Root
Altering Permissions
Summary
Chapter 22: Optimizing Your System
Speeding Up Booting
Reducing the Boot Menu Delay
Managing GNOME Sessions
Prelinking
Configuring Prelinking
Deactivating Prelinking
Optimizing the Kernel
Freeing Up Disk Space
Emptying the /tmp Folder
Emptying the Cache of Package Files
Removing Unused Software
Summary
Chapter 23: Backing Up Data
What Data Should You Back Up?
Using Simple Backup
Backing Up Data via Simple Backup
Restoring Data via Simple Backup
Managing Archive Files
Saving the File to a CD-R/RW or to a DVD-R
Summary
Chapter 24: Scheduling Tasks
Scheduling with GNOME Scheduler
Creating a Recurrent Task
Scheduling One-Off Tasks
Scheduling with anacron
Summary
Chapter 25: Accessing Computers Remotely
Using Secure Shell
Logging In to a Remote Computer
Transferring Files Between Remote Computers
Accessing GUI Applications Remotely
Running X Applications on a Remote Computer
Accessing Ubuntu via Remote Desktop
Connecting to Remote Windows Computers
Connecting to Windows 7 and Vista
Connecting to Windows XP Professional, 2000, and NT
Connecting to Other Computers
Summary
Chapter 26: Taking Control of the System
Viewing Processes
Controlling Processes
Killing Processes
Controlling Zombie Processes
Using Other Commands to Control Processes
Controlling Jobs
Summary
Appendix A: Introducing the BASH Shell
What Is the BASH Shell?
Why Bother with the Shell?
When Should You Use the Shell?
Getting Started with the Shell
Running Programs
Getting Help
Running the Shell via a Virtual Console
Working with Files
Listing Files
Copying Files and Directories
Moving Files and Directories
Deleting Files and Directories
Changing and Creating Directories
Using Autocompletion
Autocompletion with Files and Paths
Viewing Available Options
Other Autocompletion Examples
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
Shortcuts for Working in BASH
Shortcuts for System Control
Using the Command History
Piping and Directing Output
Piping the Output of Commands
Redirecting Output
Using Brace Expansion
BASH Command Index
Appendix B: Glossary of Linux Terms
Symbols
A
B
C
D
E
F
G
H
I
J
K
L
M
N
O
P
R
S
T
U
V
W
X
Appendix C: Getting Further Help
Read the Manual!
Man Pages
Info Pages
README Files and Other Documentation
Getting Help Online
Forums
Mailing Lists
Other Official Sites
Third-Party Sites
Index
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