Beginning SUSE Linux, Second Edition

Beginning SUSE Linux, Second Edition

by
Released November 2006
Publisher(s): Apress
ISBN: 9781590596746

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Book description

Written by award-winning author Keir Thomas, Beginning SUSE Linux, Second Edition is the comprehensive guide to openSUSE Linux 10.1, the community-created version of SUSE Linux.

The book starts with an introduction to the world of Linux and the open source community, and this is followed by an illustrated step-by-step guide to openSUSE installation and hardware configuration.

A special edition of openSUSE 10.1 is provided on the DVD-ROM that comes with the book. This version includes several additional items of proprietary software, as well as all the devel software packages, making for a comprehensive package.

The book shows how to wield total control over your newly installed operating system. It will guide you through system customization opportunities and common tasks like listening to audio CDs and MP3s, watching movies, and performing office- and Internet-related tasks. A large part of the book is dedicated to advanced command-line techniques necessary to maintain your system and become a true Linux master!

This second edition of the best-selling first edition has been boosted by 200 pages to over 700 in total, and has been completely revised and updated. Beginning SUSE Linux, Second Edition is the only print title to cover openSUSE 10.1.

Table of contents

  1. Title Page
  2. Dedication
  3. Contents at a Glance
  4. Contents
  5. About the Author
  6. About the Technical Reviewer
  7. Acknowledgments
  8. Introduction
    1. About SUSE Linux
    2. What You'll Find in This Book
    3. What's New in the Second Edition
    4. About the DVD-ROM Supplied with This Book
    5. Conventions Used in This Book
  9. PART I Introducing the World of Linux
    1. CHAPTER 1 Welcome!
      1. What Is Linux?
      2. The Age of Linux
      3. The Problems with Windows
      4. The Benefits of Linux
      5. Summary
    2. CHAPTER 2 A History and Politics Lesson
      1. In the Beginning
      2. The GNU Project
      3. Proprietary Software and the GPL
      4. GNU and Linux Together
      5. Different Flavors of Linux
      6. Linux Today
      7. Modern Linux Development
      8. Summary
    3. CHAPTER 3 The Realities of Running Linux
      1. Learning to Use Linux
      2. Who Uses Linux?
      3. Getting Hold of Linux
      4. Using SUSE Linux
      5. Summary
  10. PART II Installing SUSE Linux
    1. CHAPTER 4 Preinstallation Steps
      1. Understanding Partitioning
      2. Freeing Up Space
      3. Backing Up Your Data
      4. Summary
    2. CHAPTER 5 Installing SUSE Linux
      1. An Overview of the Installation Process
      2. Step-by-Step Guide
      3. Summary
    3. CHAPTER 6 Solving Installation Problems
      1. Preinstallation Problems
      2. Installation Problems
      3. Postinstallation Problems
      4. Fixing Graphical Problems
      5. Summary
  11. PART III The No-Nonsense Getting Started Guide
    1. CHAPTER 7 Booting Linux for the First Time
      1. Starting Up
      2. Logging In
      3. Exploring the Desktop
      4. Working with Virtual Desktops
      5. Using the Mouse
      6. Cutting and Pasting Text
      7. Summary
    2. CHAPTER 8 Getting Everything Up and Running
      1. Hardware Support Under SUSE Linux
      2. Getting Started with the Configuration Tools
      3. Getting Online
      4. Adding a Printer
      5. Setting Up Digital Imaging Devices
      6. Using a USB Memory Stick
      7. Installing 3D Graphics Card Drivers
      8. Configuring Sound Cards
      9. Setting Up E-Mail
      10. Accessing Windows File Shares and Servers
      11. Summary
    3. CHAPTER 9 How to Secure Your Computer
      1. Security Threats
      2. SUSE Linux Security
      3. Common-Sense Security
      4. Updating the System
      5. Configuring SUSE Linux's Security Features
      6. Summary
    4. CHAPTER 10 Personalizing SUSE Linux: Getting Everything Just Right
      1. Changing the Look and Feel
      2. Configuring Input Devices
      3. Adding and Removing Desktop Items
      4. Summary
    5. CHAPTER 11 SUSE Linux Replacements for Windows Programs
      1. Available Software
      2. Quick Start: General Software
      3. Quick Start: GNOME Software
      4. Quick Start: KDE Software
      5. Other Handy Applications
      6. Summary
    6. CHAPTER 12 Managing Your Files
      1. Essential File System Concepts
      2. Using Nautilus
      3. Using Konqueror
      4. Launching Files and Running Programs
      5. Accessing Windows Files
      6. Accessing Removable Storage Devices
      7. Summary
  12. PART IV The Shell and Beyond
    1. CHAPTER 13 Introducing the BASH Shell
      1. What Is the BASH Shell?
      2. Why Bother with the Shell?
      3. When Should You Use the Shell?
      4. Getting Started with the Shell
      5. Working with Files
      6. Summary
    2. CHAPTER 14 Understanding Linux Files and Users
      1. Real Files and Virtual Files
      2. Users and File Permissions
      3. The File System Explained
      4. Mounting
      5. File Searches
      6. File Size and Free Space
      7. Summary
    3. CHAPTER 15 Working with Text Files
      1. Viewing Text Files
      2. Using a Command-Line Text Editor
      3. Searching Through Files
      4. Comparing Text Files
      5. Summary
    4. CHAPTER 16 Taking Control of the System
      1. Viewing Processes
      2. Controlling Processes
      3. Controlling Jobs
      4. Summary
    5. CHAPTER 17 Cool Shell Tricks
      1. Using Autocompletion
      2. Using Keyboard Shortcuts
      3. Using the Command History
      4. Piping and Redirecting Output
      5. Summary
  13. PART V Multimedia
    1. CHAPTER 18 Digital Music
      1. Issues Surrounding Multimedia on Linux
      2. How SUSE Linux Handles Multimedia
      3. Adding MP3 Support to SUSE Linux
      4. Playing Music Files
      5. Listening to Audio CDs
      6. Ripping Music from CDs
      7. Creating Your Own CDs
      8. Summary
    2. CHAPTER 19 Movies and Multimedia
      1. Movie Playback Issues
      2. Watching Movies
      3. Editing Movies
      4. Summary
    3. CHAPTER 20 Image Editing
      1. Getting Pictures onto Your PC
      2. Introducing The GIMP
      3. Editing Images with The GIMP
      4. Applying Filters
      5. Summary
  14. PART VI Office Tasks
    1. CHAPTER 21 Making the Move to OpenOffice.org
      1. Office Similarities
      2. OpenOffice.org Key Features
      3. File Compatibility
      4. The Right Fonts
      5. Summary
    2. CHAPTER 22 OpenOffice.org Overview
      1. Introducing the Interface
      2. Customizing the Interface
      3. Using OpenOffice.org Core Functions
      4. Summary
    3. CHAPTER 23 In Depth: Writer
      1. Formatting Text
      2. Spell-Checking
      3. Inserting Pictures
      4. Working with Tables
      5. Mail Merging
      6. Adding Headers and Footers
      7. Summary
    4. CHAPTER 24 In Depth: Calc
      1. Entering and Formatting Data
      2. Deleting and Inserting Data and Cells
      3. Working with Formulas
      4. Sorting Data
      5. Creating Charts
      6. Using Filters
      7. Summary
    5. CHAPTER 25 In Depth: Impress
      1. Creating a Quick Presentation
      2. Working in Impress
      3. Animating Slides
      4. Applying Fontwork
      5. Using 3D Effects
      6. Exporting a Presentation As a Flash File
      7. Summary
    6. CHAPTER 26 In Depth: Base
      1. Getting Started with Base
      2. Creating a Database
      3. Using the Database
      4. Summary
    7. CHAPTER 27 In Depth: Evolution
      1. Evolution Modes
      2. Basic E-Mail Tasks
      3. Advanced E-Mail Tasks
      4. Contacts
      5. Calendars
      6. Tasks
      7. Summary
    8. CHAPTER 28 Running Microsoft Office Under SUSE Linux
      1. Installing and Configuring Wine
      2. Installing Microsoft Office
      3. Running Office Components
      4. Installing Other Windows Programs
      5. Summary
  15. PART VII Keeping Your System Running
    1. CHAPTER 29 Installing and Removing Software
      1. Software Installation Basics
      2. Managing Software via the GUI
      3. Managing Software from the Shell
      4. Adding Installation Sources
      5. Compiling from Source
      6. Summary
    2. CHAPTER 30 Managing Users
      1. Understanding User and Group Accounts
      2. Creating New Users and Groups
      3. Changing Passwords
      4. Sharing Root Powers via sudo
      5. Summary
    3. CHAPTER 31 Optimizing Your System
      1. Speeding Up Booting
      2. Optimizing Hard Disk Settings
      3. Prelinking
      4. Freeing Disk Space
      5. Adding Another Disk Drive
      6. Summary
    4. CHAPTER 32 Backing Up Data
      1. What Data Should You Back Up?
      2. Backing Up Using YaST
      3. Making Backups from the Command Line
      4. Summary
    5. CHAPTER 33 Scheduling Tasks
      1. Scheduling with crontab
      2. Using at to Schedule Tasks
      3. Summary
    6. CHAPTER 34 Accessing Computers Remotely
      1. Using Secure Shell
      2. Accessing GUI Applications Remotely
      3. Accessing Remote Computers via VNC
      4. Connecting to Remote Windows Computers
      5. Summary
  16. APPENDIX A Glossary of Linux Terms
  17. APPENDIX B BASH Command Index
  18. APPENDIX C Getting Further Help
    1. Read the Manual!
    2. Getting Help Online
  19. Index

Product information

  • Title: Beginning SUSE Linux, Second Edition
  • Author(s):
  • Release date: November 2006
  • Publisher(s): Apress
  • ISBN: 9781590596746