The Official Ubuntu Book

The Official Ubuntu Book

by Benjamin Mako Hill, Jono Bacon, Corey Burger, Jonathan Jesse, Ivan Krstić
Released August 2006
Publisher(s): Pearson
ISBN: 9780132435949

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Book description

Ubuntu is a complete, free operating system that emphasizes community, support, and ease of use while refusing to compromise on speed, power, and flexibility. It's Linux for human beings--designed for everyone from computer novices to experts. Ubuntu is the most in-demand Linux distribution, and this official guide will get you up and running quickly.

Learn how to seamlessly install and customize Ubuntu for your home or small businesses. Its open source power can be used in schools, government, or by corporations, and is suitable for both desktop and server use. The Ubuntu community is built on the premise that software should be available free of charge, and that people should have the freedom to customize and alter their software in whatever way they see fit.

Written by leading Ubuntu community members, this is the only book that you need to become a savvy Ubuntu user.

  • Covers the latest version of Ubuntu--Ubuntu 6.06LTS

  • Covers every standard desktop application from word processing, spreadsheets, Web browsing, e-mail, instant messaging, music, video, and, of course, games, all the way to software development, databases, and other server applications

  • Includes real-world troubleshooting advice contributed by Ubuntu users from around the world

  • Learn about the extended Ubuntu community, which includes translators; software developers; teachers; people who love to hand out CDs and help friends try free software; artists; people who write documentation, tips, and guides; accountants; and even a lawyer or two.

  • Covers both Ubuntu and Kubuntu desktop systems

  • Explains Ubuntu Server installation and basic administration, complete with advanced installer features like LVM and RAID

    • This book comes with a version of Ubuntu that can run right off the DVD, as well as the complete set of supported packages for Ubuntu, including Kubuntu. Try out Ubuntu on the DVD. If you want to keep it, install it directly from your desktop.

    Community Contributors: James Stanger, Jorge O. Castro, Matthew East, Quim Gil, Dennis Kaarsemaker, David Bain, Alan Barnard, David Clayton, Manu Cornet, Scott Dier, Oskar Jönefors, Jason LaPrade, Avinash Meetoo, Julien Rottenberg, Stephen Sandlin, David Symons, Paul van Genderen, Andrew Zajac

    Table of contents

    1. Copyright
      1. Dedication
    2. Foreword
      1. What Makes Ubuntu so Popular?
    3. Preface
    4. Acknowledgments
    5. About the Authors
    6. Introduction
      1. About This Book
        1. The Scope of the Book
        2. The Menu
    7. 1. Introducing Ubuntu
      1. A Wild Ride
      2. Free Software, Open Source, and GNU/Linux
        1. Free Software and GNU
        2. Linux
        3. Open Source
      3. A Brief History of Ubuntu
        1. Mark Shuttleworth
        2. The Warthogs
        3. What Does Ubuntu Mean?
        4. Creating Canonical
      4. What Is Ubuntu?
        1. What Is a Distribution?
        2. An Ecosystem of Distributions
        3. The Debian Project and the Free Software Universe
        4. The Ubuntu Community
      5. Ubuntu Promises and Goals
        1. Philosophical Goals
        2. Conduct Goals and Code of Conduct
        3. Technical Goals
        4. Bug #1
      6. Canonical and the Ubuntu Foundation
        1. Canonical Ltd.
        2. Canonical’s Service and Support
        3. Bazaar and Launchpad
        4. The Ubuntu Foundation
      7. Ubuntu Subprojects, Derivatives, and Spin offs
      8. Summary
    8. 2. Installing Ubuntu
      1. Choosing Your Ubuntu Version
        1. Other Ubuntu Distributions
        2. Is It Still Ubuntu?
      2. Getting Ubuntu
        1. Burning a CD
          1. In Windows with ISO Recorder
          2. In Windows with Nero Burning ROM
          3. In Linux with GNOME
          4. Burning with Mac OS X
      3. Installing from the Desktop CD
        1. Language
        2. Configure Your Keyboard
        3. Location
        4. Identification
        5. Disk Space
          1. Deciding on Your Partitions
          2. Using the Entire Disk
          3. Manually Partitioning
        6. Finishing Up
      4. Installing Using the Alternate Install CD
        1. Choosing Your Spot in the World
        2. Networking
        3. Creating Partitions
          1. Erase Entire Disk
          2. Erase Entire Disk and Use LVM
          3. Manually Edit Partition Table
        4. Configuring a User
        5. Finishing Up
      5. Post-Installation
        1. Configuring the Login Screen
          1. Changing the Artwork
          2. Enabling Automatic Logins
          3. Enabling Remote Graphical Logins
        2. Setting Up Printers
      6. Summary
    9. 3. Using Ubuntu on the Desktop
      1. Taking Your Desktop for a Ride
        1. Starting Applications and Finding Things
          1. Changing Your Menu Layout
        2. Find Your Files and Folders
        3. Configure Your System
        4. Shortcut Icons
        5. Applets
        6. The Notification Area
        7. The Clock
        8. The Taskbar
        9. Shutting Your Computer Down and Logging Out
      2. Using Your Applications
        1. Browsing the Web with Firefox
          1. Tabbed Browsing
          2. Bookmarking Your Favorite Sites
          3. Save Time with Live Bookmarks
          4. Bolt It On, Make It Cool
        2. Creating Documents with OpenOffice.org
        3. Managing Your E-Mail and Calendars with Evolution
          1. Setting Up Your E-Mail Account
          2. Working with Your E-Mail
          3. Managing Your Calendar
        4. Create Graphics with the GIMP
          1. An Example
        5. Communicate with Gaim
          1. Setting Up Your Accounts
          2. Using Instant Messaging
          3. Using IRC
        6. Cutting-Edge Voice Over IP with Ekiga
          1. Setting Up
          2. Making a Call
        7. Exploring the Ubuntu Landscape
          1. Other Applications to Try
      3. The Ubuntu File Chooser and Bookmarks
      4. Ubuntu in Your Language
      5. Customizing Ubuntu’s Look and Feel
        1. Changing the Background
        2. Changing the Theme
          1. Choosing a New Theme
          2. Installing New Themes
        3. Configuring a Screensaver
      6. Managing Your Files
        1. How Linux Stores and Organizes Files
          1. Which Folder Does What?
          2. Configuration Files
        2. Selecting, Copying, and Moving Files/Folders
        3. Using the Sidebar
        4. Using Emblems
      7. Ubuntu and Multimedia
        1. Installing Codecs
        2. Listening to Audio Files
          1. Using Rhythmbox
          2. Listening to Podcasts
        3. Playing and Ripping CDs
          1. Ripping Songs as Oggs
          2. Ripping Songs as MP3s
        4. Watching Videos
          1. Using Totem
          2. Getting DVDs to Work
      8. Summary
    10. 4. Advanced Usage and Managing Ubuntu
      1. Adding and Removing Programs and Packages
        1. Installing and Using Add Applications
        2. Terminology
        3. Installing Using Synaptic
          1. Installing a Package
          2. Removing a Package
          3. Updating Your System
          4. Finding That Package
      2. Keeping Your Computer Updated
        1. Installing Updates
        2. Learning about What Was Updated
        3. Using Synaptic to Check for Updates
      3. Moving to the Next Ubuntu Release
        1. Doing the Actual Upgrade
      4. Using and Abusing Devices and Media
        1. Using USB Key Rings
        2. Burning CDs
          1. Creating Audio CDs
          2. Burning a CD from an Image
        3. Using Floppy Disks
        4. Using Digital Cameras
      5. Configuring a Printer in Ubuntu
        1. Making it Easier with GNOME CUPS Manager
        2. Note about Using GNOME
        3. Gathering Information
        4. Launching the Wizard
        5. Remote Printing
        6. Mission Accomplished!
        7. The Printers Window
      6. Graphically Access Remote Files
      7. The Terminal
        1. Crash Course in the Terminal
          1. Getting Started
          2. Building Pipelines
          3. Running Commands as the Superuser
          4. Finding Help
      8. Working with Windows
        1. Running Applications
        2. Using Windows Files on Another Partition
      9. Summary
    11. 5. The Ubuntu Server
      1. What Is Ubuntu Server?
      2. Installing Ubuntu Server
        1. A Couple of Installer Tricks
        2. Partitioning Your Ubuntu Server
        3. The Story of RAID
          1. RAID 0
          2. RAID 1
          3. RAID 5
          4. Which RAID to Choose?
        4. Setting Up RAID
        5. The Story of the Logical Volume Manager
          1. LVM Theory and Jargon
        6. Setting Up LVM
        7. You’re Done—Now Watch Out for Root!
      3. Ubuntu Package Management
        1. The Ubuntu Archive
        2. APT Sources and Repositories
        3. dpkg
          1. Listing Packages
        4. Installing a Package Manually
        5. apt-get and apt-cache
          1. Searching the Package Cache and Showing Package Information
          2. Installing a Package
          3. Removing a Package
          4. Performing System Updates
        6. Running a Distribution Upgrade
          1. Building Packages from Source
        7. aptitude
        8. Tips and Tricks
          1. Listing Files Owned by a Package
          2. Finding Which Package Owns a File
          3. Finding Which Package Provides a File
      4. Ubuntu Server Security
        1. User Account Administration
        2. Filesystem Security
          1. nodev
          2. nosuid
          3. noexec
          4. noatime
        3. System Resource Limits
        4. System Log Files
          1. Your Log Toolbox
        5. A Sprinkling of Network Security
        6. Final Words on Security
      5. Summary
    12. 6. Support and Typical Problems
      1. Your System
        1. Ubuntu Won’t Start!
          1. The Bootloader
          2. Backing Up and Restoring Your Boot Sector
        2. The Ubuntu Logo Appears Corrupted or Just Looks Odd While Booting
        3. When I Start My Computer I Get Text Instead of a Graphical Interface
        4. I Tried to Use a Word or PowerPoint Document, and the Fonts Are All Wrong
        5. How Do I Install a Package?
        6. I Want to Install an Application That Is Not in Synaptic
        7. The Repository Rundown
        8. Nautilus Is Painfully Slow—How Can I Make It Run Faster?
        9. Add TrueType Fonts to Your Desktop Quickly
        10. How Can I Test That an ISO File Works?
          1. Checking That the ISO Works
          2. Verifying the ISO
        11. I Downloaded an Autopackage But I Don’t Know How to Run It
        12. How Do I Compile an Application?
        13. I Can’t See the Hidden Dot Files and Folders in the File Manager
        14. How Do I Restore Something I Deleted in the File Manager?
        15. The Desktop Has Hung—What Do I Do?
        16. My Screen Resolution Is Wrong
        17. How Can I Automatically Login without Having to Enter My Login Details?
        18. I Tried to Upgrade My System, but I Get an Error
        19. I Am Running Out of Disk Space—How Do I Free Up Some Space?
        20. I Deleted Something in the File Manager, but I Don’t See the Extra Disk Space
        21. Another Version of Ubuntu Is Out—How Do I Upgrade to It?
      2. Applications
        1. When I Click the Close Window Icon, My Program Doesn’t Go Away
        2. The Upgrade Notification Bubble Keeps Appearing, and I Want It to Stop
        3. Extending Nautilus with Scripts
          1. Installing a Script
          2. A Sample Nautilus Script
        4. I Went to a Web Site in Firefox, and the Macromedia Flash Plug-in Is Missing
        5. Java Is Not Installed on My System
        6. I Have Heard Desktop Search Is Cool—How Do I Install It?
        7. My E-Mail Doesn’t Work in Evolution
      3. Multimedia
        1. I Downloaded a Particular Media File, and It Won’t Play
        2. My DVD Won’t Play
        3. DVD Playback Is Jittery and Jumpy
        4. When I Start Some Applications, Ubuntu Says I Don’t Have Access to /dev/dsp
        5. My Microphone Doesn’t Work
        6. How Do I Change the Visual Theme?
        7. How Do I Find and Install New Desktop Themes and Backgrounds?
        8. How Do I Turn My Ubuntu Computer into a MythTV Box?
      4. Networking
        1. I Can’t Access My LAN
        2. Nameserver Problems
        3. How Do I Use ssh (Secure SHell) for Transferring Files across a Network?
        4. How Do I Use a Graphical Application Remotely with ssh (Secure SHell)?
        5. My Wireless Card Is Not Working
        6. I Need to Use WPA or I Use WPA-PSK on My Wireless Access Point
      5. Hardware
        1. Ubuntu Has Not Detected My Old Sound Card
        2. My Cardbus Adapter Is Not Being Recognized
        3. I Plug in My USB Stick and Nothing Happens
        4. I Copied Some Files to/from My USB Stick, but When I Access It Later the Files Are Not There
        5. My CD-ROM/DVD Is Not Working
        6. My CD-ROM/DVD Drive Won’t Eject
        7. I Bought a Device, but It Doesn’t Work in Ubuntu
        8. My Computer Says It Is Out of Memory
        9. How Can I Copy Photos from My Mobile Phone to My Ubuntu Computer with Bluetooth?
        10. I Can Read My USB Storage Device, but I Can’t Write to It
        11. Filesystem Fun
        12. How Do I Format a Disk?
        13. The Keys on My Keyboard Spit Out the Wrong Letters/Symbols
        14. My Serial Mouse Is Not Working
        15. My Mouse Scroll Wheel Does Not Work
        16. My Remote Control Doesn’t Work
        17. How Do I Find Out Which Hardware Works in Ubuntu before I Purchase It?
      6. System Administration
        1. How Do I Schedule Things to Happen?
          1. Crontab Sections
          2. Crontab Command Options
          3. An Example
        2. How Can I Copy a File from One Computer to Another?
        3. I Know an Application Is Available in Ubuntu but Synaptic Can’t Find It
        4. I Am Running Ubuntu on an Older Computer, and I Would Like a Faster Desktop
        5. I Have Reinstalled Windows, and Now Ubuntu Won’t Start!
        6. How Do I Fix My Disk after a Power Failure?
        7. Ubuntu Takes Up Too Much Disk Space on My Old Computer
        8. My Computer Is Running Quite Slowly—How Can I Find Out What Is Going On?
        9. How Can I Find Out the Different Options for Commands?
        10. How Do I Get My Root Account Back?
        11. I Forgot My System Password—What Can I Do?
        12. How Do I Access My Windows Partitions?
        13. Ubuntu Is Slow on My AMD K7 Computer
        14. How Do I Add Users?
      7. Other
        1. Running Another OS In Ubuntu
        2. It Was Suggested I File a Bug Report, but I Don’t Know How
        3. How Can I Monitor the Weather?
        4. How Do I Make Ubuntu Bread?
        5. How Can I Prevent the Pain I Am Getting in My Fingers When I Type?
      8. Summary
    13. 7. Using Kubuntu
      1. Introduction to Kubuntu
        1. History of KDE
        2. History of Kubuntu
        3. Navigating in Kubuntu
        4. Shutting Your Computer Down and Logging Out
      2. Installing Kubuntu
        1. Where to Find Kubuntu
        2. Can I Switch to Kubuntu If I Have Ubuntu Installed Already?
        3. Guided Installation
        4. Installing from the Desktop CD
        5. Using Sudo
      3. Customizing Kubuntu
        1. Customizing the Desktop
        2. Get Hot New Stuff
        3. Customizing Applets and the Kicker
        4. Customizing the K menu
      4. Systems Administration
        1. Installing New Packages
        2. Managing Repositories
        3. Installing a Package
        4. Upgrading Kubuntu
        5. How to Keep the System Up-to-Date
        6. System Settings
          1. Personal
          2. Hardware
          3. Internet and Network
          4. System Administration
      5. Managing Files with Kubuntu
        1. Introduction to Konqueror
        2. Finding Files and Folders
        3. Ripping Audio CDs
        4. Accessing Windows Partitions
        5. Accessing USB Drives
        6. Managing Music
      6. Common Applications
        1. OpenOffice.org
        2. Web Browsing
        3. Using Firefox for Browsing the Web
        4. Burning CDs—Audio and Data
        5. KAudioCreator
        6. Instant Messaging
        7. Kontact
          1. Setting Up Your E-mail Account
          2. Using Korganize
        8. Krita
          1. Creating a New Image
          2. Manipulating an Existing Document
        9. Watching Movies and Playing CDs
        10. Internet Relay Chat
        11. Kiosk Mode
        12. Exploring the Kubuntu Landscape
        13. Tips and Tricks
          1. Run Programs Automatically When Kubuntu Starts
          2. Login Automatically to Kubuntu When the Computer Starts
          3. Automatically Turn on Num Lock When Kubuntu Starts
      7. Finding Help and Giving Back to the Community
        1. Finding Help
        2. Accessing KDE Help Manuals
        3. Giving Back to the Community
      8. Summary
    14. 8. The Ubuntu Community
      1. Venues
        1. Mailing Lists
      2. Ubuntu Mailing Lists
        1. Internet Relay Chat (IRC)
      3. IRC Channel List
        1. Web Forums
        2. Wikis
        3. The Fridge
        4. Conferences and Sprints
        5. Planet
      4. Teams, Processes, and Community Governance
        1. Teams
        2. Local Community (LoCo) Teams
        3. MOTU
        4. Community Council
        5. Technical Board
        6. SABDFL
        7. Ubunteros and Ubuntu Members
      5. Getting Involved
        1. Advocacy
        2. Support
        3. Ideas and Feedback
        4. Documentation
        5. Artwork
        6. Translation and Localization
        7. Quality Assurance and Bugs
        8. Programming and Packaging
      6. Summary
    15. 9. Ubuntu-Related Projects
      1. Partner Projects
        1. Kubuntu
        2. Edubuntu
      2. Derived Distributions
        1. Guadalinex
        2. Xubuntu
        3. Nexenta
        4. nUbuntu
        5. Ufficio Zero
        6. The Open CD
        7. Baltix
        8. ImpiLinux
      3. The Launchpad
        1. Soyuz
        2. Rosetta
        3. Malone
        4. Other Functionality
      4. Bazaar
      5. Summary
    16. A. Welcome to the Command Line
      1. Starting Up the Terminal
      2. Moving around the Filesystem
      3. Manipulating Files and Folders
      4. System Information Commands
      5. Searching and Editing Text Files
      6. Dealing with Users and Groups
      7. Getting Help on the Command Line
      8. Searching for Man Files
      9. Using Wildcards
      10. Executing Multiple Commands
        1. Run Sequentially
        2. Passing Output
      11. Moving on to More Advanced Uses of the Command Line
        1. Books and Web Sites
    17. B. Ubuntu Foundation Documents
      1. Code of Conduct
        1. Introduction
      2. Ubuntu Code of Conduct
        1. Mailing Lists and Web Forums
      3. Ubuntu Philosophy
        1. Free and Open Source Software
        2. Free Software
        3. Open Source
      4. Components
        1. “Main” Component
        2. “Restricted” Component
        3. “Universe” Component
        4. “Multiverse” Component
      5. License Policy
        1. Ubuntu “Main” and “Restricted” Component License Policy
        2. Documentation, Firmware, and Drivers
        3. Software Installed by Default
    18. C. Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0 Open Publication License
      1. Attribution-ShareAlike 2.0
      2. License
    19. D. Ubuntu Equivalents to Windows Programs
      1. On the Ubuntu Desktop
        1. Word Processing
        2. Spreadsheet
        3. Presentation
        4. Database
        5. Web Browser
        6. E-Mail
        7. Media Players
        8. Photo Editor
        9. Instant Messaging
        10. Voice Over IP
      2. Additional Applications
        1. Office and Finance
          1. Personal Accounting
          2. Accounting
          3. Desktop Publishing
          4. Project Management
        2. Drawing and Modeling
          1. Vector Drawing
          2. 3D Modeler
          3. Diagram Editing
        3. Games and Edutainment
          1. Planetarium
          2. Space Simulator
          3. Flight Simulator
          4. Typing Tutor
    20. DVD Warranty

    Product information

    • Title: The Official Ubuntu Book
    • Author(s): Benjamin Mako Hill, Jono Bacon, Corey Burger, Jonathan Jesse, Ivan Krstić
    • Release date: August 2006
    • Publisher(s): Pearson
    • ISBN: 9780132435949