book

The Official Ubuntu Book, Second Edition

by Benjamin Mako Hill, Jono Bacon, Ivan Krstić, David J. Murphy, Jonathan Jesse, Peter Savage, Corey Burger

July 2007

Beginner

512 pages

10h 25m

English

Pearson

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Dedication
What Makes Ubuntu so Popular?
About This BookThe Scope of the BookThe Menu
A Wild RideFree Software, Open Source, and GNU/LinuxFree Software and GNULinuxOpen SourceA Brief History of UbuntuMark ShuttleworthThe WarthogsWhat Does Ubuntu Mean?Creating CanonicalWhat Is Ubuntu?What Is a Distribution?An Ecosystem of DistributionsThe Debian Project and the Free Software UniverseThe Ubuntu CommunityUbuntu Promises and GoalsPhilosophical GoalsConduct Goals and Code of ConductTechnical GoalsBug #1Canonical and the Ubuntu FoundationCanonical Ltd.Canonical’s Service and SupportBazaar and LaunchpadThe Ubuntu FoundationUbuntu Subprojects, Derivatives, and Spin-offsSummary
Choosing Your Ubuntu VersionOther Ubuntu DistributionsIs It Still Ubuntu?Getting UbuntuBurning a CDIn Windows with ISO RecorderIn Windows with Nero Burning ROMIn Linux with GNOMEBurning with Mac OS XInstalling from the Desktop CDLanguageLocationConfiguring Your KeyboardDisk SpaceDeciding on Your PartitionsUbuntu OnlyDual-BootingManual PartitioningMigrationIdentificationFinishing UpInstalling from the Alternate Install CDChoosing Your Spot in the WorldSetting the HostnameCreating PartitionsGuided—Use Entire DiskGuided—Use Entire Disk and Set Up LVMManualConfiguring a UserFinishing UpSummary
Taking Your Desktop for a RideStarting Applications and Finding ThingsChanging Your Menu LayoutFinding Your Files and FoldersConfiguring Your SystemShortcut IconsAppletsThe Notification AreaThe ClockThe TaskbarShutting Down Your Computer and Logging OutUsing Your ApplicationsBrowsing the Web with FirefoxTabbed BrowsingBookmarking Your Favorite SitesSave Time with Live BookmarksBolt It On, Make It CoolCreating Documents with OpenOffice.orgManaging Your E-Mail and Calendars with EvolutionSetting Up Your E-Mail AccountWorking with Your E-MailManaging Your CalendarCreating Graphics with GIMPAn ExampleCommunicating with GaimSetting Up Your AccountsUsing Instant MessagingUsing IRCCutting-Edge Voice Over IP with EkigaSetting UpMaking a CallExploring the Ubuntu LandscapeOther Applications to TryThe Ubuntu File Chooser and BookmarksUbuntu in Your LanguageCustomizing Ubuntu’s Look and FeelChanging the BackgroundChanging the ThemeChoosing a New ThemeInstalling New ThemesConfiguring a ScreensaverManaging Your FilesHow Linux Stores and Organizes FilesWhich Folder Does What?Configuration FilesSelecting, Copying, and Moving Files and FoldersUsing the SidebarUsing EmblemsUbuntu and MultimediaInstalling CodecsListening to Audio FilesUsing RhythmboxListening to PodcastsPlaying and Ripping CDsRipping Songs as OggsRipping Songs as MP3sWatching VideosUsing TotemGetting DVDs to WorkSummary

Adding and Removing Programs and PackagesInstalling and Using Add/Remove ApplicationsTerminologyInstalling with SynapticInstalling a PackageRemoving a PackageFinding That PackageKeeping Your Computer UpdatedInstalling UpdatesLearning about What Was UpdatedUsing Synaptic to Check for UpdatesMoving to the Next Ubuntu ReleaseDoing the Actual UpgradeUsing and Abusing Devices and MediaUsing USB Keyring DrivesBurning CDsCreating Audio CDsBurning a CD from an ImageUsing Floppy DisksUsing Digital CamerasConfiguring a Printer in UbuntuMaking It Easier with Gnome CUPS ManagerA Note about Using GnomeGathering InformationLaunching the WizardMission Accomplished!Remote PrintingThe Printers WindowGraphically Accessing Remote FilesThe TerminalA Crash Course in the TerminalGetting StartedBuilding PipelinesRunning Commands as the SuperuserFinding HelpWorking with WindowsRunning ApplicationsUsing Windows Files on Another PartitionSummary
What Is Ubuntu Server?Installing Ubuntu ServerA Couple of Installer TricksPartitioning Your Ubuntu ServerThe Story of RAIDRAID 0RAID 1RAID 5Which RAID to Choose?Setting Up RAIDThe Story of the Logical Volume ManagerLVM Theory and JargonSetting Up LVMYou’re Done—Now Watch Out for Root!Ubuntu Package ManagementThe Ubuntu ArchiveAPT Sources and RepositoriesdpkgListing PackagesInstalling a Package Manuallyapt-get and apt-cacheSearching the Package Cache and Showing Package InformationInstalling a PackageRemoving a PackagePerforming System UpdatesRunning a Distribution UpgradeBuilding Packages from SourceaptitudeTips and TricksListing Files Owned by a PackageFinding Which Package Owns a FileFinding Which Package Provides a FileUbuntu Server SecurityUser Account AdministrationFilesystem SecuritynodevnosuidnoexecnoatimeSystem Resource LimitsSystem Log FilesYour Log ToolboxA Sprinkling of Network SecurityFinal Words on SecuritySummary
The SystemUbuntu Won’t Start!The BootloaderBacking Up and Restoring Your Boot SectorUbuntu Loads but Keeps RestartingMemory ProblemsWrong KernelThe Ubuntu Logo Appears Corrupted or Just Looks Odd While BootingWhen I Start My Computer, I Get Text Instead of a Graphical InterfaceI Tried to Use a Word or PowerPoint Document, and the Fonts Are All WrongI Want to Add TrueType Fonts to My Desktop QuicklyHow Do I Install a Package?How Do I Install Another Desktop Environment?I Want to Install an Application That Is Not in SynapticI Want a Local Copy of the Ubuntu RepositoriesThe File Manager Is Painfully Slow—How Can I Make It Run Faster?I Can’t See the Hidden Files and Folders in the File ManagerHow Do I Restore Something I Deleted in the File Manager?How Can I Test Whether an .iso File Works?Checking That the .iso File WorksVerifying the .iso FileI Downloaded an Autopackage, but I Don’t Know How to Run ItHow Do I Compile an Application?The Desktop Has Hung—What Do I Do?My Screen Resolution Is WrongHow Can I Automatically Log In Without Having to Enter My Login Details?I Tried to Upgrade My System, but I Got an ErrorI Am Running Out of Disk Space—How Do I Free Up Some Space?I Deleted Something in the File Manager, but I Don’t See the Extra Disk SpaceAnother Version of Ubuntu Is Out—How Do I Upgrade to It?ApplicationsWhen I Click the Close Window Icon, My Program Doesn’t Go AwayThe Upgrade Notification Bubble Keeps Appearing, and I Want It to StopExtending the File Manager with ScriptsInstalling a ScriptA Sample Nautilus ScriptI Went to a Web Site in Firefox, and the Macromedia Flash Plug-in Is MissingJava Is Not Installed on My SystemI Have Heard Desktop Search Is Cool—How Do I Install It?My E-Mail Doesn’t Work in EvolutionMultimediaI Downloaded a Particular Media File, and It Won’t PlayMy DVD Won’t PlayDVD Playback Is Jittery and JumpyWhen I Start Some Applications, Ubuntu Says I Don’t Have Access to /dev/dspMy Microphone Doesn’t WorkMy Sound Is DistortedHow Do I Change the Visual Theme?How Do I Find and Install New Desktop Themes and Backgrounds?How Do I Turn My Ubuntu Computer into a MythTV Box?NetworkingI Can’t Access My Wired Local Area NetworkMy Computer Says It Can’t Resolve a Web SiteHow Do I Use SSH for Transferring Files Across a Network?How Do I Use a Graphical Application Remotely with SSH?My Wireless Card Is Not WorkingI Need to Use WPA or I Use WPA-PSK on My Wireless Access PointHardwareUbuntu Has Not Detected My Old Sound CardMy Cardbus Adapter Is Not Being RecognizedI Plug In My USB Stick and Nothing HappensI Copied Some Files to/from My USB Stick, but When I Access It Later, the Files Are Not ThereMy CD-ROM/DVD Drive Is Not WorkingMy CD-ROM/DVD Drive Won’t EjectI Bought a Device, but It Doesn’t Work in UbuntuMy Computer Says It Is Out of MemoryHow Can I Copy Photos from My Mobile Phone to My Ubuntu Computer with Bluetooth?I Can Read My USB Storage Device, but I Can’t Write to ItI Still Can’t Write to My Drive!How Do I Format a Disk?The Keys on My Keyboard Spit Out the Wrong Letters/SymbolsMy Serial Mouse Is Not WorkingMy Mouse Scroll Wheel Does Not WorkMy Remote Control Doesn’t WorkHow Do I Find Out Which Hardware Works in Ubuntu Before I Purchase It?System AdministrationHow Do I Schedule Things to Happen?Crontab SectionsCrontab Command OptionsAn ExampleHow Can I Copy a File from One Computer to Another?I Know an Application Is Available in Ubuntu, but Synaptic Can’t Find ItI Am Running Ubuntu on an Older Computer, and I Would Like a Faster DesktopI Reinstalled Windows, and Now Ubuntu Won’t Start!How Do I Fix My Disk After a Power Failure?Ubuntu Takes Up Too Much Disk Space on My Old ComputerMy Computer Is Running Quite Slowly—How Can I Find Out What Is Going On?How Can I Learn the Different Options for Commands?How Do I Get My Root Account Back?I Forgot My System Password—What Can I Do?How Do I Access My Windows Partitions?How Do I Add Users?OtherRunning Another OS in UbuntuIt Was Suggested I File a Bug Report, but I Don’t Know HowHow Can I Monitor the Weather?How Do I Make Ubuntu Bread?How Can I Prevent the Pain I Get in My Fingers When I Type?Summary
Introduction to KubuntuA History of KDEA History of KubuntuInstalling KubuntuWhere to Find KubuntuCan I Switch to Kubuntu If I Have Ubuntu Installed Already?Installing from the Desktop CDNavigating in KubuntuShutting Down Your Computer and Logging OutUsing sudo Instead of a Root AccountCustomizing KubuntuCustomizing the DesktopGet Hot New StuffCustomizing Applets and the KickerCustomizing the KMenuSystem AdministrationInstalling New PackagesManaging RepositoriesInstalling a PackageUpgrading KubuntuHow to Keep the System Up to DateSystem SettingsThe Personal SectionThe Look & Feel SectionThe Computer Administration SectionThe Network & Connectivity SectionThe Advanced TabWindows ApplicationsManaging Files with KubuntuIntroduction to KonquerorRipping Audio CDsAccessing Windows PartitionsAccessing USB DrivesManaging MusicCommon ApplicationsOpenOffice.orgWeb Browsing with KonquerorUsing Firefox for Browsing the WebBurning CDs—Audio and DataInstant MessagingKontactSetting Up Your E-Mail AccountUsing KOrganizerUsing AkregatorKritaCreating a New ImageManipulating an Existing DocumentInternet Relay ChatKiosk ModeExploring the Kubuntu LandscapeTips and TricksRun Programs Automatically When Kubuntu StartsLog In Automatically to Kubuntu When the Computer StartsAutomatically Turn On Numlock When Kubuntu StartsFinding Help and Giving Back to the CommunityFinding HelpGiving Back to the CommunitySummary
VenuesMailing Listsubuntu-announceubuntu-devel-announceubuntu-usersubuntu-devel-discussubuntu-develsounderInternet Relay ChatWeb ForumsWikisThe FridgeDeveloper Summits and SprintsUser ConferencesPlanet UbuntuTeams, Processes, and Community GovernanceTeamsLocal Community TeamsMOTUsThe Community CouncilThe Technical BoardThe SABDFLUbunteros and Ubuntu MembersGetting InvolvedAdvocacySupportIdeas and FeedbackDocumentationArtworkTranslation and LocalizationQuality Assurance and BugsProgramming and PackagingSummary
Partner ProjectsKubuntuEdubuntuXubuntuDerived DistributionsGuadalinexgNewSensenUbuntuLinspire and FreespireThe Open CDImpiLinuxLaunchpadSoyuzRosettaMaloneBlueprintAnswersOther FunctionalityBazaarSummary
Introduction to EdubuntuA History of EdubuntuWhere to Find EdubuntuWhat Is LTSP?How Does LTSP Work?The Benefits of LTSPOther UsesLTSP Availability in UbuntuApplicationsEducational ApplicationsGCompris AdministrationKalziumKanagramKBruchKEducaKEduca-EditorKHangmanKigKmPlotKPercentageKStarsKTouchKTurtleKverbosKVocTrainOthers Not on the Education MenuStandard ApplicationsOpenOffice.orgScribusGIMPDiaKinoInstalling EdubuntuChecking the Edubuntu CD for DefectsChoosing What to InstallInstalling Edubuntu from the Desktop CDInstalling from the Server CDStandalone InstallationsServer ConfigurationsThe Installation ProcedureInitial LTSP Server SetupInitial LTSP Client SetupSwitching to Edubuntu If Ubuntu Is Already InstalledInstalling the LTSP Environment in Ubuntu or on a Desktop InstallationSpecial LTSP CasesSetting Up Edubuntu to Coexist with an Existing DHCP ServerDual-Booting with Another Operating System on the Hard DiskManaging Your Edubuntu ServerUpdating the ServerInstalling ApplicationsRemoving ApplicationsChanging Your IP AddressLocal Devices over LTSPSound over LTSPPrinting over LTSPUsing Other Window Managers with EdubuntuManaging Your Edubuntu ClientsUpdating the Client NFS RootUpgrading the Client’s Kernel VersionControlling and Managing the Users’ DesktopsUsing Thin Client ManagerManaging ProcessesLogging Users Out of Their SessionsSending MessagesStarting ProgramsLocking or Blanking ScreensThe Lockdown EditorManaging Users with GroupsPlug-insTroubleshooting LTSPThe Computer Is Not Obtaining an IP AddressNFS Server Is Not RespondingVMWare Client Crashes While BootingSome Intel Boot Agents Will Not Boot at AllFinding Help and Giving Back to the CommunityFinding HelpWeb SiteMailing ListInternet Relay ChatForumsGiving Back to the CommunitySummary
Starting Up the TerminalMoving Around the FilesystemManipulating Files and FoldersSystem Information CommandsSearching and Editing Text FilesDealing with Users and GroupsGetting Help on the Command LineSearching for Man FilesUsing WildcardsExecuting Multiple CommandsRunning SequentiallyPassing OutputMoving to More Advanced Uses of the Command Line
Code of ConductGround RulesMailing Lists and Web ForumsUbuntu PhilosophyFree SoftwareOpen SourceComponents“Main” Component“Restricted” Component“Universe” Component“Multiverse” ComponentLicensingCategories of Software in UbuntuUbuntu “Main” Component PolicyUbuntu “Main” and “Restricted” Component License PolicyDocumentation, Firmware, and DriversThe Purpose of the “Restricted” ComponentSoftware Installed by Default
Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 United StatesLicenseCreative Commons Notice
On the Ubuntu DesktopWord ProcessingSpreadsheetPresentationDatabaseWeb BrowserE-MailMedia PlayersPhoto EditorInstant MessagingVoice Over IPAdditional ApplicationsOffice and FinancePersonal AccountingAccountingDesktop PublishingProject ManagementDrawing and ModelingVector Drawing3D ModelerDiagram EditingGames and EdutainmentPlanetariumSpace SimulatorFlight SimulatorTyping Tutor

Content preview from The Official Ubuntu Book, Second Edition

Foreword to the First Edition

IT’S A SMALL CELEBRATION for me to write this foreword—almost exactly two years after the first meeting of a small group of free software professionals that turned into the Ubuntu project. A celebration because two years ago none of us would have predicted that our dream would spawn several million CDs, three or four million enthusiastic users, hundreds of commitments of support from companies large and small, a minor prime time television reference, and now The Official Ubuntu Book.

The dream that brought us together can be simply expressed:

To build a world-class operating system for ordinary desktop computer users, that is genuinely free and freely available, that is immediately useful, and that represents the very ...