book

Ubuntu Made Easy

by Rickford Grant, Phil Bull

July 2012

Beginner

480 pages

14h 48m

English

No Starch Press

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Version CompatibilityConcept and ApproachHow to Use This BookAbout the Conventions Used in This BookAbout the Projects in This Book
What Is Linux?About the PenguinShould You Use Linux?What Is a Distribution?What Is Ubuntu?Why Ubuntu Then?Hardware CompatibilityWhen Research Is RequiredHardware RequirementsGood News for 64-Bit Machine UsersMixed News for Mac UsersSpeaking UbuntuWhere Do I Go from Here?
Going for a DipChoices, Choices, Choices—Installation OptionsGoing for a Swim—Installing Ubuntu Inside Windows (the Wubi Installer)Taking the Full Plunge—Installing Ubuntu Outside of WindowsGetting Ready for ActionUsernames and User PasswordsDoing the DeedHow Can I Get Back into Windows?Oh No, My Computer Won’t Boot!
Welcome to the DesktopParts of the Unity Desktop EnvironmentThe PanelThe DesktopThe LauncherWorking with the LauncherThe DashLensesFiltersFinding and Running Apps with the KeyboardHead-up DisplayNavigating a Sea of Open WindowsWorkspace Switcher—Virtual DesktopsWhy Doesn’t My Desktop Look Like That?Keyboard ShortcutsShutting Down
How Do You Connect?Setting Up a Wired ConnectionChecking Your ConnectionSetting Up a Cable or Ethernet Connection for Providers Not Using DHCPSetting Up a Wireless ConnectionHardwareActivating Your Wireless CardSwitching Off or Refreshing Your Wireless ConnectionConnecting with a DSL or ADSL ModemSetting Up a Dial-up ConnectionWhat to Do If Your Modem Isn’t CompatibleMobile Broadband ConnectionsI’m Connected . . . So Now What?
Firefox: Your Internet BrowserControlling Browser Window Clutter with TabsSave It for Later: Using History and BookmarksBookmarksHistoryKeeping Up-to-Date with Live BookmarksPop-up ManagerMultimedia Plug-insFlashSilverlight/MoonlightJavaProject 5: Installing Firefox Extensions5-1: Downloading and Installing the ScribeFire Extension5-2: Setting Up the ScribeFire ExtensionEmail with ThunderbirdThe Messaging MenuChatting with Your Friends via EmpathyStarting a ChatTelling People When You Don’t Want to ChatMicroblogging—Twitter and FriendsOther Internet Applications
Project 6A: Installing Applications via the Ubuntu Software Center6A-1: Selecting Applications for Installation6A-2: Searching for Applications6A-3: Uninstalling Applications6A-4: Commercial vs. Free SoftwarePerforming System Updates via Update ManagerHow Often Should You Install Updates?If an Update Ruins Your Day . . . or SystemAdding Extra Software RepositoriesAPT-URL: Installing from WebsitesProject 6B: Installing Software from a PPA—Turtle ArenaProject 6C: Installing DEB Packages Not Available via the Ubuntu Repositories—Google Earth

Find It Fast—Searching for Files with the DashRecent Files and DownloadsFinding More Elusive FilesA Closer Look at Lenses and FiltersFiles & FoldersMusicVideosNautilus: The Fully Featured File ManagerThe SidebarNow You See It; Now You Don’tFile Handling in NautilusCreating, Naming, and Renaming FoldersMoving Files and FoldersCopying Files and FoldersNavigating in NautilusBrowsing with Breadcrumbs in NautilusSpelling It Out—Typing File Paths in NautilusBookmarks Within NautilusUnderstanding the Linux FilesystemWhat’s in All Those Other Folders?Using Nautilus as a Network BrowserUsing Nautilus as an FTP ClientFile and Folder Permissions Within NautilusChanging File and Folder Permissions in NautilusKeeping Your Home Folder PrivateReading Data CDs and DVDsBurning Data CDs and DVDsDealing with CD-RWsBurning ISO Images to DiscCreating Your Own ISO ImagesBurning Multisession CDsBurning Subsequent SessionsDuplicating CDs and DVDsUSB Storage DevicesWorking with Bluetooth DevicesPairing DevicesSending Files by BluetoothReceiving Files by BluetoothBacking Up Your FilesRecovering from a BackupRemoving Unwanted FilesProject 7: Creating and Extracting Compressed Files
Meet the TerminalSome Goofy yet Useful Fun with the Command TerminalNontoxic Commands$ whoami$ pwd$ df$ ls$ calendar$ exitCommands with Some Teeth$ mkdir$ mv$ cd$ cp$ rm$ rmdir$ chmod$ sudo$ locate$ apt-get$ fingerWhat Is a Shell?What Is a Plan?Other Uses of the finger CommandA Couple of Other Commands You’ll Be Using Soon$ ln$ tarCompressing and Extracting Compressed Single FilesProject 8A: Creating a PlanProject 8B: More Command Practice with pyWings8B-1: Getting Ready for pyWings (Installing Tkinter)8B-2: Getting pyWings8B-3: Creating a LocalApps Folder for pyWings8B-4: Extracting the pyWings Tarball8B-5: Moving the pyWings Folder to Your LocalApps Folder8B-6: Running pyWings8B-7: Creating a Launchable Link for pyWings8B-8: Running pyWings AgainProject 8C: Command Practice Review with Briscola8C-1: Getting Briscola8C-2: Extracting the Briscola Tarball and Renaming the Briscola Folder8C-3: Preparing the Briscola Script8C-4: Moving the Briscola Folder to a Global Location8C-5: Creating a Launchable Link for BriscolaCan You Do the Same Thing with pyWings?Playing BriscolaProject 8D: Compiling and Installing Programs from Source—XmahjonggWhat Is Source?The Basics8D-1: Installing the Tools You Need8D-2: Downloading and Extracting the Xmahjongg File8D-3: Running configure and make for Xmahjongg8D-4: Installing and Running Xmahjongg8D-5: Cleaning Up and/or Uninstalling XmahjonggCustomizing the TerminalTabbed Shell Sessions in the Terminal
Project 9A: Creating a New User Account9A-1: Creating the Account9A-2: Logging In to Your New AccountCustomizing: The BasicsChanging the Desktop BackgroundInstalling Additional WallpapersWallpaper from Internet to Desktop—Quick and EasyChanging ThemesChanging Your Launcher Icon Size (Unity 3D Only)Autohiding the LauncherStretching Desktop IconsTaking ScreenshotsCustomizing Your Desktop Environment: The Next LevelCustomizations with MyUnityChanging Launcher PropertiesChanging Dash PropertiesChanging Panel TransparencyChanging Desktop FeaturesChanging Display FontsChanging ThemesCustomizing Visual Effects with CompizConfig Settings ManagerProject 9B: Customizing Your Desktop Environment—There’s No Place Like GNOME9B-1: Installing the GNOME Desktop Environments9B-2: Switching to the GNOME Desktop Environments and Back AgainProject 9C: Switching from Unity to Cinnamon
PrintersConfirming That Your Printer Is SupportedGetting Ubuntu to Automatically Recognize and Set Up Your PrinterManually Configuring PrintersSetting Up Wireless-Enabled PrintersSetting Up Printers Connected over a NetworkFor the Driverless Among YouChecking the ConnectionsTrying Your Windows DriversUsing Third-Party DriversTrial and ErrorPrinting DetailsPrinting in LibreOfficePrinting to PDFCanceling a Print JobChecking Ink Levels and Other Printer Maintenance TasksProject 10: Installing TrueType Fonts10-1: Getting the Font Files10-2: Installing Fonts Locally10-3: Installing TrueType Fonts GloballyScannersScanning, No Questions Asked, with Simple ScanNot-So-Simple Scanning with XSaneUnrecognized ScannersWhy Are My Scanned Images So Big?Which Resolution Should I Use When Scanning?
Read-Only Language SupportTyping Nonstandard CharactersUsing the Compose Key OptionAdding Keyboard LayoutsChinese, Japanese, and Korean InputChineseJapaneseKoreanProject 11: Setting Up Asian-Language Support11-1: Installing IBus Input Methods11-2: Selecting Input Method Modules11-3: Typing Asian Languages with IBusSetting Up IBus to Automatically Start Up When You Log InViewing Your System in Another Language
Where the Apps AreLibreOfficeLibreOffice ApplicationsWriterCalcImpressDrawMicrosoft Office and LibreOffice File CompatibilityLibreOffice FeaturesGetting to Know the ButtonsExport to PDFHyperlinkNavigatorGalleryStyles and FormattingWord Processing Done Lightly with AbiWordFocusWriterSome Other Cool Productivity AppsDlumegLabelsTomboyFreeMindScribus
Where the Apps AreProject 13A: Importing Images from Digital Cameras13A-1: Importing Images from Camera to Computer Somewhat Automatically via Shotwell13A-2: Transferring Images from Camera to Computer via the File ManagerProject 13B: Working with Digital Images in Shotwell13B-1: Publishing Images to Online Albums and Galleries13B-2: Sending Images by Email via Shotwell13B-3: Organizing Your Photo Collections with TagsA Few Other Graphics Apps to ConsiderRawTherapeeGetting Arty with the GIMPUsing the GIMP to Resize Images and Convert File FormatsLearning MorePhatch Photo Batch ProcessorMyPaintInkscapegThumb Image ViewerBlender
Where the Apps AreAudio File FormatsInstalling MP3 Support for Audio AppsRhythmbox—Ubuntu’s Default Audio PlayerAdding Songs and Albums to the Rhythmbox LibraryRipping Audio CDs with RhythmboxBrowsing the Rhythmbox LibraryCreating Playlists in RhythmboxUbuntu One Music Store via RhythmboxOther Cool Features in RhythmboxProject 14: Listening to Streaming Media with Rhythmbox14-1: Adding Radio Streams to Rhythmbox14-2: Changing a Stream’s Title and Information in RhythmboxCreating Audio CDsBurning Audio CDs with RhythmboxBurning Audio CDs Directly with BraseroOther Cool Audio AppsAlternative PlayersStreaming Music with Streamtuner2Ex Falso and EasyTAGApps for Music MakersAudacityArdour and LMMSMuseScoreAmping It Up with PLUGHydrogen & Mixx
Knowing Your LimitsMounting and Ejecting Your iPod, iPhone, or iPad(Not) Auto-updating Your iPod or iPhoneWorking with Android-Based DevicesWhat About Kindles, NOOKs, and Android 3.0+ “Honeycomb”-Based Devices?Working with Other Digital Media Players and Cell PhonesManaging Your Audio Device’s Audio Files with RhythmboxCopying Songs from Your Audio Device to Your Hard DiskEjecting Your iPod or Other Digital Device from Within RhythmboxProblems Writing to Your iPodWorking with Photos on Your Digital DeviceConverting Audio File FormatsPlaying Locked AAC (M4P) FilesLinux on Your iPod, iPad, or Android Device?
Where the Apps AreDVDsProject 16: Installing Support for Encrypted DVDsCan I Play Foreign DVDs?Watching Video Files with Movie PlayerUsing Movie Player to Play DVDs, VCDs, and Other Multimedia FilesMovie Player as an Audio Player?A Couple of Other Cool Movie Player FeaturesAn Alternative (and Arguably Better) Video Player: VLCTransferring Movies from Your Digital Camera to ComputerTransferring Video Files from a Camera with a Storage CardTransferring Video Files from a Cell Phone or Another Mobile DeviceCapturing Digital Video from Cameras with Tape StorageEditing Digital Video with PiTiViOther Video Apps
Where the Apps AreProject 17A: Expanding Your Game Collection via the Ubuntu Software Center17A-1: Installing Classic GNOME Games17A-2: Installing Some Linux Classics: Frozen Bubble, Tux Racer, and Pingus3D GamesChecking for Hardware AccelerationShooting GamesStrategy GamesSimulatorsBeyond the Ubuntu Software CenterCommercial GamesProject 17B: Installing a Java-Based Game: Schnapsen17B-1: Installing the Java Runtime Environment17B-2: Getting and Extracting Schnapsen17B-3: Running and Anglicizing SchnapsenOnline GamingSearching for More Games
Where the Apps AreHomeBankProject 18A: Installing a Recipe LensPersonal HealthFun (but Educational) StuffKids’ StuffProject 18B: Installing Parental ControlsOther Home-Related Applications
Project 19A: Accessing Files on Your Windows Partition (for Dual-Booters)19A-1: Mounting Your Windows Partition19A-2: Unmounting Your Windows PartitionAccessing a Linux Partition While Running WindowsProject 19B: Installing Microsoft Windows Core FontsDual-Booting: Changing the Boot Order and TimeoutLinux Equivalents to Your Windows ApplicationsProject 19C: Running Windows Programs19C-1: Installing and Testing Wine19C-2: Installing a Windows Application in Wine19C-3: Getting Windows Apps to Work in Wine with PlayOnLinuxInstalling Windows Inside UbuntuSharing Files with Windows Users on Your NetworkAccessing Files Stored on a Windows ComputerMaking Your Files Accessible from a Windows Computer
Does My System Need Protection?The First Line of DefenseSoftware FirewallsTaking Control of FirestarterConfirming That Firestarter Runs AutomaticallyFinding Out MoreClamAV: Antivirus Software, Linux StyleProject 20A: Encrypting Your Files20A-1: Creating an Encrypted File Folder20A-2: Recovering Encrypted Files If Something Goes WrongProject 20B: Shredding Documents Digitally20B-1: Trying the shred Command20B-2: A Graphical Equivalent to the shred Command
Take Me to Your SABDFLLaunchpad: Your Passport to the Ubuntu CommunityBugs, Bugs, Glorious BugsWhat Counts as a Bug?Reporting a BugHas It Already Been Reported?A New BugWhat Happens Now?When Will My Bug Be Fixed?Faster FixesThe Ubuntu ForumsReplying to a PostCreating Your Own ThreadWhat’s All This Bean Business?Ask UbuntuChatting on IRCRegistering Your NicknameIRC EtiquetteMore Help with IRCAn IRC Alternative: Mailing ListsKeeping Up with the NewsLoCos and LUGsStickers and Other GoodiesGetting InvolvedUbuntu Accomplishments
I Can’t Get Ubuntu InstalledMy Computer Won’t Boot from the CDI Can’t Get the Installer to RunThe Installer Stops Partway ThroughSomething Goes Wrong Before Ubuntu Finishes BootingI Get a GRUB ErrorI Get a Kernel Panic or the Computer FreezesUnplug Unnecessary HardwareDisable Restricted DriversCheck Your System Memory for DefectsUse an Older KernelUse Rescue ModeReinstall UbuntuWindows Won’t BootSound and Video ProblemsUbuntu Doesn’t Play Any SoundsMy Microphone Doesn’t WorkI Can’t Play an Audio or Video FileInternet and Network Connection ProblemsFinding the Cause of a Connection ProblemInstalling Drivers for Your Network/Wireless CardChecking for Restricted DriversNo Wireless Networks Are FoundOther Users on My Computer Can’t ConnectProblems with the Display and Graphics CardsGames/Unity Don’t Work: Installing Accelerated Graphics DriversATI/AMD CardsnVidia CardsThe Screen Looks Stretched or the Wrong SizeThe Screen Is BlankHard Disks and Storage ProblemsMy Disk Is Almost FullMy Disk Is Completely FullI Can’t Delete a FileSoftware Installation ProblemsI Get an Error About Unauthenticated PackagesI Get a dpkg ErrorI Have a Broken UpdateA Software Repository/PPA That I Added Doesn’t Show Up in the Software CenterCommon Problems with ApplicationsFirefox Says It’s Already RunningA Program Always CrashesA Program Won’t StartMy Computer Is Running SlowlyLost FilesWhere Can I Go to Get More Help?
Preparing the Installer FilesCreating a Bootable Installer DiskBooting from the USB Disk
Downloading and Burning Ubuntu Desktop CD ISOs to DiscBurning the ISO to Disc in WindowsBurning the ISO to Disc in OS XOrdering an Install Disc from Other Online Sources
Creating and Deleting PartitionsEditing Existing PartitionsVarieties of PartitionsRoot PartitionSwap PartitionHome PartitionWindows PartitionShared PartitionExample Partition LayoutsStandard Ubuntu-Only InstallationUbuntu-Only with a Separate Home PartitionUbuntu and Windows with a Shared PartitionFinishing Up
ForumsLinux ReferencesBlogsHardware Compatibility IssuesWireless ConnectionsFree DownloadsApplications and Other PackagesFree FontsNews and InformationMagazinesBooksUbuntu CDs

Content preview from Ubuntu Made Easy

Chapter 1. Becoming a Penguinista

Welcome to the World of Linux

As the saying goes, there’s no place to begin like the beginning, so in this chapter we’ll do just that by introducing you to the world of Linux. We’ll then get you up to snuff on what this Ubuntu thing is all about, why you might want to install and use it, and what you will need in order to do so. For those of you who already have joined the Linux world and have Ubuntu or another distribution installed on your machines, some of this may be old news, but a few bits of information may still be of interest to you. For those others who may be curious but are still unsure whether or not ...