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Copyright Page
3
Table of Contents
4
About the Author
22
About the Technical Reviewer
23
Acknowledgments
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Introduction
25
Part I Introducing the World of Linux
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CHAPTER 1 Welcome!
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What Is Linux?
30
The Age of Linux
32
The Problems with Windows
33
The Benefits of Linux
35
Crash-Free
35
Security
35
Free and Shareable
35
Compatible with Older Hardware
35
The Linux Community
36
Summary
37
CHAPTER 2 A History and Politics Lesson
38
In the Beginning
38
The GNU Project
40
Proprietary Software and the GPL
41
GNU and Linux Together
42
Different Flavors of Linux
43
Linux Today
44
Modern Linux Development
44
Summary
45
CHAPTER 3 The Realities of Running Linux
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Learning to Use Linux
46
Who Uses Linux?
47
Getting Hold of Linux
48
Using Ubuntu
49
Summary
49
Part II Installing Ubuntu
46
CHAPTER 4 Preinstallation Steps
51
Understanding Partitioning
51
Freeing Up Space
53
Reclaiming Space
54
Removing Windows
54
Using Another Hard Disk
54
Backing Up Your Data
55
Backing Up E-mail Files
56
Making Notes
57
Summary
58
CHAPTER 5 Installing Ubuntu
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An Overview of the Installation Process
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Step-by-Step Guide
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Step 1: Boot from the CD-ROM
60
Step 2: Select Your Language
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Step 3: Confirm Your Keyboard Layout
62
Step 4: Wait During Hardware and Networking Autodiscovery
63
Step 5: Set a Hostname
63
Step 6: Partition the Disk
64
Step 7: Wait During Automated Package Copying
66
Step 8: Set the Time Zone
67
Step 9: Set Your Real Name, Username, and Password
67
Step 10: Install the GRUB Boot Loader
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Step 11: Reboot for the Second Installation Phase
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Step 12: Wait During Package Installation
70
Step 13: Configure Your Monitor
70
Step 14: Boot for the First Time
71
Summary
72
CHAPTER 6 Solving Installation Problems
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Preinstallation Problems
73
Installation Problems
75
Postinstallation Problems
77
Graphical Problems
79
Graphics Card Configuration
80
Keyboard and Mouse Configuration
81
Monitor Configuration
83
Summary
85
Part III The No-Nonsense Getting Started Guide
86
CHAPTER 7 Booting Ubuntu for the First Time
87
Starting Up
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Logging In
88
Exploring the Desktop
90
First Impressions
90
Desktop Elements
92
Quick Desktop Guides
93
Running Programs
95
Working with Virtual Desktops
96
Using the Mouse
97
Cutting and Pasting Text
98
Summary
99
CHAPTER 8 Getting Everything Up and Running
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Ubuntu Hardware Support
100
Proprietary vs. Open Source Drivers
101
Viewing Your Hardware
102
Getting Online
104
Using an Ethernet Card
104
Joining a Wireless Network
107
Configuring Dial-Up Internet Access
113
Using a USB-Based DSL Modem
115
Working with a Proxy Server
121
Setting Up Online Software Repositories
122
Configuring E-Mail and Instant Messaging
126
Configuring E-Mail Access
126
Setting Up Instant Messaging
128
Adding a Printer
130
Configuring a Local Printer
130
Configuring a Network Printer
131
Configuring a Windows/SMB Shared Printer
132
Setting Up Digital Imaging Devices
134
Transferring Photos from a Digital Camera
134
Configuring a Scanner
137
Using a USB Memory Stick
139
Installing 3D Graphics Card Drivers
139
Installing an ATI Driver
140
Installing a Nvidia Driver
140
Testing 3D Capabilities
141
Configuring Bluetooth
141
Pairing Bluetooth Devices
142
Transferring Files Between Bluetooth Devices
143
Using a Bluetooth Keyboard or Mouse
145
Configuring Sound Cards
146
Summary
147
CHAPTER 9 How to Secure Your Computer
148
Windows Security vs. Linux Security
148
Root and Ordinary Users
149
Common-Sense Security
151
Online Updates
153
The Ubuntu Firewall
154
Installing Firestarter
154
Configuring Firestarter
155
Summary
160
CHAPTER 10 Personalizing Ubuntu: Getting Everything Just Right
161
Changing the Look and Feel
161
Altering the Theme
161
Changing the Wallpaper
165
Setting Font Preferences
166
Configuring Input Devices
168
Creating Keyboard Shortcuts
170
Personalizing Login Options
171
Changing Your Login Picture
173
Adding and Removing Desktop Items
174
Adding a Shortcut
174
Adding and Removing Menus
176
Personalizing the Panels
178
Working with Applets
178
Setting Power-Saving Features
179
Controlling the Monitor Shutoff
179
Spinning Down the Hard Disk
180
Summary
181
CHAPTER 11 Ubuntu Replacements for Windows Programs
182
Available Software
182
A Quick Start with Common Linux Programs
184
Word Processing: OpenOffice.org Writer
184
Spreadsheet: OpenOffice.org Calc
186
Presentations: OpenOffice.org Impress
187
Database: OpenOffice.org Base
188
E-Mail/Personal Information Manager: Evolution
189
Web Browser: Firefox
190
Audio Playback: Rhythmbox and CD Player
192
Movie Playback: Totem Movie Player
193
CD/DVD Burning: Nautilus and Serpentine
194
Photo Editing: The GIMP
195
Other Handy Applications
196
Summary
202
CHAPTER 12 Managing Your Files
203
Understanding File System Concepts
203
Drive References
203
Case Sensitivity
204
File Access and Storage
204
Using Nautilus
206
File and Folder Icons
208
Special Nautilus Windows
209
Launching Files and Running Programs
210
Accessing Windows Files
212
Working with Files in Windows Partitions
212
Accessing Networked Files
215
Accessing Removable Storage Devices
216
Ejecting Media from Drives
217
Formatting Floppies
218
Summary
219
Part IV The Shell and Beyond
220
CHAPTER 13 Introducing the BASH Shell
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What Is the BASH Shell?
221
Why Bother with the Shell?
223
When Should You Use the Shell?
224
Getting Started with the Shell
225
Running Programs
226
Getting Help
227
Running the Shell via a Virtual Console
228
Working with Files
229
Listing Files
231
Copying Files
232
Moving Files
233
Deleting Files
234
Changing and Creating Directories
235
Summary
235
CHAPTER 14 Understanding Linux Files and Users
236
Real Files and Virtual Files
236
Users and File Permissions
238
Viewing Permissions
240
Altering Permissions
244
The File System Explained
245
Mounting
249
Using the mount Command
249
Mounting a Drive Manually
250
Removing a Mounted System
251
File Searches
252
Using the find Command
252
Using the locate Command
253
Using the whereis Command
254
File Size and Free Space
254
Viewing File Sizes
254
Finding Out the Amount of Free Space
255
Summary
256
CHAPTER 15 Working with Text Files
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Viewing Text Files
257
Using the cat Command
257
Using the less Command
257
Using the head and tail Commands
258
Using a Command-Line Text Editor
260
Understanding vi Modes
260
Using vi to Edit a File
264
Creating a New Text File Using vi
266
Searching Through Files
267
Using grep to Find Text
267
Using Regular Expressions
268
Comparing Text Files
270
Summary
271
CHAPTER 16 Taking Control of the System
272
Viewing Processes
272
Controlling Processes
275
Killing Processes
275
Controlling Zombie Processes
277
Using Other Commands to Control Processes
278
Controlling Jobs
279
Summary
280
CHAPTER 17 Cool Shell Tricks
281
Using Autocompletion
281
Autocompletion with Files and Paths
282
Viewing Available Options
282
Using Keyboard Shortcuts
283
Shortcuts for Working in BASH
283
Shortcuts for System Control
284
Using the Command History
285
Piping and Directing Output
286
Piping the Output of Commands
286
Redirecting Output
288
Summary
290
Part V Multimedia
291
CHAPTER 18 Digital Music
292
Understanding the Legalities of Playback
292
Playing Music Files
293
Installing Codecs
293
Using Rhythmbox
295
Listening to Audio CDs
296
Tuning in to Online Radio Stations
297
Configuring XMMS
297
Using Streamtuner
297
Ripping Music from CDs
298
Choosing a Format
298
Adding MP3 Support to Sound Juicer
299
Ripping Tracks
300
Creating Your Own CDs
301
Summary
302
CHAPTER 19 Movies and Multimedia
303
Watching Videos
303
Installing Codecs
304
Installing RealPlayer
305
Playing Back Video
305
Watching DVDs
308
Playing Flash Animations
309
Watching TV
311
Checking for Video Input
311
Installing Tvtime
312
Summary
312
CHAPTER 20 Image Editing
313
Getting Pictures onto Your PC
313
Introducing The GIMP
314
Editing Images with The GIMP
318
Making Color Corrections
320
Cropping and Cloning
321
Sharpening
322
Applying Filters
323
Summary
327
Part VI Office Tasks
328
CHAPTER 21 Making the Move to OpenOffice.org
329
Office Similarities
329
OpenOffice.Org Key Features
330
File Compatibility
331
The Right Fonts
333
Copying Windows Fonts
333
Installing TrueType Core Fonts
334
Summary
337
CHAPTER 22 OpenOffice.org Overview
338
Introducing the Interface
338
Customizing the Interface
339
Adding Functions to Toolbars
339
Adding a New Toolbar
342
Customizing Menus
342
Configuring OpenOffice.org Options
343
Using OpenOffice.org Core Functions
348
Using Wizards
348
Getting Help
348
Inserting Objects with Object Linking and Embedding
348
Creating Macros
349
Saving Files
350
Summary
351
CHAP TER 23 In Depth: Writer
352
Formatting Text
352
The Formatting Toolbar
352
Context Menu
353
The Style and Formatting Palette
354
Spell-Checking
354
Inserting Pictures
355
Working with Tables
356
Mail Merging
358
Adding Headers and Footers
361
Summary
362
CHAPTER 24 In Depth: Calc
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Entering and Formatting Data
363
Deleting and Inserting Data and Cells
364
Working with Formulas
364
Using the Function Wizard
365
Summing Figures
366
Sorting Data
367
Creating Charts
367
Using Filters
369
Summary
370
CHAPTER 25 In Depth: Impress
371
Creating a Quick Presentation
371
Working in Impress
373
Animating Slides
374
Applying Fontwork
375
Using 3D Effects
377
Exporting a Presentation As a Flash File
378
Summary
379
CHAPTER 26 In Depth: Base
380
Getting Started with Base
380
Creating a Database
382
Adding a Table
382
Creating a Form
384
Adding Controls to the Form Manually
385
Editing the Database Table
386
Using the Database
387
Summary
388
CHAPTER 27 In Depth: Evolution
389
Evolution Modes
389
Basic E-Mail Tasks
391
Sending and Receiving E-Mail
391
Reading E-Mail
392
Deleting Messages
392
Flagging Messages
393
Composing a Message
394
Creating an E-Mail Signature
395
Advanced E-Mail Tasks
396
Creating New Folders
396
Dealing with Junk E-Mail
397
Sorting and Filtering Messages
398
Creating Search Folders
400
Contacts
400
Adding or Editing Contact Information
401
Creating a Contact List
402
Calendars
402
Specifying Appointment Types
402
Adding or Editing a Diary Entry
403
Tasks
404
Summary
405
CHAPTER 28 Running Microsoft Office Under Ubuntu
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Installing and Configuring Wine
406
Downloading Wine
406
Configuring Wine
408
Showing Hidden Files on CDs
411
Installing Microsoft Office
411
Running Office Components
412
Installing Other Windows Programs
414
Summary
415
Part VII Keeping Your System Running
416
CHAPTER 29 Installing Software
417
Software Installation Basics
417
Formats of Linux Installation Files
418
Packages Explained
419
Dependency Management
420
APT and Package Repositories
421
The Synaptic Package Manager in Depth
424
Searching for Software
424
Installing Software
426
Removing Software
428
Package Management from the Command Prompt
428
Using dpkg
428
Using the APT Tools
430
Installing from Source
434
Installing the Compiler Tools
434
Unpacking the Tarball and Solving Dependencies
435
Compiling
436
Summary
438
CHAPTER 30 Managing Users
439
Understanding User and Group Accounts
439
Users and Groups
439
Root User
440
UIDs and GIDs
441
Adding and Deleting Users and Groups
441
Adding and Deleting Users via the GUI
441
Creating and Deleting Groups via the GUI
443
Adding and Deleting Users and Groups at the Command Line
443
Adding and Changing Passwords
445
Summary
446
CHAPTER 31 Optimizing Your System
447
Speeding Up Booting
447
Understanding Bootup
447
Reducing the Boot Menu Delay
449
Optimizing Initialization and Run-Level Services
450
Optimizing Hard Disk Settings
456
Benchmarking Your Hard Disk
456
Changing Hard Disk Settings
457
Making Disk Optimizations Permanent
459
Prelinking
460
Configuring Prelinking
461
Deactivating Prelinking
461
Freeing Disk Space
462
Emptying the /tmp Folder
462
Emptying the Cache of Package Files
463
Removing Unused Software
464
Adding Another Disk Drive
464
Partitioning the Disk
464
Configuring Ubuntu to Use the Drive
465
Summary
465
CHAPTER 32 Backing Up Data
466
What Data Should You Back Up?
466
Using SBackup
467
Backing Up Data via SBackup
468
Restoring Data via SBackup
471
Making Backups from the Command Line
471
Creating tar Files
472
Compressing tar Archives
472
Extracting Files from a tar Archive
473
Viewing tar Archive Information
473
Saving the File to a CD-R/RW
474
Summary
474
CHAPTER 33 Scheduling Tasks
475
Scheduling with crontab
475
Creating a Scheduled Task
476
Editing crontab with the GUI
477
Scheduling with anacron
478
Using at to Schedule One-Off Tasks
479
Summary
480
CHAPTER 34 Accessing Computers Remotely
481
Using Secure Shell
481
Logging In to a Remote Computer
482
Transferring Files Between Remote Computers
485
Accessing GUI Applications Remotely
487
Running X Applications on a Remote Computer
487
Running the GNOME Desktop Across a Remote Connection
488
Accessing Ubuntu via Remote Desktop
490
Connecting to Remote Windows Computers
491
Connecting to Windows XP Professional, 2000, and NT
491
Connecting to Other Windows Computers
493
Summary
494
APPENDIX A Glossary of Linux Terms
495
APPENDIX B BASH Command Index
517
APPENDIX C Getting Further Help
530
Read the Manual!
530
Man Pages
530
Info Pages
533
README Files and Other Documentation
534
Getting Help Online
534
Forums
534
Mailing Lists
535
Other Official Sites
536
Third-Party Sites
536
APPENDIX D Other Versions of Ubuntu
537
Kubuntu
537
Edubuntu
538
Ubuntu Server
538
Xubuntu
539
Other Ubuntu Projects
540
Index
541
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