The Official Ubuntu Book

A new edition of this title is available, ISBN-10: 0137136684 ISBN-13: 9780137136681

 

Praise for The Official Ubuntu Book

". . . this one (Ubuntu Linux book) is at the head of the pack for getting started with your penguin experience. . . ."

—Tom Duff "Benjamin Mako Hill et al. have produced an excellent book that speaks to everyone who uses or is considering using Ubuntu."

—James Pyles, Reviewer, "The Linux Tutorial"

"Well written in an easy-to-follow format. Full of information for folks new to Linux or just new to Ubuntu. Even nontechnical users would find this a very helpful resource."

—Ben Gerber,Arsgeek.com

"I'd recommend picking it up if you are running Ubuntu."

—Tony Lawrence, owner of aplawrence.com

Ubuntu is a complete, free operating system that emphasizes community, support, and ease of use without compromising speed, power, or flexibility. It's Linux for human beings—designed for everyone from computer novices to experts. Ubuntu 7.04 (a.k.a., "Feisty Fawn") is the latest release—more powerful, more flexible, and friendlier than ever. The Official Ubuntu Book, Second Edition, will get you up and running quickly.

Written by expert leading Ubuntu community members, this book covers all you need to know to make the most of Ubuntu 7.04, whether you're a home user, small business user, server administrator, or programmer. The authors cover Ubuntu 7.04 from start to finish: installation, configuration, desktop productivity, games, management, support, and much more. Among the many new topics covered in this edition: Ubuntu's expanded multimedia functionality and Edubuntu offerings geared for schools and educational settings.

The Official Ubuntu Book, Second Edition, covers standard desktop applications, from word processing, spreadsheets, Web browsing, e-mail, instant messaging, music, video, and gamesto software development, databases, and server applications. In addition, you'll

• Learn how to customize Ubuntu for home, small business, school, government, and enterprise environments
• Learn how to quickly update Ubuntu to accommodate new versions and new applications
• Find up-to-the-minute troubleshooting advice from Ubuntu users worldwide
• Learn Ubuntu Server installation and administration, including LVM and RAID implementation
• Learn about Edubuntu—Ubuntu optimized specifically for classroom

The DVD includes the complete Ubuntu Linux operating system for installation on PC platforms, preconfigured with an outstanding desktop environment for both home and business computing. It can be used to install other complete variants of Ubuntu including Kubuntu (with the KDE environment), and Edubuntu (for use in schools).

 

 

Ubuntu is a Linux-based open source operating system for personal computers that covers standard desktop and server applications. This guide to the use of the system includes chapters on installation, basic desktop features, system management and other advanced topics, server installation and administration, support and typical, and an introduction to the wider Ubuntu community and Ubuntu-related products. Also included is a chapter on Kubuntu the Ubuntu-derived distribution for use with the K Desktop Environment. The DVD-ROM contains Ubuntu release 6.06 LTS (also know by its development name "Dapper Drake") the current stable release at the time of publication.
Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

Ubuntu is a Linux-based open source operating system for personal computers that covers standard desktop and server applications. This guide to the use of the system includes chapters on installation, basic desktop features, system management and other advanced topics, server installation and administration, support and typical, and an introduction to the wider Ubuntu community and Ubuntu-related products. Also included is a chapter on Kubuntu the Ubuntu-derived distribution for use with the K Desktop Environment. The DVD-ROM contains Ubuntu release 6.06 LTS (also know by its development name "Dapper Drake") the current stable release at the time of publication. Annotation ©2006 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR (booknews.com)

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 readers up and running quickly.

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 Jonefors, Jason LaPrade, Avinash Meetoo, Julien Rottenberg, Stephen Sandlin, David Symons, Paul van Genderen, Andrew Zajac

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

Foreword to the First Edition xxv

Preface xxxi

Acknowledgments xxxiii

About the Authors xxxv

Introduction xxxix

Chapter 1: Introducing Ubuntu 1

A Wild Ride 2

Free Software, Open Source, and GNU/Linux 3

A Brief History of Ubuntu 7

What Is Ubuntu? 12

Ubuntu Promises and Goals 18

Canonical and the Ubuntu Foundation 25

Ubuntu Subprojects, Derivatives, and Spin-offs 30

Summary 31 Chapter 2: Installing Ubuntu 33

Choosing Your Ubuntu Version 34

Getting Ubuntu 36

Installing from the Desktop CD 38

Installing from the Alternate Install CD 48

Summary 55 Chapter 3: Using Ubuntu on the Desktop 57

Taking Your Desktop for a Ride 59

Using Your Applications 68

The Ubuntu File Chooser and Bookmarks 102

Ubuntu in Your Language 104

Customizing Ubuntu's Look and Feel 104

Managing Your Files 107

Ubuntu and Multimedia 112

Summary 119 Chapter 4: Advanced Usage and Managing Ubuntu 121

Adding and Removing Programs and Packages 122

Keeping Your Computer Updated 128

Moving to the Next Ubuntu Release 131

Using and Abusing Devices and Media 132

Configuring a Printer in Ubuntu 135

Graphically Accessing Remote Files 142

The Terminal 143

Working with Windows 147

Summary 149 Chapter 5: The Ubuntu Server 151

What Is Ubuntu Server? 152

Installing Ubuntu Server 154

Ubuntu Package Management 165

Ubuntu Server Security 175

Summary 182 Chapter 6: Support and Typical Problems 185

The System 186

Applications 200

Multimedia 205

Networking 211

Hardware 216

System Administration 227

Other 239

Summary 245 Chapter 7: Using Kubuntu 247

Introduction to Kubuntu 248

Installing Kubuntu 251

Navigating in Kubuntu 256

Customizing the Desktop 259

System Administration 263

Managing Files with Kubuntu 285

Common Applications 289

Finding Help and Giving Back to the Community 305

Summary 306 Chapter 8: The Ubuntu Community 309

Venues 311

Teams, Processes, and Community Governance 326

Getting Involved 334

Summary 337 Chapter 9: Ubuntu-Related Projects 339

Partner Projects 340

Derived Distributions 342

Launchpad 346

Bazaar 352

Summary 352 Chapter 10: Using Edubuntu 355

Introduction to Edubuntu 356

What Is LTSP? 358

Installing Edubuntu 371

Managing Your Edubuntu Clients 391

Controlling and Managing the Users' Desktops 393

Troubleshooting LTSP 397

Finding Help and Giving Back to the Community 399

Summary 402

Appendix A: Welcome to the Command Line 403

Appendix B: Ubuntu Foundation Documents 413

Appendix C: Creative Commons Attribution-ShareAlike 3.0 Open Publication License 425

Appendix D: Ubuntu Equivalents to Windows Programs 435

Index 439