Synopses & Reviews
The Java Desktop System ™, from Sun Microsystems, is a modern system for all kinds of users, novice through expert. As an unusually robust, well-integrated desktop system, it may become the first to fulfill the promise of mass adoption for open source.
JDS brings Linux and other open source software up to a level of usability that makes them suitable for the enormous base of Personal Computer users including office workers, students, mobile and home users. It behaves pretty much the way a Windows or Mac user would expect, but with many more powerful features. JDS has seen widespread adoption in the United States, Britain, China, and elsewhere.
This book is the ideal guide to JDS: it is clear and direct, but loaded with insights from authors who have spent time working with, supporting, and enhancing the system. Tom Adelstein is an award winning polymath system designer; Sam Hiser is a respected business consultant with an itch that led him to become the marketing project lead for OpenOffice.org. Both are advocates for open source and founders of the Open Government Interoperability Project, members of the Open Source Software Institute and contributors to the JDShelp.org project.
This book carefully covers such housekeeping chores as setting up networking, updates, and backups. Then it enters into great depth concerning the key productivity tools every user needs: email, web browsing, instant messaging, word processing, spreadsheets, and slide presentations.
A number of chapters and appendices concerning useful tools, including things you can add to your system, rounds out this remarkably useful book. It has plenty to offer the new user as well as the seasoned Linux professional.
Synopsis
The Java Desktop System (TM), from Sun Microsystems, is a modern system for all kinds of users, novice through expert. As an unusually robust, well-integrated desktop system, it may become the first to fulfill the promise of mass adoption for open source. This book is the ideal guide to JDS: it is clear and direct, but loaded with insights from authors who have spent time working with, supporting, and enhancing the system. Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop carefully covers such housekeeping chores as setting up networking, updates, and backups. Then it enters into great depth concerning the key productivity tools every user needs: email, web browsing, instant messaging, word processing, spreadsheets, and slide presentations. A number of chapters and appendices concerning useful tools, including things you can add to your system, rounds out this remarkably useful book. It has plenty to offer the new user as well as the seasoned Linux professional.
About the Author
Tom Adelstein works as a system administrator and a technical writer. He became a young author by accident in 1985 and has written prolifically ever since. Tom's career began in public accounting and investment banking where he excelled by using computer technology to help his companies become industry leaders in the financial service sector. In 1993, he decided to change industries completely to pursue information technology full time. He says he chose to follow his heart instead of his head.
Table of Contents
Foreword; Preface; Look and Feel; Audience; Conventions Used in This Book; Using Code Examples; We'd Like to Hear from You; Acknowledgments; Chapter 1: Introducing the JDS Linux Desktop; 1.1 So What Do You Get?; 1.2 How to Use This Book; 1.3 System Requirements; 1.4 Installing JDS; 1.5 What's on Your JDS Screen; 1.6 Where to Find the Information You Need; 1.7 What's Next?; Chapter 2: Essential JDS; 2.1 Starting JDS; 2.2 Ending a Session or Shutting Down JDS; 2.3 Running Programs; 2.4 Managing Users; 2.5 Accessing Directories (Folders); 2.6 So What Have We Learned?; Chapter 3: Toward JDS Proficiency; 3.1 Role of the Operating System; 3.2 JDS Printing System; 3.3 Gaining JDS Proficiency; Chapter 4: JDS Networking; 4.1 Looking at the Internet; 4.2 Connecting by Dial-up Modem; 4.3 JDS in a Local Network; 4.4 Going Wireless; 4.5 Public and Private Hotspots; 4.6 Joining Wireless Hotspots; 4.7 Different Networking Protocols Available in JDS; 4.8 JDS Networking Recap; Chapter 5: Maintaining and Supporting JDS; 5.1 Using Online Update; 5.2 Install/Remove Software; 5.3 Backing Up and Restoring Files and Folders; 5.4 Maintaining and Supporting JDS; Chapter 6: Using the Internet Applications; 6.1 Email and Calendar; 6.2 JDS Instant Messenger (IM); 6.3 Web Browser; Chapter 7: Word Processing with StarWriter; 7.1 StarWriter Basics; 7.2 StarWriter Power Tips; 7.3 StarOffice Initial Setup; 7.4 StarWriter Customizations; 7.5 StarWriter's File Format; Chapter 8: Spreadsheets and Presentations Using StarOffice; 8.1 StarCalc; 8.2 StarCalc Basics; 8.3 StarImpress; 8.4 StarImpress Basics; Chapter 9: Using Windows Applications with JDS; 9.1 Remote Desktop Protocol; 9.2 Using Windows Applications with JDS; Chapter 10: Using Other JDS Software; 10.1 Adobe Acrobat Reader and StarOffice PDF Creator; 10.2 RealPlayer 8 Plug-in; 10.3 GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP); 10.4 Using Other JDS Software; Linux Commands; Online Documentation; The Linux Documentation Project; JDS Community Support; Java Desktop System (Release2); Web Browser (Mozilla); Instant Messenger (gaim); StarOffice 7; StarOffice Tutorials for Kids; OpenOffice.org Documentation (FAQs); Secure Connections Through SSH; Examples; Using RPM Manager; The RPM Manager; Known Problems and Solutions; Problem: Panel Crashes; Problem: Connecting by Modem; Problem: Can't Run File from Remote Directories; Problem: Sound Recorder Slide Bar; Problem: Sound Recorder Stops; Problem: Backspace Is Inserted; Problem: RPMs Don't Recognize the Linux Release on Your Machine; Problem: Clock Settings; Problem: VMWare Failure; Problem: Help; Problem: Sun Java Desktop Doesn't Support DVD Playback; Problem: ATI Video Cards; Installation Guide; System Requirements; Installing JDS; Resizing Your Partition; Creating a Custom Partitions Table; Checking for and Installing System Updates; Some Common Troubleshooting; Glossary; Colophon;