Synopses & Reviews
This newbie's guide to Ubuntu - now updated for Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn), the latest Ubuntu release, which puts the spotlight on multimedia enablement and desktop effects - lets readers learn by doing. Using immersion-learning techniques favored by language courses, step-by-step projects build upon earlier tutorial concepts, stimulating the brain and increasing the reader's understanding.
Ubuntu for Non-Geeks, 2nd Edition covers all the topics likely to be of interest to an average desktop user. Inside, you'll learn to:
Download and install free applications, games, and utilities Connect to the Internet and wireless networks Configure your hardware, including printers, scanners, and removable storage devices Watch DVDs, listen to music, and even sync your iPod Download photos and videos from your digital camera, then edit and share them Tackle more advanced tasks as soon as you're ready Full of tips, tricks, and helpful pointers, Ubuntu for Non-Geeks, 2nd Edition is a hands-on, project-based, take-it slow guidebook intended for those interested in-but nervous about-switching to the Linux operating system. Step-by-step projects build upon earlier tutorial concepts, helping you absorb and apply what you've learned.
Included is a companion CD that lets you try out Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty Fawn) without making any changes to your computer and then install it when you're ready.
Synopsis
This newbie's guide to Ubuntu lets readers learn by doing. Step-by-step projects build upon earlier tutorial concepts, and cover topics such as installing new software via Synpatic, Internet connectivity, and working with removable storage devices.
About the Author
Rickford Grant is the author of Linux for Non-Geeks and Linux Made Easy. He has been a computer operating system maniac for more than 20 years, from his early days with an Atari XL600 to his current Linux machines. Rickford is currently working as a teacher in Greensboro, North Carolina.
Table of Contents
PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION, UBUNTU LINUX FOR NON-GEEKS; Dedication; ; ACKNOWLEDGMENTS; INTRODUCTION; Who Is This Book For?; Version Compatibility; Concept and Approach; How to Use This Book; About the Conventions Used in This Book; About the Projects in This Book; Chapter 1: BECOMING A PENGUINISTA; 1.1 What Is Linux?; 1.2 About the Penguin; 1.3 Why Should I Use Linux?; 1.4 But Is Linux Really Ready for the Desktop?; 1.5 What Is a Distribution?; 1.6 What Is Ubuntu?; 1.7 Hardware Compatibility; 1.8 Hardware Requirements; 1.9 Good News for AMD64 Users; 1.10 Mixed News for Mac Users; 1.11 Speaking Ubuntu; 1.12 Where Do I Go from Here?; Chapter 2: WADING AND DIVING; 2.1 Going in for a Dip; 2.2 Taking the Plunge--Installing Ubuntu; 2.3 Single- or Dual-Boot Setup?; 2.4 Getting Ready for Action; 2.5 Doing the Deed; Chapter 3: A NEW PLACE TO CALL HOME; 3.1 Welcome to the GNOME Desktop; 3.2 The Top Panel; 3.3 The Bottom Panel; 3.4 Project 3A: Customizing the GNOME Panel; 3.5 Project 3B: Manipulating Menus; 3.6 Virtual Desktops; 3.7 Wanda Revisited--GNOME Easter Eggs; 3.8 Shutting Down; Chapter 4: MORE THAN WEBBED FEET; 4.1 Setting Up a High-Speed Connection; 4.2 Setting Up a Wireless Connection; 4.3 Setting Up a Dial-Up Connection; 4.4 Firefox: Your Internet Browser; 4.5 Project 4A: Installing Firefox Extensions; 4.6 Project 4B: Installing the Flash Plugin; 4.7 Email with Evolution; 4.8 An Email Alternative: Thunderbird; 4.9 Other Internet Applications; Chapter 5: ROUNDING OUT THE BIRD; 5.1 Project 5A: Installing Applications via Synaptic; 5.2 Project 5B: Installing Applications via GNOME App Install; 5.3 Performing System Upgrades via the System Update Panel Applet; 5.4 If an Update Ruins Your Day . . . or System; Chapter 6: A TIDY NEST; 6.1 Nautilus: Your File Manager; 6.2 File Handling in Nautilus; 6.3 Navigating in Nautilus; 6.4 Understanding the Linux Filesystem; 6.5 What's in All Those Other Folders?; 6.6 Using Nautilus as a Network Browser; 6.7 Reading Data CDs and DVDs; 6.8 Burning Data CDs and DVDs; 6.9 Burning ISO Images to Disk; 6.10 Duplicating Data CDs; 6.11 Burning Multisession CDs; 6.12 USB Storage Devices; 6.13 Project 6: Creating and Extracting Compressed Files; Chapter 7: DRESSING UP THE BIRD; 7.1 Project 7A: Creating a New User Account; 7.2 Project 7B: Customizing Your Desktop Environment; 7.3 Project 7C: Placing Home and Trash Icons on the Desktop; 7.4 Project 7D: Changing Your Login Screen; 7.5 Project 7E: Changing Your Splash Screen; 7.6 Choosing a Screensaver; 7.7 Project 7F: Wrapping Things Up--Installing and Applying Firefox Themes; Chapter 8: SIMPLE KITTEN WAYS; 8.1 Meet the Terminal; 8.2 Some Goofy, Yet Useful, Fun with the Command Terminal; 8.3 Nontoxic Commands; 8.4 Commands with Some Teeth; 8.5 A Couple of Other Biters You'll Be Using Soon; 8.6 Project 8A: Creating a Plan; 8.7 Project 8B: More Command Practice with pyWings; 8.8 Project 8C: Command Practice Review with Briscola; 8.9 Customizing the Terminal; 8.10 Tabbed Shell Sessions in the Terminal; Chapter 9: AUTOMATIX AND NOT SO AUTOMATIX; 9.1 Project 9A: Installing DEB Packages Not Available via the Ubuntu Repositories: Automatix; 9.2 Project 9B: Converting RPMs to DEB Packages Using Alien; 9.3 Compiling Programs from Source; 9.4 Project 9C: Compiling and Installing Xmahjongg; 9.5 Project 9D: Running Java Apps: Risk; 9.6 Running Windows Applications with Wine; Chapter 10: GUTENBIRD; 10.1 Printers; 10.2 Project 10: Creating a Virtual PDF Printer; 10.3 Canceling a Print Job; 10.4 Scanners; Chapter 11: FONT FEATHERED FRENZY; 11.1 Project 11A: Installing TrueType Fonts Locally; 11.2 Project 11B: Installing TrueType Fonts Globally; 11.3 Project 11C: Installing Microsoft Windows Core Fonts via Synaptic; 11.4 Project 11D: Installing Microsoft Core Fonts from Your Windows Partition (for Dual-Booters); 11.5 Customizing Your System Fonts; 11.6 Creating Your Own Fonts with FontForge; Chapter 12: POLYGLOT PENGUINS; 12.1 Read-Only Language Support; 12.2 Typing Nonstandard Characters; 12.3 Viewing Your System in Another Language; 12.4 Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Input; 12.5 Project 12: Installing Asian Language Input Support for SCIM; Chapter 13: PENGUINS BACK AT WORK; 13.1 OpenOffice.org; 13.2 Word Processing Done Lightly with AbiWord; 13.3 Some Other Cool Productivity Apps; Chapter 14: BRUSH-WIELDING PENGUINS; 14.1 Project 14A: Digital Cameras; 14.2 Viewing Your Images with gThumb; 14.3 Project 14B: Creating Web Albums with gThumb; 14.4 Project 14C: Emblems Again! (Creating Your Own); 14.5 Getting Arty with the GIMP; 14.6 XPaint; 14.7 Sodipodi; 14.8 Project 14D: Installing Picasa via Automatix; 14.9 A Few Other Graphics Apps to Consider; Chapter 15: TUX ROCKS; 15.1 Audio File Formats; 15.2 Project 15A: Installing MP3 Support for Audio Apps; 15.3 Audio Rippers and Encoders; 15.4 Audio Players; 15.5 Creating Audio CDs; 15.6 Project 15B: Listening to RealMedia Streams with RealPlayer; 15.7 Other Cool Audio Apps; Chapter 16: PLUGGIN' IN THE PENGUIN; 16.1 Knowing Your Limits; 16.2 iPod Filesystem Formats; 16.3 Managing Your iPod in Ubuntu; 16.4 Photo Transfer with GPixPod; 16.5 Converting Audio File Formats; 16.6 Linux on Your iPod?; 16.7 Other MP3 Players; Chapter 17: COUCH PENGUINS; 17.1 Playing Video Streams with RealPlayer; 17.2 DVDs; 17.3 Totem Movie Player; 17.4 Using Your Digital Video Camera; 17.5 Other Video Apps; Chapter 18: DEFENDING THE NEST; 18.1 Does My System Need Protection?; 18.2 The First Line of Defense; 18.3 Software Firewalls; 18.4 ClamAV: Antivirus Software, Linux Style; 18.5 Project 18: Virus Scanning with avast!; UBUNTU DESKTOP CDS FOR AMD64 USERS; Downloading and Burning Ubuntu Desktop CD ISOs to CD; Ordering an Install Disk from Ubuntu; Ordering an Install Disk from Other Online Sources; RESOURCES; Forums; Linux Reference; Blogs; Hardware Compatibility Issues; Wireless Connections; Free Downloads; News and Information; Magazines; Books; Ubuntu CDs; COLOPHON;