Official Ubuntu Book, The
Barnes & Noble Special Edition
6th Edition
Published on 23. June 2011
Book
Mixed media product
432 pages
978-0-13-274841-4 (ISBN)
Description
<>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 11.04 is the latest release-more powerful, more flexible, and friendlier than ever. The Official Ubuntu Book, Sixth 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 11.04, whether you're a home user, small business user, server administrator, programmer, or novice. The authors explain Ubuntu 11.04 from start to finish: installation, configuration, desktop productivity, games, management, support, and much more. Among the many topics covered in this edition: Ubuntu One cloud storage, Ubuntu Server, and the groundbreaking Unity desktop.
This complete guide also covers standard desktop applications, from word processing, spreadsheets, Web browsing, e-mail, instant messaging, music, video, and games to software development, databases, and server applications. In addition, you will
Learn how to customize Ubuntu for home, small business, school, government, and enterprise environments
Learn how to quickly update Ubuntu to new release versions with upgraded applications
Find up-to-the-minute troubleshooting advice from Ubuntu users worldwide from forums and other means to get the help you need quickly
Learn Ubuntu Server installation and administration, including LVM and RAID implementation
Learn how to use Ubuntu One to buy legal music from your favorite artists and how to use cloud storage to back up or share your important files
Learn how you can be a part of the community that creates Ubuntu
The DVD includes the complete Ubuntu Linux operating system for installation on PC platforms. The disk is 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 Ubuntu Server.
This Barnes & Noble Special Edition also includes a second, bonus DVD with helpful screencast lessons demonstrating the basics of Ubuntu use to get you up and running quickly and easily.
Written by expert, leading Ubuntu community members, this book covers all you need to know to make the most of Ubuntu 11.04, whether you're a home user, small business user, server administrator, programmer, or novice. The authors explain Ubuntu 11.04 from start to finish: installation, configuration, desktop productivity, games, management, support, and much more. Among the many topics covered in this edition: Ubuntu One cloud storage, Ubuntu Server, and the groundbreaking Unity desktop.
This complete guide also covers standard desktop applications, from word processing, spreadsheets, Web browsing, e-mail, instant messaging, music, video, and games to software development, databases, and server applications. In addition, you will
Learn how to customize Ubuntu for home, small business, school, government, and enterprise environments
Learn how to quickly update Ubuntu to new release versions with upgraded applications
Find up-to-the-minute troubleshooting advice from Ubuntu users worldwide from forums and other means to get the help you need quickly
Learn Ubuntu Server installation and administration, including LVM and RAID implementation
Learn how to use Ubuntu One to buy legal music from your favorite artists and how to use cloud storage to back up or share your important files
Learn how you can be a part of the community that creates Ubuntu
The DVD includes the complete Ubuntu Linux operating system for installation on PC platforms. The disk is 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 Ubuntu Server.
This Barnes & Noble Special Edition also includes a second, bonus DVD with helpful screencast lessons demonstrating the basics of Ubuntu use to get you up and running quickly and easily.
More details
Persons
Benjamin Mako Hill is a Seattle native working out of Boston, Massachusetts, USA. Mako is a long-time free software developer and advocate. He was part of the founding Ubuntu team, one of the first employees of Canonical, Ltd., and coauthor of The Official Ubuntu Server Book. In addition to some technical work, his charge at Canonical was to help grow the Ubuntu development and user community during the project's first year. Mako is currently a fellow at the MIT Center for Future Civic Media, and a researcher and Ph.D. Candidate at the MIT Sloan School of Management. Mako has continued his involvement with Ubuntu as a member of the Community Council governance board, through development work, and through projects such as this book.
Matthew Helmke has been an Ubuntu user since April 2005 and an Ubuntu Member since August 2006. He served from 2006 to 2011 on the Ubuntu Forum Council, providing leadership and oversight of the Ubuntu Forums, and spent two years on the Ubuntu regional membership approval board for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He has written articles about Ubuntu for magazines and websites, is the lead author of Ubuntu Unleashed, and has written several books and articles on other topics. He works for The iPlant Collaborative, which is funded by the National Science Foundation and building the world's first cyberinfrastructure for the biological sciences.
Amber Graner is an active Ubuntu Community member, whose path to Ubuntu activism started as she blogged about her transition to Ubuntu in 2009. Amber contributes to the Ubuntu News Team, Ubuntu Women Project, Ubuntu North Carolina LoCo Team, and more. She assists with many of the online Ubuntu tutorial weeks and various UbuCons. Amber resides in western North Carolina where she works as the associate web editor for Linux New Media. Her writing can be found online and in print for Linux Pro and Ubuntu User magazines. Additionally Amber is often found at Linux and open source events promoting, advocating, and encouraging participation in the Ubuntu Community and with the Ubuntu project.
Corey Burger lives in Victoria, British Columbia, and is a long-term user and contributor to Ubuntu. A founder of the Ubuntu Canada group and a former member of the the Community Council, he has been involved with Ubuntu since its first release. Corey is currently a geography student and has most recently worked for a Canadian Linux company. He also contributes to OpenStreetMap and works to promote Ubuntu on Vancouver Island. Corey speaks regularly about Ubuntu, OpenStreetMap, and open source to a wide variety of audiences.
Matthew Helmke has been an Ubuntu user since April 2005 and an Ubuntu Member since August 2006. He served from 2006 to 2011 on the Ubuntu Forum Council, providing leadership and oversight of the Ubuntu Forums, and spent two years on the Ubuntu regional membership approval board for Europe, the Middle East, and Africa. He has written articles about Ubuntu for magazines and websites, is the lead author of Ubuntu Unleashed, and has written several books and articles on other topics. He works for The iPlant Collaborative, which is funded by the National Science Foundation and building the world's first cyberinfrastructure for the biological sciences.
Amber Graner is an active Ubuntu Community member, whose path to Ubuntu activism started as she blogged about her transition to Ubuntu in 2009. Amber contributes to the Ubuntu News Team, Ubuntu Women Project, Ubuntu North Carolina LoCo Team, and more. She assists with many of the online Ubuntu tutorial weeks and various UbuCons. Amber resides in western North Carolina where she works as the associate web editor for Linux New Media. Her writing can be found online and in print for Linux Pro and Ubuntu User magazines. Additionally Amber is often found at Linux and open source events promoting, advocating, and encouraging participation in the Ubuntu Community and with the Ubuntu project.
Corey Burger lives in Victoria, British Columbia, and is a long-term user and contributor to Ubuntu. A founder of the Ubuntu Canada group and a former member of the the Community Council, he has been involved with Ubuntu since its first release. Corey is currently a geography student and has most recently worked for a Canadian Linux company. He also contributes to OpenStreetMap and works to promote Ubuntu on Vancouver Island. Corey speaks regularly about Ubuntu, OpenStreetMap, and open source to a wide variety of audiences.
Content
Foreword xxi Foreword to the First Edition xxiii
Preface xxix
Acknowledgments xxxi
About the Authors xxxiii
Introduction xxxv
Chapter 1: The UbuntuStory 1
The Vision 2
Free Software, Open Source, and GNU/Linux 3
How the Vision Became Ubuntu 7
What Is Ubuntu? 12
Ubuntu Promises and Goals 17
Sustaining the Vision: Canonical and the Ubuntu Foundation 25
Beyond the Vision: Ubuntu Subprojects, Derivatives, and Spin-offs 30
Summary 32
Chapter 2: Installing Ubuntu 33
Choosing Your Ubuntu Version 34
Getting Ubuntu 36
Installing from the Desktop CD 39
Installing from the Alternate Install CD 51
Installing from a USB Key 57
Installing from within Windows 58
Summary 58
Chapter 3: Using Ubuntu on the Desktop 59
Taking Your Desktop for a Ride 61
Using Your Applications 72
The Ubuntu File Chooser and Bookmarks 85
Ubuntu in Your Language 87
Customizing Ubuntu's Look and Feel 87
Managing Your Files 90
Ubuntu and Multimedia 95
Moving to the Next Ubuntu Release 108
Summary 110
Chapter 4: Gaining Greater Proficiency 111
Adding and Removing Programs and Packages 112
Keeping Your Computer Updated 117
Adding Additional Users 122
Using and Abusing Devices and Media 123
Configuring a Printer in Ubuntu 126
How Linux Stores and Organizes Files 131
The Terminal 134
Backup Strategies 135
Working with Windows Programs 136
Summary 137
Chapter 5: The Ubuntu Server 139
What Is Ubuntu Server? 140
Installing Ubuntu Server 142
Ubuntu Package Management 154
Ubuntu Server Security 165
Advanced Topics 172
Summary 176
Chapter 6: More Applications for Ubuntu 179
Creating Graphics with GIMP and Inkscape 180
Desktop Publishing with Scribus 191
Creating Music with Jokosher 196
Playing to Learn with Educational Programs 200
Getting There Faster with Docky 206
Summary 208
Chapter 7: The Ubuntu Community 209
Venues 211
Teams, Processes, and Community Governance 226
Getting Involved 239
Summary 243
Chapter 8: Using Kubuntu 245
Introduction to Kubuntu 246
Installing Kubuntu 249
Navigating in Kubuntu 254
Customizing Kubuntu 257
System Administration 260
Managing Files with Kubuntu 270
Common Applications 274
Finding Help and Giving Back to the Community 287
Summary 287
Chapter 9: GNOME 3, GNOME Shell, and More 289
A Different Path 290
Installing the GNOME Shell 290
Exploring the GNOME Shell 291
Using the Keyboard 295
Common Questions 295
Summary 297
Chapter 10: Ubuntu-Related Projects 299
Officially Supported Derivatives 300
Recognized Derivatives 304
Other Distributions 305
Launchpad 307
Bazaar 314
Summary 315
Chapter 11: Introducing Ubuntu One 317
What Can I Do with Ubuntu One? 318
How Much Does Ubuntu One Cost? 318
How Do I Begin? 318
Syncing Files 321
Syncing Contacts 321
Syncing Notes 322
Syncing Bookmarks 323
Special Features of Ubuntu One Mobile 324
Summary 325
Appendix: Welcome to the Command Line 327
Starting Up the Terminal 327
Getting Started 328
Building Pipelines 329
Running Commands as the Superuser 330
Finding Help 331
Moving Around the Filesystem 331
Manipulating Files and Folders 332
System Information Commands 333
Searching and Editing Text Files 335
Dealing with Users and Groups 336
Getting Help on the Command Line 336
Searching for Man Files 337
Using Wildcards 337
Executing Multiple Commands 338
Moving to More Advanced Uses of the Command Line 340
Index 343
Preface xxix
Acknowledgments xxxi
About the Authors xxxiii
Introduction xxxv
Chapter 1: The UbuntuStory 1
The Vision 2
Free Software, Open Source, and GNU/Linux 3
How the Vision Became Ubuntu 7
What Is Ubuntu? 12
Ubuntu Promises and Goals 17
Sustaining the Vision: Canonical and the Ubuntu Foundation 25
Beyond the Vision: Ubuntu Subprojects, Derivatives, and Spin-offs 30
Summary 32
Chapter 2: Installing Ubuntu 33
Choosing Your Ubuntu Version 34
Getting Ubuntu 36
Installing from the Desktop CD 39
Installing from the Alternate Install CD 51
Installing from a USB Key 57
Installing from within Windows 58
Summary 58
Chapter 3: Using Ubuntu on the Desktop 59
Taking Your Desktop for a Ride 61
Using Your Applications 72
The Ubuntu File Chooser and Bookmarks 85
Ubuntu in Your Language 87
Customizing Ubuntu's Look and Feel 87
Managing Your Files 90
Ubuntu and Multimedia 95
Moving to the Next Ubuntu Release 108
Summary 110
Chapter 4: Gaining Greater Proficiency 111
Adding and Removing Programs and Packages 112
Keeping Your Computer Updated 117
Adding Additional Users 122
Using and Abusing Devices and Media 123
Configuring a Printer in Ubuntu 126
How Linux Stores and Organizes Files 131
The Terminal 134
Backup Strategies 135
Working with Windows Programs 136
Summary 137
Chapter 5: The Ubuntu Server 139
What Is Ubuntu Server? 140
Installing Ubuntu Server 142
Ubuntu Package Management 154
Ubuntu Server Security 165
Advanced Topics 172
Summary 176
Chapter 6: More Applications for Ubuntu 179
Creating Graphics with GIMP and Inkscape 180
Desktop Publishing with Scribus 191
Creating Music with Jokosher 196
Playing to Learn with Educational Programs 200
Getting There Faster with Docky 206
Summary 208
Chapter 7: The Ubuntu Community 209
Venues 211
Teams, Processes, and Community Governance 226
Getting Involved 239
Summary 243
Chapter 8: Using Kubuntu 245
Introduction to Kubuntu 246
Installing Kubuntu 249
Navigating in Kubuntu 254
Customizing Kubuntu 257
System Administration 260
Managing Files with Kubuntu 270
Common Applications 274
Finding Help and Giving Back to the Community 287
Summary 287
Chapter 9: GNOME 3, GNOME Shell, and More 289
A Different Path 290
Installing the GNOME Shell 290
Exploring the GNOME Shell 291
Using the Keyboard 295
Common Questions 295
Summary 297
Chapter 10: Ubuntu-Related Projects 299
Officially Supported Derivatives 300
Recognized Derivatives 304
Other Distributions 305
Launchpad 307
Bazaar 314
Summary 315
Chapter 11: Introducing Ubuntu One 317
What Can I Do with Ubuntu One? 318
How Much Does Ubuntu One Cost? 318
How Do I Begin? 318
Syncing Files 321
Syncing Contacts 321
Syncing Notes 322
Syncing Bookmarks 323
Special Features of Ubuntu One Mobile 324
Summary 325
Appendix: Welcome to the Command Line 327
Starting Up the Terminal 327
Getting Started 328
Building Pipelines 329
Running Commands as the Superuser 330
Finding Help 331
Moving Around the Filesystem 331
Manipulating Files and Folders 332
System Information Commands 333
Searching and Editing Text Files 335
Dealing with Users and Groups 336
Getting Help on the Command Line 336
Searching for Man Files 337
Using Wildcards 337
Executing Multiple Commands 338
Moving to More Advanced Uses of the Command Line 340
Index 343