Peter van der Linden's Guide to Linux
Published on 18. August 2005
Book
Mixed media product
640 pages
978-0-13-187284-4 (ISBN)
Description
"Linux software is like gold on the moon. It's wonderful, if you have a way to get it."
-Kevin Carmony, President and CEO, Linspire Inc.Sick of Windows Viruses, Crashes, and Expensive Upgrades?There's a better alternative: Linux. It's not just for "geeks" anymore. It's for you-and it's for real. With Peter van der Linden's Guide to Linux (R), Linux isn't just powerful, it's easy and fun.
While writing this book, the author spent an entire year helping new Linux users get started and once again demonstrated that he is flat-out brilliant at simplifying technology. He knows all the tricks and the quickest ways to help make you productive. Before demonstrating how to do something faster, easier, and better with Linux, he reminds you how it works in Windows. Along the way, he anticipates potential missteps and questions, and fills in the gaps other books ignore.
Get connected to the Internet, your email account, instant messaging, and your network
Get productive with OpenOffice, the amazing Microsoft Office clone that's absolutely free
Get solutions with van der Linden's easy, step-by-step troubleshooting help
Get into digital media-music, movies, DVDs, CD burning, digital photography, and more
Get secure and keep your data and email private with CIA-strength encryption
Get beyond the basics and leave Windows behind, download the best free software, and even master the command line
The book includes a Linspire 5.0 CD-ROM, the world's easiest desktop Linux! Boot into Linux from the included CD, without installing anything or changing any Windows files at all.
-Kevin Carmony, President and CEO, Linspire Inc.Sick of Windows Viruses, Crashes, and Expensive Upgrades?There's a better alternative: Linux. It's not just for "geeks" anymore. It's for you-and it's for real. With Peter van der Linden's Guide to Linux (R), Linux isn't just powerful, it's easy and fun.
While writing this book, the author spent an entire year helping new Linux users get started and once again demonstrated that he is flat-out brilliant at simplifying technology. He knows all the tricks and the quickest ways to help make you productive. Before demonstrating how to do something faster, easier, and better with Linux, he reminds you how it works in Windows. Along the way, he anticipates potential missteps and questions, and fills in the gaps other books ignore.
Get connected to the Internet, your email account, instant messaging, and your network
Get productive with OpenOffice, the amazing Microsoft Office clone that's absolutely free
Get solutions with van der Linden's easy, step-by-step troubleshooting help
Get into digital media-music, movies, DVDs, CD burning, digital photography, and more
Get secure and keep your data and email private with CIA-strength encryption
Get beyond the basics and leave Windows behind, download the best free software, and even master the command line
The book includes a Linspire 5.0 CD-ROM, the world's easiest desktop Linux! Boot into Linux from the included CD, without installing anything or changing any Windows files at all.
More details
Language
English
Place of publication
Upper Saddle River
United States
Publishing group
Pearson Education (US)
Target group
College/higher education
Dimensions
Height: 234 mm
Width: 178 mm
Thickness: 26 mm
Weight
921 gr
ISBN-13
978-0-13-187284-4 (9780131872844)
Copyright in bibliographic data and cover images is held by Nielsen Book Services Limited or by the publishers or by their respective licensors: all rights reserved.
Schweitzer Classification
Person
Peter van der Linden is one of the world's foremost computer book authors. He's been in the computer industry for more than twenty-five years, working for companies ranging from start-ups to Apple and Sun Microsystems. van der Linden is also author of The Official Handbook of Practical Jokes (NAL-Penguin, 1991).
Content
Preface.
Acknowledgments.
About the Author.
1. Hello Linux.
Why Linux Now?
Windows Woes.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Linux.
Linux Background.
GNU/Linux Distributions.
The Linspire Distro.
The Significance of Open Source Software.
What Next for Uncle Josh.
What Next for You.
2. Running the Linux Live CD.
Getting Started.
System Requirements for Running the Live CD.
How a Live CD Works.
Booting and Running Linspire from the Live CD.
Getting Help.
3. The KDE Desktop.
Getting Started.
Different Operating Systems, Similar GUIs.
GUIs Are Mature Technology.
Introduction to the KDE Desktop.
The KDE Panel.
How Your Folders Are Organized in KDE.
Using the Konqueror File Manager.
Advanced KDE Techniques.
Making Better Use of Screen Real Estate.
Linux and X Window.
Help Menus and More Information.
4. Onto the Net.
Getting Started.
Bringing the Internet to Your Home.
Networking Inside Your Home.
Alternative 1: A Wired Ethernet Connection.
Alternative 2: A Wireless Ethernet Connection.
Alternative 3: A Dial-Up Network Connection.
5. All About Email.
Getting Started.
Using Web-Based Mail.
Using a Standalone Mail Program.
Setting Up Mozilla Email.
Using Other Email Clients.
Junk Mail Control.
Conclusion.
6. Web Tools.
Getting Started.
Firefox Browser.
Nvu Web Page Editor.
7. Adding Software.
Getting Started.
Introducing Linspire's Click-N-Run.
Linux Packages.
Using Debian's Advanced Packaging Tool.
Adding a Menu Item for a New Application.
Compiling and Installing Software from Source Code.
Building from Source: GNU Privacy Guard Application.
8. More Applications.
Getting Started.
OpenOfficeorg.
Instant Messenger.
Lphoto and Digital Photography.
9. Filesystems and Optical Storage (CDs and DVDs).
Getting Started.
Filesystems and How to Mount Them.
Reading Data CDs and Creating Device Icons.
Burning Data CDs.
Burning an Image or ISO File.
Playing Music CDs.
Rip, Mix, Burn-Creating Music CDs!
Playing Movie DVDs.
Making a Backup Copy of a Movie DVD.
Sound and Burner Troubleshooting.
10. Sharing on Your Local Network.
Introduction to Workgroup Networking.
Shortcut: Sharing Files Without a Network.
Setting Up Windows Workgroup Networking.
Setting Up Windows Clients.
Setting Up Linux Clients.
Setting Up Print Servers.
Remote Desktop Sharing.
11. Keeping Your Data Private.
Why This Information Is Important.
Who Me, Do Encryption?
Before You Begin.
Introducing GNU Privacy Guard.
Basics of Public Key Encryption.
Creating Your Own GPG Key.
Encrypting Files.
Using Key Management.
Limitations of Encryption.
Summary of Common gpg Commands.
Encrypting Email.
References.
12. Installation and Boot.
Getting Started.
Linux with Zero Effort: Buying Linux Preinstalled.
Installation Checklist.
Downloading Your Linux Distro and Burning It to CD.
What Happens During an Installation.
More About Disk Partitions.
Choosing Whether to Dual Boot.
Choice A-Wiping Out Windows.
Choice B-Putting Linux on a Separate Disk.
Choice C-Advanced Installation for Dual Boot.
What Happens During a Boot.
Linspire Installation.
Post-Installation Setup.
Troubleshooting After Installation.
System Administration Know-How.
The End, and the Beginning: Going Forward With Linux.
Appendix A: Malicious Windows Software.
Windows Viruses Are Getting More Dangerous.
More About Backdoors.
Windows Web Servers Penetrated Worldwide.
Appendix B: Making Your Hardware Obey You-BIOS and Device Drivers.
Troubleshooting BIOS.
Troubleshooting Balky Devices.
Checking Hardware for Linux Compatibility.
Appendix C: Sample Output from Wifi Network Commands.
Appendix D: Commands for the Command Line.
Getting Started.
About Commands Generally.
Working with Files.
Working with Folders.
Working with Samba.
Sharing Folders That Aren't Under /root.
Filesystem Utilities.
The Most Powerful Part of Linux (Not Included).
Appendix E: Disk Basics and Partitioning.
Partition Overview.
Reducing the Size of the Windows Partition.
Creating a Linux Partition.
Restoring the Windows MBR.
GRUB Procedures.
Appendix F: Troubleshooting with Strace.
Using Strace (For Experts Only).
The Corresponding Source Code of "touchc".
Where to Find Linux Source Code.
Finding the Pathname for a GUI Application.
Index.
About the CD.
Acknowledgments.
About the Author.
1. Hello Linux.
Why Linux Now?
Windows Woes.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Linux.
Linux Background.
GNU/Linux Distributions.
The Linspire Distro.
The Significance of Open Source Software.
What Next for Uncle Josh.
What Next for You.
2. Running the Linux Live CD.
Getting Started.
System Requirements for Running the Live CD.
How a Live CD Works.
Booting and Running Linspire from the Live CD.
Getting Help.
3. The KDE Desktop.
Getting Started.
Different Operating Systems, Similar GUIs.
GUIs Are Mature Technology.
Introduction to the KDE Desktop.
The KDE Panel.
How Your Folders Are Organized in KDE.
Using the Konqueror File Manager.
Advanced KDE Techniques.
Making Better Use of Screen Real Estate.
Linux and X Window.
Help Menus and More Information.
4. Onto the Net.
Getting Started.
Bringing the Internet to Your Home.
Networking Inside Your Home.
Alternative 1: A Wired Ethernet Connection.
Alternative 2: A Wireless Ethernet Connection.
Alternative 3: A Dial-Up Network Connection.
5. All About Email.
Getting Started.
Using Web-Based Mail.
Using a Standalone Mail Program.
Setting Up Mozilla Email.
Using Other Email Clients.
Junk Mail Control.
Conclusion.
6. Web Tools.
Getting Started.
Firefox Browser.
Nvu Web Page Editor.
7. Adding Software.
Getting Started.
Introducing Linspire's Click-N-Run.
Linux Packages.
Using Debian's Advanced Packaging Tool.
Adding a Menu Item for a New Application.
Compiling and Installing Software from Source Code.
Building from Source: GNU Privacy Guard Application.
8. More Applications.
Getting Started.
OpenOfficeorg.
Instant Messenger.
Lphoto and Digital Photography.
9. Filesystems and Optical Storage (CDs and DVDs).
Getting Started.
Filesystems and How to Mount Them.
Reading Data CDs and Creating Device Icons.
Burning Data CDs.
Burning an Image or ISO File.
Playing Music CDs.
Rip, Mix, Burn-Creating Music CDs!
Playing Movie DVDs.
Making a Backup Copy of a Movie DVD.
Sound and Burner Troubleshooting.
10. Sharing on Your Local Network.
Introduction to Workgroup Networking.
Shortcut: Sharing Files Without a Network.
Setting Up Windows Workgroup Networking.
Setting Up Windows Clients.
Setting Up Linux Clients.
Setting Up Print Servers.
Remote Desktop Sharing.
11. Keeping Your Data Private.
Why This Information Is Important.
Who Me, Do Encryption?
Before You Begin.
Introducing GNU Privacy Guard.
Basics of Public Key Encryption.
Creating Your Own GPG Key.
Encrypting Files.
Using Key Management.
Limitations of Encryption.
Summary of Common gpg Commands.
Encrypting Email.
References.
12. Installation and Boot.
Getting Started.
Linux with Zero Effort: Buying Linux Preinstalled.
Installation Checklist.
Downloading Your Linux Distro and Burning It to CD.
What Happens During an Installation.
More About Disk Partitions.
Choosing Whether to Dual Boot.
Choice A-Wiping Out Windows.
Choice B-Putting Linux on a Separate Disk.
Choice C-Advanced Installation for Dual Boot.
What Happens During a Boot.
Linspire Installation.
Post-Installation Setup.
Troubleshooting After Installation.
System Administration Know-How.
The End, and the Beginning: Going Forward With Linux.
Appendix A: Malicious Windows Software.
Windows Viruses Are Getting More Dangerous.
More About Backdoors.
Windows Web Servers Penetrated Worldwide.
Appendix B: Making Your Hardware Obey You-BIOS and Device Drivers.
Troubleshooting BIOS.
Troubleshooting Balky Devices.
Checking Hardware for Linux Compatibility.
Appendix C: Sample Output from Wifi Network Commands.
Appendix D: Commands for the Command Line.
Getting Started.
About Commands Generally.
Working with Files.
Working with Folders.
Working with Samba.
Sharing Folders That Aren't Under /root.
Filesystem Utilities.
The Most Powerful Part of Linux (Not Included).
Appendix E: Disk Basics and Partitioning.
Partition Overview.
Reducing the Size of the Windows Partition.
Creating a Linux Partition.
Restoring the Windows MBR.
GRUB Procedures.
Appendix F: Troubleshooting with Strace.
Using Strace (For Experts Only).
The Corresponding Source Code of "touchc".
Where to Find Linux Source Code.
Finding the Pathname for a GUI Application.
Index.
About the CD.