Beginning Ubuntu Linux

Transcription

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2 Beginning Ubuntu Linux From Novice to Professional Keir Thomas

3 Beginning Ubuntu Linux: From Novice to Professional Copyright 2006 by Keir Thomas All rights reserved. No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying, recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, without the prior written permission of the copyright owner and the publisher. ISBN-13 (pbk): ISBN-10 (pbk): Printed and bound in the United States of America Trademarked names may appear in this book. Rather than use a trademark symbol with every occurrence of a trademarked name, we use the names only in an editorial fashion and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. Lead Editor: Jason Gilmore Technical Reviewer: John Hornbeck Editorial Board: Steve Anglin, Dan Appleman, Ewan Buckingham, Gary Cornell, Jason Gilmore, Jonathan Hassell, James Huddleston, Chris Mills, Matthew Moodie, Dominic Shakeshaft, Jim Sumser, Matt Wade Project Manager: Sofia Marchant Copy Edit Manager: Nicole LeClerc Copy Editor: Marilyn Smith Assistant Production Director: Kari Brooks-Copony Production Editor: Ellie Fountain Compositor: Susan Glinert Proofreader: Kim Burton Indexer: Broccoli Information Management Artist: Kinetic Publishing Services, LLC Cover Designer: Kurt Krames Manufacturing Director: Tom Debolski Distributed to the book trade worldwide by Springer-Verlag New York, Inc., 233 Spring Street, 6th Floor, New York, NY Phone SPRINGER, fax , orders-ny@springer-sbm.com, or visit For information on translations, please contact Apress directly at 2560 Ninth Street, Suite 219, Berkeley, CA Phone , fax , info@apress.com, or visit The information in this book is distributed on an as is basis, without warranty. Although every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this work, neither the author(s) nor Apress shall have any liability to any person or entity with respect to any loss or damage caused or alleged to be caused directly or indirectly by the information contained in this work.

4 Contents at a Glance About the Author xxiii About the Technical Reviewer xxv Acknowledgments xxvii Introduction xxix PART 1 Introducing the World of Linux CHAPTER 1 Welcome! CHAPTER 2 A History and Politics Lesson CHAPTER 3 The Realities of Running Linux PART 2 Installing Ubuntu CHAPTER 4 Preinstallation Steps CHAPTER 5 Installing Ubuntu CHAPTER 6 Solving Installation Problems PART 3 The No-Nonsense Getting Started Guide CHAPTER 7 Booting Ubuntu for the First Time CHAPTER 8 Getting Everything Up and Running CHAPTER 9 How to Secure Your Computer CHAPTER 10 Personalizing Ubuntu: Getting Everything Just Right CHAPTER 11 Ubuntu Replacements for Windows Programs CHAPTER 12 Managing Your Files iii

5 PART 4 The Shell and Beyond CHAPTER 13 Introducing the BASH Shell CHAPTER 14 Understanding Linux Files and Users CHAPTER 15 Working with Text Files CHAPTER 16 Taking Control of the System CHAPTER 17 Cool Shell Tricks PART 5 Multimedia CHAPTER 18 Digital Music CHAPTER 19 Movies and Multimedia CHAPTER 20 Image Editing PART 6 Office Tasks CHAPTER 21 Making the Move to OpenOffice.org CHAPTER 22 OpenOffice.org Overview CHAPTER 23 In Depth: Writer CHAPTER 24 In Depth: Calc CHAPTER 25 In Depth: Impress CHAPTER 26 In Depth: Base CHAPTER 27 In Depth: Evolution CHAPTER 28 Running Microsoft Office Under Ubuntu PART 7 Keeping Your System Running CHAPTER 29 Installing Software CHAPTER 30 Managing Users CHAPTER 31 Optimizing Your System CHAPTER 32 Backing Up Data CHAPTER 33 Scheduling Tasks CHAPTER 34 Accessing Computers Remotely iv

6 APPENDIX A Glossary of Linux Terms APPENDIX B BASH Command Index APPENDIX C Getting Further Help APPENDIX D Other Versions of Ubuntu INDEX v

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8 Contents About the Author xxiii About the Technical Reviewer xxv Acknowledgments xxvii Introduction xxix PART 1 Introducing the World of Linux CHAPTER 1 Welcome! What Is Linux? The Age of Linux The Problems with Windows The Benefits of Linux Crash-Free Security Free and Shareable Compatible with Older Hardware The Linux Community Summary CHAPTER 2 A History and Politics Lesson In the Beginning The GNU Project Proprietary Software and the GPL GNU and Linux Together Different Flavors of Linux Linux Today Modern Linux Development Summary vii

9 viii CONTENTS CHAPTER 3 The Realities of Running Linux Learning to Use Linux Who Uses Linux? Getting Hold of Linux Using Ubuntu Summary PART 2 Installing Ubuntu CHAPTER 4 Preinstallation Steps Understanding Partitioning Freeing Up Space Reclaiming Space Removing Windows Using Another Hard Disk Backing Up Your Data Backing Up Files Making Notes Summary CHAPTER 5 Installing Ubuntu An Overview of the Installation Process Step-by-Step Guide Step 1: Boot from the CD-ROM Step 2: Select Your Language Step 3: Confirm Your Keyboard Layout Step 4: Wait During Hardware and Networking Autodiscovery Step 5: Set a Hostname Step 6: Partition the Disk Step 7: Wait During Automated Package Copying Step 8: Set the Time Zone Step 9: Set Your Real Name, Username, and Password Step 10: Install the GRUB Boot Loader Step 11: Reboot for the Second Installation Phase Step 12: Wait During Package Installation Step 13: Configure Your Monitor Step 14: Boot for the First Time Summary

10 CONTENTS ix CHAPTER 6 Solving Installation Problems Preinstallation Problems Installation Problems Postinstallation Problems Graphical Problems Graphics Card Configuration Keyboard and Mouse Configuration Monitor Configuration Summary PART 3 The No-Nonsense Getting Started Guide CHAPTER 7 Booting Ubuntu for the First Time Starting Up Logging In Exploring the Desktop First Impressions Desktop Elements Quick Desktop Guides Running Programs Working with Virtual Desktops Using the Mouse Cutting and Pasting Text Summary CHAPTER 8 Getting Everything Up and Running Ubuntu Hardware Support Proprietary vs. Open Source Drivers Viewing Your Hardware Getting Online Using an Ethernet Card Joining a Wireless Network Configuring Dial-Up Internet Access Using a USB-Based DSL Modem Working with a Proxy Server

11 x CONTENTS Setting Up Online Software Repositories Configuring and Instant Messaging Configuring Access Setting Up Instant Messaging Adding a Printer Configuring a Local Printer Configuring a Network Printer Configuring a Windows/SMB Shared Printer Setting Up Digital Imaging Devices Transferring Photos from a Digital Camera Configuring a Scanner Using a USB Memory Stick Installing 3D Graphics Card Drivers Installing an ATI Driver Installing a Nvidia Driver Testing 3D Capabilities Configuring Bluetooth Pairing Bluetooth Devices Transferring Files Between Bluetooth Devices Using a Bluetooth Keyboard or Mouse Configuring Sound Cards Summary CHAPTER 9 How to Secure Your Computer Windows Security vs. Linux Security Root and Ordinary Users Common-Sense Security Online Updates The Ubuntu Firewall Installing Firestarter Configuring Firestarter Summary CHAPTER 10 Personalizing Ubuntu: Getting Everything Just Right Changing the Look and Feel Altering the Theme Changing the Wallpaper Setting Font Preferences Configuring Input Devices

12 CONTENTS xi Creating Keyboard Shortcuts Personalizing Login Options Changing Your Login Picture Adding and Removing Desktop Items Adding a Shortcut Adding and Removing Menus Personalizing the Panels Working with Applets Setting Power-Saving Features Controlling the Monitor Shutoff Spinning Down the Hard Disk Summary CHAPTER 11 Ubuntu Replacements for Windows Programs Available Software A Quick Start with Common Linux Programs Word Processing: OpenOffice.org Writer Spreadsheet: OpenOffice.org Calc Presentations: OpenOffice.org Impress Database: OpenOffice.org Base /Personal Information Manager: Evolution Web Browser: Firefox Audio Playback: Rhythmbox and CD Player Movie Playback: Totem Movie Player CD/DVD Burning: Nautilus and Serpentine Photo Editing: The GIMP Other Handy Applications Summary CHAPTER 12 Managing Your Files Understanding File System Concepts Drive References Case Sensitivity File Access and Storage Using Nautilus File and Folder Icons Special Nautilus Windows Launching Files and Running Programs

13 xii CONTENTS Accessing Windows Files Working with Files in Windows Partitions Accessing Networked Files Accessing Removable Storage Devices Ejecting Media from Drives Formatting Floppies Summary PART 4 The Shell and Beyond CHAPTER 13 Introducing the BASH Shell What Is the BASH Shell? Why Bother with the Shell? When Should You Use the Shell? Getting Started with the Shell Running Programs Getting Help Running the Shell via a Virtual Console Working with Files Listing Files Copying Files Moving Files Deleting Files Changing and Creating Directories Summary CHAPTER 14 Understanding Linux Files and Users Real Files and Virtual Files Users and File Permissions Viewing Permissions Altering Permissions The File System Explained Mounting Using the mount Command Mounting a Drive Manually Removing a Mounted System

14 CONTENTS xiii File Searches Using the find Command Using the locate Command Using the whereis Command File Size and Free Space Viewing File Sizes Finding Out the Amount of Free Space Summary CHAPTER 15 Working with Text Files Viewing Text Files Using the cat Command Using the less Command Using the head and tail Commands Using a Command-Line Text Editor Understanding vi Modes Using vi to Edit a File Creating a New Text File Using vi Searching Through Files Using grep to Find Text Using Regular Expressions Comparing Text Files Summary CHAPTER 16 Taking Control of the System Viewing Processes Controlling Processes Killing Processes Controlling Zombie Processes Using Other Commands to Control Processes Controlling Jobs Summary CHAPTER 17 Cool Shell Tricks Using Autocompletion Autocompletion with Files and Paths Viewing Available Options

15 xiv CONTENTS Using Keyboard Shortcuts Shortcuts for Working in BASH Shortcuts for System Control Using the Command History Piping and Directing Output Piping the Output of Commands Redirecting Output Summary PART 5 Multimedia CHAPTER 18 Digital Music Understanding the Legalities of Playback Playing Music Files Installing Codecs Using Rhythmbox Listening to Audio CDs Tuning in to Online Radio Stations Configuring XMMS Using Streamtuner Ripping Music from CDs Choosing a Format Adding MP3 Support to Sound Juicer Ripping Tracks Creating Your Own CDs Summary CHAPTER 19 Movies and Multimedia Watching Videos Installing Codecs Installing RealPlayer Playing Back Video Watching DVDs Playing Flash Animations Watching TV Checking for Video Input Installing Tvtime Summary

16 CONTENTS xv CHAPTER 20 Image Editing Getting Pictures onto Your PC Introducing The GIMP Editing Images with The GIMP Making Color Corrections Cropping and Cloning Sharpening Applying Filters Summary PART 6 Office Tasks CHAPTER 21 Making the Move to OpenOffice.org Office Similarities OpenOffice.Org Key Features File Compatibility The Right Fonts Copying Windows Fonts Installing TrueType Core Fonts Summary CHAPTER 22 OpenOffice.org Overview Introducing the Interface Customizing the Interface Adding Functions to Toolbars Adding a New Toolbar Customizing Menus Configuring OpenOffice.org Options Using OpenOffice.org Core Functions Using Wizards Getting Help Inserting Objects with Object Linking and Embedding Creating Macros Saving Files Summary

17 xvi CONTENTS CHAPTER 23 In Depth: Writer Formatting Text The Formatting Toolbar Context Menu The Style and Formatting Palette Spell-Checking Inserting Pictures Working with Tables Mail Merging Adding Headers and Footers Summary CHAPTER 24 In Depth: Calc Entering and Formatting Data Deleting and Inserting Data and Cells Working with Formulas Using the Function Wizard Summing Figures Sorting Data Creating Charts Using Filters Summary CHAPTER 25 In Depth: Impress Creating a Quick Presentation Working in Impress Animating Slides Applying Fontwork Using 3D Effects Exporting a Presentation As a Flash File Summary

18 CONTENTS xvii CHAPTER 26 In Depth: Base Getting Started with Base Creating a Database Adding a Table Creating a Form Adding Controls to the Form Manually Editing the Database Table Using the Database Summary CHAPTER 27 In Depth: Evolution Evolution Modes Basic Tasks Sending and Receiving Reading Deleting Messages Flagging Messages Composing a Message Creating an Signature Advanced Tasks Creating New Folders Dealing with Junk Sorting and Filtering Messages Creating Search Folders Contacts Adding or Editing Contact Information Creating a Contact List Calendars Specifying Appointment Types Adding or Editing a Diary Entry Tasks Summary

19 xviii CONTENTS CHAPTER 28 Running Microsoft Office Under Ubuntu Installing and Configuring Wine Downloading Wine Configuring Wine Showing Hidden Files on CDs Installing Microsoft Office Running Office Components Installing Other Windows Programs Summary PART 7 Keeping Your System Running CHAPTER 29 Installing Software Software Installation Basics Formats of Linux Installation Files Packages Explained Dependency Management APT and Package Repositories The Synaptic Package Manager in Depth Searching for Software Installing Software Removing Software Package Management from the Command Prompt Using dpkg Using the APT Tools Installing from Source Installing the Compiler Tools Unpacking the Tarball and Solving Dependencies Compiling Summary CHAPTER 30 Managing Users Understanding User and Group Accounts Users and Groups Root User UIDs and GIDs

20 CONTENTS xix Adding and Deleting Users and Groups Adding and Deleting Users via the GUI Creating and Deleting Groups via the GUI Adding and Deleting Users and Groups at the Command Line Adding and Changing Passwords Summary CHAPTER 31 Optimizing Your System Speeding Up Booting Understanding Bootup Reducing the Boot Menu Delay Optimizing Initialization and Run-Level Services Optimizing Hard Disk Settings Benchmarking Your Hard Disk Changing Hard Disk Settings Making Disk Optimizations Permanent Prelinking Configuring Prelinking Deactivating Prelinking Freeing Disk Space Emptying the /tmp Folder Emptying the Cache of Package Files Removing Unused Software Adding Another Disk Drive Partitioning the Disk Configuring Ubuntu to Use the Drive Summary CHAPTER 32 Backing Up Data What Data Should You Back Up? Using SBackup Backing Up Data via SBackup Restoring Data via SBackup Making Backups from the Command Line Creating tar Files Compressing tar Archives Extracting Files from a tar Archive Viewing tar Archive Information Saving the File to a CD-R/RW Summary