Ubuntu Made Easy A Project-Based Introduction to Linux (Rickford Grant, Phil Bull) (Z-Library)
Science
Ubuntu brings Linux to the masses, but it can still be intimidating for newbies, neophytes, and geeks-in-training. With Ubuntu Made Easy by your side youll be ready to face any challenge, and youll discover just how fun Linux can be. Packed with tips, tricks, and helpful pointers, Ubuntu Made Easy will get you up and running with the worlds most popular free operating system. Authors Rickford Grant and Phil Bull walk you through common tasks like installing and playing games, accessing your favorite social networks, troubleshooting hardware and software problems, interacting with your Windows installation, and more.
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UBUNTU MADE EASY
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UBUNTU MADE EASY A P r o j e c t - B a s e d I n t r o d u c t i o n t o L i n u x by Rickford Grant with Phi l Bul l San Francisco
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UBUNTU MADE EASY. Copyright © 2012 by Rickford Grant and Phil Bull. 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. 16 15 14 13 12 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 First printing ISBN-10: 1-59327-425-4 ISBN-13: 978-1-59327-425-2 Publisher: William Pollock Production Editor: Alison Law Cover Illustration: Charlie Wylie Interior Design: Octopod Studios Developmental Editor: Keith Fancher Technical Reviewer: Milo Casagrande Copyeditor: Paula L. Fleming Compositor: Susan Glinert Stevens Proofreader: Ward Webber For information on book distributors or translations, please contact No Starch Press, Inc. directly: No Starch Press, Inc. 38 Ringold Street, San Francisco, CA 94103 phone: 415.863.9900; fax: 415.863.9950; info@nostarch.com; www.nostarch.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record of this book is available from the Library of Congress. No Starch Press and the No Starch Press logo are registered trademarks of No Starch Press, Inc. Other product and company names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners. Rather than use a trademark symbol with every occurrence of a trademarked name, we are using the names only in an editorial fashion and to the benefit of the trademark owner, with no intention of infringement of the trademark. The information in this book is distributed on an “As Is” basis, without warranty. While every precaution has been taken in the preparation of this work, neither the authors nor No Starch Press, Inc. 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 it.
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In loving memory of my mother, Angelina Pavlovich, for whom the original version of this book was written. She was sweet, fun, and made a mean dish of chilaquiles. I miss her always. —Rickford To mum and dad: For everything —Phil
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B R I E F C O N T E N T S About the Authors .......................................................................................................xxiii Acknowledgments ...................................................................................................... xxvii Introduction ................................................................................................................ xxxi Chapter 1: Becoming a Penguinista Welcome to the World of Linux ........................................................................................1 Chapter 2: Wading and Diving Running and (If You Like) Installing Ubuntu .......................................................................11 Chapter 3: A New Place to Call Home Getting to Know the Desktop ..........................................................................................25 Chapter 4: More Than Webbed Feet Connecting to the Internet...............................................................................................41 Chapter 5: Slipping and Sliding Exploring the Internet, Linux Style ....................................................................................55 Chapter 6: Rounding Out the Bird Downloading, Installing, and Updating Programs the Easy Way .........................................77 Chapter 7: A Tidy Nest File and Disc Handling in Ubuntu ....................................................................................95 Chapter 8: Simple Kitten Ways Getting to Know the Linux Terminal and Command Line . . . and the Cool Things It Can Do ......................................................................................125 Chapter 9: Dressing Up the Bird Customizing the Look and Feel of Your System................................................................159 Chapter 10: Gutenbird Setting Up and Using Your Printer and Scanner ..............................................................179
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Chapter 11: Polyglot Penguins Linux Speaks Your Language ........................................................................................199 Chapter 12: Penguins at Work Getting Down to Business in Linux .................................................................................213 Chapter 13: Right-Brain Penguins Linux Does Art ............................................................................................................229 Chapter 14: Tux Rocks Music à la Linux ..........................................................................................................245 Chapter 15: Pluggin’ In the Penguin Working with Your iPod, iPhone, and Other Digital Media Devices...................................263 Chapter 16: Couch Penguins Video and DVD Playback in Ubuntu ..............................................................................275 Chapter 17: Feathered Flippers Linux Gaming .............................................................................................................289 Chapter 18: Sweet Home Antarctica Linux Around the House ...............................................................................................309 Chapter 19: Penguins at the Gates Working with Ubuntu in a Windows World ...................................................................321 Chapter 20: Defending the Nest Security......................................................................................................................339 Chapter 21: A Colony of Penguins The Ubuntu Community ................................................................................................351 Chapter 22: Wounded Wings Fixing Common Problems .............................................................................................373 Appendix A: Installing Ubuntu from a USB Flash Drive.....................................................403 Appendix B: Ubuntu Desktop 64-Bit Discs.......................................................................407 Appendix C: Manually Partitioning Your Hard Disk .........................................................411 Appendix D: Resources................................................................................................419 Index .........................................................................................................................425viii Br ie f Contents
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C O N T E N T S I N D E T A I L ABOUT THE AUTHORS xxiii Rickford Grant ......................................................................................................xxiii Phil Bull .................................................................................................................xxv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xxvii INTRODUCTION xxxi Version Compatibility ............................................................................................xxxi Concept and Approach ........................................................................................xxxii How to Use This Book .......................................................................................... xxxvi About the Conventions Used in This Book ............................................................... xxxvi About the Projects in This Book ............................................................................. xxxvi 1 BECOMING A PENGUINISTA Welcome to the World of Linux 1 What Is Linux? ......................................................................................................... 2 About the Penguin .................................................................................................... 3 Should You Use Linux? .............................................................................................. 3 What Is a Distribution? ............................................................................................. 4 What Is Ubuntu? ...................................................................................................... 5 Why Ubuntu Then? ................................................................................................... 5 Hardware Compatibility ............................................................................................ 6 When Research Is Required .......................................................................... 6 Hardware Requirements ............................................................................................ 7 Good News for 64-Bit Machine Users ........................................................................ 8 Mixed News for Mac Users ....................................................................................... 8 Speaking Ubuntu ..................................................................................................... 8 Where Do I Go from Here? ....................................................................................... 9 2 WADING AND DIVING Running and (If You Like) Install ing Ubuntu 11 Going for a Dip ..................................................................................................... 12 Choices, Choices, Choices—Installation Options ........................................................ 13 Going for a Swim—Installing Ubuntu Inside Windows (the Wubi Installer) ....... 13 Taking the Full Plunge—Installing Ubuntu Outside of Windows ....................... 17 Getting Ready for Action ............................................................................ 17 Doing the Deed ......................................................................................... 18 How Can I Get Back into Windows? ........................................................................ 23 Oh No, My Computer Won’t Boot! .......................................................................... 23
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3 A NEW PLACE TO CALL HOME Getting to Know the Desktop 25 Welcome to the Desktop ......................................................................................... 26 Parts of the Unity Desktop Environment ...................................................................... 27 The Panel ................................................................................................. 27 The Desktop .............................................................................................. 29 The Launcher ............................................................................................ 29 Working with the Launcher ...................................................................................... 29 The Dash ............................................................................................................... 31 Lenses ...................................................................................................... 31 Filters ....................................................................................................... 33 Finding and Running Apps with the Keyboard .............................................. 34 Head-up Display .................................................................................................... 34 Navigating a Sea of Open Windows ....................................................................... 35 Workspace Switcher—Virtual Desktops ..................................................................... 37 Why Doesn’t My Desktop Look Like That? ................................................................. 38 Keyboard Shortcuts ................................................................................................ 39 Shutting Down ....................................................................................................... 40 4 MORE THAN WEBBED FEET Connecting to the Internet 41 How Do You Connect? ........................................................................................... 42 Setting Up a Wired Connection ............................................................................... 43 Checking Your Connection ......................................................................... 43 Setting Up a Cable or Ethernet Connection for Providers Not Using DHCP ....... 43 Setting Up a Wireless Connection ............................................................................ 45 Hardware ................................................................................................ 45 Activating Your Wireless Card .................................................................... 46 Switching Off or Refreshing Your Wireless Connection .................................. 49 Connecting with a DSL or ADSL Modem ................................................................... 49 Setting Up a Dial-up Connection .............................................................................. 50 What to Do If Your Modem Isn’t Compatible ................................................ 51 Mobile Broadband Connections ............................................................................... 52 I’m Connected . . . So Now What? .......................................................................... 54 5 SLIPPING AND SLIDING Exploring the Internet, Linux Style 55 Firefox: Your Internet Browser .................................................................................. 55 Controlling Browser Window Clutter with Tabs ............................................. 56 Save It for Later: Using History and Bookmarks ............................................. 57 Keeping Up-to-Date with Live Bookmarks ...................................................... 61 Pop-up Manager ....................................................................................... 62 Multimedia Plug-ins ................................................................................... 62x Contents in Detai l
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Project 5: Installing Firefox Extensions ............................................................................ 65 5-1: Downloading and Installing the ScribeFire Extension ............................... 66 5-2: Setting Up the ScribeFire Extension ....................................................... 67 Email with Thunderbird ........................................................................................... 67 The Messaging Menu ............................................................................................. 69 Chatting with Your Friends via Empathy .................................................................... 70 Starting a Chat ......................................................................................... 70 Telling People When You Don’t Want to Chat .............................................. 72 Microblogging—Twitter and Friends ......................................................................... 72 Other Internet Applications ...................................................................................... 76 6 ROUNDING OUT THE BIRD Downloading, Install ing, and Updating Programs the Easy Way 77 Project 6A: Installing Applications via the Ubuntu Software Center .................................. 78 6A-1: Selecting Applications for Installation .................................................. 80 6A-2: Searching for Applications ................................................................ 81 6A-3: Uninstalling Applications ................................................................... 82 6A-4: Commercial vs. Free Software ............................................................ 83 Performing System Updates via Update Manager ....................................................... 84 How Often Should You Install Updates? ....................................................... 85 If an Update Ruins Your Day . . . or System .................................................. 86 Adding Extra Software Repositories .......................................................................... 88 APT-URL: Installing from Websites ................................................................ 90 Project 6B: Installing Software from a PPA—Turtle Arena ................................................ 90 Project 6C: Installing DEB Packages Not Available via the Ubuntu Repositories— Google Earth .......................................................................................................... 92 7 A TIDY NEST File and Disc Handling in Ubuntu 95 Find It Fast—Searching for Files with the Dash ........................................................... 96 Recent Files and Downloads ....................................................................... 96 Finding More Elusive Files .......................................................................... 96 A Closer Look at Lenses and Filters .............................................................. 97 Nautilus: The Fully Featured File Manager ................................................................. 99 The Sidebar ............................................................................................ 100 Now You See It; Now You Don’t ............................................................... 101 File Handling in Nautilus ....................................................................................... 101 Creating, Naming, and Renaming Folders ................................................. 101 Moving Files and Folders ......................................................................... 102 Copying Files and Folders ........................................................................ 102 Navigating in Nautilus .......................................................................................... 102 Browsing with Breadcrumbs in Nautilus ..................................................... 102 Spelling It Out—Typing File Paths in Nautilus .............................................. 103 Bookmarks Within Nautilus ...................................................................... 104Contents in Detai l xi
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Understanding the Linux Filesystem ............................................................ 104 What’s in All Those Other Folders? ........................................................... 105 Using Nautilus as a Network Browser ........................................................ 106 Using Nautilus as an FTP Client ................................................................. 107 File and Folder Permissions Within Nautilus ................................................ 108 Changing File and Folder Permissions in Nautilus ....................................... 108 Keeping Your Home Folder Private ............................................................ 109 Reading Data CDs and DVDs ................................................................................ 110 Burning Data CDs and DVDs .................................................................... 111 Dealing with CD-RWs .............................................................................. 112 Burning ISO Images to Disc ...................................................................... 113 Creating Your Own ISO Images ................................................................ 113 Burning Multisession CDs ......................................................................... 114 Burning Subsequent Sessions .................................................................... 115 Duplicating CDs and DVDs ....................................................................... 115 USB Storage Devices ............................................................................................ 116 Working with Bluetooth Devices ............................................................................. 117 Pairing Devices ....................................................................................... 117 Sending Files by Bluetooth ........................................................................ 118 Receiving Files by Bluetooth ...................................................................... 119 Backing Up Your Files ........................................................................................... 120 Recovering from a Backup ........................................................................ 122 Removing Unwanted Files ..................................................................................... 122 Project 7: Creating and Extracting Compressed Files ..................................................... 123 8 SIMPLE KITTEN WAYS Getting to Know the Linux Terminal and Command Line . . . and the Cool Things It Can Do 125 Meet the Terminal ................................................................................................ 126 Some Goofy yet Useful Fun with the Command Terminal ........................................... 128 Nontoxic Commands ............................................................................................ 128 $ whoami .............................................................................................. 128 $ pwd ................................................................................................... 129 $ df ....................................................................................................... 129 $ ls ........................................................................................................ 130 $ calendar ............................................................................................. 130 $ exit ..................................................................................................... 130 Commands with Some Teeth .................................................................................. 130 $ mkdir .................................................................................................. 130 $ mv ...................................................................................................... 131 $ cd ...................................................................................................... 131 $ cp ...................................................................................................... 132 $ rm ...................................................................................................... 132 $ rmdir .................................................................................................. 132 $ chmod ................................................................................................ 133 $ sudo ................................................................................................... 135 $ locate ................................................................................................. 135 $ apt-get ................................................................................................ 136 $ finger .................................................................................................. 137xii Contents in Detai l
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A Couple of Other Commands You’ll Be Using Soon ................................................ 139 $ ln ....................................................................................................... 139 $ tar ...................................................................................................... 139 Project 8A: Creating a Plan ........................................................................................... 141 Project 8B: More Command Practice with pyWings ....................................................... 142 8B-1: Getting Ready for pyWings (Installing Tkinter) .................................... 143 8B-2: Getting pyWings ............................................................................ 144 8B-3: Creating a LocalApps Folder for pyWings ......................................... 144 8B-4: Extracting the pyWings Tarball ......................................................... 144 8B-5: Moving the pyWings Folder to Your LocalApps Folder ........................ 145 8B-6: Running pyWings ........................................................................... 145 8B-7: Creating a Launchable Link for pyWings ........................................... 145 8B-8: Running pyWings Again ................................................................. 147 Project 8C: Command Practice Review with Briscola ...................................................... 147 8C-1: Getting Briscola ............................................................................. 148 8C-2: Extracting the Briscola Tarball and Renaming the Briscola Folder ......... 148 8C-3: Preparing the Briscola Script ............................................................ 148 8C-4: Moving the Briscola Folder to a Global Location ................................ 149 8C-5: Creating a Launchable Link for Briscola ............................................ 150 Can You Do the Same Thing with pyWings? .............................................. 150 Playing Briscola ...................................................................................... 150 Project 8D: Compiling and Installing Programs from Source—Xmahjongg ...................... 151 What Is Source? ..................................................................................... 151 The Basics .............................................................................................. 152 8D-1: Installing the Tools You Need ........................................................... 152 8D-2: Downloading and Extracting the Xmahjongg File ............................... 152 8D-3: Running configure and make for Xmahjongg ..................................... 154 8D-4: Installing and Running Xmahjongg .................................................... 155 8D-5: Cleaning Up and/or Uninstalling Xmahjongg .................................... 155 Customizing the Terminal ...................................................................................... 156 Tabbed Shell Sessions in the Terminal ..................................................................... 157 9 DRESSING UP THE BIRD Customizing the Look and Feel of Your System 159 Project 9A: Creating a New User Account ..................................................................... 160 9A-1: Creating the Account ...................................................................... 160 9A-2: Logging In to Your New Account ...................................................... 161 Customizing: The Basics ........................................................................................ 162 Changing the Desktop Background ........................................................... 162 Changing Themes ................................................................................... 164 Changing Your Launcher Icon Size (Unity 3D Only) ..................................... 164 Autohiding the Launcher ........................................................................... 164 Stretching Desktop Icons .......................................................................... 164 Taking Screenshots .................................................................................. 166 Customizing Your Desktop Environment: The Next Level ............................................ 167 Customizations with MyUnity .................................................................... 167 Customizing Visual Effects with CompizConfig Settings Manager .................. 172Contents in Detai l xiii
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Project 9B: Customizing Your Desktop Environment—There’s No Place Like GNOME ...... 175 9B-1: Installing the GNOME Desktop Environments ..................................... 176 9B-2: Switching to the GNOME Desktop Environments and Back Again ........ 176 Project 9C: Switching from Unity to Cinnamon .............................................................. 177 10 GUTENBIRD Setting Up and Using Your Printer and Scanner 179 Printers ............................................................................................................... 180 Confirming That Your Printer Is Supported .................................................. 180 Getting Ubuntu to Automatically Recognize and Set Up Your Printer .............. 180 Manually Configuring Printers ................................................................... 182 Setting Up Wireless-Enabled Printers .......................................................... 183 Setting Up Printers Connected over a Network ............................................ 184 For the Driverless Among You ................................................................... 185 Printing Details ........................................................................................ 186 Project 10: Installing TrueType Fonts ............................................................................. 190 10-1: Getting the Font Files ...................................................................... 190 10-2: Installing Fonts Locally ..................................................................... 191 10-3: Installing TrueType Fonts Globally ..................................................... 192 Scanners ............................................................................................................. 193 Scanning, No Questions Asked, with Simple Scan ...................................... 193 Not-So-Simple Scanning with XSane .......................................................... 194 Unrecognized Scanners ........................................................................... 196 Why Are My Scanned Images So Big? ...................................................... 196 Which Resolution Should I Use When Scanning? ........................................ 197 11 POLYGLOT PENGUINS Linux Speaks Your Language 199 Read-Only Language Support ................................................................................ 200 Typing Nonstandard Characters ............................................................................ 201 Using the Compose Key Option ................................................................ 201 Adding Keyboard Layouts ........................................................................ 203 Chinese, Japanese, and Korean Input ..................................................................... 205 Chinese ................................................................................................. 205 Japanese ................................................................................................ 205 Korean .................................................................................................. 206 Project 11: Setting Up Asian-Language Support ............................................................ 207 11-1: Installing IBus Input Methods ............................................................ 207 11-2: Selecting Input Method Modules ....................................................... 207 11-3: Typing Asian Languages with IBus .................................................... 208 Setting Up IBus to Automatically Start Up When You Log In ....................................... 209 Viewing Your System in Another Language .............................................................. 210xiv Contents in Detai l
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12 PENGUINS AT WORK Getting Down to Business in Linux 213 Where the Apps Are ............................................................................................ 214 LibreOffice .......................................................................................................... 214 LibreOffice Applications ........................................................................... 214 Microsoft Office and LibreOffice File Compatibility ...................................... 217 LibreOffice Features ................................................................................. 218 Getting to Know the Buttons ...................................................................... 218 Word Processing Done Lightly with AbiWord .......................................................... 222 FocusWriter ......................................................................................................... 222 Some Other Cool Productivity Apps ........................................................................ 223 Dlume .................................................................................................... 223 gLabels .................................................................................................. 224 Tomboy ................................................................................................. 224 FreeMind ............................................................................................... 226 Scribus .................................................................................................. 227 13 RIGHT-BRAIN PENGUINS Linux Does Art 229 Where the Apps Are ............................................................................................ 229 Project 13A: Importing Images from Digital Cameras .................................................... 230 13A-1: Importing Images from Camera to Computer Somewhat Automatically via Shotwell ................................................. 230 13A-2: Transferring Images from Camera to Computer via the File Manager ........................................................................ 231 Project 13B: Working with Digital Images in Shotwell ................................................... 232 13B-1: Publishing Images to Online Albums and Galleries ........................... 233 13B-2: Sending Images by Email via Shotwell ............................................ 235 13B-3: Organizing Your Photo Collections with Tags ................................... 236 A Few Other Graphics Apps to Consider ................................................................ 237 RawTherapee ......................................................................................... 237 Getting Arty with the GIMP ....................................................................... 238 Phatch Photo Batch Processor .................................................................... 240 MyPaint ................................................................................................. 242 Inkscape ................................................................................................ 242 gThumb Image Viewer ............................................................................. 243 Blender .................................................................................................. 244 14 TUX ROCKS Music à la Linux 245 Where the Apps Are ............................................................................................ 246 Audio File Formats ............................................................................................... 246 Installing MP3 Support for Audio Apps ................................................................... 247Contents in Detai l xv
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Rhythmbox—Ubuntu’s Default Audio Player ............................................................. 248 Adding Songs and Albums to the Rhythmbox Library ................................... 248 Ripping Audio CDs with Rhythmbox .......................................................... 249 Browsing the Rhythmbox Library ............................................................... 250 Creating Playlists in Rhythmbox ................................................................. 250 Ubuntu One Music Store via Rhythmbox .................................................... 251 Other Cool Features in Rhythmbox ............................................................ 252 Project 14: Listening to Streaming Media with Rhythmbox ............................................. 253 14-1: Adding Radio Streams to Rhythmbox ................................................ 253 14-2: Changing a Stream’s Title and Information in Rhythmbox .................... 253 Creating Audio CDs ............................................................................................. 254 Burning Audio CDs with Rhythmbox .......................................................... 254 Burning Audio CDs Directly with Brasero .................................................... 254 Other Cool Audio Apps ........................................................................................ 255 Alternative Players ................................................................................... 255 Streaming Music with Streamtuner2 ........................................................... 255 Ex Falso and EasyTAG ............................................................................. 257 Apps for Music Makers ......................................................................................... 257 Audacity ................................................................................................ 257 Ardour and LMMS ................................................................................... 258 MuseScore ............................................................................................. 258 Amping It Up with PLUG .......................................................................... 259 Hydrogen & Mixx ................................................................................... 260 15 PLUGGIN’ IN THE PENGUIN Working with Your iPod, iPhone, and Other Digital Media Devices 263 Knowing Your Limits ............................................................................................. 264 Mounting and Ejecting Your iPod, iPhone, or iPad .................................................... 264 (Not) Auto-updating Your iPod or iPhone ................................................................. 265 Working with Android-Based Devices ..................................................................... 266 What About Kindles, NOOKs, and Android 3.0+ “Honeycomb”-Based Devices? ........ 267 Working with Other Digital Media Players and Cell Phones ...................................... 268 Managing Your Audio Device’s Audio Files with Rhythmbox ..................................... 269 Copying Songs from Your Audio Device to Your Hard Disk .......................... 270 Ejecting Your iPod or Other Digital Device from Within Rhythmbox ............... 271 Problems Writing to Your iPod ............................................................................... 271 Working with Photos on Your Digital Device ............................................................ 271 Converting Audio File Formats ............................................................................... 272 Playing Locked AAC (M4P) Files ............................................................................ 274 Linux on Your iPod, iPad, or Android Device? .......................................................... 274 16 COUCH PENGUINS Video and DVD Playback in Ubuntu 275 Where the Apps Are ............................................................................................ 275 DVDs .................................................................................................................. 276xvi Contents in Detai l
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Project 16: Installing Support for Encrypted DVDs ......................................................... 276 Can I Play Foreign DVDs? ..................................................................................... 276 Watching Video Files with Movie Player ................................................................. 277 Using Movie Player to Play DVDs, VCDs, and Other Multimedia Files ............ 278 Movie Player as an Audio Player? ............................................................. 278 A Couple of Other Cool Movie Player Features ........................................... 279 An Alternative (and Arguably Better) Video Player: VLC ............................................ 280 Transferring Movies from Your Digital Camera to Computer ..................................... 281 Transferring Video Files from a Camera with a Storage Card ....................... 281 Transferring Video Files from a Cell Phone or Another Mobile Device ............ 281 Capturing Digital Video from Cameras with Tape Storage ........................... 282 Editing Digital Video with PiTiVi ............................................................................ 285 Other Video Apps ................................................................................................ 286 17 FEATHERED FLIPPERS Linux Gaming 289 Where the Apps Are ............................................................................................ 290 Project 17A: Expanding Your Game Collection via the Ubuntu Software Center .............. 290 17A-1: Installing Classic GNOME Games ................................................. 290 17A-2: Installing Some Linux Classics: Frozen Bubble, Tux Racer, and Pingus ....................................................................................... 291 3D Games .......................................................................................................... 293 Checking for Hardware Acceleration ......................................................... 293 Shooting Games ..................................................................................... 294 Strategy Games ...................................................................................... 296 Simulators .............................................................................................. 297 Beyond the Ubuntu Software Center .......................................................... 300 Commercial Games ................................................................................. 300 Project 17B: Installing a Java-Based Game: Schnapsen ................................................. 302 17B-1: Installing the Java Runtime Environment ........................................... 303 17B-2: Getting and Extracting Schnapsen .................................................. 303 17B-3: Running and Anglicizing Schnapsen ............................................... 304 Online Gaming .................................................................................................... 305 Searching for More Games ................................................................................... 305 18 SWEET HOME ANTARCTICA Linux Around the House 309 Where the Apps Are ............................................................................................ 309 HomeBank .......................................................................................................... 310 Project 18A: Installing a Recipe Lens ............................................................................. 310 Personal Health .................................................................................................... 311 Fun (but Educational) Stuff ..................................................................................... 313 Kids’ Stuff ............................................................................................................ 315 Project 18B: Installing Parental Controls ........................................................................ 317 Other Home-Related Applications ........................................................................... 319Contents in Detai l xvii
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19 PENGUINS AT THE GATES Working with Ubuntu in a Windows World 321 Project 19A: Accessing Files on Your Windows Partition (for Dual-Booters) ..................... 322 19A-1: Mounting Your Windows Partition .................................................. 322 19A-2: Unmounting Your Windows Partition .............................................. 323 Accessing a Linux Partition While Running Windows ................................................ 324 Project 19B: Installing Microsoft Windows Core Fonts .................................................... 325 Dual-Booting: Changing the Boot Order and Timeout ................................................ 326 Linux Equivalents to Your Windows Applications ...................................................... 328 Project 19C: Running Windows Programs ..................................................................... 329 19C-1: Installing and Testing Wine ........................................................... 329 19C-2: Installing a Windows Application in Wine ...................................... 330 19C-3: Getting Windows Apps to Work in Wine with PlayOnLinux .............. 331 Installing Windows Inside Ubuntu ........................................................................... 333 Sharing Files with Windows Users on Your Network ................................................ 336 Accessing Files Stored on a Windows Computer ......................................... 336 Making Your Files Accessible from a Windows Computer ............................ 337 20 DEFENDING THE NEST Security 339 Does My System Need Protection? ......................................................................... 340 The First Line of Defense ........................................................................................ 340 Software Firewalls ................................................................................................ 341 Taking Control of Firestarter ..................................................................... 343 Confirming That Firestarter Runs Automatically ............................................ 344 Finding Out More ................................................................................... 344 ClamAV: Antivirus Software, Linux Style .................................................................. 344 Project 20A: Encrypting Your Files ................................................................................ 345 20A-1: Creating an Encrypted File Folder .................................................. 346 20A-2: Recovering Encrypted Files If Something Goes Wrong ...................... 347 Project 20B: Shredding Documents Digitally .................................................................. 348 20B-1: Trying the shred Command ............................................................ 348 20B-2: A Graphical Equivalent to the shred Command ................................ 349 21 A COLONY OF PENGUINS The Ubuntu Community 351 Take Me to Your SABDFL ...................................................................................... 352 Launchpad: Your Passport to the Ubuntu Community ................................................. 353 Bugs, Bugs, Glorious Bugs ..................................................................................... 354 What Counts as a Bug? ........................................................................... 354 Reporting a Bug ...................................................................................... 355 Has It Already Been Reported? ................................................................. 357 A New Bug ............................................................................................ 358xviii Contents in Detai l
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# Ubuntu Made Easy: A Project-Based Introduction to Linux
## 【One-Line Pitch】
A friendly, hands-on guide that transforms Linux newcomers into confident Ubuntu users through practical projects, covering everything from installation to everyday computing, gaming, and troubleshooting. Perfect for Windows or Mac users curious about Linux but intimidated by the command line.
## 【Book Arc】
- **Opening (~0%–13%)**: Introduces Linux fundamentals, explains what Ubuntu is and why it matters, covers hardware compatibility and system requirements, and walks through installation options—including the Wubi installer for Windows users and full standalone installation. Sets the stage for the entire journey.
- **Early (~13%–25%)**: Orients readers to the Unity desktop environment—the Launcher, Dash, Lenses, HUD, virtual workspaces, and keyboard shortcuts. Establishes the visual and navigational foundation for everything that follows.
- **Early (~25%–33%)**: Covers internet connectivity (wired, wireless, cable/DSL), web browsing, email, instant messaging via Empathy, and microblogging tools. Connects the new Ubuntu user to their online life.
- **Early–Middle (~33%–46%)**: Dives into software management—installing, updating, and removing applications through the Ubuntu Software Center, managing repositories and PPAs, and handling DEB packages. Also covers file management with Nautilus, disc burning, USB devices, Bluetooth, and backups.
- **Middle (~46%–54%)**: Introduces the Linux terminal and command line with approachable, non-threatening commands, then escalates into real projects: installing games like pyWings and Briscola, and even compiling programs from source code with Xmahjongg. This is where readers earn their "penguinista" stripes.
- **Late (~54%–100%)**: Extends into multimedia (video/DVD playback), gaming, home automation, working alongside Windows installations, security practices, community resources, and troubleshooting common problems. Ends with appendices covering USB installation, 64-bit discs, and manual partitioning.
## 【Key Takeaways】
- **Linux is accessible to everyone** (Early): The book's core premise is that Ubuntu removes the traditional barriers to Linux adoption—no terminal expertise required for daily use, and the community supports newcomers at every step.
- **Installation is flexible and reversible** (Early): Multiple installation paths exist, including installing Ubuntu inside Windows via Wubi, which lets users test the waters without committing their entire hard drive. The book addresses the anxiety of dual-boot setups directly.
- **The Unity desktop is your command center** (Early): Mastering the Launcher, Dash, and keyboard shortcuts transforms the experience from confusing to efficient. The HUD (Head-up Display) is highlighted as a particularly powerful feature for menu access.
- **Software management is centralized and safe** (Early–Middle): The Ubuntu Software Center provides a curated, graphical way to install applications, while Update Manager keeps the system patched. The book wisely covers PPAs and DEB packages for when users need software beyond the official repositories.
- **The command line is your friend, not your foe** (Middle): The terminal is introduced through playful, harmless commands like `whoami` and `calendar` before progressing to practical file operations. This gradual approach demystifies what many newcomers fear most.
- **Real projects build real confidence** (Middle): Installing games like Turtle Arena, pyWings, and Briscola, and compiling Xmahjongg from source, gives readers tangible achievements that cement their Linux skills. Each project reinforces the previous lesson.
- **File management follows a logical structure** (Middle): Understanding the Linux filesystem hierarchy and Nautilus's features—permissions, bookmarks, network browsing, FTP—makes file handling intuitive rather than mysterious.
- **Security and troubleshooting are part of everyday life** (Late): The book treats security as a practical concern (not paranoia) and positions troubleshooting as a skill anyone can develop with the right mindset and community support.
## 【Reading Tips】
- **Skim the first chapter** if you're already convinced about Linux; the real value starts with Chapter 2's installation walkthroughs. But do read the hardware compatibility section carefully—it can save you hours of frustration.
- **Deep-read Chapters 3 and 7** (desktop navigation and file management). These are the foundations you'll use every single day, and the book's explanations of Unity's quirks are particularly clear.
- **Don't skip the terminal chapter (8)** even if you're GUI-inclined. The projects in this chapter are where the book truly shines—they're fun, achievable, and give you skills that transfer to any Linux system.
- **Treat the projects as mandatory, not optional**. The book's "project-based" approach means each hands-on activity builds on previous ones. Skipping them undermines the learning arc.
- **Use the troubleshooting chapter (22) as a reference**, not a read-through. When something breaks—and it will—you'll want to know where to look.
## 【Coverage Limits】
This guide covers the book's first half in detail (installation through terminal basics) and summarizes the second half's topics at a higher level. The excerpts do not cover the full content of chapters on multimedia, gaming, home automation, Windows interoperability, security, and troubleshooting—these are mapped from the table of contents only.
##
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63.9900; fax: 415.863.9950; info@nostarch.com; www.nostarch.com Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data A catalog record of this book is available...
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............................................................................................xxv ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xxvii INTRODUCTION xxxi Version Compatibility...
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Chatting with Your Friends via Empathy .................................................................... 70 Starting a Chat .................................
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overing from a Backup ........................................................................ 122 Removing Unwanted Files .....................................
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