Ubuntu The Complete Manual 2016

132 Pages·2016·11.64 MB·English

by  Imagine Publishing Limited

The Complete Manual
The essential handbook for Ubuntu users

Welcome to
Ubuntu
The Complete Manual
Many people who want to make the move from
Windows to a Linux distribution choose Ubuntu as
their first step. It provides a clean, attractive GUI with
Unity, and usability by the bucket-load. It is the perfect
environment in which to begin learning about the
command line and creating a more customisable
workspace. Meanwhile you still get many of the
benefits you are used to in Windows and other
desktop systems. This book serves as an introduction
to the beauty and power of Ubuntu. From the default
software to the best FOSS apps to download from
the Software Centre, we’ll tour the top programs and
applications, so soon you’ll be flying with Ubuntu.

Ubuntu
The Complete Manual
Imagine Publishing Ltd
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Website: www.imagine-publishing.co.uk
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Aaron Asadi
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Ross Andrews
Editor In Chief
Jon White
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Fiona Hudson
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Greg Whitaker
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Perry Wardell-Wicks
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James Sheppard
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Distributed in the UK, Eire & the Rest of the World by
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Disclaimer
The publisher cannot accept responsibility for any unsolicited material lost or damaged in the
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be reproduced in whole or part without the written permission of the publisher. All copyrights are
recognised and used specifically for the purpose of criticism and review. Although the bookazine has
endeavoured to ensure all information is correct at time of print, prices and availability may change.
This bookazine is fully independent and not affiliated in any way with the companies mentioned herein.
Ubuntu The Complete Manual © 2016 Imagine Publishing Ltd
ISBN 978 1785 464 195
Part of the
bookazine series
Contents
What you can i nd inside the bookazine

Getting started 70 Use Startup Disk Creator
Make a bootable USB
88 Get to know Ubuntu
Find out about all the essential features
74 Unleash Archive Manager
Understand this accessory
76 Using Disk Usage Analyzer
View performance data
78 Monitor Software
& Updates
Keep your system up to date
Ubuntu essentials
20 Navigate the 46 Sharing files in Ubuntu
Ubuntu desktop Transfer your files with ease
Familiarise yourself with Unity
50 Manage drives with Disks
22 Dual boot with Ubuntu Maximise this handy feature
Run the OS alongside Windows
54 Get to grips with the
26 Customise the desktop command line 80 Work with
Personalise your workspace Understand basic commands Universal Access
Make Ubuntu more
30 Discover System Settings 62 Use GNOME Terminal user friendly
Personalise system details & Xterm
Explore all the basics 82 Configure network
34 Tweak security settings connections
Ensure your data is protected 66 Secure files with Déjà Dup Set up a new connection
Create a copy of your data
38 Find your way 84 Connect with Online
around Dash Accounts
Master this handy search bar Enjoy convenient integration
42 Understand the 86 Use System Monitor
file system Monitor all your system
Learn about file organisation resources
6
Master
Ubuntu apps
the Linux
88 Explore the Ubuntu 108 20 LibreOffice essentials
Software Centre Work more productively with platform
Download and install apps the LibreOffice suite
today
96 Browse with Firefox 116 Text editing with gedit
Explore the Internet’s depths Understand this built-in app
100 Manage emails with 120 View images with
Thunderbird Shotwell
All your email needs covered Manage all your shots here
104 Communicate with 124 Listen to songs with
Empathy Rhythmbox
Utilise this clever messenger Keep your tunes in one place
“Getting up to speed might take a bit of
time, but you will eventually see it’s more
than worth it”
7
Getting started Get to know Ubuntu
Get to know
Ubuntu
This free, open-source operating system has gained
a lot of momentum in recent years
Ubuntu is a user-friendly Linux-based operating system that has
found its place in every corner of the world. Best of all, Ubuntu is
absolutely free, including future updates. It is also extremely light
on PC hardware, so you can install it on computers that are three
to four years old and it’ll still run smoothly. So it’s for good reason
that Ubuntu is the most widely used Linux operating system –
for desktops and in the cloud. It boasts both community and
professional support, and Ubuntu is suitable for both desktop and
server use. But that’s not all:
Ubuntu is everywhere. Almost all computer manufacturers are
shipping models based on Ubuntu.
Ubuntu is well supported. Few other Linux distros provide the
same kind of long-term support. It is more important than ever to
provide long-term support when it comes to open source projects.
Ubuntu is easy to use. It’s easy to pick up and use, even if you
come from a Windows background (Fig 1).
Ubuntu is pretty stable. For most users, Ubuntu just works. This is
because the OS is being tweaked and i xed all the time. Since all the
latest packages are not integrated during the development cycle, it
also helps in providing better stability.
Fig 1 (right) The Ubuntu interface is easy
to navigate and use
8
Get to know Ubuntu Getting started
Start with the trial version
Boot Ubuntu from a
Try out Ubuntu before installing it disc or USB stick
As a newcomer to Ubuntu,
System requirements vary among Ubuntu products. For the Ubuntu
you will be able to try it out
desktop release 16.04, a PC with at least 512MB of RAM and 5GB of before installing it. This can
disk space is highly recommended. For less powerful computers, it’s be done using either an
Ubuntu DVD in the drive or a
best to use one of the other Ubuntu distributions.
USB stick with Ubuntu on it
Ubuntu can be booted from a USB drive or CD and used without in a USB port.
even installing it. Let’s take a look at the diferent ways to download
01 If using a DVD, put the
and use the Ubuntu trial version… Ubuntu DVD into the drive
and restart the computer.
You will see a welcome
Live booting and virtual machines
screen which prompts you to
One of the easiest ways to get started with Ubuntu is by creating select your chosen language.
There will also be an option
a live USB drive, CD or DVD. After placing Ubuntu onto it, you can
to install Ubuntu or try it
insert your USB stick or disc into any computer, then restart it. The from the DVD.
computer should then boot from the removable medium and you
02 If you want to use a
can use Ubuntu without making changes to the hard drive. USB drive, note that the
You may be wondering how to create a live Ubuntu USB drive or latest computers can start
up from a USB stick. Here
disc. For this, you can download the latest Ubuntu disk image from
you’ll also see a welcome
Ubuntu’s website. Use the UNetbootin tool to put Ubuntu on your screen that prompts you to
USB lash drive or burn the downloaded ISO image to a disc. All you choose a language and gives
an option to either install
need to do now is to restart your computer from the removable
Ubuntu or try it from the
medium you provided and select the ‘Try Ubuntu’ option. USB stick.
03 Irrespective of whether
you are using the DVD
or USB stick method, the
next step is to select your
preferred language and then
click on ‘Try Ubuntu’. Your
live desktop will then appear
(as shown in the picture seen
to the left, Fig 2).
04 As a final step, when you
are ready to install Ubuntu,
you just need to double-click
on the icon on your desktop:
’Install Ubuntu 16.04 LTS’.
Fig 2 (above) If successful, you will be presented with the standard Ubuntu desktop
9
Getting started Get to know Ubuntu
Like any other operating system, Ubuntu can also be run in a
virtual machine on your computer. In this way, you’ll be able to try
Linux without even restarting your computer, although you should
note that virtual machines are slower than running the operating
system on your computer itself.
To create an Ubuntu virtual machine, irst you need to
download and install VirtualBox. Create a new virtual machine
with it, select the Ubuntu operating system, and provide the ISO
ile you downloaded from Ubuntu’s website when prompted.
The installation process is pretty self-explanatory and you can go
through it in the virtual machine as if you were installing Ubuntu on
a real computer.
“You’ll be able to try Linux without even
restarting your computer”
Fig 3 (below) Install Ubuntu or try it
out with the trial version
10