Ubuntu for non-geeks : a pain-free, project-based, get-things-done guidebook

353 Pages·2007·19.092 MB·English

by  Rickford Grant

The companion CD
lets you try out
LLEEAARRNN LLIINNUUXX
UUBBUUNNTTUU FFOORR NNOONN--GGEEEEKKSS
Ubuntu 7.04 (Feisty
Fawn) without making any AANNDD
changes to your computer
LLOOVVEE IITT!!
22NNDD EEDDIITTIIOONN
and then install it when
you’re ready. CD
Inside
A P A I N - F R E E , P R O J E C T - B A S E D ,
UU G E T - T H I N G S - D O N E G U I D E B O O K
“A fast, crystal-clear topical tour of the amazing • Configure your hardware, including printers, scanners, BB
c—oClleocrytiv De oacctcoormowpl,i sBhominegnt Beomibnogdied in Ubuntu.” and removable storage devices UU R I C K F O R D G R A N T UbCovers
• Watch DVDs, listen to music, and even sync your iPod u
Ubuntu has been hailed as the Linux distribution for • Download photos and videos from your digital NN (F7.0n4tu
newbies, and it’s certainly the Linux for the less geeky TT EI
camera, then edit and share them F ST
aAmfriocnagn utes.r mE vtehna tt htrea nnsalamtee si sr ouusgerh-flyri eansd “lhy—umita’sn iaty S toouwtha rd • Tackle more advanced tasks as soon as you’re ready 22UU AWN)Y
others” and could also describe author Rickford Grant’s NN F F
Whether you’re new to computers, looking for a pain-
approach to teaching Linux. free way to make the Linux switch, or just want a low-cost DDOO
Full of tips, tricks, and helpful pointers, Ubuntu for alternative to Windows, Ubuntu is for you. E ERR
Non-Geeks, 2nd Edition is a hands-on, project-based,
ABOUT THE AUTHOR DD
take-it-slow guidebook for those interested in—but
IINN
nervous about—switching to the Linux operating system. Rickford Grant, author of Linux for Non-Geeks and TT
This edition has been updated for Feisty Fawn, the Linux Made Easy (both No Starch Press), has been IIOO
latest Ubuntu release (7.04), which puts the spotlight on a computer operating system maniac for more than 20 OO
NN
multimedia support and desktop effects. Step-by-step years. From the Atari 600XL to today’s Linux machines, NN
projects build upon earlier tutorial concepts, helping he has been the guy behind the help desk for family, --
you absorb and apply what you’ve learned. friends, and colleagues. Rickford currently resides in GG
Greensboro, North Carolina, where he spends his work-
Ubuntu for Non-Geeks covers all the topics likely to be of ing hours as a teacher and his free time cycling, writing, EE
interest to an average desktop user. Inside, you’ll learn to:
and annoying his neighbors with his Nyckelharpa EE
• Download and install free applications, games, (Swedish keyed fiddle).
KK
and utilities
SS
CCOOVVEERRSS UUBBUUNNTTUU 77..0044
• Connect to the Internet and wireless networks
((FFEEIISSTTYY FFAAWWNN))
G
R
A
N
THE FINEST IN GEEK ENTERTAINMENT™ T
www.nostarch.com
®
“I LAY FLAT.”
®
This book uses RepKover—a durable binding that won’t snap shut. ®
Printed on recycled paper

PRAISE FOR THE FIRST EDITION,
UBUNTU LINUX FOR NON-GEEKS
“A fast, crystal-clear topical tour of the amazing collective accomplishment
embodied in Ubuntu. I learned something new in every chapter, and ended up
with a computer that did more of what I wanted it to do, faster. This book should
come with every Ubuntu Live CD—it’s just the documentation I needed to take
some of the mystery out of my machine.”
—BOING BOING
“Highly recommended to all Ubuntu newcomers.”
—PC WORLD
“This very nice book on Ubuntu Linux is clearly targeted at the neophytes who
wish to take their first steps in installing and using Ubuntu. The author explains
in a step-by-step manner the solutions to the problems that one might face in
installing, configuring and using Ubuntu Linux.”
—SLASHDOT
“This is a good, practical book that reads well and doesn’t involve the victim in
lots of superfluous stuff.”
—UNIX REVIEW
“Grant makes it seem easy with his step-by-step instructions and plenty of
screenshots.”
—LINUX.COM
“With humor and pragmatism, Mr. Grant walks the novice explorer through all
the basics of switching to this distribution of Linux, on to the practical level of
getting things done.”
—P2P FOUNDATION BLOG
“The best thing in Rickford Grant’s Ubuntu Linux for Non-Geeks is plenty of
practical examples.”
—LINUX MAGAZINE
“Highly recommended for both new Linux users and new computer users in
general.”
—BLOGCRITICS
In loving memory of Dr. James Howard Cremin, who, along with his family,
gave me a place in which to find a sense of self during my early days of tumult
and who managed to keep his cool when I blew out half the electricity in his
house one Christmas morning. I miss you.
UBUNTU FOR
NON-GEEKS
2ND EDITION
A Pain-Free, Project-
Based, Get-Things-Done
Guidebook
by Rickford Grant
San Francisco
UBUNTU FOR NON-GEEKS, 2ND EDITION. Copyright © 2007 by Rickford Grant.
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.
Printed on recycled paper in the United States of America
11 10 09 08 07 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
ISBN-10: 1-59327-152-2
ISBN-13: 978-1-59327-152-7
Publisher: William Pollock
Production Editors: Christina Samuell and Elizabeth Campbell
Cover and Interior Design: Octopod Studios
Developmental Editor: William Pollock
Technical Reviewer: Carthik Sharma
Copyeditor: Megan Dunchak
Compositor: Riley Hoffman
Proofreader: Stephanie Provines
Indexer: Nancy Guenther
For information on book distributors or translations, please contact No Starch Press, Inc. directly:
No Starch Press, Inc.
555 De Haro Street, Suite 250, San Francisco, CA 94107
phone: [phone]; fax: [phone]; [email protected]; www.nostarch.com
The Library of Congress has cataloged the first edition as follows:
Grant, Rickford.
Ubuntu Linux for non-geeks : a pain-free, project-based, get-things-done guidebook / Rickford Grant.
p. cm.
Includes index.
ISBN 1-59327-118-2
1. Linux. 2. Operating systems (Computers) I. Title. QA76.76.O63.G7246 2006
005.4'32--dc22
2006015576
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 author 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.
B R I E F C O N T E N T S
Acknowledgments........................................................................................................xvii
Introduction....................................................................................................................1
Chapter 1: Becoming a Penguinista
Welcome to the World of Linux ........................................................................................9
Chapter 2: Wading and Diving
Running and (If You Like) Installing Ubuntu.......................................................................21
Chapter 3: A New Place to Call Home
Getting to Know the Desktop..........................................................................................31
Chapter 4: More Than Webbed Feet
The Internet, Linux Style..................................................................................................49
Chapter 5: Rounding Out the Bird
Downloading, Installing, and Updating Programs the Easy Way.........................................67
Chapter 6: A Tidy Nest
File and Disk Handling in Ubuntu....................................................................................79
Chapter 7: Dressing Up the Bird
Customizing the Look and Feel of Your System................................................................101
Chapter 8: Simple Kitten Ways
Getting to Know the Linux Terminal and Command Line...................................................125
Chapter 9: Automatix and Not So Automatix
More Ways to Install Programs.....................................................................................153
Chapter 10: Gutenbird
Setting Up and Using Your Printer and Scanner..............................................................175
Chapter 11: Font Feathered Frenzy
Adding New Fonts to Your System................................................................................189
Chapter 12: Polyglot Penguins
Linux Speaks Your Language........................................................................................201
Chapter 13: Penguins Back at Work
Getting Down to Business in Linux.................................................................................211
Chapter 14: Brush-WieldingPenguins
Linux Does Art............................................................................................................225
Chapter 15: Tux Rocks
Music à la Linux..........................................................................................................245
Chapter 16: Pluggin’ In the Penguin
Ubuntu and Your iPod..................................................................................................267
Chapter 17: Couch Penguins
Video and DVD Playback in Ubuntu..............................................................................281
Chapter 18: Defending the Nest
Security......................................................................................................................291
Appendix A: Ubuntu Desktop CDs for AMD64 Users.......................................................301
Appendix B: Resources................................................................................................305
Index.........................................................................................................................311
vi Brief Contents
C O N T E N T S I N D E T A I L
ACKNOWLEDGMENTS xvii
INTRODUCTION 1
Who Is This Book For?...............................................................................................2
Version Compatibility................................................................................................3
Concept and Approach.............................................................................................4
How to Use This Book................................................................................................7
About the Conventions Used in This Book.....................................................................7
About the Projects in This Book...................................................................................7
1
BECOMING A PENGUINISTA
Welcome to the World of Linux 9
What Is Linux?........................................................................................................10
About the Penguin...................................................................................................11
Why Should I Use Linux?..........................................................................................11
Is It All Just About Money?...........................................................................12
But Is Linux Really Ready for the Desktop?..................................................................12
What Is a Distribution?............................................................................................13
What Is Ubuntu?.....................................................................................................13
Why Ubuntu Then?.....................................................................................14
Hardware Compatibility...........................................................................................15
Diving In...................................................................................................15
When Research Is Required.........................................................................15
Hardware Requirements...........................................................................................17
Good News for AMD64 Users..................................................................................18
Mixed News for Mac Users......................................................................................18
Speaking Ubuntu....................................................................................................18
Where Do I Go from Here?......................................................................................19
2
WADING AND DIVING
Running and (If You Like) Installing Ubuntu 21
Going in for a Dip...................................................................................................22
Taking the Plunge—Installing Ubuntu.........................................................................23
Single- or Dual-Boot Setup?.......................................................................................23
Getting Ready for Action..........................................................................................24
Usernames and User Passwords...................................................................24
Dual-Booters Take Note...............................................................................25
Doing the Deed.......................................................................................................25
3
A NEW PLACE TO CALL HOME
Getting to Know the Desktop 31
Welcome to the GNOME Desktop............................................................................32
The Top Panel.........................................................................................................32
The Menus................................................................................................33
The Icons (Left)...........................................................................................34
The Icons (Right).........................................................................................34
The Bottom Panel.....................................................................................................34
Project 3A: Customizing the GNOME Panel......................................................................35
3A-1: Adding Utility Buttons to the Panel.......................................................35
3A-2: Adding Amusing Applets to the Panel..................................................36
3A-3: Adding a Program Launcher to the Panel..............................................37
3A-4: Changing Panel Launcher Icons..........................................................38
3A-5: Adding a Drawer to the Panel.............................................................39
3A-6: Adding Program Launchers to the Drawer............................................40
3A-7: Adding the Entire Contents of a Menu to the Panel................................41
3A-8: Moving Things Around on the Panel....................................................41
More Panel Fun..........................................................................................42
Project 3B: Manipulating Menus......................................................................................42
3B-1: Changing Icons Within Menus............................................................42
3B-2: Changing the Order of Icons Within Menus..........................................44
Virtual Desktops......................................................................................................44
Moving Running Applications Between Virtual Desktops..................................45
Wanda Revisited—GNOME Easter Eggs...................................................................46
Shutting Down........................................................................................................47
4
MORE THAN WEBBED FEET
The Internet, Linux Style 49
Setting Up a High-Speed Connection.........................................................................50
Setting Up a Cable or Ethernet Connection for Providers Not Utilizing DHCP.....50
Setting Up a Wireless Connection.............................................................................52
Hardware.................................................................................................52
Activating Your Wireless Card.....................................................................53
Releasing and Renewing Your Wireless Connection.......................................54
Setting Up a Dial-Up Connection...............................................................................55
What to Do if Your Modem Isn’t Compatible.................................................56
Firefox: Your Internet Browser...................................................................................58
Controlling Browser Window Clutter with Tabs..............................................58
Other Firefox Features: Popup Manager........................................................59
Project 4A: Installing Firefox Extensions...........................................................................60
4A-1: Downloading and Installing the Forecastfox Extension............................60
4A-2: Setting Up the Forecastfox Extension....................................................62
Project 4B: Installing the Flash Plugin...............................................................................62
Email with Evolution.................................................................................................64
An Email Alternative: Thunderbird.............................................................................65
Other Internet Applications.......................................................................................66
viii Contents in Detail