Beginning Ubuntu Linux [Paperback]

Emilio Raggi (Author), Keir Thomas (Author), Trevor Parsons (Author), Andy Channelle (Author), Sander van Vugt (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 1430230398 | ISBN-13: 978-1430230397 | Publication Date: October 6, 2010 | Edition: 5

Ubuntu Linux is the fastest growing Linux-based operating system, and Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Fifth Edition teaches all of us—including those who have never used Linux—how to use it productively, whether you come from Windows or the Mac or the world of open source.

Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Fifth Edition shows you how to take advantage of Lucid Lynx. Based on the best-selling previous edition, Emilio Raggi maintains a fine balance between teaching Ubuntu and introducing new features. Whether you aim to use it in the home or in the office, you'll be introduced to the world of Ubuntu Linux, from simple word processing to using cloud services. You'll learn how to control the Ubuntu system, which you just installed from the book's DVD, as you are guided through common tasks such as configuring the system's graphical user interface (GUI), listening to audio CDs and MP3s, producing documents, using VoIP and chat, and of course, general system maintenance.

This book also supplies a series of comprehensive tutorials on Ubuntu administration and security—essential for any Ubuntu user—while not neglecting matters pertaining to office applications and the cloud.

What you’ll learn

• Use Ubuntu as a daily desktop on your laptop or PC
• Complete office tasks, such as creating Microsoft Office–compatible documents and spreadsheets, using e–mail, and managing contacts
• Listen to MP3s, manage pictures and CDs, and watch movies using a user–friendly Linux desktop
• Configure Ubuntu’s printer– and file–sharing features to share resources seamlessly with other computers on your network
• Administer and secure your Ubuntu machine

Who this book is for

Everyone who uses Ubuntu daily, whether in the office or in the home.

Table of Contents

1. Meet Ubuntu Linux
2. GNU "slash" Linux
3. Pre-installation Steps
4. Installing Ubuntu
5. Solving Installation Problems
6. Booting Ubuntu for the First Time
7. Getting Everything Up and Running
8. How to Secure Your Computer
9. Personalizing Ubuntu: Getting Everything Just Right
10. Managing Your Data
11. A World of Applications
12. Working with Text Files
13. Making the Move to OpenOffice.org
14. Communicating with Others
15. Social Networks and Cloud Computing
16. Digital Audio
17. Movies and Multimedia
18. Digital Photos
19. Playing Games
20. Installing and Removing Software
21. Understanding Linux Users and File Permissions
22. Optimizing Your System
23. Backing Up Data
24. Scheduling Tasks
25. Accessing Computers Remotely
26. Taking Control of the System
27. Introducing the BASH Shell
28. Glossary of Linux Terms
29. Getting Further Help
30. Exploring the DVD-ROM and Other Ubuntu Versions

Editorial Reviews

About the Author

Emilio Raggi lives in Buenos Aires, Argentina, and works in one of the biggest companies in the country. He was very much a Windows fanboy, until one day, he had to manage a Ubuntu desktop deployment. He was highly qualified as a Microsoft implementer, holding certificates as an MCP and MCSE, and worked as a consultant for a Microsoft partner. Still, Ubuntu had its charms and won him over. He is also an avid student of philosophy.

Keir Thomas is an award-winning author who has written several best-selling beginning-level Linux titles for Apress. A former computer magazine editor, he has been writing about computers, operating systems, and software for a decade. He has also edited many computing titles and works as a full-time author. He lives on the side of a mountain in England, and his hobbies include hiking and playing musical instruments.

Andy Channelle is a writer, designer, and educator. He has written for Linux Format, MacFormat, 3D World, and lots of other publications since the mid-1990s. He is a media educator and most recently successfully migrated to university teaching, working as a visiting lecturer/instructor in journalism and new media at the University of the West of England. Outside of these areas, he is also a new media consultant at Spike Island (www.spikeisland.org.uk) and has been intimately involved in the architecture, design, and deployment of the institution's new Drupal-based web site. Andy also holds a master's degree in new media.

Trevor Parsons has been using free software for a decade, and was founding editor of the U.K.'s LinuxUser magazine. When he's not writing, editing, and breaking computers, he sidelines as a drummer and fiddleplayer. Even then there's always an Ubuntu flash drive in his violin case.

Sander van Vugt is an independent trainer and consultant, living in the Netherlands and working throughout the European Union. He specializes in Linux and Novell systems, and has worked with both for more than 10 years. Besides being a trainer, he is also an author, having written more than 20 books and hundreds of technical articles. He is a Master Certified Novell Instructor (MCNI) and holds LPIC-1 and -2 certificates, as well as all important Novell certificates.

The career of Adam Thomas can best be defined as a successful hobby. Having an early interest in computers and being mostly self-taught, he attended Humber College in Toronto, studying computer information systems. Soon after his graduation in 2001, Adam was invited back to his school to be a professor of rich media and Web development. Alongside teaching, he runs a successful web studio called Robin Hood Tech. Adam takes pride in employing former students who he has had the privilege of teaching and giving them the opportunity to gain experience and excel in a competitive field. Adam is cofounder of the "Robin Hood" business model, which advocates for justice in business. Adam strives for integrity and simplicity but his true motivation is his wife and family who are daily reminders of love, faith and blessing.

Product Details

• Paperback: 664 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 5 edition (October 6, 2010)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1430230398
• ISBN-13: 978-1430230397
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.5 x 1.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.1 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #686,245 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

More About the Author

Keir Thomas is a 100% unofficial Mac and Linux "genius" who writes the kind of books ordinary users value and need. His most recent title is Mac Kung Fu, a collection of over 300 tips, tricks, hints and hacks for the all-new Apple Mac OS X Lion operating system.

The author of more than 10 best-selling computer books, his work has been read by well over 1,000,000 people and translated into many different languages. In addition to Macs, Thomas has also written extensively about Ubuntu Linux, with one of his books winning a Linux Journal award, and he has recently created several $0.99 Kindle ebooks that consistently top the Amazon charts.

In addition to writing computer books, Thomas runs a small poetry publishing press called Puppywolf. He lives in Britain with two cats and counts walking amongst his hobbies.

More more details, see http://keirthomas.com.


Reader reviews of MAC KUNG FU:

"Simply amazing. This is a fantastic book. I've been using Macs since the System 6 days, and I learned several new things reading through and trying these tips. Even very advanced users are going to find something here they didn't know."
-- Patrick Burleson, Owner BitBQ, LLC

"I love how accessible this book is. No fluff, no filler, and no extraneous content to weed through. Just lots of interesting things that I could put into practice immediately."
-- Angela Murtha, IOS Consultant, Girl Meets Bit, LLC

"If Mac customizations are an orange, this book must have squeezed out every last drop of juice there is. I would be surprised if there were more that could be done that this book does not cover."
-- Jon Kurz, President, Dycet, LLC

"This book is easy to read and should be a staple for anyone using a Mac. The tips and tricks are invaluable. There are tips for every user type, from the beginner to advanced users. I would recommend this book to everyone, from my mom to my fellow coworkers."
-- Wesley Matlock, Mobile Team Developer Lead, O.co (also known as overstock.com)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Ubuntu Linux Starter Guide, October 19, 2010

By 

Fabs - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning Ubuntu Linux (Paperback)

Having been a "Newbie" to the Ubuntu world up to a year ago, making use of this book was a revelation, as it is easily readable and allows for a very shallow learning curve with this operating system and its associated sets of applications. I also own the 4th edition (Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Fourth Edition) of this book and this latest round adds more details to items like Networking, mobile wireless communications and other pieces of the software that really make it easy for someone to install and operate very well Ubuntu 10.04. I especially enjoyed the history lesson at the beginning of the book, and the quirky but candid reasoning behind the rise of open-license software and Ubuntu in general. Linux is a much more hands-on operating system and the writers make a very good effort in listing many resources that one can tap into to adapt, improve and generally tweak Ubuntu 10.04 to look, feel and operate as one would like. Especially helpful was the Appendix A, where a large number of "BASH" commands are listed and explained, a must for any Linux user to be able to come to grip with using the "Terminal" window. To this end I also purchased the book - "Ubuntu Linux Toolbox"Ubuntu Linux Toolbox: 1000+ Commands for Ubuntu and Debian Power Users
as an incredible addition to this starter guide, as a wide set of commands make any installation, adjustment or simply playing with the OS a snap. I would recommend the fifth edition of "Beginning Ubuntu Linux" for anyone jumping into the exciting and "free" world of this operating system

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Best Introduction to Ubuntu Available, October 19, 2010

By 

PhotoTed (Payson, AZ USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning Ubuntu Linux (Paperback)

"Beginning Ubuntu Linux Fifth Edition" is a comprehensive, well written, easy to read book useful both for learning Ubuntu and for future reference. Throughout the book comparisons to similar activities in Windows are presented making the transition to Ubuntu easier.

Part One consists of two chapters. The first chapter gives you a good understanding of just what Ubuntu really is, and explains why it is a better operating system than Windows. Chapter Two presents a concise, accurate, history of the evolution of UNIX, Linux, Ubuntu Linux, and MSDos and Windows. It is implied, and in my opinion correctly so, that UNIX and its offspring are and always have been superior to MSDos and Windows. The popularity of MSDos and Windows is the result of shrewd marketing and legal maneuvering.

Part Two discusses Ubuntu installation. The instructions are clear, concise, and easy to follow. However, the disk that came with the book was defective and would not boot. I had to download Ubuntu 10.10 from the Ubuntu website. Also, I did not find the installation to be as easy as the book would have me believe. My desktop loading problem was not covered in Chapter 5, "Solving Installation Problems". The desktop loaded correctly right after installation, but only partially loaded during subsequent re-boots and locked up when I tried to install a printer.

Part Three, "The No-Nonsense Getting Started Guide", is just that. It covers all of the basics clearly and concisely. However, nowhere did I find how to make my Ubuntu computer join my Windows Workgroup home network.

Part Four, "Working and Playing with Ubuntu" provides most of the information necessary to take advantage of Ubuntu's potential in everyday use.

Part Five, "Keeping Your System Running", covers the basics of system administration.

Of the four appendices, I found Appendix A, "Introducing the BASH Shell", to be the most helpful. It is an excellent reference when using the command-line to truly control the system. Although not necessary for the everyday use of Ubuntu, more advanced users will want to use the command-line at least occasionally.

Overall, this is the best Introductory Ubuntu book I have found.

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Thinking of Linux? Start here ..., November 14, 2010

By 

Zeff Morgan (KY, USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Beginning Ubuntu Linux (Paperback)

I'm actually writing this review on my newly installed Ubuntu system ...

And I can't be happier. Linux? Really? I asked myself that question. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by Ubuntu's latest release. I used the version supplied on the book's CD and everything worked "out of the box."

No hiccups, no missing drivers. Of course, your mileage might vary, depending on your hardware. My experience has shown wireless network cards can be a pain. But lo and behold ... there's an entire section on how to get your hardware working ... even with using Windows-based drivers. In fact, there is an entire chapter dedicated to "Solving Installation Problems" which was just the kind of encouragement I needed. I'm not afraid to jump in to things, but I didn't want the hassle either. I also appreciated Chapter 3's Pre-Installation Steps. Are you concerned about saving your existing data? The no-nonsense approach here will help you get prepared the right way. The authors even included a table listing the most common files you'll probably try to save, where to find them, and how to back them up. Fantastic!

But the book isn't all about just getting Ubuntu running. It'll help you on your way to becoming a Linux power-user too. Part 3 will hep you get everything tweaked just the way you like it, followed by a detailed section on how to do all the things you did on that other operating system. At this point, I think I may have already forgotten its name. But what about all my games?!? Never fear, the section on using Wine to install and run your old OS's applications will help you out.

Hint: check out Wine's extensive online database of applications that it is known to support if your Windoze app is a deal breaker. I was surprised to find a few apps I needed that I thought hardly anyone else uses, much less on Linux.

You can find this in the part I'm still absorbing at the moment. Part 5, Keeping Your System Running. It's not titled that because your system won't stay running. Linux's reliability is world-renown. I have geek friends at work that are in a constant competition to see whose Linux computer has run longer without a reboot. Their record is currently 429 days. Can your OS do that? Even my wife's Mac can't. Nuff said. Getting back on track, this section is ultimately what you'll really need to free you from the world of that other OS. It's where you'll learn all about managing users, file permissions, optimizing your system, backing up data and more. Not a necessary read to get started, but things that you'll want to know down the road.

All in all , the authors did a superb job of getting the beginning user ready to embark on a fantastic journey. If you're even thinking about moving to Linux, get this book!