Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Second Edition (Paperback)

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Key Phrases: online software repositories, superuser powers, graphical corruption, Synaptic Package Manager, Applications Places System, Microsoft Office (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Ive read lots of good books about Ubuntu and Linux in the past few months. This is the first great book.

— Arsgeek.com review of Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Second Edition

Keir Thomas walks you through the whole Ubuntu experience from beginning to end, comforting you with a calm voice when you might be feeling a bit lost ... He has done a great and thorough job.

— Free Software Magazine review of Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Second Edition

Winner of a Linux Journal Editor's Choice 2006 award (first edition)!

Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Second Edition updates the best-selling and award-winning first edition. Its the perfect guide for those switching to the worlds favorite Linux. The new edition has been thoroughly updated to cover technology introduced in the 6.10 release.

In the 680+ fully illustrated pages, you'll learn how to install Linux, set up your hardware and software, customize the desktop experience, browse the Web and send/receive e-mail, play back audio and video, edit digital images, use the OpenOffice.org office suite, and more.

Additionally, youll discover how to perform vital maintenance tasks, such as securing your computer against hackers, updating online, optimizing your system, installing and managing software, backing up, accessing your computer remotely, scheduling tasks, and more.

A whole third of the book is dedicated to Linux internals, including managing system processes and working at the command line. Two appendixes provide a glossary of Linux terms and an index of commands that can be used to control Ubuntu.

Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Second Edition is a complete, comprehensive, and unbiased guide to getting the most from Ubuntu.

DVD-ROM

Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Second Edition features a unique DVD-ROM companion disk containing the full Ubuntu installation that you can install on your computer. A full installation guide is provided in the book. Also included on the DVD-ROM are the Ubuntu sister projects, such as Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Edubuntu, and others. Both the long-term support and recent 6.10 releases of all projects are provided.

In Detail

Part 1: Introducing the World of Linux

Opening the book are several chapters providing a brief but complete history of Linux. Youll learn about the key figures in the Linux movement and discover why the politics behind free software are so important.

Part 2: Installing Ubuntu

Here youll find a fully illustrated guide to both installing Ubuntu on your computer and initially preparing the computer for Ubuntu. Detailed screenshots guide you through every step. In addition, theres a problem-solving chapter providing solutions for the most common issues.

Part 3: The No-Nonsense Getting Started Guide

The six chapters of Part 3 take you from zero to hero in as little time as possible. Youll learn whats what on the Ubuntu desktop and how to customize Ubuntu to suit your workflow. Youll be introduced to Linux replacements for your favorite Windows programs, and youll be introduced to the Linux file system, so you can start working straightaway.

Part 4: The Shell and Beyond

The five chapters in Part 4 introduce the heart of Linux: the command line. Youll be introduced to the BASH shell, and a full rundown of the Linux filesystem is provided. Youll learn how to work with text files. The closing chapters of this section teach pro-level tricks you can use at the command line to work more efficiently.

Part 5: Multimedia

Here youll learn how to set up Ubuntu to work with common audio and video files that you might have used under Windows or Macintosh. Then youll be introduced to Ubuntus audio and video playback software. Additionally, a complete guide to image editing and digital image management is provided.

Part 6: Office Tasks

The seven chapters in this section provide a comprehensive guide to the OpenOffice.org office suite. Youll learn how to undertake common tasks using the word processor, spreadsheet, presentations package, and database applications. Additionally, a complete guide to using Ubuntus e-mail and personal information manager is provided.

Part 7: Keeping your System Running

The six chapters in this part of the book pick up from Part 4 and expand on various system management/command-line skills. Youll learn how to perform vital maintenance tasks, such as managing users, or installing and removing software. Its in this part of the book that youll really learn your Linux stripes!

About the Author

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.

Keir currently works as a full-time author and has written four books for Apress. He lives on the side of a mountain in England, and his hobbies include hiking and playing musical instruments.

Product Details

• Paperback: 684 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 2 Pap/DVD edition (March 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590598202
• ISBN-13: 978-1590598207
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.6 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.3 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (42 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #420,307 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

32 of 32 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very useful for beginners, May 31, 2006

By	J. Cardillo (South Jersey, USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Beginning Ubuntu Linux: From Novice to Professional (Beginning, from Novice to Professional) (Paperback)

I was nervous that this book would be too high level because I am a professional programmer, and am pretty technical. What I was looking for is something to give me a good base knowledge of linux. I have used linux in the past but my knowledge was spotty becuase I never read a book on it.

Some of the chapters in this book I did skip because they explain how to use certain software, which for me wasn't useful, but i can see its worth to someone switching from windows and wants to learn to use openOffice as well as MS office.

This book also had some more advanced topics in it and I feel this information made the book worth it for me. I feel it did a good job in giving me a good base knowledge of linux.

Though, as of june 1st, 2006, the included CD in the book will not be the latest Ubuntu release. Ubuntu is always free, however, and can be downloaded from their site.

71 of 77 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Highly recommended, April 12, 2006

By	John Hancock (N.C.) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Beginning Ubuntu Linux: From Novice to Professional (Beginning, from Novice to Professional) (Paperback)

I always thought Linux was an operating system mainly for computer geeks and highly technically-oriented people, which I definitely am not. Back in December of 2005, I did a search for a desktop Linux operating system and Ubuntu stood out, Ubuntu is probably the easiest desktop distro for the beginner to learn Linux with. I ordered 5 free CD's from Ubuntu, installed on an old 500 MHz, 256 Mb ram with no problems; it automatically detected all the hardware on my pc and I was up and running in no time. I did extensive reading of resources off the internet relating to Ubuntu and Linux to learn how to use my new "toy". Man, was I in for a big surprise, Ubuntu is a powerful operating system and I've been able to do about anything with it that I can do with my Windows XP pc. If I had this book when I first installed Ubuntu, it would have saved me countless hours of researching and reading all the resources I found scattered on the internet.
The book comes with an installation CD containing the latest stable version of Ubuntu. I'll admit, you can learn a lot from the internet, but this book has what you'll need to get the most out of Ubuntu, all in one handy reference manual. I highly recommend that anyone interested in trying Ubuntu to get this book and visit the Ubuntu forums, there's a wealth of information there. If you're wondering, Ubuntu can be installed alongside Windows(dual-boot) during the installation process(Ubuntu needs approx. 5 Gb HD space to install on). I recommend anyone interested in trying out Ubuntu to download the LiveCD .iso or order the free cd's. The LiveCD runs from ram memory and doesn't touch your hard drive in any way; and, if the LiveCD works on your system, then your hardware is compatible with Ubuntu(Ubuntu supports a wide range of hardware) and installation onto your HD shouldn't be a problem.
This book will get you up and running Ubuntu in no time at all, as well as serve as a hand reference guide to tweak and configure your system to suit your preferences.

Ubuntu 8.04 LTS(Long Term Support), aka Hardy Heron, is the latest release of Ubuntu and in my 2 years of using Ubuntu, it is definitely the best version of Ubuntu yet. I have obtained and read through Edition Three of "Beginning Ubuntu Linux", which is written for Ubuntu 8.04, so it is up-to-date with the latest information you'll need in getting Ubuntu installed and configured on your computer. Just as with earlier editions, the 3rd edition of the book is well-organized, well-written, and the instructions are easy to follow, with illustrations that you can refer to as you're installing or configuring Ubuntu. The authors have obviously invested a lot of time and testing in the writing of this book, the information is accurate and complete for the average user to get the most out of their Ubuntu experience.
Beginning Ubuntu Linux Edition Three will guide you through getting Ubuntu installed and will prove to be a handy resource that you can refer to when needed. This book is a must-read for anyone interested in exploring Ubuntu Linux.

34 of 35 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great introduction to Ubuntu and the programs that come with it, May 30, 2006

By	Harold McFarland (Florida) - See all my reviews (TOP 50 REVIEWER)    (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Beginning Ubuntu Linux: From Novice to Professional (Beginning, from Novice to Professional) (Paperback)

Ubuntu Linux is a Debian based distribution that aims to be particularly user friendly and does an excellent job at it. A desktop focused product, it comes with all the most commonly used software including a full Office Suite (including a database and slideshow product), web browser, instant messaging, audio player, movie player, CD/DVD burner, photo editor, and of course various games, screen savers, and utilities.

The book has a good section on getting things up and running correctly that covers all the most common problems that you might encounter during an install. Generally my experience has been that there are few, if any problems installing Ubuntu. For those who are not satisfied with just booting up and running an Internet browser or writing a letter but want to get into the nuts and bolts of the system the author has included information on the BASH Shell. Using it you can get directly into the file system or interact with other aspects of the system in detail.

While this is an introduction to Ubuntu and the various programs that come with it, whole books are available from this publisher and many others on most of the programs included with Ubuntu. So, while this book gives you what you need to get up and running and do all the most common tasks, if you really want to take advantage of the power of some of the programs you can pick up one of several good books on the subject as well as utilize the online support community. Beginning Ubuntu Linux: From Novice to Professional is highly recommended to anyone interested in this desktop alternative.