Home > Articles > Operating Systems, Server > Linux/UNIX/Open Source

The Official Ubuntu Book, 7th Edition: Becoming an Ubuntu Power User

This chapter looks at a variety of advanced subjects related to running and managing your Ubuntu system, including. installation, removal, and upgrade of software using the Ubuntu Software Center as well as hardware installation.
This chapter is from the book

Chapter 4. Becoming an Ubuntu Power User

  • Administering System and User Settings
  • Understanding How Linux Stores and Organizes Files
  • Learning Unity Keyboard Shortcuts
  • Using the Terminal
  • Working with Windows Programs
  • Installing Software from PPAs
  • Compiling Software from Source
  • Summary

Ubuntu is relatively straightforward to set up and use for the common day-to-day tasks. With time, though, most users want to learn how to be more efficient performing their tasks on that computer. It is this efficiency, this elegance in the way tasks are performed, that forms the basis of the separation between beginners and power users. Those who are content to learn just enough to get a task done need not read this chapter. Those who want to perform these tasks more easily, more quickly, or more smoothly and with a deeper understanding of what they are doing and why are the target audience here. This chapter is not about customization; for that see Chapter 6. This chapter is about understanding and learning how to use what you already have to its fullest potential.

Administering System and User Settings

To begin, search for Settings in the Dash and open System Settings (Figure 4-1).

Figure 4-1. Click System Settings to begin.

From here you can adjust many aspects of your system, as shown in Figure 4-2.

Figure 4-2. Choose from among many options in the System Settings window.

Click an item to select it and modify its settings. When you are done, you may close the window or click All Settings in the upper left to return to the menu. Some settings require you to unlock them by clicking the Unlock button at the upper right and entering a password before you can modify their settings (Figure 4-3). You must have administrative privileges to do this.

Figure 4-3. Click All Settings to return to the main menu or Unlock to continue.

User Settings

Let’s begin with a look at available user settings. Once you unlock the window shown in Figure 4-3, you can click the + symbol at the bottom left to add a new user, click the – symbol to delete a user, or click on a user account to modify its settings. Click on any item shown at the right to modify its settings, as in Figure 4-4.

Figure 4-4. Items have either menus or their own pop-up windows.

Privacy Settings

The privacy menu is new and allows you to carefully manage what information is recorded about you when you use Ubuntu (Figure 4-5). For example, when you open programs, Ubuntu records what you use most often and will list it first in the Dash as you search. Most users appreciate this feature. However, in some instances, this could be insecure or undesirable. You can manage history, files, applications, and other privacy features here. You can even turn the entire feature off.

Figure 4-5. Want to delete information recorded only in the last hour? Easy.

Ubuntu One

Ubuntu One is very similar to the commonly known and used Dropbox, which allows you to store data in the cloud for use on multiple computers. This feature is built in to Ubuntu and does not require any additional software to be installed, but you do need to register so that your information can be kept secure (Figure 4-6 ).

Figure 4-6. You need to log in or create an account to use Ubuntu One.

Once you have logged in, you can use Ubuntu One to store data, settings, and other information, as in Figure 4-7. It can automatically sync these settings across multiple computers, if all of them are running Ubuntu, and you can control or revoke access by any of these devices using this menu.

Figure 4-7. Ubuntu One has many menus to make setup and use easy.

In addition, any music you purchase from the Ubuntu Music Store using the music player will also be stored in Ubuntu One and accessible from a Web interface through your username and password using any computer and Web browser as well as by any device you permit to access, including Windows computers and Android phones. Access for more operating systems is in process and may be available by the time you read this. See https://one.ubuntu.com for more details.

Default Settings

Default settings generally make sense for most users. However, what if you want a different program to open when you try to play a certain media file? Click the Details icon in the System Settings menu to change from the default settings, as in Figure 4-8. Select different items from the menu at the left for other options.

Figure 4-8. Changing your default applications is easy: just make sure you install what you want to use before you try to tell Ubuntu to use it.

InformIT Promotional Mailings & Special Offers

I would like to receive exclusive offers and hear about products from InformIT and its family of brands. I can unsubscribe at any time.

Overview


Pearson Education, Inc., 221 River Street, Hoboken, New Jersey 07030, (Pearson) presents this site to provide information about products and services that can be purchased through this site.

This privacy notice provides an overview of our commitment to privacy and describes how we collect, protect, use and share personal information collected through this site. Please note that other Pearson websites and online products and services have their own separate privacy policies.

Collection and Use of Information


To conduct business and deliver products and services, Pearson collects and uses personal information in several ways in connection with this site, including:

Questions and Inquiries

For inquiries and questions, we collect the inquiry or question, together with name, contact details (email address, phone number and mailing address) and any other additional information voluntarily submitted to us through a Contact Us form or an email. We use this information to address the inquiry and respond to the question.

Online Store

For orders and purchases placed through our online store on this site, we collect order details, name, institution name and address (if applicable), email address, phone number, shipping and billing addresses, credit/debit card information, shipping options and any instructions. We use this information to complete transactions, fulfill orders, communicate with individuals placing orders or visiting the online store, and for related purposes.

Surveys

Pearson may offer opportunities to provide feedback or participate in surveys, including surveys evaluating Pearson products, services or sites. Participation is voluntary. Pearson collects information requested in the survey questions and uses the information to evaluate, support, maintain and improve products, services or sites, develop new products and services, conduct educational research and for other purposes specified in the survey.

Contests and Drawings

Occasionally, we may sponsor a contest or drawing. Participation is optional. Pearson collects name, contact information and other information specified on the entry form for the contest or drawing to conduct the contest or drawing. Pearson may collect additional personal information from the winners of a contest or drawing in order to award the prize and for tax reporting purposes, as required by law.

Newsletters

If you have elected to receive email newsletters or promotional mailings and special offers but want to unsubscribe, simply email information@informit.com.

Service Announcements

On rare occasions it is necessary to send out a strictly service related announcement. For instance, if our service is temporarily suspended for maintenance we might send users an email. Generally, users may not opt-out of these communications, though they can deactivate their account information. However, these communications are not promotional in nature.

Customer Service

We communicate with users on a regular basis to provide requested services and in regard to issues relating to their account we reply via email or phone in accordance with the users' wishes when a user submits their information through our Contact Us form.

Other Collection and Use of Information


Application and System Logs

Pearson automatically collects log data to help ensure the delivery, availability and security of this site. Log data may include technical information about how a user or visitor connected to this site, such as browser type, type of computer/device, operating system, internet service provider and IP address. We use this information for support purposes and to monitor the health of the site, identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents and appropriately scale computing resources.

Web Analytics

Pearson may use third party web trend analytical services, including Google Analytics, to collect visitor information, such as IP addresses, browser types, referring pages, pages visited and time spent on a particular site. While these analytical services collect and report information on an anonymous basis, they may use cookies to gather web trend information. The information gathered may enable Pearson (but not the third party web trend services) to link information with application and system log data. Pearson uses this information for system administration and to identify problems, improve service, detect unauthorized access and fraudulent activity, prevent and respond to security incidents, appropriately scale computing resources and otherwise support and deliver this site and its services.

Cookies and Related Technologies

This site uses cookies and similar technologies to personalize content, measure traffic patterns, control security, track use and access of information on this site, and provide interest-based messages and advertising. Users can manage and block the use of cookies through their browser. Disabling or blocking certain cookies may limit the functionality of this site.

Do Not Track

This site currently does not respond to Do Not Track signals.

Security


Pearson uses appropriate physical, administrative and technical security measures to protect personal information from unauthorized access, use and disclosure.

Children


This site is not directed to children under the age of 13.

Marketing


Pearson may send or direct marketing communications to users, provided that

  • Pearson will not use personal information collected or processed as a K-12 school service provider for the purpose of directed or targeted advertising.
  • Such marketing is consistent with applicable law and Pearson's legal obligations.
  • Pearson will not knowingly direct or send marketing communications to an individual who has expressed a preference not to receive marketing.
  • Where required by applicable law, express or implied consent to marketing exists and has not been withdrawn.

Pearson may provide personal information to a third party service provider on a restricted basis to provide marketing solely on behalf of Pearson or an affiliate or customer for whom Pearson is a service provider. Marketing preferences may be changed at any time.

Correcting/Updating Personal Information


If a user's personally identifiable information changes (such as your postal address or email address), we provide a way to correct or update that user's personal data provided to us. This can be done on the Account page. If a user no longer desires our service and desires to delete his or her account, please contact us at customer-service@informit.com and we will process the deletion of a user's account.

Choice/Opt-out


Users can always make an informed choice as to whether they should proceed with certain services offered by InformIT. If you choose to remove yourself from our mailing list(s) simply visit the following page and uncheck any communication you no longer want to receive: www.informit.com/u.aspx.

Sale of Personal Information


Pearson does not rent or sell personal information in exchange for any payment of money.

While Pearson does not sell personal information, as defined in Nevada law, Nevada residents may email a request for no sale of their personal information to NevadaDesignatedRequest@pearson.com.

Supplemental Privacy Statement for California Residents


California residents should read our Supplemental privacy statement for California residents in conjunction with this Privacy Notice. The Supplemental privacy statement for California residents explains Pearson's commitment to comply with California law and applies to personal information of California residents collected in connection with this site and the Services.

Sharing and Disclosure


Pearson may disclose personal information, as follows:

  • As required by law.
  • With the consent of the individual (or their parent, if the individual is a minor)
  • In response to a subpoena, court order or legal process, to the extent permitted or required by law
  • To protect the security and safety of individuals, data, assets and systems, consistent with applicable law
  • In connection the sale, joint venture or other transfer of some or all of its company or assets, subject to the provisions of this Privacy Notice
  • To investigate or address actual or suspected fraud or other illegal activities
  • To exercise its legal rights, including enforcement of the Terms of Use for this site or another contract
  • To affiliated Pearson companies and other companies and organizations who perform work for Pearson and are obligated to protect the privacy of personal information consistent with this Privacy Notice
  • To a school, organization, company or government agency, where Pearson collects or processes the personal information in a school setting or on behalf of such organization, company or government agency.

Links


This web site contains links to other sites. Please be aware that we are not responsible for the privacy practices of such other sites. We encourage our users to be aware when they leave our site and to read the privacy statements of each and every web site that collects Personal Information. This privacy statement applies solely to information collected by this web site.

Requests and Contact


Please contact us about this Privacy Notice or if you have any requests or questions relating to the privacy of your personal information.

Changes to this Privacy Notice


We may revise this Privacy Notice through an updated posting. We will identify the effective date of the revision in the posting. Often, updates are made to provide greater clarity or to comply with changes in regulatory requirements. If the updates involve material changes to the collection, protection, use or disclosure of Personal Information, Pearson will provide notice of the change through a conspicuous notice on this site or other appropriate way. Continued use of the site after the effective date of a posted revision evidences acceptance. Please contact us if you have questions or concerns about the Privacy Notice or any objection to any revisions.

Last Update: November 17, 2020