Home > Store

Peter van der Linden's Guide to Linux

Register your product to gain access to bonus material or receive a coupon.

Peter van der Linden's Guide to Linux

Book

  • This product currently is not for sale.
Not for Sale

About

Features

Make the switch to Linux quickly, affordably, and painlessly. Use the live CD (Linspire) to do real tasks and

learn at your own pace.

° Makes it easy to test drive Linux and Open Source versions of the applications most PC users need before making a complete break from Windows.

° Takes the risk out of exploring the Linux desktop and smooths the learning curve no matter what your level of computer expertise

° Perfect for SOHO audience

Description

  • Copyright 2006
  • Dimensions: 7x9-1/4
  • Pages: 640
  • Edition: 1st
  • Book
  • ISBN-10: 0-13-187284-2
  • ISBN-13: 978-0-13-187284-4

“Linux software is like gold on the moon. It’s wonderful, if you have a way to get it.”
—Kevin Carmony, President and CEO, Linspire Inc.
Sick of Windows Viruses, Crashes, and Expensive Upgrades?

There’s a better alternative: Linux. It’s not just for “geeks” anymore. It’s for you—and it’s for real. With Peter van der Linden’s Guide to Linux®, Linux isn’t just powerful, it’s easy and fun.

While writing this book, the author spent an entire year helping new Linux users get started and once again demonstrated that he is flat-out brilliant at simplifying technology. He knows all the tricks and the quickest ways to help make you productive. Before demonstrating how to do something faster, easier, and better with Linux, he reminds you how it works in Windows. Along the way, he anticipates potential missteps and questions, and fills in the gaps other books ignore.

  • Get connected to the Internet, your email account, instant messaging, and your network
  • Get productive with OpenOffice, the amazing Microsoft Office clone that’s absolutely free
  • Get solutions with van der Linden’s easy, step-by-step troubleshooting help
  • Get into digital media—music, movies, DVDs, CD burning, digital photography, and more
  • Get secure and keep your data and email private with CIA-strength encryption
  • Get beyond the basics and leave Windows behind, download the best free software, and even master the command line

The book includes a Linspire 5.0 CD-ROM, the world’s easiest desktop Linux! Boot into Linux from the included CD, without installing anything or changing any Windows files at all.



Sample Content

Table of Contents

Preface.

Acknowledgments.

About the Author.

1. Hello Linux.

    Why Linux Now?

    Windows Woes.

    Advantages and Disadvantages of Linux.

    Linux Background.

    GNU/Linux Distributions.

    The Linspire Distro.

    The Significance of Open Source Software.

    What Next for Uncle Josh.

    What Next for You.

2. Running the Linux Live CD.

    Getting Started.

    System Requirements for Running the Live CD.

    How a Live CD Works.

    Booting and Running Linspire from the Live CD.

    Getting Help.

3. The KDE Desktop.

    Getting Started.

    Different Operating Systems, Similar GUIs.

    GUIs Are Mature Technology.

    Introduction to the KDE Desktop.

    The KDE Panel.

    How Your Folders Are Organized in KDE.

    Using the Konqueror File Manager.

    Advanced KDE Techniques.

    Making Better Use of Screen Real Estate.

    Linux and X Window.

    Help Menus and More Information.

4. Onto the Net.

    Getting Started.

    Bringing the Internet to Your Home.

    Networking Inside Your Home.

    Alternative 1: A Wired Ethernet Connection.

    Alternative 2: A Wireless Ethernet Connection.

    Alternative 3: A Dial-Up Network Connection.

5. All About Email.

    Getting Started.

    Using Web-Based Mail.

    Using a Standalone Mail Program.

    Setting Up Mozilla Email.

    Using Other Email Clients.

    Junk Mail Control.

    Conclusion.

6. Web Tools.

    Getting Started.

    Firefox Browser.

    Nvu Web Page Editor.

7. Adding Software.

    Getting Started.

    Introducing Linspire's Click-N-Run.

    Linux Packages.

    Using Debian's Advanced Packaging Tool.

    Adding a Menu Item for a New Application.

    Compiling and Installing Software from Source Code.

    Building from Source: GNU Privacy Guard Application.

8. More Applications.

    Getting Started.

    OpenOfficeorg.

    Instant Messenger.

    Lphoto and Digital Photography.

9. Filesystems and Optical Storage (CDs and DVDs).

    Getting Started.

    Filesystems and How to Mount Them.

    Reading Data CDs and Creating Device Icons.

    Burning Data CDs.

    Burning an Image or ISO File.

    Playing Music CDs.

    Rip, Mix, Burn-Creating Music CDs!

    Playing Movie DVDs.

    Making a Backup Copy of a Movie DVD.

    Sound and Burner Troubleshooting.

10. Sharing on Your Local Network.

    Introduction to Workgroup Networking.

    Shortcut: Sharing Files Without a Network.

    Setting Up Windows Workgroup Networking.

    Setting Up Windows Clients.

    Setting Up Linux Clients.

    Setting Up Print Servers.

    Remote Desktop Sharing.

11. Keeping Your Data Private.

    Why This Information Is Important.

    Who Me, Do Encryption?

    Before You Begin.

    Introducing GNU Privacy Guard.

    Basics of Public Key Encryption.

    Creating Your Own GPG Key.

    Encrypting Files.

    Using Key Management.

    Limitations of Encryption.

    Summary of Common gpg Commands.

    Encrypting Email.

    References.

12. Installation and Boot.

    Getting Started.

    Linux with Zero Effort: Buying Linux Preinstalled.

    Installation Checklist.

    Downloading Your Linux Distro and Burning It to CD.

    What Happens During an Installation.

    More About Disk Partitions.

    Choosing Whether to Dual Boot.

    Choice A-Wiping Out Windows.

    Choice B-Putting Linux on a Separate Disk.

    Choice C-Advanced Installation for Dual Boot.

    What Happens During a Boot.

    Linspire Installation.

    Post-Installation Setup.

    Troubleshooting After Installation.

    System Administration Know-How.

    The End, and the Beginning: Going Forward With Linux.

Appendix A: Malicious Windows Software.

    Windows Viruses Are Getting More Dangerous.

    More About Backdoors.

    Windows Web Servers Penetrated Worldwide.

Appendix B: Making Your Hardware Obey You-BIOS and Device Drivers.

    Troubleshooting BIOS.

    Troubleshooting Balky Devices.

    Checking Hardware for Linux Compatibility.

Appendix C: Sample Output from Wifi Network Commands.

Appendix D: Commands for the Command Line.

    Getting Started.

    About Commands Generally.

    Working with Files.

    Working with Folders.

    Working with Samba.

    Sharing Folders That Aren't Under /root.

    Filesystem Utilities.

    The Most Powerful Part of Linux (Not Included).

Appendix E: Disk Basics and Partitioning.

    Partition Overview.

    Reducing the Size of the Windows Partition.

    Creating a Linux Partition.

    Restoring the Windows MBR.

    GRUB Procedures.

Appendix F: Troubleshooting with Strace.

    Using Strace (For Experts Only).

    The Corresponding Source Code of "touchc".

    Where to Find Linux Source Code.

    Finding the Pathname for a GUI Application.

Index.

About the CD.

Preface

Untitled Document Maybe you're thinking back to the last time you tried something new, and got less than happy results.

Maybe you've been burned by technology before, like Sony's hated and costly MiniDisc format, or Dell's troubled "Movie Studio Plus" bundle from 2002, or the original Pentium from Intel with the faulty multiplier.

Whether your concerns arise from past experience, or from fear of an unknown future, it's a reasonable question: am I going to be OK with Linux?

Being OK with Linux has three components:

Will Linux run on my PC without problems?
Can I learn to use Linux easily?
Will Linux install on my PC without problems?

Running Linux. Linux runs just fine on all IBM PC-compatible computers, and on a great many more computer architectures too. Linux is a mainstream technology in the business world, and that's a place that quickly drops things that aren't cost-effective. As long as you have a PC that runs at 800 MHz or more, with at least 256 MB memory, Linux will run on it just fine.

Learning Linux. So how easy is it to learn Linux? That depends partly on you. How much interest do you have in learning a new skill? How much time can you put into it? Since you're reading this book, the answers must at least be "some" and "a bit." I don't want to trivialize the effort to master a new operating system, but it's really not that big a deal. The Linux installed base overtook the Macintosh installed base in 2003, and a large number of people taught themselves to be Mac-savvy.

All current window systems do pretty much the same things in the same ways. If you can find the "start" button in Linux (bottom left of the screen, same as in Windows, labelled Launch), you can find all the applications. If you can find the applications you can learn by doing.

With the help of this book, the Linux customer support forums, and online documentation, you don't need to have any worries about getting stuck. You can learn Linux at your own pace and with a safety net.

Installing Linux. "Ah!" I hear you ask, "What about installing Linux?" Here, I have to acknowledge, lies an area that can cause frustration. The issue is that a few peripherals on your PC may be supported only under Windows. You may find that your modem or wifi card works on Windows and not on Linux. We'll get into the remedies for this situation in due course, but prepare yourself now for the possibility.

The easiest way to make all Linux installation issues disappear entirely is to acquire Linux the same way you acquired Windows--preinstalled on a PC by the vendor. A number of mainstream vendors will sell you a Linux PC, including Walmart, OfficeMax, Staples, and MicrotelPC. Whether you buy a preinstalled Linux system, or re-use an existing PC, installation is a manageable problem, with the answers in this text.

The Bottom Line. Here's the bottom line: I know a lot of people who have successfully engaged with Linux. I don't know anyone who has tried to learn Linux, and failed.

Yes, you are going to be OK with Linux, too.

Index

Download the Index file related to this title.

Updates

Submit Errata

More Information

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