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The free Ubuntu operating system has won the hearts and minds of millions of users worldwide. It combines a strong technical platform, impressive quality, and an enthusiastic global community of users who relentlessly support, document, and test it.
The Official Ubuntu Book, Eighth Edition, has been extensively updated with a single goal: to make running today’s Ubuntu even more pleasant and productive for you. It’s the ideal one-stop knowledge source for Ubuntu novices, those upgrading from older versions or other Linux distributions, and anyone moving toward power-user status.
Its expert authors focus on what you need to know most about installation, applications, media, administration, software applications, and much more. You’ll discover powerful Unity desktop improvements that make Ubuntu even friendlier and more convenient. You’ll also connect with the amazing Ubuntu community and the incredible resources it offers you.
Learn how to
Preface to "The Official Ubuntu Book, 8th Edition"
The Official Ubuntu Book, 8th Edition: Getting Started with Ubuntu
Foreword to the Sixth Edition xix
Foreword to the First Edition xxi
Preface xxvii
Acknowledgments xxxi
About the Authors xxxiii
Introduction xxxv
Chapter 1: The Ubuntu Story 1
The Vision 2
Free Software, Open Source, and GNU/Linux 3
How the Vision Became Ubuntu 7
What Is Ubuntu? 12
Ubuntu Promises and Goals 17
Sustaining the Vision: Canonical and the Ubuntu Foundation 26
Beyond the Vision: Ubuntu Subprojects, Flavors, and Spin-Offs 31
Summary 33
Chapter 2: Installing Ubuntu 35
Choosing Your Ubuntu Version 36
Getting Ubuntu 38
Booting and Installing 42
Installing from the Minimal CD 54
Summary 61
Chapter 3: Getting Started with Ubuntu 63
Getting Acquainted with Unity 65
Using Applications 76
Using Ubuntu in Your Language 85
Configuring a Printer 86
Keeping Your Computer Updated 90
Adding and Removing Programs and Packages 92
Upgrading to the Next Ubuntu Release 95
Ubuntu and Multimedia 96
Backing Up 102
Customizing Ubuntu’s Look and Feel 104
Unity in Other Devices 105
Summary 105
Chapter 4: Finding and Installing Ubuntu Applications 107
Using the Ubuntu Software Center 108
Using Synaptic 115
Useful Software Packages to Explore 118
Summary 145
Chapter 5: Customizing Ubuntu for Performance, Accessibility, and Fun 147
Unity Terminology 148
Appearance Tool 153
Unity Tweak Tool 155
Compiz Config Settings Manager 159
Unity Lenses and Scopes 165
Additional Resources 166
Summary 166
Chapter 6: Becoming an Ubuntu Power User 167
Administering System and User Settings 168
Understanding How Linux Stores and Organizes Files 172
Learning Unity Keyboard Shortcuts 175
Using the Terminal 179
Working with Windows Programs 180
Installing Software from PPAs 181
Compiling Software from Source 183
Summary 184
Chapter 7: Welcome to the Command Line 185
Starting Up the Terminal 186
Getting Started 187
Building Pipelines 188
Running Commands as Superuser 189
Finding Help 190
Moving around the Filesystem 191
Manipulating Files and Folders 192
System Information Commands 193
Searching and Editing Text Files 194
Dealing with Users and Groups 195
Getting Help on the Command Line 196
Searching for Man Files 197
Using Wildcards 197
Executing Multiple Commands 198
Moving to More Advanced Uses of the Command Line 200
Summary 201
Chapter 8: The Ubuntu Server 203
What Is Ubuntu Server? 204
Installing Ubuntu Server 206
Ubuntu Package Management 218
Ubuntu Server Security 229
Advanced Topics 236
Summary 243
Chapter 9: Ubuntu-Related Projects and Derivatives 245
Recognized Flavors 246
Editions 256
Other Distributions 259
Launchpad 261
Bazaar 270
Ubuntu One 272
Summary 272
Chapter 10: The Ubuntu Community 273
Venues 275
Teams, Processes, and Community Governance 289
Getting Involved 299
Summary 302
Index 305