linux_starter_pack.pdf

THE BEGINNER’S GUIDE TO ALL THINGS OPEN SOURCE!

THE LINUX

DVD

STARTER PACK

Want to dump Windows but don’t know how?

Here’s your complete guide to using Linux!

ISSUE THIRTEEN

£9.99

The # 1 source for Linux

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INSIDE

Brought to you by

The # 1 source for Linux

www.linuxformat.com

TuxRadar

www.tuxradar.com

Introduction

Linux Starter Pack

Welcome!

If you’ve made it this far, you’re

clearly among the growing

number of people who are curious

about Linux. I’m not sure what has

led you here – perhaps you’re sick

of installing security updates every

other day, perhaps you’re tired of

rebooting when your computer runs

slowly, or maybe you’ve just had

enough of the Blue Screen of Death

– but whatever it was that brought

you here, I’m glad to welcome you to

the family of Linux users, and hope

you’ll ﬁ nd that there’s a whole new world of computing here that can really

put the fun back into it all again.

This magazine is a one-off publication aimed at newcomers to Linux.

That’s you, which means you’ve come to the right place! But Linux is a

big world of software, and, while some of it looks and works just like the

Windows or Mac software you’re used to, a lot of it will also be new, and

that’s where this guide comes in – we’ve written it to be a comprehensive

pack for new starters to Linux, with the goal of helping you to get the

most from your computer with the least reading. You’ll also ﬁ nd a DVD

bundled with this magazine that includes a complete, installable version

of Linux for you to use. Yes, it’s true that there are lots of versions of Linux

out there, but we’ve written this guide to accompany the software on that

DVD, so if you want to get the most from all the tutorials we’ve provided

for you, we recommend you use that disc to get started.

Now it’s time for the adventure to begin. If you want to dive in straight

away, turn to p10 for our install guide. If you’d like to read a bit more about

Linux ﬁ rst – and I’d recommend it! – turn to p6.

Have fun!

EDITORIAL

Editor Paul Hudson

Disc editor Mike Saunders

Contributing editor Graham Morrison

Operations editor Andrew Gregory

Art editor Efrain HernandezMendoza

Art assistance Stacey Black, Nick Cox, Neil Freestone,

Martin Parfitt

MANAGERIAL & MARKETING

Marketing product manager Jennifer Wagner

Acquisitions product manager James Greenwood

Publishing director Stuart Anderton

Managing director Robert Price

DISTRIBUTION & CIRCULATION

Production coordinator Craig Broadbridge

Trade marketing executive Kate Robson

Distributed by Seymour Distribution Ltd, 2 East Poultry

Avenue, London EC1A 9PT Tel 020 7429 4000

Overseas distribution by Future Publishing Ltd

Tel +44 (0)1225 442244

LICENSING

Head of international licensing Tim Hudson

thudson@futurenet.co.uk Tel +44 (0)1225 788253

our publisher. We assume all letters sent – by email, fax or post – are for publication unless

otherwise stated, and reserve the right to edit contributions. All contributions to Linux

Format are submitted and accepted on the basis of nonexclusive worldwide licence to

publish or license others to do so unless otherwise agreed in advance in writing. Linux

Format recognises all copyrights in this issue. Where possible, we have acknowledged the

correct any oversight. We cannot be held responsible for mistakes or misprints.

All DVD demos and reader submissions are supplied to us on the assumption they can

be incorporated into a future covermounted DVD, unless stated to the contrary.

Disclaimer All tips in this magazine are used at your own risk. We accept no liability for

any loss of data or damage to your computer, peripherals or software through the use

of any tips or advice.

Printed in the UK by Midway Clark (Holt) and William Gibbons

Future Publishing Ltd, 30 Monmouth Street,

Bath BA1 2BW Tel 01225 442244

Email linuxformat@futurenet.co.uk

LINUX is a trademark of Linus Torvalds, GNU/Linux is abbreviated to Linux throughout

for brevity. All other trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

Future Publishing Ltd is part of Future plc.

Future produces carefully targeted specialinterest

magazines for people who share a passion. We aim to satisfy

that passion by creating titles offering value for money,

reliable information, smart buying advice and which are a

pleasure to read. Today we publish more than 150

magazines in the UK, US, France and Italy. Over 100

international editions of our magazines are also published in

30 other countries across the world. Future plc is a public company quoted on the

London Stock Exchange (symbol: FUTR).

Non-executive chairman Roger Parry Chief executive Stevie Spring

Group finance director John Bowman Tel +44 (0)1225 442244 www.futureplc.com

Paul Hudson Editor

paul.hudson@futurenet.co.uk

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Contents

Install guide p10

Disc in hand and ready to go: start here!

Helpdesk

On your DVD

Along with plain

vanilla Ubuntu,

you’ll find a 64-bit

version and a

super-sized version

with lots more!

Solve it! 110

Got some problems with

Linux? Want to push your

skills a little further but

don’t know how? Upgrade

your inner Linux master

the easy way.

PLUS: OpenOffice.org ..................................... 30

Your complete new suite of productivity apps.

4 Linux starter pack

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Ready to master Linux? Start your engines and pick your topic…

Contents

The complete listing

What’s in this starter pack........................................ 6

Read this first to get the most from your magazine.

Install guide .............................................................. 10

Make this your first stop before you put the disc in the drive.

Compiz desktop effects ......................................... 68

Yes, yes: Linux can make your desktop into a spinning cube with fire

effects and more. The point? You tell us, but we love it anyway!

Use media codecs.................................................... 72

Flash? Check. Java? Check. DVDs? Ditto. But not by default, because

they’re nasty proprietary things. But if you want them, turn here…

Your new Linux desktop .......................................... 14

Who? What? When? How? We explain the basics of Linux use.

Media ripping............................................................ 76

Ditch your CD collection and go all-digital like the cool kids!

On the web ................................................................ 22

Surf the web with Firefox, and do even more with its add-ons!

Disc burning.............................................................. 80

It’s like media ripping, but in reverse: turn your digital data into discs

to pass around or sell for fun and profit.

Reading your emails................................................ 26

Make to-do lists, create calendars, store your contacts and more.

OpenOffice.org Writer............................................. 30

If you’re looking for a capable word processor that looks and works

much like Microsoft Word, this is the place to go.

Create disc inlays..................................................... 82

…and if you’ve just followed the disc burning tutorial on p80, you can

now learn how to make smart disc inlays to finish the product!

OpenOffice.org Calc................................................ 34

Spreadsheets might look dull from a distance, but OOo Calc at least

ensures they’re easy to create and play with!

Instant messaging................................................... 86

Chat to your friends, or even cold-call random strangers if you want,

but whatever you do instant messaging is great fun!

OpenOffice.org Impress ......................................... 38

Learn how to make presentations for business, but only if you

promise never to use letter-by-letter animated fly-ins.

BitTorrent downloads.............................................. 90

Get files the fast way, and build a community at the same time.

Printing documents................................................. 92

Ta k e Apache further with techniques for hosting pages for other

users, set bandwidth and request limits, and rewrite URLs.

OpenOffice.org Base............................................... 42

Get your CD collection organised the geeky way: enter it, sort it, print

it, then maybe finally get around to listening to it too…

Secure your machine .............................................. 96

Linux is secure, but that’s no reason to rest easy.

Make your own stationery...................................... 46

Make some clipart then turn it into a letterhead – fast.

Adding software.................................................... 100

There are thousands of packages available if you want them, so get

hooked up to the internet and get downloading!

Edit your photos....................................................... 50

Got a digital camera and some photos you want to tart up? Get the

knowledge you need to make them perfect with Linux!

The best of free software..................................... 104

With so much great software to choose from, how do you know what

to try? We make it easier by picking out the best just for you.

Play games and have fun ....................................... 58

Linux isn’t all serious stuff – we’ve got games galore too!

Create multiple accounts....................................... 64

Friends, family and random strangers can all use your Linux box, but

only if you want them to.

Glossary ................................................................... 120

All the technical Linuxy terms under the sun laid bare and explained

– keep this close to hand!

Compiz desktop effects............... 68 How to get help ...................... p124

Linux starter pack 5

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