Ubuntu

By Courtney Loo http://courtneyloo.wordpress.com Edited by Justin Pot

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UBUNTU: AN ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE

Table Of Contents
1. Introduction 2. Ubuntu 101 2.1 What Is Ubuntu? 2.2 The Ubuntu Philosophy 2.3 Proprietary Software vs Free/Libre Open-Source Software 2.4 How Can Ubuntu Be Free? 1. It’s Maintained By The FLOSS Community. 2. It’s Managed & Funded By Canonical 2.5 The Ubuntu OperatingSystem Linux: The Dreaded ‘L’ Word What Is The Linux Kernel? How Then Are Ubuntu & Linux Related? 2.6 Why Use Ubuntu? 3. Ubuntu Releases 3.1 Ubuntu Version Numbers 3.2 Ubuntu Code Names 3.3 Normal Releases vs. Long Term Support (LTS) Releases 4. Installing Ubuntu 4.1 Different Ways To Install Ubuntu 4.2 Installing Ubuntu Alongside Windows 7 With Wubi What Is Wubi? What Does Wubi Do? 5. Support &Community 5.1 Ubuntu Local Communities Get Involved! 5.2 Free Documentation Official Documentation Community Documentation 5.3 Launchpad Answers What Is Launchpad ? 5 6 6 6 6 7 7 7 7 7 7 8 8 9 9 9 9 10 10 10 10 10 14 14 14 14 14 15 15 15

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UBUNTU: AN ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE
Why Should You Use Launchpad Answers? 6.Getting Started With Unity 6.1 What Is Unity? Before Unity There Was GNOME: A Little Bit Of History 6.2 The Unity Interface Desktop Launcher Panel Dash 6.3 Navigating The Launcher Opening Folders & Running Applications From Your Launcher Adding Applications To Your Launcher Rearranging Applications On Your Launcher Removing Applications From The Launcher Application Menu Status Menu & SystemIndicators 6.5 Navigating The Dash Accessing The Dash The Dash Interface 7. Ubuntu Applications (How Do I...?) 7.1 How Do I Update My Computer? 7.2 How Do I Download Software & Applications? 7.3 How Do I Manage My Email Accounts? 7.4 How Do I Surf The Web? 7.5 How Do I Listen To Music? 7.6 How Do I Organize My Photos? 7.7 How Do I Watch Videos? 7.8 How Do I Edit Images & Videos? 7.9 How Do I Manage MySocial Networking Accounts? 7.10 How Do I Create Documents, Spreadsheets & Presentations? 7.11 How Do I Use Cloud Storage? 8. Conclusion Further Reading HTTP://MAKEUSEOF.COM HTTP://COURTNEYLOO.WORDPRESS.COM, COURTNEY LOO 15 16 16 16 17 17 17 17 17 17 18 18 18 18 19 19 21 21 21 25 25 25 26 26 26 27 27 28 29 29 29 30 30

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UBUNTU: AN ABSOLUTE BEGINNER’S GUIDE

1. Introduction
Ubuntu is afree/libre, open-source computer operating system with 20 million users worldwide. But it’s also so much more than that: it is an ethos, a collaborative project and, first and foremost, Ubuntu is a community of people. If you’re reading this guide, you’re probably interested in moving away from proprietary operating systems such as Windows and Mac OS X; perhaps you’ve already installed Ubuntu onyour computer but are not sure where to start. Migrating to a new operating system can be daunting, especially when faced with unfamiliar words like ‘FLOSS’, ‘command line interface’ and ‘kernel’. Many people are intimidated by the technical jargon of a non-commercial operating system and believe it’s too advanced for them. Well, that is simply not true. Ubuntu is easy to install and simple touse. Best of all: it’s completely FREE! This guide was written for beginners and will tell you everything you need to know about the Ubuntu experience. You will learn how to do the following: • • • • • install and set up Ubuntu on your computer find technical support in your community understand the Ubuntu philosophy navigate the Unity desktop interface use Ubuntu compatible software programs...