Ubuntu Unleashed 2008 Edition Covering 8.04 and 8.10

by Hudson, Andrew; Hudson, Paul

• ISBN13: 9780672329937
• ISBN10: 067232993X
• Edition: 4th
• Format: Paperback
• Copyright: 2008-07-10
• Publisher: Sams Publishing

Summary

Ubuntu Unleashed 2008 Editionpresents comprehensive coverage of the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution. Windows users, Mac users, and Linux enthusiasts have been increasingly turning to Ubuntu for a user-friendly, easy-to-use Linux distribution.This book provides detailed information on installing, using, and administering Ubuntu. You will learn how to set up a workstation or a server, and you will find complete details on Ubunturs"s easy-to-use desktop and productivity software.Ubuntu Unleashed 2008 Edition includes a range of coverage: From the software you need in your everyday work, such as the OpenOffice.org productivity suite, to how to configure your Linux desktop to run smoothly using multiple printers, shell scripts, and more.For the hardcore Linux enthusiast, there is complete coverage of the X Window system, Linux programming, web server administration, and network administration.Includes a DVD with a full Ubuntu Linux distribution, plus a free upgrade to Ubuntu Linux 8.10 once it is released

Author Biography

Andrew Hudson is a freelance journalist who specializes in writing about Linux. He has significant experience in Red Hat and Debian-based Linux distributions and deployments and can often be found sitting at his keyboard tweaking various settings and config files just for the hell of it. He lives in Wiltshire, which is a county of England, along with his wife, Bernice, and their son, John. Andrew does not like Emacs. He can be reached at [e-mail].

 

Paul Hudson is a recognized expert in open-source technologies. He is also a professional developer and full-time journalist for Future Publishing. His articles have appeared in Mac Format, PC Answers, PC Format, PC Plus, and Linux Format. Paul is passionate about free software in all its forms and uses a mix of Linux and BSD to power his desktops and servers. Paul likes Emacs. Paul can be contacted through http://hudzilla.org.

 

 

 

Table of Contents

Introduction	p. 1
Installation and Configuration
Installing Ubuntu	p. 11
Post-Installation Configuration	p. 25
Working with Gnome	p. 51
Command Line Quickstart	p. 79
Desktop Ubuntu
On the Internet	p. 113
Productivity Applications	p. 133
Multimedia Applications	p. 153
Printing with Ubuntu	p. 185
Games	p. 197
System Administration
Managing Users	p. 209
Automating Tasks	p. 233
System-Monitoring Tools	p. 289
Backing Up	p. 301
Networking	p. 325
Remote Access with SSH and Telnet	p. 371
Ubuntu as a Server
File and Print	p. 381
Apache Web Server Management	p. 407
Remote File Serving with FTP	p. 439
Handling Electronic Mail	p. 471
Proxying and Reverse Proxying	p. 489
Administering Database Services	p. 499
LDAP	p. 525
Programming Linux
Using Perl	p. 537
Working with Python	p. 561
Writing PHP Scripts	p. 579
C/C++ Programming Tools for Ubuntu	p. 613
Mono	p. 625
Ubuntu Housekeeping
Securing Your Machines	p. 639
Performance Tuning	p. 651
Command Line Masterclass	p. 663
Managing Software	p. 689
Kernel and Module Management	p. 701
Appendixes
Ubuntu Under the Hood	p. 727
Installation Resources	p. 737
Ubuntu and Linux Internet Resources	p. 759
Index
Table of Contents provided by Blackwell. All Rights Reserved.

Excerpts

Introduction IntroductionWelcome toUbuntu Unleashed, 2008 Edition!This book covers the free Linux distribution named Ubuntu and includes a fully functional and complete operating system produced by the Ubuntu Community, sponsored by Canonical Software. This book covers Ubuntu version 8.04 LTS, commonly known as the Hardy Heron.Ubuntu directly descends from one of the oldest and most revered Linux distributions ever: Debian. Those of you who know nothing about Linux will likely not have heard of Debian; it is enough to know that it is considered to be one of the most stable and secure Linux distributions currently available. Ubuntu benefits directly from many contributions from free software developers across the world.If you are new to Linux, you have made a great decision by choosing this book. Sams Publishing'sUnleashedbooks offer an in-depth look at their subject, taking in both beginner and advanced users and moving them to a new level of knowledge and expertise. Ubuntu is a fast-changing distribution that can be updated at least twice a year. We have tracked the development of Ubuntu from early on to make sure that the information in this book mirrors closely the development of the distribution. A full copy of Ubuntu is included on the enclosed disc, making it possible for you to install Linux in less than an hour! No longer an upstart, Linux now has an enviable position in today's modern computing world. It can be found on machines as diverse as mobile phones and wristwatches, all the way up to supercomputers--in fact, Linux currently runs on more than half of the world's top 500 supercomputers.Do not let the reputation of Linux discourage you, however. Most people who have heard of Linux think that it is found only on servers, looking after websites and email. Nothing could be further from the truth because Linux is making huge inroads in to the desktop market, too. Corporations are realizing the benefits of running a stable and powerful operating system that is easy to maintain and easy to secure. Add to that the hundreds of improvements in usability, and Linux becomes an attractive proposition that tempts many CIOs. The best part is that as large Linux vendors improve Linux, the majority of those improvements make it into freely available distributions, allowing you to benefit from the additions and refinements made. You can put Ubuntu to work today and be assured of a great user experience.This book provides all the information that you need to get up and running with Ubuntu. It even tells you how to keep Ubuntu running in top shape and how to adapt Ubuntu to changes in your own needs. You can use Ubuntu at home, in the workplace, or, with permission, at your school or college. In fact, you might want to poke around your school's computer rooms: You will probably find that someone has already beaten you to the punch--Linux is commonly found in academic institutions. Feel free to make as many copies of the software as you want; because Ubuntu is freely distributable all over the world, no copyright lawyers are going to pound on your door.After an introduction to Linux and Ubuntu, you will find out how to get started with Ubuntu, including installation and initial configuration. We also take you through installing software, managing users, and other common administrative tasks. For the more technically minded, we also cover some starting steps in programming across several languages--why not pick one and try it out? Throughout this book, you will also find information about multimedia applications, digital graphics, and even gaming (for after-hours when you are finished tinkering). After you make it through this book, you will be well equipped with the knowledge needed to use Linux successfully. We do assume that you are at least familiar with an operating syste