Four main components, or sections, make up the Ubuntu repository: main, restricted, universe, and multiverse. These components are described in detail at http://ubuntu.com/ubuntu/components. To see a listing of all packages in the Ubuntu repository, check http://packages.ubuntu.com. To see available repositories and their sections, open the Synaptic Package Manager and choose Settings Repositories.
Repository Components
The following repository components are included in the main Ubuntu repository:
• Main Officially supported Ubuntu software (canonical), includes GStreamer Good plugins.
• Restricted Commonly used and required for many applications, but not open source or freely licensed, such as proprietary graphics card drivers from Nvidia and ATI needed for hardware support. Because they are not open source, they are not guaranteed to work.
• Universe All open source Linux software not directly supported by Ubuntu; includes GStreamer Bad plug-ins.
• Multiverse Linux software that does not meet licensing requirements and is not considered essential. It may not necessarily work. For example, the GStreamer Ugly package is in this repository. Check http://ubuntu.com/community/ubuntustory/licensing.
Repositories
In addition to the main repository, Ubuntu maintains several other repositories used primarily for maintenance and support for existing packages, as shown in the following list:
• Main repository Collection of Ubuntu-compliant software packages for releases.
• Updates Corresponding updates for packages in the main repository, both main and restricted sections. Universe and multiverse sections are not updated.
• Backports Software under development for the next Ubuntu release, but packaged for use in the current one. Not guaranteed or fully tested.
• Security updates Critical security fixes for main software. In addition, the backports repository provides unfinalized or development versions for new or current software. They are not guaranteed to work but may provide needed features.
Software Sources
With the Software Sources tool, you can enable or disable repository sections as well as add new entries. This tool edits the /etc/apt/sources.list file directly. Choose System Administration Software Sources. This opens the Software Sources window with five tabs: Ubuntu Software, Third-Party Software, Updates, Authentication, and Statistics. The Ubuntu Software tab lists all your current repository section entries. These include the main repository, universe, restricted, and multiverse, as well as source code.
Those that are enabled will be checked. You can enable or disable a repository section by checking or unchecking its entry. You can select the server to use from the Download From drop-down list. To install software from a CD/DVD, just insert it and begin. On the Third-Party Software tab, you can add repositories for third-party software. The repository for Ubuntu Software Partners will already be listed, but not checked. Check that entry if you want access software from the partners. To add a third-party repository click the Add button. This opens a dialog where you enter the complete APT entry, starting with the DEB format, followed by the URL, distribution, and components or packages. This line will appear in the /etc/apt/sources.list file. Once entered, click the Add Channel button. The Updates tab lets you configure how updates are handled. The tab specifies both your update sources and how automatic updates are handled. You can install Important Security Updates (hardy-security), Recommended Updates (hardy-updates), Pre-released Updates (hardy-proposed), and Unsupported Updates (hardy backports). The Important Security and Recommended updates will already be selected; these cover updates for the entire Ubuntu repository. Pre-released and Unsupported updates are useful if you have installed any packages from the backports or development repositories. Your system is already configured to check for updates automatically on a daily basis. You can opt not to check for updates at all by removing the check mark from the Check For Updates option. You also have options for how updates are handled. You can install any security updates automatically, without confirmation; download updates in the background; or be notified of available updates and then manually choose to install them when you want. The options are exclusive.
The Authentication tab shows the repository software signature keys that are installed on your system. Signature keys will already be installed for Ubuntu repositories, including your CD/DVD-ROM. If you are adding a third-party repository, you will need to add its signature key. Click the Import Key File button to browse for and locate a downloaded signature key file.
Ubuntu requires a signature key for any package that it installs. Signature keys for all the Ubuntu repositories are already installed and are listed on this panel. For third-party repositories, you will have to locate their signature key on their Web site, download it to a file, and then import that file. Most repositories will provide a signature key file for you to download and import. Click the Import Key File to open a file browser, where you can select the downloaded key file. This procedure is the same as the apt-key add operation. Both add keys that APT then uses to verify DEB software packages downloaded from repositories before it installs them.
The Statistics tab lets you provide Ubuntu with software usage information to let it know what software is being used. After you have made changes and clicked the Close button, the Software Sources tool will notify you that your software package information is out of date, displaying a Reload button. Click the Reload button to make the new repositories or components available on package managers such as the Synaptic Package Manager. If you do not click Reload, you can run apt-get update or perform the check operation on the Synaptic Package Manager to reload the repository configuration.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Ubuntu The Complete Reference
Saturday, February 28, 2009
Monday, February 23, 2009
Command Line PPP Access: WvDial
For a dial-up PPP connection, you can use the WvDial dialer, an intelligent dialer that not only dials up an ISP service but also performs login operations, supplying your username and password (Ubuntu main repository). WvDial will automatically detect and configure your modem. It will ask you to enter your phone number, username, and password. It will then set up a configuration for your modem, letting you automatically connect to your dial-up network.
Configuration is saved in the wvdial.conf file. Should you need to reconfigure this file, you can use the wvdialconf utility to create a default wvdial.conf file for you automatically; wvdialconf will detect your modem and set default values for basic features. You can also edit the wvdial.conf file and modify the Phone, Username, and Password entries with your ISP dial-up information.
The WvDial program first loads its configuration from the /etc/wvdial.conf file. You can modify this file directly if necessary. Here, you will find modem and account information, including the modem speed and serial device, as well as the ISP phone number, your username, and password. The wvdial.conf file is organized into sections, beginning with a section label enclosed in brackets. A section holds variables for different parameters that are assigned values, such as username = chris. The default section holds default values inherited by other sections, so you needn’t repeat them. You can also create a named dialer, which is helpful if you log in to several different ISPs.
To start WvDial, enter the command wvdial, as shown next, which reads the connection configuration information from the /etc/wvdial.conf file. WvDial then dials the ISP and initiates the PPP connection, providing your username and password when requested.
$ wvdial
You can set up connection configurations for any number of connections in the /etc/wvdial.conf file. To select one, enter its label as an argument to the wvdial command, as shown here:
$ wvdial myisp
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Ubuntu The Complete Reference
Configuration is saved in the wvdial.conf file. Should you need to reconfigure this file, you can use the wvdialconf utility to create a default wvdial.conf file for you automatically; wvdialconf will detect your modem and set default values for basic features. You can also edit the wvdial.conf file and modify the Phone, Username, and Password entries with your ISP dial-up information.
The WvDial program first loads its configuration from the /etc/wvdial.conf file. You can modify this file directly if necessary. Here, you will find modem and account information, including the modem speed and serial device, as well as the ISP phone number, your username, and password. The wvdial.conf file is organized into sections, beginning with a section label enclosed in brackets. A section holds variables for different parameters that are assigned values, such as username = chris. The default section holds default values inherited by other sections, so you needn’t repeat them. You can also create a named dialer, which is helpful if you log in to several different ISPs.
To start WvDial, enter the command wvdial, as shown next, which reads the connection configuration information from the /etc/wvdial.conf file. WvDial then dials the ISP and initiates the PPP connection, providing your username and password when requested.
$ wvdial
You can set up connection configurations for any number of connections in the /etc/wvdial.conf file. To select one, enter its label as an argument to the wvdial command, as shown here:
$ wvdial myisp
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Ubuntu The Complete Reference
Friday, February 20, 2009
Updating Ubuntu with Update Manager
New versions of Ubuntu are released every few months. In the meantime, new updates are continually being prepared for particular software packages. These are posted as updates you can download from software repositories and install on your system. These include new versions of applications, servers, and even the kernel. Such updates may range from single software packages to whole components.
Updating your Ubuntu system and packages has become a very simple procedure with Update Manager, a graphical update interface for APT. You can update your system by accessing software repositories supporting APT update methods.
The Update Manager applet on your GNOME desktop panel will automatically check for updates whenever you log in. If updates are detected, the Update Manager icon on the panel will flash and display a message telling you the number of updates that are available. Click the Update Manager icon to start Update Manager, or choose System | Administration | Update Manager and click the Check button to check current repository package listings for updates.
All required updates are selected automatically when Update Manager starts up. The check boxes for each entry let you deselect any particular packages you do not want to update. Packages are organized according to importance, beginning with important security updates and followed by recommended updates. You should always install the security updates.
Click the Install Updates button to start updating. The packages will be downloaded from their appropriate repository. Once downloaded, the packages are updated. All the APT-compatible repositories that are configured on your system will be checked. To see a detailed description of an update, select the update and then click the Description Of Update arrow at the bottom of the screen. Two tabs are displayed: Changes and Description. Changes lists detailed update information, and Description provides information about the software.
Click the Install Updates button to begin downloading and installing updates. A dialog appears showing the download progress. You can choose to show the progress for individual files. Click that option to open a window that lists each file and its progress. Once downloaded, the updates are installed. Click Details button to see install messages for particular software packages.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Ubuntu The Complete Reference
Updating your Ubuntu system and packages has become a very simple procedure with Update Manager, a graphical update interface for APT. You can update your system by accessing software repositories supporting APT update methods.
The Update Manager applet on your GNOME desktop panel will automatically check for updates whenever you log in. If updates are detected, the Update Manager icon on the panel will flash and display a message telling you the number of updates that are available. Click the Update Manager icon to start Update Manager, or choose System | Administration | Update Manager and click the Check button to check current repository package listings for updates.
All required updates are selected automatically when Update Manager starts up. The check boxes for each entry let you deselect any particular packages you do not want to update. Packages are organized according to importance, beginning with important security updates and followed by recommended updates. You should always install the security updates.
Click the Install Updates button to start updating. The packages will be downloaded from their appropriate repository. Once downloaded, the packages are updated. All the APT-compatible repositories that are configured on your system will be checked. To see a detailed description of an update, select the update and then click the Description Of Update arrow at the bottom of the screen. Two tabs are displayed: Changes and Description. Changes lists detailed update information, and Description provides information about the software.
Click the Install Updates button to begin downloading and installing updates. A dialog appears showing the download progress. You can choose to show the progress for individual files. Click that option to open a window that lists each file and its progress. Once downloaded, the updates are installed. Click Details button to see install messages for particular software packages.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Ubuntu The Complete Reference
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
Accessing Remote Desktops in Ubuntu
Ubuntu also provides tools for accessing remote systems and taking control of their desktops. The X Window System already has built-in support for remotely accessing other user’s desktops. On Linux systems, desktop access is performed through the Virtual Network Computing (VNC) protocol. For Windows desktops, you use the Remote Desktop Protocol (RDP).
Virtual Network Computing
VNC allows a computer to access and control a graphical desktop located on a computer connected to a different network. Anyone with the appropriate permissions can display and control a VNC server on a remote system. To access such a system, a remote computer uses a VNC viewer that connects directly to the remote desktop running a VNC server. Access can be password-protected.
VNC servers export the desktop on ports numbered from 5900. The port used is 5900 plus the number of the port that the desktop uses—usually 1, so this would make the port 5901. Be sure that access is allowed by your firewall. You will also need to open access on port 5800 and 6000. For Firestarter, set up access on the Port dialog. For the Ubuntu Firewall (ufw), you’d enter the following in a terminal window:
ufw 5900 allow
GNOME VNC Client: Vinagre
Vinagre is the GNOME remote desktop viewer used remotely to control a system running a VNC server (Ubuntu main repository). Vinagre is a VNC client that lets you browse your network for VNC servers. You can then connect to a server and remotely control that machine. Vinagre lets you connect to several VNC servers at once, as well as bookmark your favorite ones for easy access later. Vinagre will also keep track of the VNC servers to which you recently connected, letting you easily reconnect. Bookmarks can hold passwords stored in the GNOME keyring, so you do not have to re-enter them each time you connect.
To start Vinagre, choose Applications | Internet | Remote Desktop Viewer, or enter vinagre at the command line in a terminal window. This opens the Remote Desktop Viewer window with a side panel that displays bookmarked connections. The toolbar offers Connect, Close, Fullscreen, and Take Screenshot buttons. The menu bar shows menus for Machine, View, Bookmarks, and Help. The Machine menu includes the same options offered on the toolbar, with additional entries for Open and Recent Connections. Vinagre will keep track of all your recent connections here. The View menu configures display options for Vinagre such as displaying the toolbar, status bar, and bookmarks, as well as a full screen display. You use the Bookmarks menu to add, edit, and remove bookmarks for remote connections.
When you click the Connect button, a window opens where you enter the hostname of the remote VNC server and the port to use. You can also click the Find button to have Vinagre search for VNC servers on your network. This opens a Choose VNC Server window that lists all available VNC servers. A Domain button lets you specify a network to search.
GNOME VNC Server: Vino
Vino is the GNOME VNC server designed to work with Vinagre. You enable and configure Vino on your desktop using vino-preferences, accessible by choosing System | Preferences | Remote Desktop. This opens a Remote Desktop Preferences window with General and Advanced tabs. On the General tab, you can allow sharing and specify security. To enable sharing, select the Allow Other Users To View Your Desktop check box. You’ll then see an additional box for allowing other users to control your desktop. For security, you can have a user first ask you for access and then specify a password for entry. On the Advanced tab, you configure network access, security features, and notification options. For network access, you can restrict access to users on your local network as well as on a specific port. Security can require encryption and screen locking. For notification, a remote desktop connection icon can be displayed on the GNOME desktop panel. Vino server allows access only to users that are currently logged in to their GNOME desktop. Once enabled by a user, the VNC server is automatically started when the user logs in.
X Window System VNC Servers
Vino is designed to work with GNOME and requires that a user be logged in to the remote desktop. More traditional VNC servers allow remote users to log in to a remote desktop. Such servers can be configured to export desktops and window managers other than GNOME. They use their own X Window System configuration files to determine and set up the display to provide (.vnc/xstartup). Here you could specify a window manager or desktop to use: for Ubuntu, they are the vnc4 and tightvnc servers and viewers. These are designed to work with any X Window System window manager, not just GNOME. The tightvnc server and view specialize in low-bandwidth access. Tightvnc server for Windows that will allow Linux users to access Windows desktops.
Windows Terminal Servers
Windows has is own method for allowing remote desktop access. Windows servers and some desktops can be configured to run as terminal servers, allowing users to access and use software on those servers. Windows servers as well as Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista Business/Enterprise/Ultimate desktops have this feature built-in. On Windows XP Professional and Vista, the Terminal Services feature is referred to as the Remote Desktop. Windows Vista also provides Desktop Sharing, which allows more refined multiple access to a particular window or application. Remote Desktops, Terminal Services, and Desktop Sharing are implemented using the RDP. You can access the Windows RPD–enabled remote system using a Remote Desktop Connection client. On Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista, choose Accessories | Communications | Remote Desktop Connection. A Remote Desktop Connection client can also be downloaded for other versions of Windows such as ME, 98, and XP Home. Linux systems can access a Windows terminal server or Remote Desktop using the rdesktop client, which is integrated into other popular clients such as tsclient.
On Windows XP Professional, RDP remote access is configured as Remote Desktop on the Remote tab of the System Properties window (from Control Panel, choose the System icon). Check Allow Users To Connect Remotely To This Computer. On Vista, select the
Remote Settings line and then check Allow Connections From Computers Running A
Version Of Remote Desktop. As Windows servers, the terminal server allows remote users to run a virtual Windows system. Access is licensed by Microsoft. Remote systems accessing the server can then run software installed on it, letting many remote users work on the same server as if they were sitting in front of their own Windows systems. On the XP and Vista desktops, the Remote Desktop operates for single users, allowing one client at a time to connect to a particular RDP-enabled desktop. Users can work on files and use storage and printing devices on their own systems for applications running on the terminal server or the Remote Desktop. Server Linux remote access clients, such as tsclient and rdesktop, support the RDP, allowing you to access a Windows system (server or desktop) running the Windows Terminal Services feature. The major limitation of clients using the RDP is that they can access only Windows systems running the Windows Terminal Services. You cannot use Windows Remote Desktop Connection client to access a Linux desktop from Windows.
The tsclient client lets you connect to Windows desktops running Windows Terminal Services. Though the RDP is selected by default, tsclient also supports VNC servers, so you can use it for Linux VNC servers. Start tsclient by choosing Applications | Internet | Terminal Server Client. This opens a window with tabs for setting up a connection and configurations for that connection. You click a Connect button to connect to a server. You can save the connection and its configuration for later use. A pop-up menu will list saved connections from which you can choose. Configuration is saved in the user’s .tsclient directory.
On the General tab, you enter connection information. The Windows RDP will be selected by default. On the remaining tabs, you configure your connections, set display features (Display), select local resources such as sound and keyboard devices to use (Local Resources), or select performance options such as hiding window manager decorations (Performance). The Programs tab allows you choose a application to run automatically when the connection is made.
The rdesktop client also sets up Windows Terminal Services access. Start rdesktop in a terminal window with the rdesktop command, with the hostname of the system to which you want to connect. A Windows Server dialog is then displayed, where you can enter the username and password for the user whose desktop you want to access. You can also use the -u and -p options to provide the username and password when you invoked rdesktop. The -r option will let you map local resources such as printers and disks to the Windows system. For example, you could print files on the Windows system from a printer on your Linux system. Disks and storage devices on your Linux system, such as CD/DVD drives, can be accessed by applications on the connected Windows system.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Ubuntu The Complete Reference
Virtual Network Computing
VNC allows a computer to access and control a graphical desktop located on a computer connected to a different network. Anyone with the appropriate permissions can display and control a VNC server on a remote system. To access such a system, a remote computer uses a VNC viewer that connects directly to the remote desktop running a VNC server. Access can be password-protected.
VNC servers export the desktop on ports numbered from 5900. The port used is 5900 plus the number of the port that the desktop uses—usually 1, so this would make the port 5901. Be sure that access is allowed by your firewall. You will also need to open access on port 5800 and 6000. For Firestarter, set up access on the Port dialog. For the Ubuntu Firewall (ufw), you’d enter the following in a terminal window:
ufw 5900 allow
GNOME VNC Client: Vinagre
Vinagre is the GNOME remote desktop viewer used remotely to control a system running a VNC server (Ubuntu main repository). Vinagre is a VNC client that lets you browse your network for VNC servers. You can then connect to a server and remotely control that machine. Vinagre lets you connect to several VNC servers at once, as well as bookmark your favorite ones for easy access later. Vinagre will also keep track of the VNC servers to which you recently connected, letting you easily reconnect. Bookmarks can hold passwords stored in the GNOME keyring, so you do not have to re-enter them each time you connect.
To start Vinagre, choose Applications | Internet | Remote Desktop Viewer, or enter vinagre at the command line in a terminal window. This opens the Remote Desktop Viewer window with a side panel that displays bookmarked connections. The toolbar offers Connect, Close, Fullscreen, and Take Screenshot buttons. The menu bar shows menus for Machine, View, Bookmarks, and Help. The Machine menu includes the same options offered on the toolbar, with additional entries for Open and Recent Connections. Vinagre will keep track of all your recent connections here. The View menu configures display options for Vinagre such as displaying the toolbar, status bar, and bookmarks, as well as a full screen display. You use the Bookmarks menu to add, edit, and remove bookmarks for remote connections.
When you click the Connect button, a window opens where you enter the hostname of the remote VNC server and the port to use. You can also click the Find button to have Vinagre search for VNC servers on your network. This opens a Choose VNC Server window that lists all available VNC servers. A Domain button lets you specify a network to search.
GNOME VNC Server: Vino
Vino is the GNOME VNC server designed to work with Vinagre. You enable and configure Vino on your desktop using vino-preferences, accessible by choosing System | Preferences | Remote Desktop. This opens a Remote Desktop Preferences window with General and Advanced tabs. On the General tab, you can allow sharing and specify security. To enable sharing, select the Allow Other Users To View Your Desktop check box. You’ll then see an additional box for allowing other users to control your desktop. For security, you can have a user first ask you for access and then specify a password for entry. On the Advanced tab, you configure network access, security features, and notification options. For network access, you can restrict access to users on your local network as well as on a specific port. Security can require encryption and screen locking. For notification, a remote desktop connection icon can be displayed on the GNOME desktop panel. Vino server allows access only to users that are currently logged in to their GNOME desktop. Once enabled by a user, the VNC server is automatically started when the user logs in.
X Window System VNC Servers
Vino is designed to work with GNOME and requires that a user be logged in to the remote desktop. More traditional VNC servers allow remote users to log in to a remote desktop. Such servers can be configured to export desktops and window managers other than GNOME. They use their own X Window System configuration files to determine and set up the display to provide (.vnc/xstartup). Here you could specify a window manager or desktop to use: for Ubuntu, they are the vnc4 and tightvnc servers and viewers. These are designed to work with any X Window System window manager, not just GNOME. The tightvnc server and view specialize in low-bandwidth access. Tightvnc server for Windows that will allow Linux users to access Windows desktops.
Windows Terminal Servers
Windows has is own method for allowing remote desktop access. Windows servers and some desktops can be configured to run as terminal servers, allowing users to access and use software on those servers. Windows servers as well as Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista Business/Enterprise/Ultimate desktops have this feature built-in. On Windows XP Professional and Vista, the Terminal Services feature is referred to as the Remote Desktop. Windows Vista also provides Desktop Sharing, which allows more refined multiple access to a particular window or application. Remote Desktops, Terminal Services, and Desktop Sharing are implemented using the RDP. You can access the Windows RPD–enabled remote system using a Remote Desktop Connection client. On Windows XP Professional and Windows Vista, choose Accessories | Communications | Remote Desktop Connection. A Remote Desktop Connection client can also be downloaded for other versions of Windows such as ME, 98, and XP Home. Linux systems can access a Windows terminal server or Remote Desktop using the rdesktop client, which is integrated into other popular clients such as tsclient.
On Windows XP Professional, RDP remote access is configured as Remote Desktop on the Remote tab of the System Properties window (from Control Panel, choose the System icon). Check Allow Users To Connect Remotely To This Computer. On Vista, select the
Remote Settings line and then check Allow Connections From Computers Running A
Version Of Remote Desktop. As Windows servers, the terminal server allows remote users to run a virtual Windows system. Access is licensed by Microsoft. Remote systems accessing the server can then run software installed on it, letting many remote users work on the same server as if they were sitting in front of their own Windows systems. On the XP and Vista desktops, the Remote Desktop operates for single users, allowing one client at a time to connect to a particular RDP-enabled desktop. Users can work on files and use storage and printing devices on their own systems for applications running on the terminal server or the Remote Desktop. Server Linux remote access clients, such as tsclient and rdesktop, support the RDP, allowing you to access a Windows system (server or desktop) running the Windows Terminal Services feature. The major limitation of clients using the RDP is that they can access only Windows systems running the Windows Terminal Services. You cannot use Windows Remote Desktop Connection client to access a Linux desktop from Windows.
The tsclient client lets you connect to Windows desktops running Windows Terminal Services. Though the RDP is selected by default, tsclient also supports VNC servers, so you can use it for Linux VNC servers. Start tsclient by choosing Applications | Internet | Terminal Server Client. This opens a window with tabs for setting up a connection and configurations for that connection. You click a Connect button to connect to a server. You can save the connection and its configuration for later use. A pop-up menu will list saved connections from which you can choose. Configuration is saved in the user’s .tsclient directory.
On the General tab, you enter connection information. The Windows RDP will be selected by default. On the remaining tabs, you configure your connections, set display features (Display), select local resources such as sound and keyboard devices to use (Local Resources), or select performance options such as hiding window manager decorations (Performance). The Programs tab allows you choose a application to run automatically when the connection is made.
The rdesktop client also sets up Windows Terminal Services access. Start rdesktop in a terminal window with the rdesktop command, with the hostname of the system to which you want to connect. A Windows Server dialog is then displayed, where you can enter the username and password for the user whose desktop you want to access. You can also use the -u and -p options to provide the username and password when you invoked rdesktop. The -r option will let you map local resources such as printers and disks to the Windows system. For example, you could print files on the Windows system from a printer on your Linux system. Disks and storage devices on your Linux system, such as CD/DVD drives, can be accessed by applications on the connected Windows system.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Ubuntu The Complete Reference
Monday, February 16, 2009
Request an Ubuntu CD
If you choose not to download or for some reason cannot download Ubuntu, you can request that they send you a copy of the CD. Select Get Ubuntu from the link underneath the picture of the four people lying side by side. Select the Request Free CDs tab shown here: and another page appears that informs you that shipping free CDs will not cost anything, not even shipping and handling fees, however, delivery time may take up to ten weeks. They are not lying about this; it can take quite a while, so they do offer the option once again to download Ubuntu.
If you select I Want To Request CDs Of Ubuntu, a page appears that asks you to log into Launchpad, a collaboration tool used by Canonical and Ubuntu. If you have requested free CDs from Ubuntu in the past, you can log in and submit another request. If this is your first time obtaining Ubuntu CDs, then you will need to select the Create A New Account link.
Once you reach the Launchpad web site, you are asked to submit your e-mail under the Not Registered Yet? heading. Enter a valid e-mail address and click the Register button so that Canonical can send you the rest of the registration steps. Almost immediately after registering, you can check the e-mail account you provided for a link to finalize your registration.
After clicking on this link, you are brought to a page where you select your display name and password. After this is completed, the Request CDs From ShipIt page appears, where you can now log in using the e-mail address and password chosen at registration. All you have to do now is fill out your shipping information and click the Request CDs button. You are given the option of requesting one CD or three CDs. You should choose three and give a few of your friends copies of Ubuntu so they can try it out as well.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
If you select I Want To Request CDs Of Ubuntu, a page appears that asks you to log into Launchpad, a collaboration tool used by Canonical and Ubuntu. If you have requested free CDs from Ubuntu in the past, you can log in and submit another request. If this is your first time obtaining Ubuntu CDs, then you will need to select the Create A New Account link.
Once you reach the Launchpad web site, you are asked to submit your e-mail under the Not Registered Yet? heading. Enter a valid e-mail address and click the Register button so that Canonical can send you the rest of the registration steps. Almost immediately after registering, you can check the e-mail account you provided for a link to finalize your registration.
After clicking on this link, you are brought to a page where you select your display name and password. After this is completed, the Request CDs From ShipIt page appears, where you can now log in using the e-mail address and password chosen at registration. All you have to do now is fill out your shipping information and click the Request CDs button. You are given the option of requesting one CD or three CDs. You should choose three and give a few of your friends copies of Ubuntu so they can try it out as well.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
Saturday, February 14, 2009
Buy Ubuntu
If you cannot download Ubuntu and do not want to wait ten weeks for your order to arrive, you can purchase a copy of Ubuntu on CD or DVD from different distributors that Canonical works with. These companies package Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, and Xubuntu distributions on disc for customers and then for a fee ship them readyto- use to customers.
The Ubuntu web site lists companies that they work with in this venture, so if you are going to pay for a copy of Ubuntu, make sure to purchase it from one of their distributors. Why buy it when you can get it for free? Since you are paying for shipping costs, buying the software from a distributor will help get a copy of Ubuntu into your hands much more quickly than the ten weeks it takes for Canonical to send you a copy.
Ubuntu also charges for large orders of CDs. If you need a large quantity of Ubuntu CDs, they still may ship them to you for free. You can make a special request for Ubuntu CDs if you are a teacher who is passing them out to students, or are attending a trade show and wish to pass them out to attendees. The more reasonable the request, the more likely Canonical will get you the required CDs.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
The Ubuntu web site lists companies that they work with in this venture, so if you are going to pay for a copy of Ubuntu, make sure to purchase it from one of their distributors. Why buy it when you can get it for free? Since you are paying for shipping costs, buying the software from a distributor will help get a copy of Ubuntu into your hands much more quickly than the ten weeks it takes for Canonical to send you a copy.
Ubuntu also charges for large orders of CDs. If you need a large quantity of Ubuntu CDs, they still may ship them to you for free. You can make a special request for Ubuntu CDs if you are a teacher who is passing them out to students, or are attending a trade show and wish to pass them out to attendees. The more reasonable the request, the more likely Canonical will get you the required CDs.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
Download Ubuntu
Downloading the software is the best route to take if you have a high-speed Internet connection. (Even with broadband or cable service, this download can take a little while since it is over 650MB. If you are using a dial-up Internet service, downloading is not recommended.)
1. Open your web browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and so on) and go to the Ubuntu web site—www.ubuntu.com.
2. You now have the option to click the Download Now button at the top left of the browser window, or you can select “Get Ubuntu” from the link that is below the image of four people lying side by side, and then choose Download from the options listed. This method gives more explanation as to how to obtain a copy of Ubuntu by other methods as well.
3. At the Download page, you will be asked a series of questions. To follow along with this book, you will need to select the desktop version, not the server version.
4. Select the most recent version (remember how they number their releases, YY.MM—for example, 8.04 was the April 2008 release).
5. Under the section What Type Of Computer Do You Have?, select the appropriate model of computer. Most people will select Standard Personal Computer. However, some newer computers may be 64-bit computers. Most 64-bit computers will have some type of identifier since this is a big selling point. Don’t worry about the UltraSPARC selection. Anyone using that would not need these directions to install Ubuntu!
6. The third, and final, choice you need to make is to choose where you will be downloading Ubuntu from. Click the arrow where it says Choose a Location Near You. From this list, select a server that is geographically close to you (at least in the same country).
7. Click Start Download.
8. You will be asked if you want to open or save the file. Click Save.
9. Select the location you want to send your download to. The default will be the desktop. This choice makes your download easy to find. Once you have selected a location, click Save. The default for Internet Explorer will probably be My Documents. The default for Firefox will probably be My Desktop.
10. You will now see the file download window so you can watch the transfer of Ubuntu, or you can go grab yourself a snack while the file transfers.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
1. Open your web browser (Internet Explorer, Mozilla Firefox, Safari, and so on) and go to the Ubuntu web site—www.ubuntu.com.
2. You now have the option to click the Download Now button at the top left of the browser window, or you can select “Get Ubuntu” from the link that is below the image of four people lying side by side, and then choose Download from the options listed. This method gives more explanation as to how to obtain a copy of Ubuntu by other methods as well.
3. At the Download page, you will be asked a series of questions. To follow along with this book, you will need to select the desktop version, not the server version.
4. Select the most recent version (remember how they number their releases, YY.MM—for example, 8.04 was the April 2008 release).
5. Under the section What Type Of Computer Do You Have?, select the appropriate model of computer. Most people will select Standard Personal Computer. However, some newer computers may be 64-bit computers. Most 64-bit computers will have some type of identifier since this is a big selling point. Don’t worry about the UltraSPARC selection. Anyone using that would not need these directions to install Ubuntu!
6. The third, and final, choice you need to make is to choose where you will be downloading Ubuntu from. Click the arrow where it says Choose a Location Near You. From this list, select a server that is geographically close to you (at least in the same country).
7. Click Start Download.
8. You will be asked if you want to open or save the file. Click Save.
9. Select the location you want to send your download to. The default will be the desktop. This choice makes your download easy to find. Once you have selected a location, click Save. The default for Internet Explorer will probably be My Documents. The default for Firefox will probably be My Desktop.
10. You will now see the file download window so you can watch the transfer of Ubuntu, or you can go grab yourself a snack while the file transfers.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
Thursday, February 12, 2009
Get a Copy of Ubuntu
You need to obtain a copy of Ubuntu to use on your computer. Ubuntu has made a promise to everyone who uses their software. The Ubuntu promise states:
• Ubuntu will always be free of charge, including enterprise releases and security updates.
• Ubuntu comes with full commercial support from Canonical and hundreds of companies around the world.
• Ubuntu includes the very best translations and accessibility infrastructure that the free software community has to offer.
• Ubuntu CDs contain only free software applications; we encourage you to use free and open source software, improve it, and pass it on.
The first promise applies to you right now. Unlike many of the proprietary operating systems that you may be used to, Ubuntu costs you nothing. They do not ask for a credit card and charge it at a later date, there is no subscription fee, no monthly installments. Zero, nada, zip. So what’s the catch? There’s always a catch, right? In this case, Ubuntu does request that you do one small thing for them. Copy your Ubuntu CD and give it to as many people as possible. Sounds fair, right? PC manufacturers have responded to Ubuntu’s rising popularity as well. In an effort to keep the cost of home computers and business computers lower, a few have begun to sell computers with Ubuntu preinstalled. Customers of Dell can now choose between Ubuntu or Windows when buying a new computer. Acer has also begun to sell laptops with the Ubuntu operating system in their Singapore market. Other small computer manufacturers have seen the potential in Ubuntu and have begun to offer their customers Ubuntu as a choice in operating systems. As more big-name computer manufacturers and smaller companies see the potential in offering their customers a choice like Ubuntu, Linux open source operating systems will become more common. Obtaining a copy of Ubuntu is quite simple. Canonical, Ubuntu’s sponsor company, allows you either to download a copy of the software or to request that up to three CDs be sent to you in the mail.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
• Ubuntu will always be free of charge, including enterprise releases and security updates.
• Ubuntu comes with full commercial support from Canonical and hundreds of companies around the world.
• Ubuntu includes the very best translations and accessibility infrastructure that the free software community has to offer.
• Ubuntu CDs contain only free software applications; we encourage you to use free and open source software, improve it, and pass it on.
The first promise applies to you right now. Unlike many of the proprietary operating systems that you may be used to, Ubuntu costs you nothing. They do not ask for a credit card and charge it at a later date, there is no subscription fee, no monthly installments. Zero, nada, zip. So what’s the catch? There’s always a catch, right? In this case, Ubuntu does request that you do one small thing for them. Copy your Ubuntu CD and give it to as many people as possible. Sounds fair, right? PC manufacturers have responded to Ubuntu’s rising popularity as well. In an effort to keep the cost of home computers and business computers lower, a few have begun to sell computers with Ubuntu preinstalled. Customers of Dell can now choose between Ubuntu or Windows when buying a new computer. Acer has also begun to sell laptops with the Ubuntu operating system in their Singapore market. Other small computer manufacturers have seen the potential in Ubuntu and have begun to offer their customers Ubuntu as a choice in operating systems. As more big-name computer manufacturers and smaller companies see the potential in offering their customers a choice like Ubuntu, Linux open source operating systems will become more common. Obtaining a copy of Ubuntu is quite simple. Canonical, Ubuntu’s sponsor company, allows you either to download a copy of the software or to request that up to three CDs be sent to you in the mail.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
Tuesday, February 10, 2009
Ubuntu Emerges
With the backing of a multimillionaire philanthropist and the support of a huge user community, Ubuntu made unbelievable waves in the open source and Linux communities. Its popularity has soared over the past few years to the point where computer manufacturer Dell has begun selling machines with Ubuntu preloaded on them in France, Germany, the UK, and the USA.
Such has the popularity of Ubuntu grown that it has spurned several spin-off projects. The first of these was Kubuntu, a version of the Ubuntu distribution that made use of the KDE desktop environment, which is traditionally more popular with users new to the GNU/Linux operating system since it resembles the desktop environments of Windows or Macs more so than a GNOME desktop does. KDE also runs applications that are unique to it that some users find more favorable than their counterparts that run specifically in the GNOME environment. Although applications built for KDE can run in the GNOME environment, and vice versa, they do require the proper libraries to be installed.
Designed for systems that need to conserve resources, such as older computers, the Xfce-based Xubuntu is thought to be the best choice in desktop environments over GNOME or KDE. Since this desktop environment does not have all the bells and whistles of the other desktops, Xfce is considered to be a less resource-hungry interface as far as RAM and CPU usage is concerned. This also means that Xfce does not come equipped with as many applications as GNOME or KDE. This desktop environment comes in response to GNU/Linux being used in low-budget computers; however, it is also believed to be the most natural transition for users who are moving from Windows to GNU/Linux.
The third subproject of Ubuntu is the Edubuntu version of the operating system. Edubuntu was created for use in a classroom environment containing additional software packages like GCompris educational software suite, which contains over 100 educational activities in math, reading, computers, science, geography, and other subjects. Other packages included in Edubuntu are the KDE Edutainment suite similar to GCompris, and SchoolTool calendar, where teachers, students, and parents can connect and share calendar-related information. Edubuntu also works with the Linux Terminal Server Project that allows multiple thin client computers to run software from a server. Since thin clients are much less expensive than regular computers, they are ideal for schools in countries with limited funds. Another benefit of Edubuntu making use of the Terminal Server Project is that the operating system and software are run from one central location for the entire network, making the management of computers and resources much more efficient.
Due to complaints that Ubuntu did not utilize only free software in their packages, the Ubuntu team released a project called Gobuntu. Gobuntu consists of entirely free software. This project has completely respected the wishes of the free software community by leaving Mozilla’s Firefox out of this package since there is a restriction on images used in the Firefox web browser.
As with Edubuntu, there are other projects that cater to a specific user group. Ubuntu Studio is a multimedia flavor of Ubuntu. UbuntuJeOS (pronounced “juice”) was created to work with virtual appliances, and Ubuntu Mobile was created to work with mobile Internet devices.
In addition to the subprojects supported by Ubuntu, its parent company, Canonical, Ltd., sponsors other open source projects that aid in the management of information technology projects. More recently, they have begun to offer official Ubuntu training both for typical use of the Ubuntu operating system and its software packages, and as a path toward the Ubuntu Certified Professional certification for IT professionals.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
Such has the popularity of Ubuntu grown that it has spurned several spin-off projects. The first of these was Kubuntu, a version of the Ubuntu distribution that made use of the KDE desktop environment, which is traditionally more popular with users new to the GNU/Linux operating system since it resembles the desktop environments of Windows or Macs more so than a GNOME desktop does. KDE also runs applications that are unique to it that some users find more favorable than their counterparts that run specifically in the GNOME environment. Although applications built for KDE can run in the GNOME environment, and vice versa, they do require the proper libraries to be installed.
Designed for systems that need to conserve resources, such as older computers, the Xfce-based Xubuntu is thought to be the best choice in desktop environments over GNOME or KDE. Since this desktop environment does not have all the bells and whistles of the other desktops, Xfce is considered to be a less resource-hungry interface as far as RAM and CPU usage is concerned. This also means that Xfce does not come equipped with as many applications as GNOME or KDE. This desktop environment comes in response to GNU/Linux being used in low-budget computers; however, it is also believed to be the most natural transition for users who are moving from Windows to GNU/Linux.
The third subproject of Ubuntu is the Edubuntu version of the operating system. Edubuntu was created for use in a classroom environment containing additional software packages like GCompris educational software suite, which contains over 100 educational activities in math, reading, computers, science, geography, and other subjects. Other packages included in Edubuntu are the KDE Edutainment suite similar to GCompris, and SchoolTool calendar, where teachers, students, and parents can connect and share calendar-related information. Edubuntu also works with the Linux Terminal Server Project that allows multiple thin client computers to run software from a server. Since thin clients are much less expensive than regular computers, they are ideal for schools in countries with limited funds. Another benefit of Edubuntu making use of the Terminal Server Project is that the operating system and software are run from one central location for the entire network, making the management of computers and resources much more efficient.
Due to complaints that Ubuntu did not utilize only free software in their packages, the Ubuntu team released a project called Gobuntu. Gobuntu consists of entirely free software. This project has completely respected the wishes of the free software community by leaving Mozilla’s Firefox out of this package since there is a restriction on images used in the Firefox web browser.
As with Edubuntu, there are other projects that cater to a specific user group. Ubuntu Studio is a multimedia flavor of Ubuntu. UbuntuJeOS (pronounced “juice”) was created to work with virtual appliances, and Ubuntu Mobile was created to work with mobile Internet devices.
In addition to the subprojects supported by Ubuntu, its parent company, Canonical, Ltd., sponsors other open source projects that aid in the management of information technology projects. More recently, they have begun to offer official Ubuntu training both for typical use of the Ubuntu operating system and its software packages, and as a path toward the Ubuntu Certified Professional certification for IT professionals.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
Monday, February 9, 2009
If Ubuntu and Other Linux Distributions Are Free, How Do They Make Any Money?
There are many different ways that companies who distribute GNU/Linux operating systems can make money. Ubuntu, for instance, provides an annual support subscription for users of Ubuntu. While many of the problems a user may encounter can be solved by visiting a forum or chat room, businesses and schools that run Ubuntu often want immediate answers. Support subscriptions can be purchased for desktops, servers, and thin client or cluster support. Users also have the option of purchasing 9:00 to 5:00 support or 24/7 support packages. Canonical also provides users with a marketplace where Ubuntu clothing and accessories can be purchased. Remember, not all GNU/ Linux distributions are free as far as cost is concerned. Certain companies do charge for enterprise and desktop versions of their operating system software. This software is usually reasonably priced and still allows users to modify the code to better suit their use of the software.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
Sunday, February 8, 2009
The UbuntuCommunity Structure
This category defines the Ubuntu community and serves as a way to organize projects, members, and the way Ubuntu is run. Like the other categories, Community Structure is broken down into four areas.
Governance and process defines the organizational structure of the Ubuntu community and defines how people are chosen to take on certain responsibilities for various projects. This serves as a type of bylaws for the community as a whole. The code of conduct governs how community members should act when participating in anything related to Ubuntu. The ground rules are simple:
• Be considerate.
• Be respectful.
• Be collaborative.
• When you disagree, consult others.
• When you are unsure, ask for help.
• Step down considerately.
The project teams area of the community provides a list of all the different teams that contribute to the success of Ubuntu. Links take community members to the pages that describe the various projects and include information on how individuals can contribute.
Local teams provide an area where Ubuntu users can interact with other community members in their local area. Local teams are given the responsibility to promote the use of Ubuntu and improve the operating system in any way possible. Although contributions can be done without joining a local team, the ability to meet up with other Ubuntu enthusiasts in person strengthens the sense of community vital to its success.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
Governance and process defines the organizational structure of the Ubuntu community and defines how people are chosen to take on certain responsibilities for various projects. This serves as a type of bylaws for the community as a whole. The code of conduct governs how community members should act when participating in anything related to Ubuntu. The ground rules are simple:
• Be considerate.
• Be respectful.
• Be collaborative.
• When you disagree, consult others.
• When you are unsure, ask for help.
• Step down considerately.
The project teams area of the community provides a list of all the different teams that contribute to the success of Ubuntu. Links take community members to the pages that describe the various projects and include information on how individuals can contribute.
Local teams provide an area where Ubuntu users can interact with other community members in their local area. Local teams are given the responsibility to promote the use of Ubuntu and improve the operating system in any way possible. Although contributions can be done without joining a local team, the ability to meet up with other Ubuntu enthusiasts in person strengthens the sense of community vital to its success.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
Friday, February 6, 2009
The Ubuntu Community - Contribute
Under the Contribute category, community members can work in any of four areas. Development is for those wishing to submit software code to the project, test the software, or debug the existing code. This makes up the central part of the software creation and is one of the most important jobs a community member can undertake. There are some paid bounties that programmers can take on in this area where from $100 to $500 is paid to the person who finds a working solution to the problem. Those who are not strong coders can also submit ideas for other programmers to work on that can help make Ubuntu a better operating system.
For those with a flair for words, the documentation team is always looking for help in writing the Ubuntu system documentation or contributing to the Ubuntu Wiki. In addition to writing the actual content, community members can review text for grammatical errors and follow written instructions to ensure they make sense and work as they are supposed to.
One of the greatest tasks a community member can take on is to provide support to other community members through questions asked in the forums or on the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channels dedicated to Ubuntu. Questioners range from beginners looking to get Ubuntu up and running properly, to advanced users who are looking to implement Ubuntu solutions in their corporate networks. Answers to many questions and problems are found in these forums for other users to read as well.
The fourth area of the Contribute category is artwork. Skilled graphic artists submit not only logo ideas, but also other graphics used in the desktop interfaces offered by Ubuntu including icons, desktop backgrounds, and the themes that give individual Ubuntu users the ability to configure the look of their desktop environment.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
For those with a flair for words, the documentation team is always looking for help in writing the Ubuntu system documentation or contributing to the Ubuntu Wiki. In addition to writing the actual content, community members can review text for grammatical errors and follow written instructions to ensure they make sense and work as they are supposed to.
One of the greatest tasks a community member can take on is to provide support to other community members through questions asked in the forums or on the Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channels dedicated to Ubuntu. Questioners range from beginners looking to get Ubuntu up and running properly, to advanced users who are looking to implement Ubuntu solutions in their corporate networks. Answers to many questions and problems are found in these forums for other users to read as well.
The fourth area of the Contribute category is artwork. Skilled graphic artists submit not only logo ideas, but also other graphics used in the desktop interfaces offered by Ubuntu including icons, desktop backgrounds, and the themes that give individual Ubuntu users the ability to configure the look of their desktop environment.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Osborne Media How to Do Everything Ubuntu
Tuesday, February 3, 2009
Ubuntu Network Manager
Ubuntu uses NetworkManager to detect both wired and wireless network connections. NetworkManager uses the automatic device detection capabilities of udev and the Hardware Abstraction Layer (HAL) to configure your connections. NetworkManager is turned on by default. With multiple wireless access points for Internet connections, a system could have several different network connections from which to choose, instead of a singleline connection such as DSL or cable. This is particularly true for notebook computers that could access different wireless connections at different locations. Instead of manually configuring a new connection each time one is encountered, the NetworkManager tool can automatically configure and select a connection to use.
By default, an Ethernet connection is preferred if available, because direct lines that support Ethernet connections are normally considered faster than wireless connections. For wireless connections, you will need to choose the one you want.
NetworkManager is designed to work in the background, providing status information for your connection and switching from one configured connection to another as needed. For initial configuration, it detects as much information as possible about the new connection. It operates as a GNOME desktop panel applet, monitoring your connection, and it can work on any Linux distribution.
NetworkManager operates as a daemon. If no Ethernet connection is available, NetworkManager will scan for wireless connections, checking for extended service set identifiers (ESSIDs). If an ESSID identifies a previously used connection, it is automatically selected. If several are found, the most recently used connection is chosen. If only a new connection is available, NetworkManager waits for the user to choose one. A connection is selected only if the user is logged in. If an Ethernet connection is made later, NetworkManager will switch to it from wireless.
NetworkManager is user-specific. When a user logs in, it selects the network preferred by that user. The first time a user runs NetworkManager, the notification applet will display a list of current connections from which the user can choose.
Network interface connection (NIC) hardware is detected using HAL. Information provided by NetworkManager is made available to other applications over D-Bus, the message bus system. Features currently under development include virtual private network (VPN) and application notification. NetworkManager uses the dhcpcd client to gather network information. For user interaction and notification, it uses NetworkManagerInfo.
NetworkManager on GNOME
NetworkManager displays a network icon on the right side of the GNOME desktop’s top panel. Click the icon to see a list of all available network connections, including available wireless connections available:
A lock icon appears next to password-protected access points. You can configure hidden access points yourself. Choose Other Wireless Networks from the list to open a dialog where you can enter the ESSID of the network, the key type, and the password. Included is the option to perform a manual configuration, which will invoke network-admin, described in the next section. Right-click to access the option for shutting off your connection (Work Offline) or to see information about the connection:
NetworkManager for KDE: KNetworkManager
The KDE interface version of NetworkManager, KNetworkManager, also displays network connections. Click its icon on the panel to display available connections:
To see information about the current connection, right-click the icon. A window displays with tabs for Device, Addresses, Statistics, and Network. KNetworkManager also performs manual configurations such as PPP dial-up configuration and manages wireless connections. To start kdenetworkmanager for manual configuration, right-click on its icon in the panel and select Manual Configuration.
Wireless Manual Configuration and Editing
You use the Network Manager Editor to edit and configure your wireless connections manually. Right-click the NetworkManager applet and choose Edit Wireless Connections to open the Wireless Networks window, where you’ll see all your wireless connections. You can then select those you want to edit and change a name, bssids, and encryption (Security). You can access this tool directly by choosing Applications | Internet | Network Manager Editor.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Ubuntu The Complete Reference
By default, an Ethernet connection is preferred if available, because direct lines that support Ethernet connections are normally considered faster than wireless connections. For wireless connections, you will need to choose the one you want.
NetworkManager is designed to work in the background, providing status information for your connection and switching from one configured connection to another as needed. For initial configuration, it detects as much information as possible about the new connection. It operates as a GNOME desktop panel applet, monitoring your connection, and it can work on any Linux distribution.
NetworkManager operates as a daemon. If no Ethernet connection is available, NetworkManager will scan for wireless connections, checking for extended service set identifiers (ESSIDs). If an ESSID identifies a previously used connection, it is automatically selected. If several are found, the most recently used connection is chosen. If only a new connection is available, NetworkManager waits for the user to choose one. A connection is selected only if the user is logged in. If an Ethernet connection is made later, NetworkManager will switch to it from wireless.
NetworkManager is user-specific. When a user logs in, it selects the network preferred by that user. The first time a user runs NetworkManager, the notification applet will display a list of current connections from which the user can choose.
Network interface connection (NIC) hardware is detected using HAL. Information provided by NetworkManager is made available to other applications over D-Bus, the message bus system. Features currently under development include virtual private network (VPN) and application notification. NetworkManager uses the dhcpcd client to gather network information. For user interaction and notification, it uses NetworkManagerInfo.
NetworkManager on GNOME
NetworkManager displays a network icon on the right side of the GNOME desktop’s top panel. Click the icon to see a list of all available network connections, including available wireless connections available:
A lock icon appears next to password-protected access points. You can configure hidden access points yourself. Choose Other Wireless Networks from the list to open a dialog where you can enter the ESSID of the network, the key type, and the password. Included is the option to perform a manual configuration, which will invoke network-admin, described in the next section. Right-click to access the option for shutting off your connection (Work Offline) or to see information about the connection:
NetworkManager for KDE: KNetworkManager
The KDE interface version of NetworkManager, KNetworkManager, also displays network connections. Click its icon on the panel to display available connections:
To see information about the current connection, right-click the icon. A window displays with tabs for Device, Addresses, Statistics, and Network. KNetworkManager also performs manual configurations such as PPP dial-up configuration and manages wireless connections. To start kdenetworkmanager for manual configuration, right-click on its icon in the panel and select Manual Configuration.
Wireless Manual Configuration and Editing
You use the Network Manager Editor to edit and configure your wireless connections manually. Right-click the NetworkManager applet and choose Edit Wireless Connections to open the Wireless Networks window, where you’ll see all your wireless connections. You can then select those you want to edit and change a name, bssids, and encryption (Security). You can access this tool directly by choosing Applications | Internet | Network Manager Editor.
Source of Information : McGraw Hill Ubuntu The Complete Reference
Sunday, February 1, 2009
Customizing the GNOME Panel - Adding a Program Launcher to the Panel
Now let’s move on to something a bit more practical—adding program launchers to the panel. While it is very easy to run an application by navigating through the Application menu, there are no doubt some applications that you will be using frequently enough to want easy access to them. OpenOffice.org Writer is probably one of those.
Method 1
There are a number of different ways to add a launcher to the panel, but let’s start with the most conventional. To add a panel launcher for OpenOffice.org Writer, follow these steps:
1. Right-click any open space within the top panel.
2. Select Add to Panel in the popup menu to bring up the Add to Panel window.
3. In that window, click the Application Launcher button.
4. A new screen will then appear, showing the contents of the Application menu. Click the small arrow next to Office to expand that menu, and then scroll down and click OpenOffice.org Word Processor to highlight it.
5. Click the Add button, and then click Close to complete the process.
Method 2
There is another way to add program launchers to the panel, and it is actually a tad quicker. As an example, we’ll add a launcher for the OpenOffice.org spreadsheet program, Calc. Here are the steps:
1. Go to the Applications menu, and navigate your way to (but do not click) Office -> OpenOffice.org Spreadsheet.
2. With your cursor over OpenOffice.org Spreadsheet, right-click.
3. In the popup menu that then appears, select (that’s the usual ol’ leftclick this time) Add this launcher to panel. The Calc launcher will then appear in the panel.
Method 3
Now that you’ve learned two ways to add application launchers to the panel, I might as well let you in on a third, even easier method. Just open a menu, select the item you want to add to the panel, and then drag it there.
Source of Information : Ubuntu for Non-Geeks (2nd Ed)
Method 1
There are a number of different ways to add a launcher to the panel, but let’s start with the most conventional. To add a panel launcher for OpenOffice.org Writer, follow these steps:
1. Right-click any open space within the top panel.
2. Select Add to Panel in the popup menu to bring up the Add to Panel window.
3. In that window, click the Application Launcher button.
4. A new screen will then appear, showing the contents of the Application menu. Click the small arrow next to Office to expand that menu, and then scroll down and click OpenOffice.org Word Processor to highlight it.
5. Click the Add button, and then click Close to complete the process.
Method 2
There is another way to add program launchers to the panel, and it is actually a tad quicker. As an example, we’ll add a launcher for the OpenOffice.org spreadsheet program, Calc. Here are the steps:
1. Go to the Applications menu, and navigate your way to (but do not click) Office -> OpenOffice.org Spreadsheet.
2. With your cursor over OpenOffice.org Spreadsheet, right-click.
3. In the popup menu that then appears, select (that’s the usual ol’ leftclick this time) Add this launcher to panel. The Calc launcher will then appear in the panel.
Method 3
Now that you’ve learned two ways to add application launchers to the panel, I might as well let you in on a third, even easier method. Just open a menu, select the item you want to add to the panel, and then drag it there.
Source of Information : Ubuntu for Non-Geeks (2nd Ed)
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