Translations by Danial Behzadi

\providecommand{\polang}{en_US}

\setmaxscreenshot{screenshots/en/02-blank-desktop.png}

\newglossaryentry{applet}{name={applet}, description={An applet is a small program that runs in a \gls{panel}. Applets provide useful functions such as starting a program, viewing the time, or accessing the main menu.}}

\newglossaryentry{Canonical}{name={Canonical}, description={Canonical, the financial backer of Ubuntu, provides support for the core Ubuntu system. It has over 310 paid staff members worldwide who ensure that the foundation of the operating system is stable, as well as checking all the work submitted by volunteer contributors. To learn more about Canonical, go to \url{http://www.canonical.com}.}}

\newglossaryentry{cursor}{name={cursor}, description={The blinking cursor that appears after the \gls{prompt} in the \gls{terminal} is used to show you where text will appear when you start typing. You can move it around with arrow keys on your keyboard.}}

\newglossaryentry{dialup connection}{name={dialup connection}, description={A dialup connection is when your computer uses a modem to connect to an \gls{ISP} through your telephone line.}}

\newglossaryentry{Ethernet port}{name={Ethernet port}, description={An Ethernet port is what an Ethernet cable is plugged into when you are using a \gls{wired connection}.}}

\newglossaryentry{GUI}{name={\acronym{GUI}}, description={The \acronym{GUI} (which stands for Graphical User Interface) is a type of user interface that allows humans to interact with the computer using graphics and images rather than just text.}}

\newglossaryentry{kernel}{name={kernel}, description={A kernel is the central portion of a Unix-based operating system, responsible for running applications, processes, and providing security for the core components.}}

\newglossaryentry{maximize}{name={\emph{maximize}}, description={When you maximize an application in Ubuntu it will fill the whole desktop, excluding the panels.}}

\newglossaryentry{notification area}{name={notification area}, description={The notification area is an applet on the panel that provides you with all sorts of information such as volume control, the current song playing in Rhythmbox, your internet connection status and email status.}}

\newglossaryentry{output}{name={output}, description={The output of a command is any text it displays on the next line after typing a command and pressing enter, \eg, if you type \commandlineapp{pwd} into a terminal and press \keystroke{Enter}, the directory name it displays on the next line is the output.}}

\newglossaryentry{package}{name={package}, description={Debian package files that hold the core information and code for applications to run.}}

\newglossaryentry{panel}{name={panel}, description={A panel is a bar that sits on the edge of your screen. It contains \glspl{applet} which provide useful functions such as running programs, viewing the time, or accessing the main menu.}}

\newglossaryentry{server}{name={server}, description={A server is a computer that runs a specialized operating system and provides services to computers that connect to it and make a request.}}

\newglossaryentry{terminal}{name={terminal}, description={The terminal is Ubuntu's text only interface, it is a method of controlling some aspects of the operating system using only commands entered via the keyboard.}}

\endgroup

\listoftodos

Welcome to \emph{Getting Started with Ubuntu}, an introductory guide written to help new users get started with Ubuntu.

Our goal is to cover the basics of Ubuntu (such as installation and working with the desktop) as well as guide you through some of the most popular applications. We designed this guide to be simple to follow with step-by-step instructions and plenty of screenshots, allowing you to discover the potential of your new Ubuntu system even if you are a novice computer user or are migrating from another operating system for the first time.

\emph{Getting Started with Ubuntu 10.04} is not intended to be a comprehensive Ubuntu instruction manual. It is more like a quick-start guide that will get you doing the things you need to do with your computer quickly and easily, without getting bogged down in technical details.

\marginnote{More information about Ubuntu's online and system documentation can be found in \chaplink{ch:learning-more}.}

If you are after more detail, there are excellent resources available at \url{http://help.ubuntu.com}. Ubuntu's built-in system documentation is also very useful for accessing help on specific topics, and can be found by clicking \menu{System\then Help and Support} in Ubuntu. If something isn't covered here, chances are you will find the information you are looking for in one of those locations. We will try our best to include links to more detailed help wherever we can.

Ubuntu philosophy

The term ``Ubuntu'' is a traditional African concept that originated from the Bantu languages of southern Africa. It can be described as a way of connecting with others\dash living in a global community where your actions affect all of humanity. Ubuntu is more than just an operating system: it is a community of people that come together voluntarily to collaborate on an international software project that aims to deliver the best possible user experience.

The Ubuntu promise

Ubuntu will always be free of charge, along with its regular enterprise releases and security updates.

Ubuntu comes with full commercial support from \gls{Canonical} and hundreds of companies from across the world.

Ubuntu provides the best translations and accessibility features that the free software community has to offer.

Ubuntu core applications are all free and open source. We want you to use free and open source software, improve it, and pass it on.

A brief history of Ubuntu

What is Linux?

Contact details

Website: \url{http://www.ubuntu-manual.org/}

\acronym{IRC}: \#ubuntu-manual on \url{irc.freenode.net}

Conventions used in this book