Translations by Kitt Tientanopajai

At first glance, you will notice many similarities between Ubuntu and other operating systems such as Windows or Mac \acronym{OS~X}. This is because they are all based on the concept of a graphical user interface (\gls{GUI})\dash that is, you use your mouse to navigate the desktop, open programs, move files, and perform most other tasks. In short, things are very visually oriented, which means it is important for you to become familiar with where and what to click in Ubuntu.

Now you need to decide on your computer's name. Again, this will be filled in for you automatically using the login name you entered above (it will say something like ``john-desktop'' or ``john-laptop.''), however, it can be changed if you prefer. Your computer name will mainly be used for identifying your computer if you are on a home or office network with multiple other computers. To learn more about setting up a network, refer to \chaplink{ch:default-applications}.

This option is selected by default, as it will prevent unauthorized people from accessing your computer without knowing the password you created earlier. This is a good option for those that, for example, share their computer with other family members. Once the installation process has been completed, an additional login account can be created for each family member. Each person will then have their own login name and password, account preferences, Internet bookmarks, and personal storage space.

Next, choose a password and enter it into the first password field on the left, then type the same again into the right field to verify. When both passwords match, a strength rating will appear on the right that will tell you whether your password is ``too short,'' ``weak,'' ``fair,'' or ``strong.'' You will be able to continue the installation process regardless of your password strength, however, for security reasons it is best to choose a strong one. This is best achieved by having a password that is at least six characters long, and is a mixture of letters, numbers, symbols, and uppercase/lowercase. For extra security, avoid obvious passwords like your birth date, spouse's name, or the name of your pet.

\marginnote{In some cases, your computer will run as normal and appear not to recognize the Ubuntu \acronym{CD} is present as it starts up. This is okay, generally it means that the priority given to \emph{devices} when your computer is starting needs to be changed. For example, your computer might be set to look for information from your hard drive first, and then to look for information on a \acronym{CD} second. In order to run Ubuntu from the Live \acronym{CD}, we want it to look for information from a \acronym{CD} first. Changing your \emph{boot priority} is beyond the scope of this guide. If you need assistance to change the boot priority, see your computer manufacturer's documentation for more information.}

\mbox{}\marginnote{To learn more about Linux distributions, see \chaplink{ch:learning-more}.}These early \acronym{GUI}s were difficult to configure and clunky at best, and generally only used by seasoned computer programmers. In the past decade, however, Graphical User Interfaces have come a long way in terms of usability, reliability and appearance. Ubuntu is just one of many different Linux \emph{distributions}, and uses one of the more popular graphical desktop environments called \acronym{GNOME}. \marginnote{A \emph{desktop environment} is a sophisticated and integrated user interface that provides the basis for humans to interact with a computer using a monitor, keyboard and a mouse.}

Now with more people working on the project than ever before, Ubuntu continues to see improvement to its core features and hardware support, and has gained the attention of large organizations worldwide. For example, in 2007 Dell began a collaboration with Canonical to sell computers with Ubuntu pre-installed. Additionally, in 2005 the French Police began to transition their entire computer infrastructure to a variant of Ubuntu\dash a process which has reportedly saved them ``millions of Euro'' in licensing fees for Microsoft Windows. By the year 2012, the French Police anticipates that all of their computers will be running Ubuntu. Canonical profits from this arrangement by providing technical support and custom-built software.

\marginnote{Whilst modern graphical \glspl{desktop environment} have generally replaced early command line--based operating systems, the command line can still be a quick and efficient way of performing many tasks. See \chaplink{ch:command-line} for more information, and \chaplink{ch:the-ubuntu-desktop} to learn more about \gls{GNOME} and other desktop environments.}

Shuttleworth set out with clear intentions to address these weaknesses and create a system that was easy to use, completely free (see \chaplink{ch:learning-more} for the complete definition of ``free''), and could compete with other mainstream operating systems. With the Debian system as a base, Shuttleworth began to build Ubuntu. Using his own funds at first, installation \acronym{CD}s were pressed and shipped worldwide at no cost to the end user. Ubuntu spread quickly, the size of the community rapidly increased, and it soon became the most popular Debian-based Linux distribution available.

\marginnote{Canonical is the company that provides financial and technical support for Ubuntu. They have employees based around the world who work on developing and improving the operating system, as well as reviewing work submitted by volunteer contributors. To learn more about Canonical, go to \url{http://www.canonical.com}.}

On the far left of the bottom panel is a small icon that resembles a desktop. This \emph{Show Desktop} button will \gls{minimize} all open windows at once, giving you clear access to your desktop. This is particularly useful when you have many windows open at once and your desktop becomes cluttered. Clicking the button again will restore the windows to their original position.

Left-clicking icons in the notification area will bring up a list of options, and in some cases right-clicking an icon will also perform an action related to that program. For example, to adjust the volume, simply left-click once on the volume icon and a volume slider will appear. Click the date and time applet to open a small calendar, and then click a specific date to add a reminder to your calendar through \application{Evolution} (see \chaplink{ch:default-applications} for more information on \application{Evolution}).

\marginnote{Everything on a panel is an \gls{applet}, even the main menu.} First, you will notice there are two \emph{panels}\dash one at the top of your desktop and one at the bottom. A panel is a bar that sits on the edge of your screen and contains various \emph{applets}. These applets provide useful functions such as running programs, viewing the time, or accessing the main menu.

This option provides you with an extra layer of security. Your home folder is where your personal files are stored. By selecting this option, Ubuntu will automatically enable encryption on your home folder, meaning that files and folders must be \emph{decrypted} using your password before they can be accessed. Therefore if someone had physical access to your hard drive (for example, if your computer was stolen and the hard drive removed), they would still not be able to see your files without knowing your password. \warning{If you choose this option, be careful not to enable automatic login at a later date. It will cause complications with your encrypted home folder, and will potentially lock you out of important files.}

\marginnote{Although you can choose your preferred username and computer name, you are required to stick with letters, numbers, hyphens, and dots. You will receive a warning if symbols or other characters are entered, and until this is altered you will be unable to progress to the next screen.}

\marginnote{You will be required to create a free online account with Launchpad before you can place your \acronym{CD} order. Once you have Ubuntu installed and running, you will need this account again for use with all \textbf{Ubuntu One} services. See \chaplink{ch:default-applications} for more information on Ubuntu One.} Alternatively, a free \acronym{CD} can be ordered from Canonical. This option may be preferred if you don't have access to a \acronym{CD} burner, have limited bandwidth, or a slow Internet connection. There are no shipping costs or other charges when you order an Ubuntu \acronym{CD}. Simply visit \url{http://shipit.ubuntu.com} to request your free Ubuntu Desktop Edition \acronym{CD}.

When a new version of Ubuntu is released, sometimes the \glspl{server} can get clogged up with large numbers of people downloading or upgrading at the same time. If you are familiar with using torrents, you may wish to download the torrent file by clicking ``Alternative download options,'' and obtain your copy of the \acronym{CD} image this way instead. You may see significant improvements to your download speed, and will also be helping to spread Ubuntu to other users worldwide. Again, if you are unsure how to use torrents, you can use the default download options on the website.

Before you decide whether or not Ubuntu is right for you, we suggest giving yourself some time to grow accustomed to the way things are done \dash and expect to find that some things are different to what you are used to. We also suggest taking the following into account:

Linux was designed from the ground up with security and hardware compatibility in mind, and is currently one of the most popular Unix-based operating system. One of the benefits of Linux is that it is incredibly flexible and can be configured to run on almost any device\dash from the smallest micro-computers and cellphones to larger super-computers. Initially, Unix was entirely command line-based until Graphical User Interfaces (\glspl{GUI}) began to emerge in the early 1990s.

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.

\newglossaryentry{decrypted}{name={decrypted}, description={When you decrypt an encrypted file it becomes \gls{decrypted}, and viewable. Encrypted files on Ubuntu are not recognizable in any language, they are just a string of random numbers and letters until they are \gls{decrypted} using a password.}}

\newglossaryentry{desktop environment}{name={desktop environment}, description={A generic term to describe a \acronym{GUI} interface for humans to interact with computers. There are many desktop environments such as \acronym{GNOME}, \acronym{KDE}, \acronym{XFCE} and \acronym{LXDE} just to name a few.}}

\newglossaryentry{DHCP}{name={\acronym{DHCP}}, description={\acronym{DHCP} stands for \emph{Dynamic Host Configuration Protocol}, it is used by a \acronym{DHCP} \gls{server} to assign computers on a network an \acronym{IP} address automatically.}}

\newglossaryentry{distribution}{name={distribution}, description={A \gls{distribution} is a collection of software that is already compiled and configured ready to be installed. Ubuntu is an example of a distribution.}}

\newglossaryentry{dual-booting}{name={dual-booting}, description={\gls{dual-booting} is the process of being able to choose one of two different operating systems currently installed on a computer from the boot menu, once selected your computer will then boot into whichever operating system you chose at the boot menu. Dual booting is a generic term, and can refer to more than two operating systems.}}

\newglossaryentry{GNOME}{name={\acronym{GNOME}}, description={\acronym{GNOME} (which once stood for \acronym{GNU} Network Object Model Environment) is the default desktop environment used in Ubuntu.}}

\newglossaryentry{ISP}{name={\acronym{ISP}}, description={\acronym{ISP} stands for \emph{Internet Service Provider}, an \acronym{ISP} is a company that provides you with your Internet connection.}}

\newglossaryentry{Live CD}{name={Live CD}, description={A \gls{Live CD} allows you to try out an operating system before you actually install it, this is useful for testing your hardware, diagnosing problems and recovering your system.}}

\newglossaryentry{minimize}{name={minimize}, description={When you minimize an open application, the window will no longer be shown. If you click on a minimized application's panel button, it will then be restored to its normal state and allow you to interact with it.}}

\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{package}{name={package}, description={Packages contain software in a ready-to-install format. Most of the time you can use the \gls{Software Center} instead of manually installing packages. Packages have a .deb extension in Ubuntu.}}

\newglossaryentry{partition}{name={partition}, description={A partition is an area of allocated space on a hard drive where you can put data.}}

\newglossaryentry{partitioning}{name={partitioning}, description={\gls{partitioning} is the process of creating a \gls{partition}.}}

\newglossaryentry{proprietary}{name={proprietary}, description={Software made by companies that don't release their source code under an open source license.}}

\newglossaryentry{router}{name={router}, description={A router is a specially designed computer that using its software and hardware, routes information from the Internet to a network. It is also sometimes called a gateway.}}

\newglossaryentry{wireless connection}{name={wireless connection}, description={A wireless connection involves no cables of any sort and instead uses a wireless signal to communicate with either a \gls{router}, access point or computer.}}

Second Edition

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.

Please bear in mind that this guide is still very much a work in progress and always will be. It is written specifically for Ubuntu 10.04 \acronym{LTS}, and although we have aimed to not limit our instructions to this version, it is unavoidable that some things will change over the life of Ubuntu. Whenever a new version of Ubuntu is released, we will incorporate any changes into our guide, and make a new version available at \url{http://www.ubuntu-manual.org}.

\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 with technical details.

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

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.

Ubuntu was conceived in 2004 by \Index[Shuttleworth, Mark]{Mark Shuttleworth}, a successful South African entrepreneur, and his company \Index[Canonical]{\gls{Canonical}}. \marginnote{Canonical is the company that provides financial and technical support for Ubuntu. It has employees based around the world who work on developing and improving the operating system, as well as reviewing work submitted by volunteer contributors. To learn more about Canonical, go to \url{http://www.canonical.com}.} Shuttleworth recognized the power of Linux and open source, but was also aware of weaknesses that prevented mainstream use.

\Index[Shuttleworth, Mark]{Shuttleworth} set out with clear intentions to address these weaknesses and create a system that was easy to use, completely free (see \chaplink{ch:learning-more} for the complete definition of ``free''), and could compete with other mainstream operating systems. With the \Index{Debian} system as a base, \Index[Shuttleworth, Mark]{Shuttleworth} began to build Ubuntu. Using his own funds at first, installation \acronym{CD}s were pressed and shipped worldwide at no cost to the end user. Ubuntu spread quickly, the size of the community rapidly increased, and it soon became the most popular Linux \gls{distribution} available.

With more people working on the project than ever before, Ubuntu continues to see improvement to its core features and hardware support, and has gained the attention of large organizations worldwide. For example, in 2007, \Index{Dell} began a collaboration with \Index{Canonical} to sell computers with Ubuntu preinstalled. Additionally, in 2005, the French Police began to transition their entire computer infrastructure to a variant of Ubuntu\dash a process which has reportedly saved them ``millions of euros'' in licensing fees for Microsoft Windows. By the year 2012, the French Police anticipates that all of their computers will be running Ubuntu. \Index{Canonical} profits from this arrangement by providing technical support and custom-built software.

\marginnote{For information on Ubuntu Server Edition, and how you can use it in your company, visit \url{http://www.ubuntu.com/server/features}.} While large organizations often find it useful to pay for support services, \Index[Shuttleworth, Mark]{Shuttleworth} has promised that the Ubuntu desktop system will always be free. As of 2010, Ubuntu is installed on nearly 2\% of the world's computers. This equates to millions of users worldwide, and is growing each year.

Ubuntu is built on the foundation of Linux, which is a member of the \Index{Unix} family. \Index{Unix} is one of the oldest types of operating systems and has provided reliability and security in professional applications for almost half a century. Many servers around the world that store data for popular websites (such as YouTube and Google) run some variant of a \Index{Unix} system. The Linux \Index{kernel} is best described as the core, or almost the brain, of the operating system.