Translations by Reinach

This guide does not cover every possible workflow, task or issue in Ubuntu. If you require assistance beyond the information in the manual, you can find a variety of support opportunities online.

More details about many support options available to you can be found at \seclink{sec:finding-additional-help-and-support} later in this book.

You should now be able to use Ubuntu for most of your daily activities \dash such as browsing the web, sending email, and creating documents. But you may be interested in learning about other versions of Ubuntu you can integrate into your digital lifestyle. In this chapter, we'll introduce you to additional versions of Ubuntu specialized for certain tasks. We'll also provide you with resources for answering any remaining questions you may have, and tell you how you can get involved in the worldwide community of Ubuntu users. But first, we'll discuss the technologies that make Ubuntu a powerful collection of software.

Ubuntu is open source software. Open source software differs from proprietary software \dash software whose source code is not freely available for modification or distribution by anyone but the rightsholder. \marginnote{The \define{source code} of a program is the collection of files that have been written in a computer language to make the program.} Microsoft Windows and Adobe Photoshop are examples of proprietary software. \marginnote{\define{Proprietary software} is software that cannot be copied, modified, or distributed freely.}

Unlike proprietary software applications, the software included with Ubuntu is specifically licensed to promote sharing and collaboration. The legal rules governing Ubuntu's production and distribution ensure that anyone can obtain, run, or share it for any purpose she or he wishes. Computer users can modify open source software like Ubuntu to suit their individual needs, to share it, to improve it, or to translate it into other languages \dash provided they release the source code for these modifications so others can do the same. In fact, the terms of many open source licensing agreements actually make it illegal not to do so. For more information regarding Ubuntu's software licensing standards, see \url{http://www.ubuntu.com/project/about-ubuntu/licensing}.

Aside from these technical advantages, open source software also has economic benefits. While users must adhere to the terms of an open source licensing agreement when installing and using Ubuntu, they needn't pay to obtain this license. And while not all open source software is free of monetary costs, much is.

Linux distributions can be divided into two broad families: the Debian family and the Red Hat family. Each family is named for a distribution on which subsequent distributions are based. For example, ``Debian'' refers to both the name of a Linux distribution as well as the family of distributions derived from Debian. Ubuntu is part of this family. When describing relationships between various open source projects, software developers often use the metaphor of tributaries connecting to a common body of water. For this reason, you may hear someone say that Ubuntu is located ``downstream'' from Debian, because alterations to Debian flow into new versions of Ubuntu. Additionally, improvements to Ubuntu usually trickle ``upstream'' \dash back to Debian and its family members, which benefit from the work of the Ubuntu community. Other distributions in the Debian family include Linux Mint, Xandros, and CrunchBang Linux. Distributions in the Red Hat family include Fedora, and Mandriva.

The most significant difference between Debian-based and Red Hat-based distributions is the system each uses for installing and updating software. These systems are called ``package management systems.'' \marginnote{\define{Package management systems} are the means by which users can install, remove, and organize software installed on computers with open source operating systems like Ubuntu.} Debian software packages are \acronym{deb} files, while Red Hat software packages are \acronym{rpm} files. The two systems are generally incompatible. For more information about package management, see \chaplink{ch:software-management}.

Ubuntu!alternate interfaces|(

Additionally, each of these distributions may contain default applications different from those featured in Ubuntu. For instance, the default music player in Ubuntu is Rhythmbox, but in Lubuntu the default music player is Aqualung, and in Kubuntu the default is Amarok. Be sure to investigate these differences if you are considering installing an Ubuntu distribution with an alternative desktop environment.

The Ubuntu Server Edition is an operating system optimized to perform multi-user tasks when installed on servers. \marginnote{A \define{server} is a computer that's been configured to manage, or ``serve,'' files many people wish to access.} Such tasks include file sharing and website or email hosting. If you are planning to use a computer to perform tasks like these, you may wish to use this specialized server distribution in conjunction with server hardware.

This manual does not explain the process of running a secure web server or performing other tasks possible with Ubuntu Server Edition. For details on using Ubuntu Server Edition, refer to the manual at \url{http://www.ubuntu.com/business/server/overview}.

If you are familiar with Internet relay chat (\acronym{IRC}), you can use chat clients such as \application{XChat} or \application{Pidgin} to join the channel \#ubuntu on irc.freenode.net. Here, hundreds of volunteer users can answer your questions or offer support in real time. To learn more about using Internet Relay Chat to seek help with Ubuntu, visit \url{https://help.ubuntu.com/community/InternetRelayChat}.

Within the Ubuntu community are dozens of local user groups called ``LoCo teams.'' Spread throughout the world, these teams offer support and advice, answer questions and promote Ubuntu in their communities by hosting regular events. To locate and contact the LoCo team nearest you, visit \url{http://loco.ubuntu.com/}.

\marginnote{In addition to official Ubuntu and community help, you will often find third-party help available on the Internet. While these documents can often seem like great resources, some could be misleading or outdated. It's always best to verify information from third-party sources before taking their advice. When possible, rely on official Ubuntu documentation for assistance with Ubuntu.} The Ubuntu Documentation team maintains a series of official wiki pages designed to assist both new and experienced users wishing to learn more about Ubuntu. The Ubuntu community endorses these documents, which serve as a reliable first point of reference for users seeking help online. You can access these at \url{http://help.ubuntu.com}. To get to the built-in Ubuntu Desktop Guide, press \keystroke{F1} on your desktop, or type yelp in the Dash.

Launchpad, an open source code repository and user community, provides a question and answer service that allows anyone to ask questions about any Ubuntu-related topic. Signing up for a Launchpad account requires only a few minutes. You can ask a question by visiting Launchpad at \url{https://answers.launchpad.net/ubuntu/+addquestion}.

Ask Ubuntu is a free, community-driven website for Ubuntu users and developers. Like the Ubuntu Forums, it allows users to post questions that other members of the Ubuntu community can answer. But Ask Ubuntu also allows visitors to ``vote'' on the answers users provide, so the most useful or helpful responses get featured more prominently on the site. Ask ubuntu is part of the Stack Exchange network of websites, and is one of the best Ubuntu support resources available at no cost. Visit \url{http://www.askubuntu.com} to get started.

OMG!~Ubuntu! is a weblog that aims to inform the Ubuntu community about Ubuntu news, events, announcements, and updates in a timely fashion. It also allows Ubuntu users to discuss ways they can promote or share Ubuntu. You can read this blog or subscribe to it at \url{http://www.omgubuntu.co.uk/}.

As we mentioned earlier in this chapter, Ubuntu is a community-maintained operating system. You can help make Ubuntu better in a number of ways. The community consists of thousands of individuals and teams. If you would like to contribute to Ubuntu, please visit \url{https://wiki.ubuntu.com/ContributeToUbuntu}.

You can also participate in the Ubuntu community by contributing to this manual. You might choose to write new content for it, edit its chapters so they are easier for new Ubuntu users to understand and use, or translate it in your own language. You may also provide the screenshots found throughout the manual. To get involved in the Ubuntu Manual Project, visit \url{http://ubuntu-manual.org/getinvolved}.

Editors