Translations by Alex

name={\acronym{LTS}}, description={\acronym{LTS} stands for long-term support and is a type of Ubuntu release that is officially supported for far longer than the standard releases.}

in the indicator area, click \menu{Session indicator \then Ubuntu Help}.

The following typographic conventions are used in this book:

If your computer has a 64-bit processor, select the ``64-bit'' option before you click ``Start download.''

\marginnote{\define{Torrents} are a way of sharing files and information around the Internet via peer-to-peer file sharing. A file with the \texttt{.torrent} extension is made available to users, which is then opened with a compatible program such as \application{uTorrent}, \application{Deluge}, or \application{Transmission}. These programs download parts of the file from other people all around the world.} When a new version of Ubuntu is released, the download \glspl{server} can get ``clogged'' as large numbers of people try to download or upgrade Ubuntu at the same time. If you are familiar with using torrents, you can download the torrent file by clicking ``Alternative downloads,'' and then ``BitTorrent download.'' Downloading via torrent may improve your download speed, and will also help to spread Ubuntu to other users worldwide.

\marginnote{In some cases, your computer will not recognize that the Ubuntu \acronym{DVD} or \acronym{USB} is present as it starts up and will start your existing operating system instead. To run Ubuntu from the Live \acronym{DVD} or \acronym{USB}, we want the computer to look for information from the Live \acronym{DVD} or \acronym{USB} first. Changing your \emph{boot priority} is usually handled by \acronym{BIOS} settings; this is beyond the scope of this guide. If you need assistance with changing the boot priority, see your computer manufacturer's documentation for more information.} Your computer reads information from a \acronym{DVD} at a much slower speed than it can read information off of a hard drive. Running Ubuntu from the Live \acronym{DVD} also occupies a large portion of your computer's memory, which would usually be available for applications to access when Ubuntu is running from your hard drive. The Live \acronym{DVD/USB} experience will therefore feel slightly slower than it does when Ubuntu is actually installed on your computer. Running Ubuntu from the \acronym{DVD/USB} is a great way to test things out and allows you to try the default applications, browse the Internet, and get a general feel for the operating system. It's also useful for checking that your computer hardware works properly in Ubuntu and that there are no major compatibility issues.

\marginnote{If you are installing on a new machine with no operating system, you will not get the first option. The upgrade option is only available if you are upgrading from a previous version of Ubuntu.} The Ubuntu installer will automatically detect any existing operating system installed on your machine, and present installation options suitable for your system. The options listed below depend on your specific system and may not all be available:

The next screen will display a world map. Using your mouse, click your geographic location on the map to tell Ubuntu where you are. Alternatively, you can type your location in the field below the map. This allows Ubuntu to configure your system clock and other location-based features. Click \button{Continue} when you are ready to move on.

Who are you?

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 who, 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.

This option provides you with an added layer of security. Your home folder is where your personal files are stored. By selecting this option, Ubuntu will automatically enable \gls{encryption} on your home folder, meaning that files and folders must be 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 not be able to see your files without knowing your password.

After approximately twenty minutes, the installation will complete and you will be able to click \button{Restart Now} to restart your computer and start Ubuntu. The \acronym{DVD} will be ejected, so remove it from your \acronym{DVD} drive and press \keystroke{Enter} to continue.

After the installation has finished and your computer is restarted, you will be greeted by the login screen of Ubuntu. The login screen will present you with your username and you will have to enter the password to get past it. Click your username and enter your password. Once done, you may click the arrow or press \keystroke{Enter} to get into the Ubuntu desktop. Ubuntu's login screen supports multiple users and also supports custom backgrounds for each user. In fact, Ubuntu automatically will pick up your current desktop wallpaper and set it as your login background.

The vertical bar of icons on the left side of the desktop is called the Launcher. The Launcher provides easy access to applications, mounted devices, and the \menu{Trash}. All running applications on your system will place an icon in the Launcher while the application is running. \marginscreenshot{02-Launcher.png}{ss:Launcher}{The Ubuntu Launcher on the left with a sample of applications on it.} To change the Launcher icon size, go to \menu{Session Indicator \then System Settings \then Appearance}, tab \tab{Look}.

Run the application you want to add to the Launcher, right-click on the application's icon on the Launcher, and select \menu{Lock to Launcher}.

To remove an application from the Launcher, right-click on the application's icon, then select \menu{Unlock from Launcher}.

Dash

To explore the Dash, click on the top-most icon on the Launcher; the icon contains the Ubuntu logo on it. After clicking the Dash icon, the desktop will be overlaid by a translucent window with a search bar on top as well as a grouping of recently accessed applications, files, and downloads. Ubuntu also includes results from popular web services. The search bar provides dynamic results as you enter your search terms.

The Dash can help you find names of files or folders. Simply type a portion of the file or folder name. As you type, results will appear in the Dash. The \lens{Files and Folders} lens will also assist in finding files or folders \dash showing you the most recently accessed files as well as the most recent downloads. You can use the \emph{filter results} button in the top-right corner of the Dash to filter results by attributes such as file or folder modification times, file type (.odt, .pdf, .doc, .txt, etc.), or size.

A standard Ubuntu installation comes with many applications. Users can also download thousands more applications from the \application{Ubuntu Software Center}. \marginnote{Ubuntu Software Center and software management will be discussed in detail at \chaplink{ch:software-management}.} As you collect an arsenal of awesome applications (and get a bonus point for alliteration!), it may become difficult to remember the name of a particular application; the \lens{Applications} lens on the Dash can assist with this search. This lens will automatically categorize installed applications under ``Recently Used,'' ``Installed,'' or ``More Suggestions.'' \marginnote{If you are new to the world of Ubuntu, be sure to read the \chaplink{ch:default-applications}. It will provide you assistance in choosing application(s) to suit your needs.} You can also enter the name of an application (or a part of it) into the search bar in the Dash, and the names of applications matching your search criteria will appear. Even if you don't remember the name of the application at all, type a keyword that is relevant to that application, and the Dash will find it. For example, type \userinput{music}, and the Dash will show you the default music player and any music player you've used.

In addition to searching your local computer for applications and files, the Dash will also search various online resources (\eg, Amazon.com). Results pertinent to your search criteria are returned to you in the Dash. If you are concerned about local search terms being sent over the Internet, you can disable this feature in the \menu{Privacy} section of the \application{System Settings}.

The workspaces feature is not activated by default in Ubuntu. To activate workspaces, click on \menu{Session Indicator \then System Settings\ldots \then Appearance} then click on the \menu{Behavior} tab and click on the \menu{Enable workspaces} box. When this box is checked, you'll notice another icon is added to the bottom of the Launcher that looks like a window pane. This is the \application{workspaces switcher}.

If you've activated the \application{workspace switcher} as described above, you can switch between workspaces by clicking on the \application{workspace switcher} icon located on the Launcher. This utility allows you to toggle through the workspaces (whether they contain open applications or not) and choose the one you want to use.

There are two ways to locate files on your computer \dash search for them or access them directly from their folder. You can search for a file using the Dash or the \application{Files} file manager. You can also use the Dash or \application{Files} file manager to access commonly used folders (such as \menu{Documents}, \menu{Music}, \menu{Downloads}) as well as the most recently accessed files.

Files file manager

Files

The \application{Files} file manager window

\marginnote{\emph{Folders} are also called \emph{directories}.} When you select the \menu{Files} shortcut in the Launcher, click on a folder in the Dash, or double-click a folder on the desktop, Ubuntu should open the \application{Files} file manager. The default window contains the following features:

The menu bar is located at the top of the screen. The \application{Files} menu allows you to modify the layout of the browser, show, browse and remove bookmarks, open a Help document, open a new window, connect to a server, or quit. Choosing \menu{Enter Location} will open the Locations text field where you can enter any location directly.

[left pane] The left pane of the file browser \dash titled \emph{Places} \dash has shortcuts to commonly used folders. You can also bookmark a folder through the toolbar by choosing \menu{Location options (gear) \then Bookmark this Location}. Once you have bookmarked the folder, it should appear in the left pane. Regardless of the folder you are currently browsing, the left pane will always contain the same folders.

\application{Files} file manager displaying your home folder.

To navigate to a folder in \application{Files}, double-click on its icon; this may be in the right pane, the left pane, or the toolbar.

To create a new folder from within the \application{Files} file manager, right-click in the blank area of the right pane and select \button{New Folder} from the popup menu (this action will also work on the desktop). Replace the default ``Untitled Folder'' title with your desired label (\eg, ``Personal Finances''). You can also create a new folder by pressing \keystroke{Ctrl+Shift+N}.

You can easily view hidden files by clicking \menu{View options \then Show Hidden Files} or by pressing \keystroke{Ctrl+H}. Hiding files with a dot (.) is \emph{not} a security measure\dash it is simply a way to help you organize your files.

You can cut, copy, and paste files or folders in the \application{Files} file manager by right-clicking on the item and selecting the corresponding button from the popup menu. You can also use the keyboard shortcuts \keystroke{Ctrl+X}, \keystroke{Ctrl+C}, and \keystroke{Ctrl+V} to cut, copy, and paste files and folders, respectively.

When one or more items have been ``copied,'' navigate to the desired location, then right-click in an empty area of the window and select \button{Paste} to copy them to the new location. While the \emph{copy} command can be used to make a duplicate of a file or folder in a new location, the \emph{cut} command can be used to move files and folders. That is, a copy will be placed in a new location, and the original will be removed from its current location.

Using multiple tabs and multiple Files windows