Translations by Anton Patsev

name={encryption}, description={Encryption is a security measure, it prevents others from accessing and viewing the contents of your files and/or hard drives, the files must first be decrypted with your password.}

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

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 \texttt{.deb} extension in Ubuntu.}

name={shell}, description={The \gls{terminal} gives access to the shell, when you type a command into the terminal and press enter the shell takes that command and performs the relevant action.}

\textit{e.\kern0.5pt g.}\xspace

Revision number

Revision date

The Ubuntu Manual Team

Welcome

There are also many excellent resources available on the Internet. For example, on \url{https://help.ubuntu.com} you will find documentation on installing and using Ubuntu. At the Ubuntu Forums (\url{http://ubuntuforums.org}) and Ask Ubuntu (\url{http://askubuntu.com}), you will find answers to many Ubuntu-related questions. \marginnote{You can find more information about Ubuntu's online and system documentation in \chaplink{ch:learning-more}.}

The following typographic conventions are used in this book:

\texttt{Monospaced type} is used for text that you type into the computer, text that the computer outputs (as in a terminal), and keyboard shortcuts.

Ubuntu and its derivatives are available in two versions: 32-bit and 64-bit. \marginnote{\emph{32-bit} and \emph{64-bit} are types of processor architectures. Most new desktop computers have a 64-bit capable processor.} This difference refers to the way computers process information. Computers capable of running 64-bit software are able to process more information than computers running 32-bit software; however, 64-bit systems require more memory in order to do this. Nevertheless, these computers gain performance enhancements by running 64-bit software.

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.

The menu bar incorporates common functions used in Ubuntu. The icons on the far-right of the menu bar are located in an area of the menu bar called the \emph{indicator area}, or \emph{notification area}. Each installation of Ubuntu may contain slightly different types and quantities of icons based on a number of factors, including the type of hardware and available on-board peripherals upon which the Ubuntu installation is based. Some programs add an icon to the indicator area automatically during installation (\eg, Ubuntu One). The most common indicators are: \marginnote{For more about: \begin{itemize} \item the \application{Ubuntu One indicator} see \seclink{sec:ubuntu-one} on page~\pageref{sec:ubuntu-one}; \item the \application{Messaging indicator} see \seclink{sec:instant-messaging} on page~\pageref{sec:instant-messaging}; \item the \application{Network indicator} see \seclink{sec:getting-online} on page~\pageref{sec:getting-online}; \item the \application{Session indicator} see \seclink{sec:session-options} on page~\pageref{sec:session-options}. \end{itemize}}

To close a window, click on the close button (\closebutton{}) in the upper-left corner of the window\dash the first button on the left-hand side. The button immediately to the right of the close button is the \gls{minimize} button (\minimizebutton{}) which removes the window from the visible screen and places it in the Launcher. \marginscreenshot{02-window-buttons.png}{ss:window-buttons}{This is the top bar of a window, named \emph{title bar}. The close, minimize, and maximize buttons are in the top-left corner of the window.} This button doesn't close the application; it just hides the application from view. When an application is minimized to the Launcher, the left-side of the icon in the Launcher will display a triangle showing you the application is still running. Clicking the icon of the minimized application will restore the window to its original position. Finally, the right-most button is the \gls{maximize} button (\maximizebutton{}) which causes the application to completely fill the unused displayable space on the desktop. Clicking the \gls{maximize} button again will return the window to its original size. If a window is maximized, its top-left buttons and menu are automatically hidden from view. To make them appear, just move your mouse to the \emph{menu bar}.

Appearance

Theme

Shut down

If you can't find an answer to your question in this manual or in the \application{Ubuntu Desktop Guide}, you can contact the Ubuntu community through the Ubuntu Forums (\url{http://ubuntuforums.org}).

Many Ubuntu users open an account on the forums to receive help and in turn provide support to others as they gain more knowledge. Another useful resource is the Ubuntu Wiki (\url{https://wiki.ubuntu.com/community}), a website maintained by the Ubuntu community. On \url{https://help.ubuntu.com} you find the Official Ubuntu Documentation. On this web page you can choose between different versions of Ubuntu.

help!heads-up display (\acronym{HUD})

A \gls{wireless connection} is when your computer connects to the Internet using a wireless radio network \dash usually known as Wi-Fi. Most routers now come with wireless capability, as do most laptops and netbooks. Because of this, Wi-Fi is the most common connection type for these types of devices. Wireless connectivity makes laptops and netbooks more portable when moving to different rooms of a house and while travelling.

A \gls{dialup connection} is when your computer uses a \emph{modem} to connect to the Internet through a telephone line.

NetworkManager

In order to connect to the Internet using Ubuntu, you need to use the \application{NetworkManager} utility. \application{NetworkManager} allows you to turn network connections on or off, manage wired and wireless networks, and make other network connections, such as dialup, mobile broadband, and \acronym{VPN}s.

You can access \application{NetworkManager} by using its icon found in the top panel. This icon may look different depending on your current connection state. Clicking this icon will reveal a list of available network connections. The current connection (if any) will have the word ``disconnect'' underneath it. You can click on ``disconnect'' to manually disconnect from that network.

If your network supports \acronym{DHCP}, then you may already be set up for online access. To check this, click on the NetworkManager icon. There should be a ``Ethernet Network'' heading in the menu. If ``Wired connection~1'' appears directly underneath, then your machine is currently connected and probably setup for \acronym{DHCP}. If ``Disconnected'' appears in gray underneath the wired network section, look below to see if an option labeled ``Wired connection 1'' appears in the list. If so, click on it to attempt to establish a wired connection.

To manually configure a wired connection, click on the \application{NetworkManager} icon and select \menu{Edit Connections}. Make sure you are looking at the \tab{Wired} tab inside the \window{Network Connections} window. The list may already have an entry, such as ``Wired connection 1'' or a similar name. If a connection is listed, select it and click the \button{Edit} button. If no connection is listed, click the \button{Add} button.

Wireless

Ubuntu is usually able to detect any wireless network in range of your computer. To see a list of wireless networks, click on the \application{NetworkManager} icon. Under the ``Wireless Networks'' heading you should see a list of available wireless networks. Each network will be shown by its name and a signal meter to the left showing its relative signal strength. The signal meter looks like a set of bars similar to what is seen when viewing signal strength of a cell phone. Simply put, the more bars, the stronger the signal. To improve speed and reliability of your wireless connection, try moving closer to your router or wireless access point.

If you entered the password incorrectly, or if it doesn't match the correct password (for example if it has recently been changed and you have forgotten), \application{NetworkManager} will make another attempt to connect to the network, and the \window{Wireless Network Authentication Required} window will re-appear so that you can re-type the password. You can hit the \button{Cancel} button to abort the connection. If you do not know the correct password, you may need to call your \acronym{ISP}'s customer support line or contact your network administrator.

If you have numerous wireless networks in range that are saved on your computer, Ubuntu may choose to connect to one network while you may want to connect to another network. To remedy this action, click on the \application{NetworkManager} icon. A list of wireless networks will appear along with their signal meters. Simply click on the network to which you wish to connect, and Ubuntu will disconnect from the current network and attempt to connect to the one you have selected.

Click on \application{NetworkManager} in the top panel.

To disable your wireless card, click on the \application{NetworkManager} icon and deselect the \menu{Enable Wireless} option. Your wireless radio will now be turned off, and your computer will no longer search for wireless networks.

Click on the \application{NetworkManager} icon and select \menu{Edit Connections\ldots}

If the \checkbox{Connect automatically} option is not selected, Ubuntu will detect the wireless network but will not attempt a connection until it is selected from the \application{NetworkManager} menu. Select or deselect this option as needed.

Below the \acronym{SSID} is a \textfield{Mode} field. The ``Infrastructure'' mode means that you would be connecting to a wireless router or \gls{Access Point}. The ``ad-hoc'' mode is for a computer-to-computer connection (where one computer shares another's connection) and is often only used in advanced cases.

With \application{NetworkManager}, you can configure mobile broadband connections to connect to the Internet through your cellular data carrier.

It is also possible for \application{NetworkManager} to establish a virtual private network (\acronym{VPN}) connection. These are most commonly used to create a secure connection to a workplace network.

\marginnote{To go backwards and forwards you can also use \keystroke{Alt+Left} and \keystroke{Alt+Right} respectively.} If you want to visit a page you have viewed before, there are several ways to do so.

Click on \button{Next} to find text in the page that is below the current cursor position.

Press the \emph{star} on the right-hand side in the Location Bar. It turns yellow. This saves the page in the \emph{Unsorted Bookmarks} folder.

In the top right corner of the Ubuntu desktop you will see an envelope icon in the \gls{notification area}. This is the \define{messaging menu}. From here, you can launch \application{Thunderbird} by clicking \button{Set up Mail}. Alternatively, you can click the Ubuntu button in the top left corner of the screen at the top of the Launcher to bring up the Dash and type \userinput{thunderbird} into the search box. Once \application{Thunderbird} opens, you will be greeted by a pop-up box prompting you to setup your email account.

On the next screen titled \menu{Mail Account Setup}, enter your name in the first text box, your email address in the second text box (for example, username@domain.com), and your email password in the third text box.

[Receipts] You can move important receipts to this folder.

[Work] You can store work emails in this folder to keep them separate from your personal email