Linux All-In-One For Dummies

Linux is for everyone!

Linux All-in-One For Dummies breaks down the ever-popular operating system to its basics and trains users on the art of Linux. This handy reference covers all the latest updates and operating system features. It presents content on Linux desktops, applications, and more. With eight books in one, you'll have access to the most comprehensive overview of Linux around. Explore the inner workings of Linux machines, so you'll know Linux front to back. This all-inclusive handbook also walks you through solving Linux problems--complete with hands-on examples--so you'll be a Linux whiz before you know it.

• Get familiar with Linux as you install and customize the operating system
• Learn how to navigate the file system, use the Linux shell, and get online
• Become a Linux guru with server hosting, scripting, and security how-tos
• Study for your Linux certification by using this complete guide as your reference

This book is a massive source of support for beginning and intermediate Linux users, as well as those looking to brush up on their knowledge for certification. And, thanks to the signature Dummies approach, it's also a lot of fun.

Auteur

Richard Blum has more than 30 years' experience in the IT industry working as a systems and network administrator. He is an online instructor for Linux and programming courses and is the author of Linux Command Line and Shell Scripting Bible, Linux Essentials, and Linux For Dummies.

Texte du rabat

Linux is for everyone! Linux All-in-One For Dummies breaks down the ever-popular operating system to its basics and trains users on the art of Linux. This handy reference covers all the latest updates and operating system features. It presents content on Linux desktops, applications, and more. With eight books in one, you'll have access to the most comprehensive overview of Linux around. Explore the inner workings of Linux machines, so you'll know Linux front to back. This all-inclusive handbook also walks you through solving Linux problems--complete with hands-on examples--so you'll be a Linux whiz before you know it. Get familiar with Linux as you install and customize the operating system Learn how to navigate the file system, use the Linux shell, and get online Become a Linux guru with server hosting, scripting, and security how-tos Study for your Linux certification by using this complete guide as your reference This book is a massive source of support for beginning and intermediate Linux users, as well as those looking to brush up on their knowledge for certification. And, thanks to the signature Dummies approach, it's also a lot of fun.

Contenu

Introduction 1

About This Book 1

Foolish Assumptions 2

Icons Used in This Book 3

Beyond the Book 4

Where to Go from Here 4

Book 1: Getting Started with Linux 5

Chapter 1: Introducing Linux 7

What Is Linux? 7

The Linux kernel 8

GNU utilities 11

Linux user interfaces 12

Linux Distributions: Why So Many? 16

Core Linux distributions 17

Specialized Linux distributions 18

Chapter 2: Installing Linux 21

Dual-Booting with Linux and Microsoft Windows 23

Installing a second hard drive 24

Partitioning an existing drive 24

Partitioning using Windows tools 25

Partitioning using Linux tools 26

Finally, Finally, Before You Get Started 27

Disabling the secure boot feature 27

Creating a boot disk 28

Installing Ubuntu 30

Your First Ubuntu Boot 36

Chapter 3: Living in a Virtual World 39

What Are Virtual Servers? 39

Installing VirtualBox 40

Creating a Linux Virtual Machine 42

Installing Linux on a Virtual Machine 45

Changing settings 45

Loading the operating system 47

Working with the sandbox 50

Chapter 4: Trying Out Linux 53

Starting Linux 53

Playing with the Shell 56

Starting the bash shell 56

Understanding shell commands 58

Trying a few Linux commands 58

Shutting Down 60

Chapter 5: Troubleshooting and Customizing Linux 63

Using Text Mode Installation 64

Lookin' for Trouble 64

Using the kernel ring buffer 65

Using log files 66

Using the journal 67

Resolving Other Installation Problems 68

Using KNOPPIX boot commands 68

Handling the fatal signal 11 error 71

Getting around the PC reboot problem 71

Using Linux kernel boot options 71

Setting Up Printers 74

Managing DVDs, CD-ROMs, and Flash Drives 76

Updating the Operating System 77

Updating Ubuntu 77

Updating openSUSE 78

Installing New Software 79

Adding applications 80

Adding packages 81

Book 2: Linux Desktops 85

Chapter 1: The GNOME Desktop 87

Looking at the History of GNOME 87

Breaking Down the GNOME Desktop 88

Menu, please! 88

The desktop 90

Exploring the Activities Overview 91

Customizing Your Ride 92

Chapter 2: The KDE Plasma Desktop 93

The KDE Plasma Desktop 93

The Application launcher 95

The panel 96

The desktop 96

Using Widgets 98

Adding widgets 98

Getting more widgets 99

Plasma System Settings 99

Desktop Settings 100

Chapter 3: Other Popular Desktops 103

Spicing Things Up with Cinnamon 103

Reviewing the history of Cinnamon 104

Looking at the menu 105

Changing settings 105

Adding more spice 106

Working with MATE 107

The history of MATE 107

Looking at the menu 109

Changing desktop settings 109

Applets 110

The Xfce Desktop Interface 111

The history of Xfce 111

The Whisker menu 112

Changing Xfce settings 113

Applets 113

Chapter 4: Linux Desktop Applications 115

The LibreOffice Suite 115

Browsing the Web with Firefox 117

Configuring Firefox 117

Communicating with Email 119

Evolving into email 120

Working with KMail 121

The amazing Thunderbird 123

Listening to Audio 124

Listening to downloaded music 127

Viewing Movie Files 129

Creating and Modifying Graphics 130

Chapter 5: The Linux File System 133

Pieces of the Puzzle 133

Touring the Linux File System 134

The root of the tree 134

Where removable media lives 136

Managing Your File System without a Net (or Mouse) 136

Viewing information about files on the command line 136

Understanding file listing information 137

Comprehending file types 139

Navigating the file system in Linux 140

A Permissions Primer 141

Checking out the triplets 141

Beware of owners 143

Hanging out in groups 143

Clicking Your Way through the File System 144

Using files 145

Swimming with Dolphin 149

Don't forget Xfce! 151

Finding Things 152

Chapter 6: Text Editors 155

Viewing the Contents of a Text File 155

Editing Text Files with nano 156

Going with gedit 157

Editing Text in the KDE Plasma Desktop 158

Writing with KWrite 159

Meet Kate 160

Text Editing with ed and vi 161

Using ed 162

Using vi 165

Book 3: Networking 171

Chapter 1: Connecting to the Internet 173

Understanding the Internet 174

Deciding How to Connect to the Internet 175

Connecting with DSL 176

How DSL works 176

DSL alphabet soup: ADSL, IDSL, SDSL 177

Typical DSL setup 179

Connecting with a Cable Modem 180

How a cable modem works 181

Typical cable modem setup 182

Chapter 2: Setting Up a Local Area Network 185

Understanding TCP/IP 185

IP addresses 187

Internet services and port numbers 189

Setting Up an Ethernet LAN 190

How Ethernet works 191

Ethernet cables 192

Configuring TCP/IP Networking 195

Connecting Your LAN to the Internet 196

Chapter 3: Going Wireless 199

Understanding Wireless Ethernet Networks 199

Understanding infrastructure and ad hoc modes 201

Understanding wireless security 201

Setting Up Wireless Hardware 203

Configuring the Wireless Access Point 204

Configuring Wireless Networks 205

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