full circle magazine #65
42
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Written by Ronnie Tucker
July 2012, 480 pp.
ISBN: 978-1-59327-425-2
http://nostarch.com/ubuntumadee
asy
T
he first two chapters of
“Ubuntu Made Easy”
begin by explaining what
Linux is, how to try
Ubuntu (yes, the book comes with
a Live CD), and, if you like it, how to
install Ubuntu. There are plenty of
screenshots showing every step of
the way.
With Ubuntu installed, the book
then explains how the desktop
works. This is particularly useful
especially with
Ubuntu now using
Unity rather than the
traditional Windows
style desktop with
‘start’ button
equivalent, taskbar
and such-like. Unity is
sure to fox new
users.
Chapter five goes
into great detail
about getting
connected to the
Internet – whether it
be via a modern
wireless router or
serial cable modem.
It even shows a
photo of a serial
port. How quaint! It
then explains
browsers, email
clients, microblogging and text
chatting.
From there it gets down to the
nitty-gritty of installing and
updating apps with the Ubuntu
Software Center. Keep your eye
out for Full Circle Magazine
popping up in a couple of
screenshots. Before moving on,
the book discusses the Update
Manager and adding repositories.
A nice touch was the authors
taking the time to explain the
adding of PPAs.
The next chapter is about
housekeeping with Nautilus,
burning CD/DVD discs and using
USB storage devices. Nothing too
in-depth, but still handy for getting
people to do backups.
We’re not even half way
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CONTENTS:
Chapter 1: Becoming a Penguinista - Welcome to the World of Linux
Chapter 2: Wading an d Diving - Running and (If You Like) Installing Ubuntu
Chapter 3: A New Place to Call Hom e - Getting to Know the Desktop
Chapter 4: More than Webbed Feet - Connecting to the Internet
Chapter 5: Slipping and Sliding - Exploring the Internet, Linux Style
Chapter 6: Rounding Out the Bird - Downloading, Installing, and Up d atin g Programs the Easy Way
Chapter 7: A Tidy N e st - File and Disk Handling in Ubuntu
Chapter 8: Simple Kitten Ways - Getting to Know the Linux Terminal and Command Line
Chapter 9: Dressing Up the Bird - Customizing the Look an d Feel of Your System
Chapter 10: Gutenbird - Setting Up and Using Your Printer and Scanner
Chapter 11: Polyglot Penguins - Linux Speaks Your Language
Chapter 12: Penguins at Work - Ge ttin g Down to Business in Linux
Chapter 13: Right-Brain Penguins - Linux Does Art
Chapter 14: Tux Rocks - Music a la Linux
Chapter 15: Pluggin' in the Penguin - Ubuntu and Your iPod, iPhone, and Other Digital Media Devices
Chapter 16: Couch Penguins - Video and DVD Playback in Ubu n tu
Chapter 17: Feathered Flippers - Linux Gamin g
Chapter 18: Sweet Home Antarctica - Linux Around the House
Chapter 19: Penguins at the Gates - Working with Ubuntu in a Windows World
Chapter 20: Defending the Nest - Security
Chapter 21: A Colony of Penguins - The Ubuntu Community
Chapter 22: Wounded Wings - Fixing Common Problems
Appendix A: Installing Ubuntu from a USB Flash D rive
Appendix B: U b u n tu Desktop CDs for AMD64 Users
Appendix C: Manually Partitioning Your Hard D isk
Appendix D: Resources