This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
This chapter is from the book
System Administration
Like any computer application or system, Kubuntu occasionally needs administrative support. Do not be afraid of personally administrating your Kubuntu system. While system administration is not completely foolproof, a lot of changes have been made to help make administration easier. Knowledge of command line will go a long way, but the developers have made sure to provide graphical interfaces wherever it makes sense to do so. Everything from changing the IP address (e.g., from DHCP to a static address) to installing packages can be done without having to drop down to the command line. This section focuses exclusively on system administration performed through the graphical interface.
Installing New Packages
As mentioned earlier, Kubuntu is built around some of the same applications and systems as Ubuntu. All applications are installed through packages. Like Ubuntu, Kubuntu uses the Advanced Package Tool (APT), and also like Ubuntu, Kubuntu has a wonderful graphical interface. Kubuntu's graphical installer is called KPackageKit.
In previous versions of Kubuntu, Adept software was used to install and update packages; however, this application was no longer being developed and also was not updated for KDE 4. The developers of Kubuntu switched to KPackageKit, and many improvements to the application were made during the release cycle. The developers of KPackageKit and the Kubuntu developers worked together to make sure this application was up to the quality that Kubuntu users expect.
KPackageKit is found in the Application Launcher under Applications > System > Software Management and can also be launched through Krunner as Software Management.
Upon launching Software Management, you are presented with the KPackageKit application (Figure 8-12).
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Figure 8-12 KPackageKit
Three options are available in Software Management: Add and Remove Software (through the Software Management section), Software Updates, and Settings.
In order to add a new piece of software, type the name of the application in the search bar. The screenshots in Figures 8-13 and 8-14 show searching for a chess game and then selecting it for installation.
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Figure 8-13 Searching for a chess game
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Figure 8-14 Selecting 3dchess for installation
Once you click on the application to install, more details about the package are displayed, including the description of the package, the file list, other packages that depend on this package, as well as the other packages required by this package. This information allows you to understand what files are being installed and to make sure the correct packages are being downloaded and installed so the application works properly.
To install the application, click on the "+" (plus sign).
This will queue the package to be installed; click on Apply to set up the application on the system. Unlike Microsoft Windows, Kubuntu is great about not forcing a system restart in order for the new application to work correctly.
Managing Repositories
The Software Management application has the ability to manage the repositories you would like to use. To change which repositories are being used, open Software Management and select settings and the select "Edit Software Sources." After you provide the correct password, a new window will open up (see Figure 8-15).
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Figure 8-15 Software Source lists
Software Sources is divided into five sections: Kubuntu Software, Other Software, Updates, Authentication, and Statistics.
Packages are organized into four groups or repositories: main, restricted, universe, and multiverse. The main repository contains applications that are free software, programs that allow for complete distribution and are supported by the Kubuntu team. When you install something from the main repository, you are guaranteed to receive security updates and support through the various venues.
Anything from the multiverse repository contains software that is not free, which is defined by the Kubuntu Main Component License Policy. Software here is used at the user's own risk.
Third-party software is not supported by Kubuntu.
Upgrading Kubuntu
If you are currently using Kubuntu 9.10 and would like to upgrade to Kubuntu 10.04, you can use the update manager to install the new version. There is no need to purchase new software or reload your system; just update from the current version to the latest stable release. From the console, type sudo do-release-upgrade and watch your system upgrade from Kubuntu 9.10 to Kubuntu 10.04.
How to Keep the System Up to Date
Kubuntu will check to see if your system is up to date. Software Management will notify you in the task bar and prompt you to update your system.
In the Settings portion of Software Management, you can change how often the system checks for updates (by default, it is every week). Another setting that can change is whether or not the system will automatically install the updates or prompt you for your updates.
System Settings
System Settings allows users to make changes to the system, including settings for sound, user accounts, mouse behavior, and network configuration. If you are familiar with KDE, you may recognize that System Settings replaces the K Control Center. Figure 8-16 shows System Settings.
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Figure 8-16 System Settings
System Settings can be found in the Application Launcher, or type System Settings in the search bar of the launcher, or in KRunner. (KRunner is accessed by either right-clicking on the desktop and selecting Run Application or by hitting ALT-F2.) When making changes in System Settings, you will be prompted at times to enter your password. Changes made that require a password are systemwide and will affect all users of the Kubuntu system.
System Settings is divided into two tabs, General and Advanced, and each tab is further divided into sections based on tasks. Under the General tab are the following sections: Look & Feel, Personal, Network & Connectivity, and Computer Administration. The Advanced tab contains two sections: Advanced User Settings and System.
When moving through the different options, be sure to select Overview to return to the main screen of System Settings instead of clicking on the X. Doing so may take some getting used to.
Look & Feel
The Look & Feel section allows further customization of your Kubuntu system. Sections here include Appearance, Desktop, Notifications, and Window Behavior. One of the options in this section (under the Appearance section) is to customize the splash screen, known as the ksplash (Figure 8-17), displayed after you log in.
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Figure 8-17 Customizing the splash screen
Personal
In the Personal section, you can change information about yourself, including your password, settings for your region and language, default applications, and accessibility options.
Network & Connectivity
This section allows us to change some network settings and also change items about sharing.
Computer Administration
The Computer Administration section allows you to add or remove software and to change items such as the date and time, display, fonts, input actions, keyboard and mouse settings, and multimedia.
The Display section allows you to change the screen resolution and orientation. If you are using an external monitor or a projector, this is where you would customize those settings. The Power Control Section deals with whether or not the monitor should turn off or go into standby to help conserve power. Figure 8-18 shows the display section of System Settings.
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Figure 8-18 Display section of System Settings
Add or Remove Software
New to Kubuntu 10.04 is the addition of Add or Remove Software to System Settings. By opening this portion of System Settings, you open up KPackageKit to install new software. This functions the same way as described under the section Installing New Software.
Printer Configuration
Printer configuration is where users add or make changes to printers. Most printers these days already have drivers available in Kubuntu, and upon detecting a new printer for the first time, the printer configuration wizard will start. The following screenshots show this wizard (Figures 8-19 and 8-20).
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Figure 8-19 Printer Configuration—System Settings
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Figure 8-20 New Printer
Advanced Tab
The Advanced tab of System Settings allows for further customization of user settings. This section is divided into Advanced User Settings and System.
Advanced User Settings
The advanced user settings portion of the Advanced Tab allows you to customize things such as how Kubuntu handles audio CDs, digital camera settings, file associations, and so on.
The Service Manager, shown in Figure 8-21, is one such Advanced User Setting that allows you to configure what services start during boot up of the computer. In order to make changes, first put in your password and then you can start and stop services that are running.
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Figure 8-21 Service Manager
Also in Advanced User Settings is the ability to configure how Desktop Search works.
"Akonadi is a cross-desktop storage service for Personal Information Manager data (calendars, contacts, email, etc.) and also for the metadata" (http://pim.kde.or/akonadi for more information). Nepomuk can work together with Akonadi and helps you organize the information and metadata on your machine. (For more information, see http://nepomuk.semanticdesktop.org.) Another portion of Nepomuk is Desktop Search (Figure 8-22), which provides the ability to search for files and applications on your system. These two applications can be configured through System Settings.
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Figure 8-22 Desktop Search: Basic Settings
The first tab (Basic Settings) of Desktop Search is where you select whether or not the Semantic Desktop is enabled or the Strigi desktop search is running.
The second tab (File Indexing) allows you to select what folders are indexed for searching. This is also where you can exclude file types from being indexed. The third tab (Advanced Settings) sets the maximum amount of memory the database should use.
New to Lucid is the Open Collaboration Services provider management section of System Settings. This is part of the Social Desktop that is being worked on by the KDE developers. OpenDesktop.org is, according to its Web site,
- one of the biggest online communities, social networks, and portals for the free desktop movement in the world where developers, artists, and users can share applications, tools, wallpapers, sounds, icons, themes, and other artwork and stuff for the open desktop.
This module of System Settings allows individual users to log in to or create accounts. The login here will be saved and can be used by different plasmoids within the system.
System
Changes made to the entire system are made in this section. Changes include K3bSetup, Login Manager, and User Management.
K3b Setup
This module in System Settings controls how the CD/DVD burning software works and is configured. Chances are good that you will not have to make any changes to K3b in order to burn CDs or DVDs.
Login Manager
When you launch this module, you will be prompted for your administrative password. The Login Manager is where your username and password is typed in, and it allows you to log in. In this section, you can customize exactly what happens and how it looks when you log in (Figure 8-23).
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Figure 8-23 Login Manager
One of the items that can be configured is the Auto-login. This is NOT RECOMMENDED because anyone will have access to your machine as soon as it is powered on. Select the user you would like to Auto-login and select Apply.
User Management
The User Management module allows you create new users and even change access rights. To create a new user, click on New and follow the wizard (Figures 8-24 and 8-25).
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Figure 8-24 User Management
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Figure 8-25 Create a new user