How Do I Begin?
To begin, click the Ubuntu One icon in the Launcher. This opens the Ubuntu One Control Panel, as shown in Figure 11-1. This is the starting point for most of what is discussed in this chapter.
Figure 11-1 Launching Ubuntu One from the Ubuntu Unity Launcher.
If you do not have an account and want to sign up, click Join now to sign up for an account. Account options include:
- Ubuntu One Basic (Free). This provides 2GB of storage to sync files, contacts, bookmarks, and notes between an unlimited number of computers and the cloud; web access; and the ability to use the Ubuntu One Music Store. This is free.
- Ubuntu One additional storage. Additional storage may be purchased in 20GB chunks.
- Ubuntu One Mobile. This gives the ability to stream all stored music from your Ubuntu One cloud to your Android phone or iPhone, sync your contacts with an Android phone, iPhone, Blackberry, and others.
Additional storage and Ubuntu One Mobile are modular; neither requires the presence or absence of anything other than a basic account.
The remainder of this chapter will assume you have created an Ubuntu One account and signed in to your account via the Ubuntu One Control Center in Figure 11-1. Once you sign in, the Ubuntu One Control Center will reveal new options, as in Figure 11-2.
Figure 11-2 When logged in, Ubuntu One Control Panel helps you manage your account and Ubuntu One use. Ubuntu One Welcome Screen
The top of the Ubuntu One Control Center displays a bar that shows your current use compared to your total available space and will tell you if File Sync is disconnected, in progress, or up-to-date.
Below the storage meter are four tabs that reveal different options. Click Account to see and edit your account details. Click Cloud Folders to select folders from your personal cloud that you want synchronized to the device you are using. Click Devices to manage devices that are connected to your Ubuntu One cloud and their settings. Click Services to manage synchronization for specific data types and services like files, contacts, and bookmarks. Additional software packages may be needed to provide some of these services. If so, Ubuntu One will inform you and installation of necessary packages requires only the click of a button and entering your user account password (not your Ubuntu One account, but your user account, because permission to install software must be established and authorized with a password).