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Spring Into Linux
- By Janet Valade
- Published Apr 25, 2005 by Addison-Wesley Professional.
Book
- Sorry, this book is no longer in print.
About
Features
The power and flexibility of the Linux desktop - for working professionals needing to get up to speed fast on Linux.
° From Janet Valade, best-selling PHP author and longtime Linux expert.
° Covers the three most popular versions of Linux: Fedora, SuSE, and Mandrake PLUS both the GNOME and KDE desktop suites
° Fast-paced: introductory tutorials give way to advanced topics such as the Linux command line and Linux shell scripts - all in the unique Spring Into one-page and two-page tutorial format.
Description
- Copyright 2005
- Dimensions: 7" x 9-1/4"
- Pages: 360
- Edition: 1st
- Book
- ISBN-10: 0-13-185354-6
- ISBN-13: 978-0-13-185354-6
The fastest route to true Linux mastery!
You know your way around Windows (or maybe a Mac, or even UNIX). Now, you're ready for Linux.
And you don't have a minute to waste.
Welcome. This book's for you.
Janet Valade has spent thirteen years helping new users master Linux and related technologies. She knows the "magic words" that'll help you get the job done, fast. (And she knows exactly how to keep you out of trouble, too!)
You'll learn Linux through dozens of focused, bite-size examples, each one carefully designed to build on what you've learned before.
Need specific solutions? This book's carefully crafted, high-efficiency format delivers them... instantly. Working on Fedora? Mandrake? SuSE? No matter. This book is for you.
No other introduction to Linux covers this much, this well, this quickly. Dig in, get started, get results!
All you need to succeed with Linux—without the hassles!
Choose the best Linux distribution for your personal or business needs
Get Linux installed quickly and running reliably
Handle your day-to-day tasks and efficiently manage your files
Master KDE, GNOME, and the Linux command line
Write documents and build spreadsheets with OpenOffice.org
Set up Web access, email, and instant messaging
Work with powerful Linux multimedia and graphics software
Find, install, and run new Linux software
Set up your printer to work with Linux
Supercharge Linux with shell scripts and customized configuration files
Includes concise Linux command reference and quick guide to building powerful Regular Expressions
Spring Into... is a new series of fast-paced tutorials from Addison-Wesley Professional Publishers. Each book in the series is designed to bring you up-to-speed quickly. Complex technologies are reduced to their core components, and each component is treated with remarkable efficiency in one- or two-page spreads. Just the information you need to begin working...now! And because the books are example-rich and easy to navigate, you'll find that they make great on-the-job references after you've mastered the basics.
© Copyright Pearson Education. All rights reserved.
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Table of Contents
Preface.
About the Author.
About the Series Editor.
1. Understanding Open Source Software.
Open Source Software
Open Source License
Linux Is Open Source Software
What Is GNU?
Summary
2. Choosing a Linux Distribution.
Distribution Contents
Red Hat/Fedora
Mandrake
SuSE
Other Distributions
Live CDs
Summary
3. Getting Ready to Install Linux.
Hardware Requirements
Hardware Compatibility
Purchasing Linux
Downloading Linux
Planning Your Computer System
Running Linux with Windows
Examining Your Hard Drive
Making Room for Linux During Installation
Making Room for Linux Before Installation
Booting from the CD or from a Floppy
Summary
4. Installation.
Installation Overview
Starting the Fedora Installation Procedure
Collecting Hardware Information for Fedora
Selecting the Installation Type for Fedora
Selecting Where to Install Fedora
Collecting Network Information for Fedora
Languages and Time Zone for Fedora
Creating the Root Account for Fedora
Selecting Packages to Install on Fedora
Installing the Fedora System
Starting the Mandrake Installation Procedure
Collecting Information for Mandrake
Selecting Packages to Install on Mandrake
Installing the Mandrake System
Creating Accounts for Mandrake
Configuration Summary for Mandrake
Finishing Mandrake Installation
Starting the SuSE Installation Procedure
Configuration Settings for SuSE
Selecting Packages to Install on SuSE
Installing the SuSE System
Configuring the Installed SuSE System
Finishing SuSE Installation
Summary
5. Interacting with Linux.
The Graphical User Interface on Linux
GNOME
KDE
The Command-Line Interface on Linux
Choosing the Interface
Summary
6. Using Your Desktop.
Logging In
Your First Login
Anatomy of a Desktop
KDE and GNOME Desktops
The Panel
Working on the Desktop
Configuring the Desktop
Changing the KDE Background
Changing the GNOME Background
Setting Fonts
Setting the Screen Saver
Organizing the Desktop
Changing the Panel Location and Size
Configuring Multiple Virtual Desktops
Logging Out
Summary
7. Using the Command Line.
Entering Commands
Entering a Single Command
Command-Line Syntax
Redirecting Input and Output
Running Commands in the Background
Editing the Command Line
Command-Line Help
Some Useful Commands
The sort Command
The grep Command
Configuring the Terminal Window
Summary
8. Linux Accounts.
Account Types
Groups
Account Information
Adding Accounts
Passwords
Group Information
Adding Groups
Forgotten Root Password
Summary
9. File Management.
File Organization
File Information
Examining Files from the Desktop
Examining Files from the Command Line
File Permissions
Changing Permissions
Managing Owners and Groups
File Types
Finding Files
Creating Directories, Files, and Links
Copying, Renaming, and Moving Files
Viewing and Editing Text Files
Deleting Files and Directories
Summary
10. Applications and Programs.
Programs
Linux Commands
Applications
Managing Application Software
Installing from the Distribution CDs
Installing from the Distribution Web Site
Finding Packages on the Internet
Installing Packages Using RPM
Installing Packages from Source Code
Summary
11. Word Processing.
Creating a Document
Menus and Toolbars
Formatting
Styles
Using Templates
Creating Templates
Editing Document Contents
Autocorrection
Spell Checking
Tables and Columns
Frames
Graphics in Documents
The Gallery
Document File Formats
Tracking Changes
Summary
12. Spreadsheets.
Creating a Spreadsheet
Menus and Toolbars
Formatting Cells
Formatting Pages
Editing the Spreadsheet Content
Formulas and Functions
Saving and Printing
Summary
13. Graphics.
Graphics File Formats
Viewing Graphics Files
Scanning Documents
Presentation Graphics
Digital Cameras
Screen Shots
Diagramming with Dia
Drawing with OpenOffice Draw
Creating and Opening Images in the GIMP
The GIMP Toolbox
Changing Image Size in GIMP
Removing Elements from an Image in GIMP
Adding Elements to an Image in the GIMP
Working with Layers in the GIMP
Summary
14. Printing.
Installing Your Printer on Fedora
Installing Your Printer on Other Distributions
Printing
Managing Print Jobs
Summary
15. The Internet.
Accessing the Internet
Hardware for Accessing the Internet
Checking Your Network Connections
Adding a Dial-Up Network Connection
Adding a Broadband Network Connection
Web Browsers
Browsing with Mozilla
Mozilla Menus and Toolbars
The Mozilla Sidebar
Tabbed Browsing in Mozilla
Controlling Pop-Ups with Mozilla
Downloads, Forms, Passwords, and Cookies
Plug-Ins
Summary
16. Multimedia.
Configuring Your Sound Card
Playing Audio CDs
Downloading Music
Xmms
Rhythmbox
Video Players
RealPlayer
MPlayer
Listening to Radio
Copying Music Files from CD to Hard Disk
Summary
17. Email, Messaging, and News.
Email Accounts
Email Software
Setting Up an Email Account
Configuring Mozilla Email
Reading Email in Mozilla
Sending Email in Mozilla
Mozilla Message Filters
Creating a Message Filter in Mozilla
Spam
Mozilla Address Book
Adding and Editing Address Cards
Instant Messaging
Signing Up for AIM
Signing Up for MSN Messenger
Signing On with Gaim
IM Conversations
Newsgroups
Summary
18. Editing Text Files.
Opening a File in Kate
Editing in Kate
Kate Features for Programmers
Opening a File in vi
Editing and Saving Files with vi
Moving Around a File in vi
vi Editing Commands
Sample vi Editing Session
Summary
19. Shell Scripts.
A Simple Shell Script
The Basics of Variables and Arrays
Reading Data into Variables
Special Characters and Quotes
Flow Control
Testing Conditions
If Statements
Case Statements
For Loops
While Loops and Until Loops
Infinite Loops
Scheduling Scripts to Run Automatically
A Sample Script
Summary
Appendix A: Regular Expressions.
Appendix B: Command Reference.
Index.
Preface
This book is the book I needed when I was learning Linux. The essential information is inside, organized into compact chunks—a lot of information in a small space. This book is too small to be a good doorstop or stepping stool to the top shelf, but just right for getting up and productive with Linux in no time at all.
Who Should Read This Book?
The book is meant for computer users who are new to Linux. Your understanding
of computer concepts and experience with another operating system allows you
to grasp the Linux information quickly. You do not need to be told how to press
the power switch. You are way beyond this. You can get your work done on Windows
(or Mac or UNIX); you just need a quick start guide for working on Linux.
It is not impossible to learn Linux from this book without a background in computers—just difficult. The book assumes an understanding of concepts and computer use that you may not possess. However, if you appreciate a book that assumes you can understand quickly and delivers information in a compact form, without distractions and repetitive explanations, give this one a try. It might work for you.
How Is This Book Organized?
This book is organized in 19 chapters. Each chapter focuses on a topic, providing
an overview and how-to information. The chapters are as follows:
Chapter 1, Understanding Open Source Software: Describes open source beliefs and practices. See how they differ from the beliefs and practices prevalent with proprietary software.
Chapter 2, Choosing a Linux Distribution: Provides the information needed to choose among the many Linux flavors.
Chapter 3, Getting Ready to Install Linux: Instructions for preparing your computer for a Linux install.
Chapter 4, Installation: Installation steps.
Chapter 5, Interacting with Linux: How to get work done using Linux.
Chapter 6, Using Your Desktop: How to use the two major Linux desktops—KDE and GNOME.
Chapter 7, Using the Command Line: How to enter commands directly into Linux, without using the desktop.
Chapter 8, Linux Accounts: No work can be done on a Linux system without using a Linux account. This chapter describes how to create accounts and associated information, such as passwords, owners, groups, and so forth.
Chapter 9, File Management: How to create, copy, rename, delete, and otherwise manage Linux files.
Chapter 10, Applications and Programs: How to download, install, and run Linux applications and programs.
Chapter 11, Word Processing: How to use the OpenOffice word processing application.
Chapter 12, Spreadsheets: How to use the OpenOffice spreadsheet application.
Chapter 13, Graphics: How to create, edit, and manipulate different types of graphics files.
Chapter 14, Printing: How to set up and use a printer on Linux.
Chapter 15, The Internet: How to access and browse the Internet.
Chapter 16, Multimedia: How to play sound and video files on Linux.
Chapter 17, Email, Messaging, and News: How to communicate with other people over the Internet.
Chapter 18, Editing Text Files: How to create and edit text files, such as HTML files, program source code, and Linux configuration files.
Chapter 19, Shell Scripts: How to write and use shell scripts.
Two appendixes are also included:
Appendix A, Regular Expressions: How to build regular expressions, patterns used by many different Linux applications.
Appendix B, Command Reference: Description and information about the commands available for use with the CLI.
What's Unusual About This Book?
This book—like the other books in the Spring Into ... Series—provides
the following eccentricities:
•Each topic is explained in a discrete one- or two-page unit called a "chunk."
•Each chunk builds on the previous chunks in that chapter.
•Most chunks contain one or more examples. I learn best from examples. I don't think my learning style is unique. I believe I have company in my appreciation for examples.
The heading for each chunk appears in the table of contents. The small chunk size means the chunk heading pinpoints small amounts of information. Finding information is so easy.
Information is packed densely in each chunk. I have toiled to make each word contribute to your understanding of Linux. The result is focussed information—information you can find when you need it.
Who Helped Me Write This Book?
Linux is the motivation for this book. I am a huge Linux fan. So, I would have
to say that all the Linux developers in the world helped me write this book.
What would I have to say if Linux were not the great operating system that it
is?
Of course, having something to say is not sufficient. You must say it clearly and accurately. Editors have the difficult job of keeping an author on track toward clear and accurate. My editors are extraordinarily good at this part of their job. Without my editors, this book would veer much further toward what-in-the-world-does-that-mean and that-can't-be-right.
Index
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