Welcome to the community documentation for Ubuntu, created by users just like you!

Documentation in other languages is also available.

If you want to contribute to these pages, the WikiToDo and WikiTeam pages are a good place to start. Please read the Wiki Guide before making any edits.

Help

Getting Help

• Official Documentation - Please use one of these pages first. If you would like to view documentation for the current version of Ubuntu, you can follow this link. Otherwise, you can select one of the tabs at the top right of this page to view the documentation of the version you select.

• Common Questions - On this page you will find answers to common questions that new Ubuntu users frequently ask.

• Other Places to Get Help - Here you will find resources for Ubuntu users, including suggestions for what to do before you ask for help. There are links to some very useful tutorials and beginner documentation in this section.

• Ubuntu Screencasts - The Ubuntu Screencasts are a great way to get an introduction to Ubuntu. They move along somewhat quickly, but you can watch them as many times as you like. They are free!

• Glossary - As you might expect, this is a glossary of commonly used terms. As with anything else you want to learn about, it helps to know the terminology.

Giving Help

• Get Involved is the place to start helping other Ubuntu users

• The Ubuntu Community page has several options for helping out

Getting Ubuntu

• Release Notes - Information on new features and help specific to each Ubuntu release.

• Installation - Basic and advanced methods of installing Ubuntu, and information about supported hardware.

• Upgrading Ubuntu - Information on how to upgrade from older versions of Ubuntu.

Switching From Another Operating System

Essential reading for people switching, or people thinking about it.

• Switching from Windows

• Switching from Mac OS X

• Switching from another Linux distribution

Using and Customizing your System

Ubuntu includes thousands of different programs which you can install and use. It is also highly customizable; see below for more information on using and customizing your copy of Ubuntu.

Internet and Networking

• Internet and Networking - Connecting to the Internet as well as your home or office network.

Software

• The Software page can help you find the documentation you're looking for

• Browse software organized alphabetically and you can practise your alphabet

• Browse the Recommended Applications to see what other Ubuntu users enjoy using

• FreeSoftwareAlternatives - Free Software alternatives available on Ubuntu.

• Installing Software - Finding, installing, and updating software.

• Software From Other Operating Systems - Running other operating systems and their software, including Windows and Windows apps, in Ubuntu.

Music, Video and Photos

• Multimedia - Playing and editing sound and video.

• Photos - Viewing and editing photos.

Other Topics

• Accessibility - Making Ubuntu easier to use for those with physical or visual challenges.

• Eye Candy - Making your computer look and work cooler.

• Business Environment - Configuring Ubuntu for use in business environments.

• Servers - Setting up web servers, file servers, and more.

• Programming - Creating software.

Maintain your Computer

• Troubleshooting guides - Solving troubles with configurations and software.

• System Administration - Maintaining your computer.

• Security - Keeping your computer safe.

Connecting and Configuring Hardware

• Ubuntu Hardware Support - Main hardware support page.

• Drives and Partitions - Adding storage, partitioning, accessing your Windows files, and more.

• Portable Gadgets - Syncing and transferring files from PDAs, audio players, mobile phones, and cameras.

• Input Devices - Setting up your keyboard, mouse, and other input devices.

• Laptops - Reports on using Ubuntu on a portable computer.

• Network, wireless, and internet devices - Setting up networking and internet devices.

• Printers - Setting up and using your printer.

• Sound - Setting up and using sound cards, speakers, and musical instruments.

• Thin Clients - Setting up and using thin clients.

• Video - Setting up your graphics card and external hardware such as video cameras.

Can't Find What You're Looking For?

• Index of all available pages - List of all community documentation pages.