Diff for "UserDocumentation" - Community Help Wiki

Differences between revisions 686 and 731 (spanning 45 versions)

Welcome!

This user-created and maintained wiki is a reference for various Ubuntu-related Howto's, tips, tricks and hacks.

Scroll down to find the list of the major topics in this wiki.

Official Documentation
Check out the official documentation consisting of the Desktop, Server and Installation Guides.

FAQ
Here are some common questions that new users ask.

Most popular pages
We have gathered an alphabetical list of the most popular pages in this wiki.

Terminology
Learn the most commonly-used terms in this wiki from our Glossary.

Help topics

Installation
Installation	Ready to Begin? Read about all the available installation options
Switching from another OS	Are you thinking about switching to Ubuntu? The following articles will make your transition to Ubuntu easier: Windows \| Mac OS X \| Another Linux distribution

Hardware
Drives and Partitions	Adding storage, partitioning your hard drive, accessing your Windows files, and more
Input Devices	Setting up your keyboard, mouse, and other input devices
Sound	Setting up and using sound cards, speakers, and musical instruments
Video	Setting up your graphics card and external hardware such as video cameras
Printers	Setting up and using your printer
Scanners	Setting up and using your scanner
Network, wireless, and internet devices	Setting up networking and internet devices
Portable Gadgets	Syncing and transferring files from PDAs, audio players, mobile phones, GPS units and cameras

Software
Internet and Networking	Information about the software side of connecting to the Internet and working with networks. For information about applications themselves which use the Internet, see Internet Applications.
Applications	Lists of software available for Ubuntu for achieving various day-to-day tasks (including recommended software and equivalents to commonly-used Windows-based and Apple-based programs)
Building Software	How to build Flash and Web Server applications

Further topics
Accessibility	Making Ubuntu easier to use for those with physical or visual challenges
Eye Candy	Making your computer look and work cooler
Servers	Setting up web servers, file servers, and more
Thin Clients	Setting up and using thin clients
Security	Keeping your computer safe
System Administration	Maintaining your computer
Troubleshooting guides	Solving troubles with configurations and software
Business Environment	Suggestions for configuring Ubuntu for use in business environments

More resources

Browse this wiki by category
Do you have questions that aren't answered here? Browse this wiki by category.

All pages in this wiki
Still haven't found what you're looking for? Use the title index for this wiki.

Other resources
This wiki is just one of the places to get help. See the list for more Ubuntu help resources.

-  ⇤ ← Revision 686 as of 2011-08-04 04:20:04 → 
  Size: 7913
  Editor: c-68-45-25-225
  Comment: Rewrote the section on the terminal - make it more palatable to new users, to point out it is not a mandatory art but useful to know.
+   ← Revision 731 as of 2013-12-10 11:38:09 → ⇥
  Size: 7094
  Editor: slickymaster
  Comment: Changed the wording in the tittle of the NewDocs box, from 'Most popular posts' to 'Most popular pages
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-#title Community Documentation
+#title Community Help
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-## If you want to edit this page, please:
## 1. consider making changes to one of the pages linked from here
+## If you want to edit this page please:
## 1. Consider making changes to one of the pages linked from here
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-||<tablestyle="float:right; font-size:0.9em; width:40%; background:#F1F1ED; margin: 0 0 1em 1em;" style="padding:0.5em;"><<TableOfContents>>||
+== Welcome! ==
||<tablestyle="margin: 1em 0;" style="border: none; padding: 1em; border-radius: 1em; color: #ffffff;" ^ 66% #dd6035> '''This user-created and maintained wiki is a reference for various Ubuntu-related Howto's, tips, tricks and hacks.''' <<BR>><<BR>> Scroll down to find the list of the major topics in this wiki. ||<style="border: none;" 2%> ||<style="border: none; padding: 1em; border-radius: 1em; color: #eeeeee;" 32% ^ #333333> '''Official Documentation''' <<BR>> Check out the [[https://help.ubuntu.com/|official documentation]] consisting of the Desktop, Server and Installation Guides. ||
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-Welcome to the community documentation for Ubuntu - created by users just like you. This is a reference for Ubuntu-related "Howtos, Tips, Tricks, and Hacks."
+||<style="border: none; padding: 1em 0 0 1em; border-top-left-radius: 1em; border-bottom-left-radius: 1em;" 5% #f2f2f2> {{attachment:pictogram-faq-40.png}} ||<style="border: none; padding: 1em; border-top-right-radius: 1em; border-bottom-right-radius: 1em;" 27% ^ #f2f2f2> '''FAQ''' <<BR>> Here are some [[CommonQuestions|common questions]] that new users ask. ||<style="border: none;" 2%> ||<style="border: none; padding: 1em 0 0 1em; border-top-left-radius: 1em; border-bottom-left-radius: 1em;" 5% #f2f2f2> {{attachment:pictogram-popular-40.png}} ||<style="border: none; padding: 1em; border-top-right-radius: 1em; border-bottom-right-radius: 1em;" 27% ^ #f2f2f2> '''Most popular pages''' <<BR>> We have gathered an alphabetical list of the [[NewDocs|most popular pages]] in this wiki. ||<style="border: none;" 2%> ||<style="border: none; padding: 1em 0 0 1em; border-top-left-radius: 1em; border-bottom-left-radius: 1em;" 5% #f2f2f2> {{attachment:pictogram-glossary-40.png}} ||<style="border: none; padding: 1em; border-top-right-radius: 1em; border-bottom-right-radius: 1em;" 27% ^ #f2f2f2> '''Terminology''' <<BR>> Learn the most commonly-used terms in this wiki from our [[Glossary]]. ||
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-{{attachment:ubuntu_new.png|align=middle}}
+== Help topics ==
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-Note that this is not the [[https://help.ubuntu.com/|official documentation]].
+||<tablestyle="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;" #f2f2f2 -2> '''Installation''' ||
||<style="width: 25%;"> '''[[Installation]]''' || Ready to Begin? Read about all the available installation options ||
|| '''[[SwitchingToUbuntu|Switching from another OS]]''' || Are you thinking about switching to Ubuntu? The following articles will make your transition to Ubuntu easier: [[SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows|Windows]] | [[SwitchingToUbuntu/FromMacOSX|Mac OS X]] | [[SwitchingToUbuntu/FromLinux|Another Linux distribution]] ||
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-= Getting Started! =
+||<tablestyle="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;" #f2f2f2 -2> '''Hardware''' ||
||<style="width: 25%;"> '''[[DrivesAndPartitions|Drives and Partitions]]''' || Adding storage, partitioning your hard drive, accessing your Windows files, and more ||
|| '''[[InputDevices|Input Devices]]''' || Setting up your keyboard, mouse, and other input devices ||
|| '''[[Sound]]''' || Setting up and using sound cards, speakers, and musical instruments ||
|| '''[[Video]]''' || Setting up your graphics card and external hardware such as video cameras ||
|| '''[[Printers]]''' || Setting up and using your printer ||
|| '''[[Scanners]]''' || Setting up and using your scanner ||
|| '''[[NetworkDevices|Network, wireless, and internet devices]]''' || Setting up networking and internet devices ||
|| '''[[PortableDevices|Portable Gadgets]]''' || Syncing and transferring files from PDAs, audio players, mobile phones, GPS units and cameras ||
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-== Terminology ==
If you are new to Linux or Ubuntu, some of the terms that are used throughout these documents might seem like a foreign language to you. Don't worry - '''we have you covered'''. You can learn commonly-used terms as you go along from our [[Glossary]]. To learn about Ubuntu (like anything else), you must get used to the terminology, and the ''easiest'' way to start doing so is to '''''take the plunge!'''''
+||<tablestyle="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;" #f2f2f2 -2> '''Software''' ||
||<style="width: 25%;"> '''[[InternetAndNetworking|Internet and Networking]]''' || Information about the software side of connecting to the Internet and working with networks. For information about applications themselves which use the Internet, see [[InternetApplications|Internet Applications]]. ||
|| '''[[Applications]]''' || Lists of software available for Ubuntu for achieving various day-to-day tasks (including recommended software and equivalents to commonly-used Windows-based and Apple-based programs) ||
|| '''[[BuildingSoftwareReceipts|Building Software]]''' || How to build Flash and Web Server applications ||
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-= Installation =
== Ready to Begin? ==
There are a '''number of different ways''' of installing Ubuntu. For example, you may be installing Ubuntu on a computer with no operating system at all, or the computer on which you wish to install Ubuntu may not have a CD drive, or you may be upgrading from an older version of Ubuntu. See [[Installation]] for full information on your installation options.
+||<tablestyle="width: 100%; margin-bottom: 0.5em;" #f2f2f2 -2> '''Further topics''' ||
||<style="width: 25%;"> '''[[Accessibility]]''' || Making Ubuntu easier to use for those with physical or visual challenges ||
|| '''[[UbuntuEyeCandy|Eye Candy]]''' || Making your computer look and work cooler ||
|| '''[[Servers]]''' || Setting up web servers, file servers, and more ||
|| '''[[ThinClients|Thin Clients]]''' || Setting up and using thin clients ||
|| '''[[Security]]''' || Keeping your computer safe ||
|| '''[[SystemAdministration|System Administration]]''' || Maintaining your computer ||
|| '''[[TroubleShootingGuide|Troubleshooting guides]]''' || Solving troubles with configurations and software ||
|| '''[[CorporateUbuntu|Business Environment]]''' || Suggestions for configuring Ubuntu for use in business environments ||
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-== Switching From Another Operating System ==
=== Windows, Mac OS X, Linux ===
Are you thinking about switching to Ubuntu from another operating system, or have you already made the switch? The following articles will make your transition to Ubuntu easier:
 * [[SwitchingToUbuntu/FromWindows|Switching from Windows]]
 * [[SwitchingToUbuntu/FromMacOSX|Switching from Mac OS X]]
 * [[SwitchingToUbuntu/FromLinux|Switching from another Linux distribution]]
+== More resources ==
||<style="border: none; padding: 1em 0 0 1em; border-top-left-radius: 1em; border-bottom-left-radius: 1em;" 5% #f2f2f2> {{attachment:pictogram-bookmarks-40.png}} ||<style="border: none; padding: 1em; border-top-right-radius: 1em; border-bottom-right-radius: 1em;" 27% ^ #f2f2f2> '''Browse this wiki by category''' <<BR>> Do you have questions that aren't answered here? Browse this wiki [[CategoryCategory|by category]]. ||<style="border: none;" 2%> ||<style="border: none; padding: 1em 0 0 1em; border-top-left-radius: 1em; border-bottom-left-radius: 1em;" 5% #f2f2f2> {{attachment:pictogram-glossary-40.png}} ||<style="border: none; padding: 1em; border-top-right-radius: 1em; border-bottom-right-radius: 1em;" 27% ^ #f2f2f2> '''All pages in this wiki''' <<BR>> Still haven't found what you're looking for? Use the [[TitleIndex|title index]] for this wiki. ||<style="border: none;" 2%> ||<style="border: none; padding: 1em 0 0 1em; border-top-left-radius: 1em; border-bottom-left-radius: 1em;" 5% #333333> {{attachment:pictogram-locations-40.png}} ||<style="border: none; padding: 1em; border-top-right-radius: 1em; border-bottom-right-radius: 1em; color: #eeeeee;" 27% ^ #333333> '''Other resources''' <<BR>> This wiki is just one of the places to get help. See the list for more [[OtherResources|Ubuntu help resources]]. ||
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-=== The Terminal is Your Friend! ===
There used to be a time when the word '''Linux''' used to be a scary thought - a realm inhabited by so-called geeks and technocrats. This was in part attributed to the idea of doing everything from the '''command-line interface (CLI)''' (also known as the [[UsingTheTerminal | Terminal Program]]). And then [[http://www.markshuttleworth.com/biography | Mark]] said "'''Let there be Ubuntu!'''", and there '''''was''''' Ubuntu, and it was good! GNU/Linux has a whole has changed a lot since the early days, to give more power to '''you''' - the user - and nearly all everyday tasks can be achieved using comfortable GUIs.

However, the terminal continues to be arguably the most powerful tool in Linux. It might be a new - even alien - idea to assimilate, especially if you are migrating from another operating system. But '''''don't panic'''''! The most common myth surrounding the terminal - that it is an art best left to technically advanced users - is '''just that: a myth'''. Actually, one may imagine the knowledge of terminal commands akin to that of '''spells''' in a kind of sorcery! - as expected, knowing what spells to chant embodies the user with more power than meets the eye. Certain simple commands, for instance, to check the configuration of one's system ('''''lspci'''''), or to check if the connected USB devices are recognized ('''''lsusb'''''), are very useful to know in diagnostic situations, and may be used to obtain desired information quickly and efficiently. Therefore, before you jump in, do take a moment to familiarize yourself with the command-line interface.

= Getting to know and work with your system =

== Hardware ==
The following pages provide information on getting various hardware to work with Ubuntu:
 * [[DrivesAndPartitions|Drives and Partitions]] - Adding storage, partitioning your hard drive, accessing your Windows files, and more.
 * [[InputDevices|Input Devices]] - Setting up your keyboard, mouse, and other input devices.
 * [[Sound]] - Setting up and using sound cards, speakers, and musical instruments.
 * [[Video]] - Setting up your graphics card and external hardware such as video cameras.
 * [[Printers]] - Setting up and using your printer.
 * [[Scanners]] - Setting up and using your scanner.
 * [[NetworkDevices|Network, wireless, and internet devices]] - Setting up networking and internet devices.
 * [[PortableDevices|Portable Gadgets]] - Syncing and transferring files from PDAs, audio players, mobile phones, GPS units and cameras.

== Software ==
 * [[InternetAndNetworking|Internet and Networking]] -  Information about the software side of connecting to the Internet and working with networks. For information about applications themselves which use the Internet, see [[InternetApplications|Internet Applications]] (part of [[Applications]] below).
 * [[Applications]] - Lists of software available for Ubuntu for achieving various day-to-day tasks (including recommended software and equivalents to commonly-used Windows-based and Apple-based programs).
 * [[BuildingSoftwareReceipts|Building Software]] - How to build Flash and Web Server applications.

= Customizing and Maintaining Ubuntu =
 * [[Accessibility]] - Making Ubuntu easier to use for those with physical or visual challenges.
 * [[UbuntuEyeCandy|Eye Candy]] - Making your computer look and work cooler.
 * [[Servers]] - Setting up web servers, file servers, and more.
 * [[ThinClients|Thin Clients]] - Setting up and using thin clients.
 * [[Security]] - Keeping your computer safe.
 * [[SystemAdministration|System Administration]] - Maintaining your computer.
 * [[TroubleShootingGuide|Troubleshooting guides]] - Solving troubles with configurations and software.
 * [[CorporateUbuntu|Business Environment]] - Suggestions for configuring Ubuntu for use in business environments.

= Finding your way in Ubuntu =

Ubuntu is a big place.  Follow these directions to find where you want to go.

<<Include(Signpost)>>

== FAQs ==
Do you have questions that aren't answered here? Here are some [[CommonQuestions|common questions]] that new Ubuntu users ask.
You may also want to browse this wiki [[CategoryCategory|by category]].

= See also =
 * [[https://help.ubuntu.com|Official Ubuntu Documentation]] - The official documentation, developed and maintained by the Ubuntu Documentation Project.
 * [[http://www.ubuntu.com/download/releasenotes|Release Notes]] - Information on new features and help specific to each Ubuntu release.
 * [[http://manpages.ubuntu.com|Manual Pages]] - Full archive of man pages for all of the commands and programs available in Ubuntu.
 * [[TitleIndex|Index of all available pages]] - List of all community documentation pages.
 * [[http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/All_Versions|Ubuntuguide]] - Comprehensive guides to all versions of Ubuntu (supported and unsupported).
 * [[http://www.kubuntuguide.info/index.php/All_Versions|Kubuntuguide]] - Comprehensive guides to all versions of Kubuntu (supported and unsupported). Kubuntu is an official derivative of the Ubuntu operating system using the KDE Plasma Desktop.
 * [[ExternalGuides|Other Guides]] - A list of other independently maintained guides.
## * '''Categories:'''
+<<BR>>