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."

Note that this is not the official documentation.

Getting Started!

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!

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.

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:

• Switching from Windows

• Switching from Mac OS X

• Switching from another Linux distribution

The Terminal is Your Friend!

There used to be a time when Linux (the family of operating systems to which Ubuntu belongs) had a formidable reputation - that it was extremely difficult to use and maintain, a realm best tread into by so-called hackers and enthusiasts. This was mainly because of the (largely mythical) idea of doing everything from the command-line interface (CLI) (also known as the Terminal Program). Things have changed humongously since those early days, and Ubuntu has been designed to be easy to use, to give more power to you - the user; nearly all everyday tasks in Ubuntu can be achieved using comfortable GUIs, with no need to use the terminal!

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. Therefore, before you jump in, do take a moment to familiarize yourself with the Terminal Program.

For instance, let us imagine the following scenario: suppose you have a problem with your wireless card, and you venture to the forums to ask for help. One of the many forum veterans then asks you, "What are the specifications of your operating system? You can find them by entering the command uname -a into the terminal and paste them here." You then open a terminal, by pressing the shortcut Ctrl+Alt+T from your Desktop, or, in the Unity desktop, by clicking on the Ubuntu button at the top left or the Applications Launcher towards the bottom of the Unity panel on the left and entering "Terminal" as your query (users of the Gnome Classic session will find it in the menu item Accessories, also present as a category in the Unity desktop upon clicking the Application Launcher and navigating to the top right), and type in the command

• $ uname -a

which gives you an output similar to:

• Linux cybertron 2.6.38-10-generic #46-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jun 28 15:07:17 UTC 2011 x86_64 x86_64 x86_64 GNU/Linux

telling you that you are running a Linux kernel, with your hostname being 'cybertron' in this case, with the kernel release 2.6.38-10-generic, version #46-Ubuntu SMP Tue Jun 28 15:07:17 UTC 2011, and the machine hardware, processor, and hardware platform all being 'x86_64', or 64-bit architecture, and your operating system being a 'GNU/Linux'. The veteran then proceeds to ask you, "What wireless card do you have? If you do not know, please enter the command lspci | grep Network into the terminal and post the output here." You again resort to the terminal and type:

• $ lspci | grep Network

which gives you an output similar to:

• ...
  $ 06:00.0 Network controller: Intel Corporation PRO/Wireless 4965 AG or AGN [Kedron] Network Connection (rev 61)
  ...

where you issued lspci, which by itself would have given you the information of all the components of your system, but `piped' (redirected) it to the second command grep, which searched for a particular keyword in the output of the command fed to it - in this case 'Network', and tells you that you have an Intel PRO/Wireless 4965 AG or AGN card. Now knowing all the relevant pieces of information, the veteran is able to guide you right away to take necessary measures to fix your wireless!

The knowledge base necessary to understand what a command does is built right into the terminal! This is achieved by yet another command - man which pulls up the documentation manual for a command. For example:

• $man grep

shall tell you what the command grep does in its entirety.

The command

• $exit

takes you out of the terminal.

That's it! Having mastered these simple sorceries, you already have come a long way in commanding power over your Linux system. Have no fear! Just like most other experiences with computers, you do not need to pore over pages and pages of manuals just yet - you will automatically imbibe more as and when necessary as you go along!

Getting to know and work with your system

Hardware

The following pages provide information on getting various hardware to work with Ubuntu:

• 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 (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).

• 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.

• 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.

Finding your way in Ubuntu

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

FAQs

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

See also

• Official Ubuntu Documentation - The official documentation, developed and maintained by the Ubuntu Documentation Project.

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

• Manual Pages - Full archive of man pages for all of the commands and programs available in Ubuntu.

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

• Ubuntuguide - Comprehensive guides to all versions of Ubuntu (supported and unsupported).

• 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.

• Other Guides - A list of other independently maintained guides.