Discover

Ubuntu !
Ubuntu 9.04, code name Jaunty Jackalope is avalaible for free
download at http://www.ubuntu.com

GNU & TUX

= a GNU/Linux
Presented by
Aurélien Paulus system
These illustrations are a mustery to you?
This little guide is for you!

This document has been written in order to As a computer expert and regular user of
promote the Ubuntu distribution for the Ubuntu, I noticed that the operating system • Preface
general public and to offer a quick and non- that I use daily increasing arouses interest • A miniguide, what for?
exhaustive panorama of the product. Ubuntu from the people around me. More and more • Ubuntu, what's this?
is an Open Source and free-of-charge people are tempted by the idea to try out • Linux, where and why?
operating system, capable of running on a Ubuntu, or more generally Linux, in order to • What about Jaunty Jackalope?
large range of computers, from the oldest to find a computer solution less restrictive, if • Work efficiently with Ubuntu
the most recent ones. This document should not more efficient than those currently • A multitask system
be consider as a beginner's guide for those offered by the market leader. However, one • A multiuser system
who would like to try the Ubuntu experience. does not enter the Linux world bound hand • Easy menus !
It is brightened up with screenshots and and foot. This is more often a personal • Compatibility
briefly describes the main available software approach accompanied by a learning period • Ingenious menus:
as well as their use. Obviously, the reference and the acquiring of new work methods. It is find your software quickly!
documents — far more complete than this also the occasion to discover a rich and • Which Ubuntu suits you?
one — remains those which are published on significant means of processing information • A true compatibility
the official website: stemming from an ideological thought • Safely surf and exchange
http://www.ubuntu.com/support. process that the user community promotes • Enjoy thoroughly multimedia
and from which it develops its enthusiasm. • Manage your music
Yet, today, we do not always have the time • Your pictures like never before
to take our time. The aim of this mini-guide • Simplified video
is to rapidly introduce Ubuntu to the more • One library, thousands of
This document is the fruit of curious among you, in all its simplicity! software!
a personal initiative whose • Say goodbye to drivers !
aim is to help out the Ubuntu • And that's not everything
community. Any suggestions • To go further
or comments for its • Give your old computosaur a
improvement are welcome. To second life!
contact the author, just send an e-mail to: aurelien [dot] paulus [at] gmail [dot] com • Join us, we welcome you!
This mini-guide is protected by Creative Commons and GNU FDL licenses. You are free to • You are never alone
copy , modify and distribute at will and even use this for commercial reasons provided that • Technical comparisons
you give the name of the author, the origin of the document and that you publish all derived
creations under the same licenses.

Aurélien Paulus CC-BY-SA & GNU/FDL Version 3.0 Updated on the 16th of June 2009
 Ubuntu is really easy to learn, from
installation to daily use!
Ubuntu is an Open Source system
that is totally free! No one will
ever ask you for fees or charges.
Not now, not ever.

Once installed, Ubuntu

immediately works and lets you
get started working, use Internet
and multimedia applications. No
time lost with endless
configurations and updates from
left, right and center.

Ubuntu is absolutely impervious

to viruses and benefits from
frequent security updates. Plenty
of ways to increase savings (in
both money and resources)
without having to deal with “anti-
thingamajig” software!
community of users thrilled by the product
and ready to help everyone master Ubuntu Using Ubuntu is child's play
Many of you without a doubt know about and resolve any of the daily problems they thanks to its succinct and user-
Ubuntu, as my readership is often already may encounter, even for “dummies”, friendly graphical interface.
aware of issues concerning open-source although I much rather prefer to use the
software and are familiar with some of its term novice. In other words, Ubuntu is As time and releases go by,
leading products such as Firefox, Wordpress, simple to use, easy to get the feel of and to Ubuntu starts up and runs
Open Office, Audacity… which are often manage. It is all in favor of the user, hey, software with the same quickness
discussed on my blog isn't that you? as at the very beginning. Who can
(www.aurelienpaulus.net). This said, despite
top that?
the undeniable popularity of Ubuntu, many
people close to me in “real life” discover on
my laptop computer — often with lots of
Ubuntu is free, open source,
interest — “Linux” as they still call it, or
available at no charge and
rather Ubuntu, without really knowing what
respects your privacy. But these
it is all about. To put it simply, Ubuntu is not In fact, we should say GNU/Linux (as are ideological issues… So, why
properly speaking Linux, although Ubuntu illustrated on the first page), GNU being an wait any longer to try out such an
uses Linux. It's a Linux distribution; that is, environment consisting of a set of open- opportunity?
a set of ready-to-use software applications source software applications operating on
that interact in a coherent ecosystem and Linux and often as well as on Mac OS X or
meet several different objectives. Ubuntu's Windows, such as OpenOffice for example.
objectives follow three main lines of As for Linux, strictly speaking it is “only” a
thought: zero cost, universal access and kernel, a program that acts as an
simplicity of use. This distribution is based intermediary between hardware and
on another one, Debian, that aims for software. As such, we find Linux in all Linux
unfailing stability of which Ubuntu distributions Linux. Linux is also found in
intelligently takes advantage. There are the mobile device industry, of which the
loads of Linux distributions with each Asus (eeePC) and Acer (Aspire One)
having various objectives from maximizing netbooks, certain portable telephones
computer performances to be used as a manufactured by Nokia and Google and
server, as well as for use in a corporate or even in brand-name computers such as Dell
multimedia environment. Why is Ubuntu so and IBM, which either supply devices 100%
successful? Why are so many people talking compatible with Linux, or with Linux pre-
about Ubuntu and why do they cheerfully installed straight out (Ubuntu for Dell).
recommend using it from among many Interesting question: why is Linux finally
other solutions and free offers? Because it breaking into the marketplace? Likely Test-it for free:
hits hard at the very essence of the reason because it's free, flexible (from a legal
of being of the computer: user and use. First viewpoint) and more probably because over •Request an official CD of Ubuntu
of all, I believe that its zero cost, simplicity the past few years communities knew how (free shipping)
of use and complete ecosystem for to make this alternative trustworthy. Finally, •Download the CD image and burn
traditional users play a major role in favor as we are still living in a capitalistic society it at home to setup Ubuntu
of Ubuntu. Secondly, it's a question of a and therefore, when choosing between two •Or ask a friend or committed
high-quality distribution based on another products of equal quality, we abandon the people for help!
distribution whose stability is unanimously one that costs more!
recognized throughout the Linux world. Go to
Moreover, Ubuntu is developed by a real http://www.ubuntu.com/getubuntu
company, Canonical, that is committed to
its quality. Ubuntu puts you in a computer
environment that is inter-compatible,
efficient and protected, impervious to
viruses and attacks spread by the web.
Finally, the Ubuntu project attracts a

Aurélien Paulus CC-BY-SA & GNU/FDL Version 3.0 Updated on the 17th of June 2009
 The most recent version of Ubuntu is the fruit
of much work focusing on two main objectives: Ubuntu is a system that can really handle several users with each having
the notorious acceleration of the startup time different rights. A user that does not have an administrator password cannot
and the standardization of software install, remove or modify the configuration of your computer! You will always start
notifications. your session just as you left it. The advanced rights management system also
Other than the usual improvements of enables you to correctly and efficiently manage the parental control filters for
“upstream” applications; that is, the entire your child.
software layer that is integrated in Ubuntu but
which is not directly created and maintained
by the distribution (for example, the word
processor, graphical user interface, e-mail
client, games, etc.), with each new version,
The big advantage of
Ubuntu offers many new features. This time,
Ubuntu is that once installed,
much thought was given to the way programs
you can use it within the first
would interact with the user. Now, when a
minute. No need to worry
program sends a message that does not
about security: anti-virus and
require a user action, a translucent bubble
anti-spyware software
integrated with all your programs (instant
become useless. Ubuntu is
messaging, wireless connections, etc.) will
invulnerable to these
now appear in the upper right-hand corner of
attacks. Gone is the day
your screen. You will now be notified in a
when we wasted time
standardized way without being disturbed with
updating each application
your work or with what you are doing.
separately: Ubuntu automatically checks for new features and security updates
The second point at the heart of our
before asking you to install them all at once! Of course, during the download and
attention is the startup time. The time your
installation of the updates, you can work without a problem. Better yet, you do
system takes to boot up when you switch on
not even have to restart your computer! In fact, you click on a button when it's
necessary and then it's forgotten! You can concentrate on writing your report, on
your next presentation or just simply on the film that you already watching.
And that's not all. Freshly installed, Ubuntu offers powerful tools such as
OpenOffice or Firefox and numerous other software applications that cover 90% of
your needs and computer activities.
Finally, say
goodbye to endless
searches on the Net
looking for an
application that
meets your needs
your computer is greatly reduced. The idea is
and your
to encourage users to switch off their machine
configuration, not
more often in order to reduce their power
mentioning the risk
consumption by reducing the difficulty related
of catching a virus
to the startup time. This average time now
or a pirate attack.
fluctuates at around 20 seconds, depending on
With Ubuntu,
your machine obviously. You will easily become
hundreds of
accustomed to this comfort and will become,
applications tested
without a doubt, intolerant of the slowness of
and recommended
other operating systems.
by the community
are available and
can be easily found in the menus (office, multimedia, games, accessories,
education, etc.). Open the catalog, make your choice, validate and your new
applications install themselves without you having to do anything. Even better,
they organize themselves automatically in your menu under their respective
heading! Who could ask for anything better?

Finished are the disorganized

menus where you cannot find
anything after a few weeks of use.
All your applications are available
within reach, in their corresponding
category. This enables you to
logically find your office suite and
your organizer in the category
“Office”, your browser, e-mail
client and instant messaging in the
category “Internet”, and so on.
In addition to being a stable and high- Better still, your applications are
performance system, the management of no longer called “”Firefox”,
resources on Ubuntu makes this system one “PowerPoint” or “Nero Burning Rom”,but “Firefox web browser”, “Open Office
that is capable of managing several tasks that Presentation” and “Brasero disk burner”. What's more normal than naming the
are more or less heavy at the same time. For use of the application instead of its name — or rather the brand name that is
example, compress a video, play music and behind it and which is not always easy to figure out what it does.
create a document simultaneously. You will
quickly appreciate the responsiveness of your
system!

Aurélien Paulus CC-BY-SA & GNU/FDL Version 3.0 Updated on the 17th of June 2009
 And which Ubuntu will
you choose? The
distribution comes in
different flavors and A powerful graphical user This is the subject of this
several formats that can interface, streamlined, simple mini-guide: Ubuntu is the
be combined to satisfy Support for security and easy to use. The software perfect companion at home,
anyone's tastes. For updates lasts 36 months. is developed with the same school, office or on the road;
example, this document These versions are renewed logic. This is the default for work or for play!
is based on Ubuntu 9.04 every two years. interface for Ubuntu.
(Gnome) which is a short-
term support version for
the general public Another graphical user
equipped with modern interface that is more original Ubuntu also offers a
computers or purchased and highly configurable, like a product dedicated for
at the beginning of this Swiss army knife (or a multi- servers that benefits from
Renewed every six
millennium. purpose tool). KDE uses many the well-recognized
months, and therefore
However, there exists other applications other than stability of Debian. This,
richer in new features,
other versions designed those used by Gnome. for example, is the solution
these versions benefit from
for older computers or used by Wikipedia.
security updates for 18
ultra-portables. Let's not months.
forget educational One last graphical user
derivatives or those interface based on Gnome that
designed for a server. Ubuntu also takes on
is very light-weight and ultra-portables so that you
Here is a brief panorama These versions appear designed to bring older
of Ubuntu variants so before each stable version can bring them with you
computers back to life. The wherever you go — a real
that you can choose the and are designed for test range of applications is
best platform for your purposes by users and nomad!
adapted for older machines,
needs. developers. notably at the word processing
level.

Ubuntu is pronounced "Oo-boon-too". It's a South African word difficult to translate into English. It means 'Humanity to others', or
'harmony in creation and sharing'. It can be translated by 'I am what I am because of who we all are'. Each version is designated by
an animal and an adjective (currently: Jaunty Jackalope). Its code name is based on the release date, the first part designating the
year, the second the month. Ubuntu 9.04 therefore was released in April 2009.

Chat on-line with Pidgin and

connect yourself to any existing
on-line network (Jabber, MSN,
Who still thinks that using
Yahoo!, IRC, AIM, ICQ, Google
Ubuntu means staying on the
Talk, Bonjour...).
sidelines? Of course, sometimes
Consult your messages,
there are some small problems
manage your contacts, your
with compatibility, but doesn't
tasks and your activities thanks
that also happen with Mac OS X
to Evolution. This application
or with the various versions of
will be your e-mail client and
Microsoft Windows?
the ideal organizer for
In any case, with Ubuntu you
managing your professional
can work on Microsoft Office
projects and your electronic mail. Using Ubuntu doesn't
documents, chat with people on
Do not worry about threats as, until mean you have to
MSN, Yahoo!, and Google Talk
further notice, your entire system is abandon all your
networks (and many more), surf
immune to viruses and spy-ware thanks to favorite software. You
the Web, play music files, look at
Linux and Ubuntu. When your receive a can still use, for
pictures and watch videos as with any other
document attached to an e-mail, you can examples: Firefox,
platform.
already start working on it. The same goes for Openoffice, VLC,
what you download! It's sometimes Audacity or even
disconcerting you go back to working under Flash, Skype, Google
Windows. ;-) Earth and Picassa!
Surf the Web with Mozilla Firefox. Be swift
and fearless: the reputation of Firefox has
nothing more to prove. Version 3.0 reaches
lofty heights and crushes Internet Explorer in
terms of rapidity, security and compliance
with standards. Use an unlimited number of
extensions to expand its functions, such as
Foxmarks to synchronize your bookmarks
between your various computers that also
use Firefox, whether they are under Linux,
Mac or Windows, at home or at the office!

Aurélien Paulus CC-BY-SA & GNU/FDL Version 3.0 Updated on the 17th of June 2009
 Manage your music just like before, or Contrary to other operating systems,
even better! Import your audio CDs and Ubuntu uses “libraries” to decode each On Ubuntu, everything really works as
group your songs together in your music format such as mp3 and DivX. There are soon as it is plugged in. Mice,
library. Then easily find them by artist, almost as many as libraries as there are keyboards, printers, external hard
album, genre or title. formats to read. These libraries are used in drives, digital cameras, mp3 players,
You can also access podcasts and free on- common by all the applications that need loudspeakers, monitors, projectors and
line music platforms; listen and download to read one file or another that requires USB flash drives: Plug in the device and
music as much as you like! Fantastic when decoding or decompression. it works in a second!*
you want to listen to something different! The advantages? You save a lot of
resources and disk space (no need to re-
install a library each time you install an
application or read a file). Better yet, no Say good-bye to installing all kinds of
more confusion: your programs know how software for your various devices (and
to read your files in function of the library good-bye mix-ups, menus overloaded
and display the information as configured. with obscure brand names in English,
You no longer need to install VLC for DivX untimely updates and resources wasted
files that cannot be read by your video for switching on/off the computer). A
player, Quick Time for MOV files or simple example? All digital cameras can
Windows Media Player for WMV files! communicate with F-Spot, your image
By installing a single additional library (to manager. Import, sort, and it's done!
read AAC files, for example), all the
programs installed on Ubuntu — or that will
be installed in the future — will take
advantage of the information.
No need to install anything. Ubuntu
The first thing you do when you get back includes Brasero and you can stop
from vacation is to plug your camera into getting burned by your disk-burning
your PC. It's normal for Ubuntu to be as fast Ubuntu has many other surprises in store, software: Brasero lets you burn your
as you and import your photos into your such as image digitizing software, an image audio, video and data files on CDs and
photo library so that you can file them in graphics editor (Gimp), platform games and DVDs in no time at all!
your albums, add comments and view them dozens of applications to install depending
on the spot with your friends and family or on your needs: video editing and 3D
publish them on-line in a single clic if they computer graphics (Blender), vectorial
live far away. It's really this simple; and with graphics (Inkscape), LaTeX word
nothing to install! Isn't it great? processing, document publication (Scribus),
and emulation of Windows programs.

*Even though the major weakness of Linux

The Ubuntu video player is of unparalleled platforms is its handling of the latest devices
simplicity and is only equaled by its (manufacturers are reluctant to supply the
robustness. Stop looking for something means), more and more efforts are being
else: Play, pause, fast forward and reverse, made in this matter. Actually, almost
adjust the sound and display in full screen everything works as manufacturers are
starting to guarantee Linux compatibility. At
without going nuts! any time, you can consult a list of compatible
hardware on the Ubuntu web site or look for
the “Linux Compatible” logo with the Tux
penguin mascot when purchasing.

One of the strong-points of Ubuntu is Le forum The Ubuntu forum is the center of its technical
its documentation supplied by the http://www.ubuntu.com/support/ assistance. There, you can look for problems similar
users. Instead of complicated and dry community/webforums to yours that other users have already encountered
user manuals, we prefer the opinions and their solutions. You can't find what you're looking
and sensible advice of other users for? Ask your question and describe your problem;
willing to help. This assistance someone will be happy to help you.
takesplace through forums, blogs,
LUGs (Lunux User Groups) and various La documentation Receive all the necessary information by theme. You
official works designed to accompany http://help.ubuntu.com can also participate if you feel like it!
novice or advanced Ubuntu users.
For corporate use, sales support is Simple comme Ubuntu (French) Download, read on-line or buy the complete and
also supplied by Canonical, the http://framabook.org/ubuntu.html easy-to-use paper version of this user manual for
company that sponsors Ubuntu, or by Ubuntu. You will quickly become an expert!
many other approved suppliers.
For a more than interesting overview
(non-exhaustive) of various sources of
information:

Aurélien Paulus CC-BY-SA & GNU/FDL Version 3.0 Updated on the 17th of June 2009
 You have a “downgraded” computer that is incapable of running
Windows® Vista® and that sometimes has a hard time with newer
applications on XP? You would like to continue using your hardware, but
without compromising on the quality of the programs, system security
and its responsiveness? So, try out Ubuntu! A version called “Alternate”
lets you install it on an older machine equipped with a Pentium III and
just 256 MB of RAM for example! With as little as 4 GB of hard drive
memory, Ubuntu offers you its best. Surf the Web using the most recent
version of Mozilla Firefox and work using Open Office without a problem.
Use your WiFi network and take advantage of a 3D desktop! You cannot
imagine the possibilities that you still have for your old PC! Better yet, if
it's still too slow for you, you can use XFCE (see the graphical interface
section above) and work with light-weight programs but which are still
very useful.
No, don't even think about throwing away your old PCs. Schools,
institutions, non-profit organizations, and families can generate savings
and so reduce the digital divide.

Linux users often organize activities Information and illustrations on the

open to the public so that you can following sites were used to edit this
discover the world of Linux and often document:
you will see Ubuntu. This includes When you have a problem on Mac or
conferences, informational meetings on - http://www.ubuntu-fr.org Windows, you often have to ask for help
various themes and demonstrations of - http://www.microsoft.com/fr from a friend with strong computer skills
state-of-the-art 3D modeling - http://www.framabook.org who will then install ten new “anti-
applications, for example. There are also - http://tux.crystalxp.net thingamajig” applications that you will
many open-source trade shows and - http://www.gnu.org/ have to keep up-to-date and of which you
exhibitions where you can meet graphics/3dbabygnutux.html know nothing at all. Your problem may
developers, major players and the have disappeared temporarily, but you
representatives of the leading open- haven't learned a thing about its cause and
source software applications, just like at at the detection of each new problem, you
a car show or a students fair. “Install will remain dependent on the helpfulness
Parties” are also becoming more well- This document is published under the of a nephew or computer-savvy friend and
known. Their concept is simple: you Creative Commons, BY-SA and GNU FDL quickly risk becoming a ball and chain.
bring your computer and the organizers licenses. This means that you are free to With Ubuntu, you just have to ask your
install Ubuntu on it with you. They take use this document, make copies or questions and describe your problem on
advantage of your presence to show you modify its contents under condition that one of the forums
how it works. These parties are very you publish all modifications under the (http://ubuntuforums.org/index.php) and
friendly and rather practical for learning, same licenses. Please do not distort the one of the experienced users will be happy
don't you think? initial message. to answer your question and explain the
steps to follow to solve your problem.
Aurélien Paulus
http://www.aurelienpaulus.net

Translated from French by MikeInTrets

There exists many Linux User Groups that

group together Linux users and
sympathizers from all horizons in most
cities and towns. Do a search for “LUG” and
the town nearest you to quickly meet some
20 GB of these people! They are committed to
4 GB 5 GB welcoming you and assisting you with your
40 GB or more with Linux experience (installation, help,
10 Go or more 20 GB or more
15 GB free space!) discovering new programs, tutorials,
conferences, etc.) and since Ubuntu is part
of the Linux world, why not take advantage
166 MHz 233 MHz 800 MHz of getting help by meeting new people?
Moreover, if you are reading this
1.2 Ghz or more 300 Mhz or more 1 Ghz or more
document, there is a strong probability that
you received it from a LUG member!

64 Mo 64 MB 512 MB
512 Mo ou + 512 MB or more 2 GB or more

VGA card VGA card 32 MB

128 MB or more 64 MB or more 256 MB or more

* This summary table is only partially complete: Ubuntu requirements allow it to run its software programs in addition to the operating system. For
Windows, you have to add in the requirements for any software that you may install as time goes on. Ubuntu, therefore, is the hands-up winner!

Aurélien Paulus CC-BY-SA & GNU/FDL Version 3.0 Updated on the 17th of June 2009