Running Linux, 5th Edition - Matthias Kalle Dalheimer [5]
In the preface to the first edition, we said that "Linux has the potential to completely change the face of the PC operating system world." Looking back, it's clear that our prediction was right! Linux has erupted into the computing mainstream with an amazing force: it has been covered by every major media channel, has helped usher in the so-called Open Source Revolution, and is widely claimed as the most viable competitor to Microsoft's dominance in the operating systems market. Today, most estimates place the number of Linux users worldwide at well over 300 million. Linux has matured to the point where many people can dive in and start using Linux without knowing most of the hairy details behind device drivers, XFree86 configuration files, and bootloaders. Actually, a good Linux distribution these days is just as easy to install as its commercial competitors such as Microsoft Windows. Still, we think it's best to give you some of the behind-the-scenes views, so you have an understanding of the workings of the system, even if it's not strictly necessary for casual Linux use.
Organization of This Book
Each chapter of this book contains a big chunk of information. It takes you into a world of material that could easily take up several books. But we move quickly through the topics you need to know.
Part I of the book, "Enjoying and Being Productive on Linux," introduces Linux and brings you to the point where you can do all the standard activities people do on other systems: emailing, web surfing, playing games, watching videos, and so on.
Chapter 1, Introduction to Linux
Tries to draw together many different threads. It explains why Linux came to be and what it offers that continues to attract new users and developers.
Chapter 2, Preinstallation and Installation
Describes preliminary tasks that you may have to do before installation, such as partitioning your disk, and guidance for initial Linux installation and configuration.
Chapter 3, Desktop Environments
Helps you get comfortable navigating the desktop and the most important tools, including the Evolution utility for mail, calendar, and managing contacts.
Chapter 4, Basic Unix Commands and Concepts
Offers a system administrator's introduction to Unix. It is intended to give you enough tools to perform the basic tasks you'll need to do throughout the book. Basic commands are covered, along with some tips for administrators and some concepts you should know.
Chapter 5, Web Browsers and Instant Messaging
Shows neat tricks and advanced uses for some of the popular and basic computer activities: web browsing and instant messaging.
Chapter 6, Electronic Mail Clients
Introduces other mail clients, for people who want to try something besides Evolution, and shows ways to secure email.
Chapter 7, Games
Explains the impressive array of games supported on Linux, both standalone and client/server.
Chapter 8, Office Suites and Personal Productivity
Explains how you can be just as productive in your office work on Linux as on the proprietary alternatives. The main topics are the OpenOffice office suite, KOffice office suite, and the GnuCash financial application, along with an introduction to groupware.
Chapter 9, Multimedia
Discusses audio and video, covering concepts you'll find useful, configuration for systems where the tools don't work automatically, and a few common applications. The GIMP is also introduced for image manipulation.
Part II of the book, "System Administration," shows you how to set up your Linux system and its environment for such tasks as printing and sharing files with other systems; it also shows you how to take care of your system in other ways.
Chapter 10, System Administration Basics
Covers system administration topics such as filesystems and swap space that are normally handled automatically during installation, but sometimes need user intervention.
Chapter