Ubuntu 9.10 Desktop Handbook

The Ubuntu 9.10 desktop covers the latest Ubuntu 9.10 (Karmic Koala) release. The emphasis here is on what users will face when using Ubuntu, covering topics like installation, applications, software management, the GNOME and KDE4 desktops, shell commands, network connections, and system administration tasks. Office, multimedia, mail, and Web applications are reviewed. Desktops are examined in detail including features like desktop effects implemented by GNOME's Compiz-fusion and KDE's KWin with 3D workspace and windows switching. The KDE4 desktop provides a very different interface using plasma containers to support the panel, menu, desktop, configuration tools, and plasmoid applets. Though administrative topics are covered, the emphasis is on what a user would need to know to perform tasks. Certain key tools are covered in detail like Network Manager, which supports both wireless 3G and Ethernet connections, the Ubuntu Software Center for easy software selection and installation, and the Ubuntu One synchronization and sharing service. Gufw provides a user interface for managing the ufw firewall, the default firewall. Advanced components of Ubuntu 9.10 are also examined such as Dynamic Kernel Module Support (DKMS) used for vendor graphics drivers, the GRUB 2 boot loader, and the creation of Ubuntu Live and Netbook USB drives. Numerous smaller enhancements are also discussed like Computer Janitor for removing unused software, the PulseAudio support for sound configuration, the Disk Utility (DeviceKit) for storage device configuration and information (SMART), and the combined user switcher and quit applet. Alternate multimedia releases like Ubuntu Studio and Mythbuntu are also referenced. The ebook version features hyper-linked overview, contents, index, chapters, sections, and Web sites.