OK..it’s time to learn Linux (2)

Today is Feb 14, 7 days ago I started learning Linux my distro is “Ubuntu 8.10″.

Now, I finished with my second step which was:

Making Ubuntu ready to be used

• How can I make my fresh installed copy of Ubuntu ready to be used?

• What’s missing in my fresh copy and I need to get it by myself?

And much more questions you ask when you open Ubuntu for the first time.

Now I think to be ready is to be able to do most of the daily stuff you used to do with your X OS

1. Browsing internet. (LAN connection)
2. Writing some documents.  (already installed)
3. Listening to music.  (Having Codec)
4. Watching movies.  (Having Codec)
5. Reading E-Books.  (already installed)
6. Maybe coding     (eclipse with your chosen compiler)

All of these need variety of programs, you can find some basic programs already installed with the fresh copy of Ubuntu.

But, not all of ‘em can bring you the best performance you want, so we have to get some programs into this new OS.

How!!!

I’ve learned three ways to do that so far:

1. Using Add/remove, but it’s not that efficient.
2. Using Synaptic package manager, works perfectly.
3. By Windows technique “Double click”, not efficient at all.

Wait a minute, do Ubuntu programs have the (.exe) setup file?

Nop, Ubuntu has a new theory in installing programs.

1. Program called a package in Ubuntu, its extention is “.deb”.
2. You can get a package using” internet connection and 1,2 installing methods mentioned above”. Also, it’s possible to have ‘em on CD, DVD.
3. Each package needs dependency files, which stands for plug-ins in Windows.
4. If the dependency package is not available then the target package can’t be installed.

About my trials :

1. I wasn’t familiar with the dependency term, so I used Windows method which is “Double click”, I didn’t know what I was  installing and some packages refused to be installed due to missing dependency files.
2. Then, I started reading a book , which I will mention its name later, I understood some new concepts and I tried to use Add/Remove & an internet connection “Using LAN”, it worked but it didn’t have everything I wanted.
3. I used Synaptic package manager, it’s a great tool to use, but I wasn’t pleased to use it only with internet connection on, because I have many packages on a DVD and I didn’t have fast internet connection.
4. I thought the only way to install the packages on DVD is to use Windows method, but I was wrong.I asked mpcabd, “Thanks”, and I knew how to change the software source from “Internet” to “DVD”.
5. Now, I’m happy with my “ready to be used Ubuntu”.

What about drivers!!

I didn’t face such a problem my laptop is Linux-Friendly, of course my modem isn’t working, instead I’m using a (LAN connection).

Last note:

• You can find codec under Gstream package.
• Ubuntu Recognizes LAN connection easily, if it’s a shared connection.

I’ll meet you in the next step, it’ll be about installing programs using Terminal.