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Ubuntu Linux for Non-Geeks
Posted by
samzenpus
on Mon Oct 09, 2006 02:27 PM
from the grandma-wants-a-new-os dept.
from the grandma-wants-a-new-os dept.
Ravi writes "It is a fact that GNU/Linux has grown from a hackers operating system to be a viable alternative to any commercial proprietary operating system. And the plethora of books on Linux that are being published underlines the popularity of this OS. There are hundreds of flavors of Linux distributions — some of them more popular than the others. Ubuntu Linux is one such distribution which has caught the fancy of many Linux enthusiasts and which enjoys the number one position in the popularity rating chart." Read the rest of Ravi's review.
I recently came across a very nice book titled "Ubuntu Linux for non-geeks" authored by Rickford Grant and published by No Starch Press. What attracted me to this book was the obvious title which makes no bones about the fact that this book is targeted at non-geeks.
The book is divided into 18 chapters and 3 appendices spanning over 300 pages. The author starts the narration by imparting a good understanding of the history of Linux and the relationship between Ubuntu and Linux. In this chapter, the author clears a few doubts arising in a lay person's mind about Linux such as the difference between a distribution and an OS, the hardware requirements for running Ubuntu and so on.
In the past, I have seen Linux books using well over 50 pages just to explain the installation process but Ubuntu is famed for its simple 6 step installation. The next chapter is a very short one which gives a good illustrated explanation of the steps needed to boot Ubuntu using the latest version of Ubuntu live CD (included with the book) and install the OS on the hard disk.
The third chapter explores many common features of the Gnome desktop which is the default desktop in Ubuntu. Here the readers are introduced to different aspects of the desktop from the panels, the menus, the applets to the steps for customizing.
One thing I really like about this book is the obvious way in which each task is split into separate chapters. For example, you have a chapter explaining the file and disk management , a chapter which explains how to set up the network and log on to the internet, another for setting up your printer and scanner, still another explaining different ways of downloading and installing software and so on.
I especially liked the 8th chapter titled "Getting to know the Linux terminal and command line", where the author introduces the shell and a number of command line tools to the readers. What I found really interesting was that at the end of the chapter, the author walks you through installing and configuring so you get to try out all the commands introduced earlier.
In the 11th chapter, the author explains how to make the fonts on the Ubuntu machine look prettier and the steps needed to install different kinds of additional fonts such as Microsoft true type fonts.
Ubuntu Linux bundles with it a rich set of applications which more than meets the need of an average home user. The 13th and 14th chapter introduces some of the most popular ones such as office suites, image viewers and so on.
The next three chapters deal exclusively in setting up and configuring audio and video in Ubuntu. Considering that some of the audio/video formats are patented, it is not possible to include support for them by default in Linux. Rather, it is up to the user to get these proprietary audio and video formats to work in Linux. And through these chapters, the author explains all that needs to be done to get all audio and video formats to work in Ubuntu.
The appendix also contain a section where the author gives a list of web resources where one can find more information related to Linux — more specifically Ubuntu Linux.
This very nice book on Ubuntu Linux is clearly targeted at the neophytes who wish to take their first steps in installing and using Ubuntu. The author explains in a step-by-step manner the solutions to the problems that one might face in installing, configuring and using Ubuntu Linux.
If you are a person who has installed and used Linux in the past, this book probably doesn't cover anything new to you. Having said that, it could be an ideal gift for your grandparents, parents or even friends who wish to learn to setup and use Linux. Another positive aspect of the book which attracted me was that the narration was surprisingly devoid of any slang. One of the common mistakes that authors make when writing a book targeted at newbies is treating them like idiots and introducing a lot of slang in the narration, but Rickford Grant has stayed clear of this and his language is clear and lucid.
Ravi Kumar is a Linux enthusiast who likes to share his thoughts on all things related to GNU/Linux through his blog All about Linux.
You can purchase Ubuntu Linux for non-geeks from bn.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page
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I switched from gentoo (Score:2, Informative)
XOrg/Apache/Perl/BSD/GNU/Linux (Score:2, Insightful)
Yeah, mod me how you feel instead of responding, I like that.
I would have to say that XFree86 and Apache, as well as components listed under Perl Artistic and BSD licenses, have as much to do with the usability and adoption of Linux as a platform. Why is GNU singled out for more attention than the other amazing personal contributions of self-motivated non-commercialized developers? Just because RMS' ego outscales his last decade of coding efforts doesn't mean that he should automatically be ignored, bu
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OTOH, just as important to the user experience in Ubuntu as a desktop OS is the GNOME desktop (notice I said Ubuntu, not Kubuntu), and GNOME actually is part of the GNU project. (I've had people argue with me on this point -- if you don't believe me, hear it from the horse's mouth [gnome.org].)
On the gripping hand, Ubuntu and GNOME use quite a bit of oth
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Excellent (Score:5, Insightful)
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Better yet, Bookpool.com (Score:3, Informative)
As was pointed out to me very recently, Amazon.com gives more money to the Republican party [buyblue.org] and B&N only gives money to the Democra [buyblue.org]
Non-geeks? (Score:5, Insightful)
But well, a book might be a good idea - making Ubuntu even more user friendly.
"for Non-Geeks" (Score:5, Interesting)
I've been waiting to say this for a long time:
My mother uses Ubuntu (6.06 Desktop) and she is not computer savvy at all!
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Application/device integration, installation, selection all make a big difference. The interface level of the system through Gnome or KDE is similar for most distros. But, take it a step further to make the use of the applications easier and you have the winning combination. If you make it so that the average person can set up their system because the device support is really there and works without having to install special drivers, then you make the initial experience better. I recently installed Ubuntu
Non-geeks will never finish it (Score:4, Insightful)
I've seen similar 300 page books to teach windows to non-geeks. I'm sure there are people who feel lost and buy the book thinking they'll learn. I have serious doubts that many actually make it through the book. They'll make it through the first chapter and, at best, pull it out occasionally to search for some answer (and probably not find it).
A lot of people have moments when they feel ambitious and decide they will learn linux. How many of the non-geeks actually do, though? Of those that do, I doubt it's from books like these but actually from geek friends walking them through it.
Re:Non-geeks will never finish it (Score:5, Insightful)
Parent
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I use how-to book as references. I use the index to find what I want to do, then I skip to that section. I probably won't read every page of the book, and if I do, it certainly won't be in order.
Also, how do you define learning linux? Personally, I have a pretty good grasp of how the operating system works. My girlfriend has no idea how the operating system
Ubuntu is for geeks too (Score:4, Insightful)
The reasons I made the switch were because (1) I wanted to see what all the fuss was about, and (2) I wanted a more frequent "stable" release cycle for my desktop system. However, I continue to use Debian stable for any servers and simulation clusters that I manage.
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Ubuntu books that don't focus on installation? (Score:4, Interesting)
I suspect my situation is not unique: I install Ubuntu for parents and other non-techies; no matter how good the book, they're not going to be able to install it themselves. Then I bugger off and leave them with it. What they need is a straightforward and thorough user guide for basic use of the system. (And I mean basic: things like "you can move windows by dragging the title bar", and "if your mouse has a scroll wheel, you can use it to scroll through a window").
Any recommendations?
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Re:Ubuntu books that don't focus on installation? (Score:4, Informative)
"In the past, I have seen Linux books using well over 50 pages just to explain the installation process but Ubuntu is famed for its simple 6 step installation. *The next chapter is a very short* one which gives a good illustrated explanation of the steps needed to boot Ubuntu using the latest version of Ubuntu live CD (included with the book) and install the OS on the hard disk. "
Parent
Ubuntu Linux is ALREADY for Non-Geeks (Score:2, Interesting)
Now I don't see what the big deal about Ubuntu is.
I suppose the install is prettier since you load it up as a LiveCD and then run the installer program, but in the end you end up with less, imho. And the installer just runs more sluggish.
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For non-geeks, get rid of "flavors" (Score:4, Funny)
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Oh? Then you have a problem with this statement in the parent post "Fedora is the flavor"? Oh, go lick a hat!
Since when did number of books == popularity? (Score:3, Insightful)
There has always been a "plethora" of books on Linux and a variety of other subjects that no one in the general public gives a shit about. I'm interested in knowing just how this means anything significant.
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ubuntu is disappointing (Score:5, Funny)
It is a FACT that blah blah blah... (Score:5, Funny)
Ubuntu works for me (Score:3, Informative)
Why all the flaming? (Score:5, Informative)
My wife is horribly bad at downloading and installing crap and malware, visiting crappy, malicious pages with internet exploder, etc.
Her machine used to run slackware that I had set up for her, no problems at all.
However, updating things usually meant me sitting there for a few hours to do so.
I tossed Ubuntu onto a cd, told her to install this, and she did it.
She loves it.
She can install things she wants with the GUI, it keeps itself up to date...
The layman can do it... it is painless.
I was skeptical at first but, I saw, I believed.
Why flame it or call it crap?
For what it is, and it is actually quite good, it just works.
I am not a fanboy, by any means.
I have Gentoo and Debian machines all over, for my use.
Remember the target audience for Ubuntu: people that are not computer savvy.
(like my wife)
It works for her, I would ask everyone to at least LOOK at it before you flame it.
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Oh, you silly, simple man - don't you know that this is Slashdot? Where people get their exercise by jumping to conclusions, and then jumping up and down on top of anyone who doesn't support them? <grin>
Now, having said that - I agree with you. We've got Ubuntu loaded on a laptop that otherwise would be a paperweight. It's currently hooked up with a wireless chip, and the sound feeds into our home stereo, so as a result, we can play MP3's
Dual-boot? (Score:2, Interesting)
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Painless.
What definition of "non-geek" is he working with?? (Score:5, Insightful)
Ubuntu is great for experienced engineers (Score:5, Informative)
Ubuntu out-of-the-box experiences (Score:2)
So far encountered problems seem small but trivial: His monitor (CRT) remained at 60Hz and he couldn't find any setting to change it to higher refresh
Here's a suggestion for Ubuntu (Score:2)
Training wheels (Score:3, Interesting)
Maybe they can make an easier distribution (Score:5, Funny)
Parent
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While the parent is supposed to be (and admittedly succeeds at being) funny, this kind of condascending attitude by lunix zealots is one of the major reasons why Linux and its incarnations will still take years (if ever) to really reach a point where anyone can use it. User friendliness, ease of use, painless installation, smooth UI and user experience are all things that still seem to be curse words for most Linux users and especially the develop
for the record... (Score:5, Insightful)
I wouldn't call myself a zealot, but I am a tinkerer. However, I also have a wife and kids who need a computer that just works the way they think it will. Ubuntu fits that bill nicely. In fact, my 5-year old son developed a decided fondness for penguins as a result of exposure to things like gcomris, Tux Raxer, Tux Paint, Pingus, etc.
Parent
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By comparison, even Slackware recognizes all my hardware out of the box on that same machine, and that's not even a "user friendly" distro like Ubuntu.
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I guess you haven't installed an operating system before while being the owner of a sole computer on dialup. Some people just don't have internet access during the installation process.
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Re:Huh? (Score:4, Insightful)
No this is a myth. That the geek elitist attitude has anything to do with linux adoption misses the mark by a wide margin. That linux adoption even has anything to do with how easy or difficult to install misses the mark also. The fact that you have to install it at all is the issue. It is simple, if Dell, HP and/or Gateway offered Linux preinstalled on their consumer desktops right now, then Linux would have a much wider adoption as long as the expense was the same or less than Windows.
Parent
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No, Linux is nowhere because it doesn't come preinstalled, and it doesn't run all the apps that they hear about even though it probably has equal replacements. Despite the cynicism, I think there's two fairly valid points - installing Ubuntu isn't going to get much easier, and it's certainly a lot easier than installing Windows. I don't think it's because people are stupid
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The main problem we had was that it got stuck at 640x480 video; apparently didn't recognise or had no driver for the middle-aged Intel onboard video chip.
I had U5 here, then put U6 on the same machine, and noticed it was significantly faster than U5 -- maybe bec
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