Wiley Ubuntu Linux Secrets 978-0-470-39508-0 Benutzerhandbuch
Produktcode
978-0-470-39508-0
22
Part 1: Starting Out with Ubuntu
Some Linux LiveCDs, such as Puppy Linux, are designed with a minimum number of
Linux system files and copy them directly into memory when the CD boots, which allows
you to remove the CD from the computer as soon as Linux boots. Not only does it make
your applications run much faster (because applications run faster from memory), but it
frees up your CD tray for ripping audio CDs or playing video DVDs from the software
included in Puppy Linux.
Other Linux LiveCDs use an alternative method that allows you to remove the CD from
the tray after booting. It involves copying the core Linux files onto the Windows hard
drive as a single file. After the CD boots, it looks for that file and reads the system files
from it. The Ubuntu Wubi project uses this technique to move the LiveCD contents to a
single file stored in the Windows drive on the PC. From there you can boot directly into
Ubuntu (more on this in Chapter 2, “Playing with the LiveCD”).
Linux system files and copy them directly into memory when the CD boots, which allows
you to remove the CD from the computer as soon as Linux boots. Not only does it make
your applications run much faster (because applications run faster from memory), but it
frees up your CD tray for ripping audio CDs or playing video DVDs from the software
included in Puppy Linux.
Other Linux LiveCDs use an alternative method that allows you to remove the CD from
the tray after booting. It involves copying the core Linux files onto the Windows hard
drive as a single file. After the CD boots, it looks for that file and reads the system files
from it. The Ubuntu Wubi project uses this technique to move the LiveCD contents to a
single file stored in the Windows drive on the PC. From there you can boot directly into
Ubuntu (more on this in Chapter 2, “Playing with the LiveCD”).
What Is Ubuntu?
Now that you’ve seen what’s behind a Linux distribution, it’s time to turn our attention to
the Ubuntu Linux distribution. Even within Ubuntu, there are several features that you
have to choose from before running your system. This section walks through the different
versions and choices available.
the Ubuntu Linux distribution. Even within Ubuntu, there are several features that you
have to choose from before running your system. This section walks through the different
versions and choices available.
Ubuntu Versions
The Ubuntu Linux distribution is based on Debian Linux. As was discussed in the Core
Linux Distributions section, the Debian distribution contains a variety of software and
features. The Ubuntu developers created two subsets of the main Debian Linux system
for specialized use:
Linux Distributions section, the Debian distribution contains a variety of software and
features. The Ubuntu developers created two subsets of the main Debian Linux system
for specialized use:
Ubuntu workstation
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Ubuntu server
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The Ubuntu workstation distribution includes only the software that’s most commonly
used in a desktop environment:
used in a desktop environment:
The OpenOffice.org office productivity suite
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The Firefox web browser software
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The Evolution email and calendar software
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Tomboy note-taking software
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F-spot digital image editing
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Totem video player
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Rhythmbox music player
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A popular technique for storing data from a live Linux CD session is to use a
USB Memory Stick (also called a flash drive and a thumb drive). Just about every
Linux LiveCD can recognize a plugged-in USB Memory Stick (even if the stick
is formatted for Windows) and read and write files from it. This capability allows
you to boot a Linux LiveCD, use the Linux applications to create files, store them
on your Memory Stick, then access them from your Windows applications later
(or from a different computer).
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