Справочник Пользователя для Wiley Ubuntu Linux Secrets 978-0-470-39508-0
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Part 1: Starting Out with Ubuntu
Ubuntu Cousins
The Ubuntu workstation distribution uses only the GNOME desktop environment.
Consequently, other Ubuntu distributions have been developed to offer customers a choice
(because that’s what Linux is all about).
In addition to the main Ubuntu distribution, Ubuntu also supports specialized distribu-
tions that are based on the Ubuntu code base but that use alternative desktops:
Consequently, other Ubuntu distributions have been developed to offer customers a choice
(because that’s what Linux is all about).
In addition to the main Ubuntu distribution, Ubuntu also supports specialized distribu-
tions that are based on the Ubuntu code base but that use alternative desktops:
Kubuntu:
♦
♦
uses the KDE desktop environment
Xubuntu:
♦
♦
uses the xfce desktop environment
Edubuntu:
♦
♦
uses the GNOME desktop to provide specialized educational
software
All of the Ubuntu distributions and features are based on the same basic ideas and prin-
ciples of open-source software. The Kubuntu distribution contains the same core group
of workstation software packages as Ubuntu, such as OpenOffice.org and Firefox, but it
also provides the common KDE desktop utilities, including Dolphin for filesystem brows-
ing, KMail as an email client, and the KDE desktop utilities for managing your graphical
environment.
The Xubuntu distribution is designed for less-powerful workstations. Besides using the
xfce desktop, it uses the AbiWord word processor, as well as the Firefox web browser. It
can run on systems with as little as 128 MB of memory.
The Edubuntu distribution is something of a mix-and-match distribution. It uses the
GNOME desktop but includes the KDE education software suite. That suite includes
educational games for school-aged children and activities for pre-school aged children
to get them used to the Linux environment.
ciples of open-source software. The Kubuntu distribution contains the same core group
of workstation software packages as Ubuntu, such as OpenOffice.org and Firefox, but it
also provides the common KDE desktop utilities, including Dolphin for filesystem brows-
ing, KMail as an email client, and the KDE desktop utilities for managing your graphical
environment.
The Xubuntu distribution is designed for less-powerful workstations. Besides using the
xfce desktop, it uses the AbiWord word processor, as well as the Firefox web browser. It
can run on systems with as little as 128 MB of memory.
The Edubuntu distribution is something of a mix-and-match distribution. It uses the
GNOME desktop but includes the KDE education software suite. That suite includes
educational games for school-aged children and activities for pre-school aged children
to get them used to the Linux environment.
Summary
This chapter discussed the origins of Linux system came and how it works. The Linux
kernel is the core of the system, controlling how memory, programs, and hardware inter-
act. The GNU utilities are also an important piece in the Linux system. The Linux shell
is part of the GNU core utilities.
The chapter also discussed the final piece of a Linux system, the Linux desktop environ-
ment. Things have changed over the years, and Linux now supports several graphical
desktop environments.
Next, the chapter talked about the various Linux distributions. A Linux distribution bun-
dles the various parts of a Linux system into a simple package that you can easily install
on your PC. The Linux distribution world consists of full-blown Linux distributions that
include nearly every application imaginable, as well as specialized Linux distributions
that include applications focused on a special function. The Linux LiveCD craze has cre-
ated another group of Linux distributions that allow you to easily test drive Linux without
installing it on your hard drive.
Finally, the chapter discussed the Ubuntu Linux distribution and showed how the differ-
ent versions and releases of Ubuntu fit together.
In the next chapter we’ll look at the Ubuntu LiveCD. We’ll walk through how to test-drive
Ubuntu on your PC without having to load anything, and we’ll see how to install it directly
on your current Windows PC without having to make changes to your hard drive.
kernel is the core of the system, controlling how memory, programs, and hardware inter-
act. The GNU utilities are also an important piece in the Linux system. The Linux shell
is part of the GNU core utilities.
The chapter also discussed the final piece of a Linux system, the Linux desktop environ-
ment. Things have changed over the years, and Linux now supports several graphical
desktop environments.
Next, the chapter talked about the various Linux distributions. A Linux distribution bun-
dles the various parts of a Linux system into a simple package that you can easily install
on your PC. The Linux distribution world consists of full-blown Linux distributions that
include nearly every application imaginable, as well as specialized Linux distributions
that include applications focused on a special function. The Linux LiveCD craze has cre-
ated another group of Linux distributions that allow you to easily test drive Linux without
installing it on your hard drive.
Finally, the chapter discussed the Ubuntu Linux distribution and showed how the differ-
ent versions and releases of Ubuntu fit together.
In the next chapter we’ll look at the Ubuntu LiveCD. We’ll walk through how to test-drive
Ubuntu on your PC without having to load anything, and we’ll see how to install it directly
on your current Windows PC without having to make changes to your hard drive.
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