Introduction
This DVD contains a complete Ubuntu Linux operating system in the
version Jaunty Jackalope 9.04, which can run as
a live system directly from the DVD or can be installed. Besides the
Gnome desktop with its standard programs, there are also the KDE-
and XFCE desktops and programs
from the Kubuntu, Xubuntu and
Edubuntu branches.
The German language and keyboard layout are preset; the French, Italian and English languages are selectable, as are the Swiss and other keyboard layouts, use the F2 and F3 keys when booting. Or you can switch languages when logging in or later using desktop setting tools.
Also on the DVD are documents, books and links, reachable from here on any PC with an internet browser. Finally there are some multimedia extras, special programs and programs for Windows. See also the release notes. Please note that these are different for each language and also this documentation differs slightly with language.
Principle of the live-dvd
The Ubuntu operating system on this DVD can be booted without installation and runs entirely in the memory of the PC. Nothing is changed on the PC's hard disk unless this is done on purpose. However caution is required, because it is in principle possible to overwrite any part of the hard disk. If the PC is switched off and the DVD removed, the PC will boot again like before. The DVD can be used on a PC without a hard disk. This version works on Intel compatible PCs and Macintosh computers, not however on older Macintoshes with a PPC processor. The system works with 256 MB memory (RAM) but programs are slow to start. More RAM is better and installing on hard disk using the live-installer requires about 384 MB.Not only the operating system, but also a few hundred high-quality programs for all purposes are contained in the live-system and are immediately usable from the desktop. Also included are the many command-line programs usual in most Linux systems. In about 90% of the cases the live-DVD will work straight away. Booting takes some time, on older or slow PCs up to 10 minutes.
It is also possible to transfer the system to a USB-stick or card and boot from this; a utitility for doing this is included. This is a bit quicker and quieter and frees the DVD drive. However, not all PCs are able to boot from USB.
^
Booting Ubuntu
Try this first:
Insert the DVD, read the info, reboot, enjoy Linux! If it doesn't work, read on.Procedure:
A bootable DVD drive is required. Most PCs can boot from internal and also some from external DVD drives, provided the boot order in the BIOS is correct. This is default setup on many home PCs, however not with older PCs and those in company networks. If you can't boot from the DVD and can't start the BIOS (sometimes called "setup"), ask a knowledgeable person.The fast method:
Switch on the PC, open the DVD drive tray immediately, insert the DVD very quickly and close the tray. Only for quick nimble people and slow computers!The safe method:
Start your installed operating system, insert the DVD, read the information here and then reboot the PC.
If instead of the normal operating system you see the Ubuntu-logo
with a boot-menu, as in the picture to the right, that means the first
part of the boot process has worked. You can now do nothing or press
"Return" or "Enter" to cut off 30 seconds or so. You can also select
some things with the F-keys such as the language and the keyboard
layout. The key F1 provides more details.Unless you live in Germany, you will probably need to change at least the keyboard layout by pressing F3, using the arrow keys to get to the right keyboard layout, then "Return" or "Enter". Perhaps also F2 to switch to the English, French or Italian language.
To proceed, press "Enter". Now you'll see a further Ubuntu Logo with an animated bar for some minutes. Eventually it changes into a status bar, then the screen goes black for a while. Afterwards the mouse cursor appears and then after a further wait the login screen, which will automatically proceed after ten seconds, eventually giving you the Gnome desktop appears. Wait a little until the DVD drive calms down and the system is usable. You could however choose the KDE or XFCE desktops at the login screen: press "Settings" (below left) or F10 within 10 seconds, and choose "session".
The whole thing usually takes 3-6 minutes depending on your PC. If even after 10 minutes no graphical desktop appears, you'll have to seek advice, starting below or with the F1 key.
^
Using Ubuntu as a live-system
The graphical desktop chosen as
default appears. It
is
called Gnome (see http://www.gnome.org)
and has a top menu. Alternatively you can select the
KDE desktop
(see http://www.kde.org); now KDE 4.2 with a new look &
feel. Note the difference in behaviour of single and double clicks -
although
you can configure this and many other things according to your desires.
You
can also use a third desktop called XFCE; this needs
fewer computer resources than the other two desktops.
See
pictures
of the Gnome, KDE and XFCE desktops to the right. Note that you can use
all programs with any of the desktops, with the exception of specific
"widgets" like desktop-clocks and the like.If the PC is connected to the internet through a network with DHCP (e.g. with an ADSL router connected to the PC with an ethernet cable), you should be able to reach the internet without configuring anything. In other cases, e.g. fixed IP-addresses, modems etc., you have to configure the
network
settings yourself. See
further information.
Please note that a fair amount of network and WLAN cards including
devices connected to the USB will work right away. A live-system is very safe, since the system always behaves the same way when freshly booted and can't be altered permanently. You can surf rather carelessly through the internet, provided no confidential or valuable data is accessible on the PC or in the network. All settings and saved documents are lost as soon as the PC is switched off, as it is only present in the volatile memory (RAM).
Shutting down
You can shut down the system from the desktop or the login window and then remove the DVD.If a program, the desktop or the
system
is "frozen" you can try the following procedures: Program: Press <CTRL>, <ALT>, and also <ESC>. The cursor becomes an X or a skull. Left-clicking will forcibly quit the program whose window you click in.
Desktop: Press <ALT GR> (ALT on the right), <Printscreen>, and also <K>. You should get back to the boot screen where you can log on again or be logged on automatically.
System: Press <CTRL>, <ALT>, and also <DEL>. The system should shut down and restart. If it doesn't work you can switch off the electricity - provided there is no hard disk activity (listen for irregular clicking and observe the hard disk LED). If the hard disk is working, it could be damaged when switched off. Some PCs have a reset button; most can be switched off by pressing the power button for several seconds. If you want to start your normal system again and are unable to remove the DVD quickly enough, there is a boot option called "Start from first hard disk".
The live-system works like an installed system but uses and blocks the DVD drive and is not particularly fast. Therefore you probably want to install the system permanently, e.g. on a hard disk, or create a live USB-stick with the utility provided.
Accessing the DVD content
You can try here. Otherwise choose "Computer" in the menu, go to "File Sytem" or "home", work your way up and open the folder /cdrom, which should have the folders /extras and /html.^
Hardware
Normally all components of your PC should automatically function correctly, especially on majority of current systems. Restrictions might apply for brand new technology or particular components like those found on new laptops.For many devices the drivers are present in the system and only need to be activated. Whether your equipment will work well or not can be found on databases on the internet, for printers e.g. at http://www.linuxprinting.org. Or you can try an internet search.
Audio on your PC should function automatically. The desktops also provide volume controls and mixing programs (loudspeaker icon). Here you can control all inputs and outputs of your sound card.
The system already contains drivers for many printers, but they have to be activated from the system settings.
^
Switching desktops
How to switch from Gnome to KDE or XFCE or vice versa:- In Gnome, click on
the red switch icon top right (in KDE first
bottom left, then 
). - Select "log out" or "close session" and wait a moment.
- In the login-window select "session type" (below left) and there "KDE" or "XFCE". If you can't find it, press F-10.
- Here you could also
change the language.
- Enter the user "ubuntu" (without ""), and press "return".
- A password is required, simply press the enter key again.
^
Installing
Ubuntu from the live-system to hard disk
When using the live-DVD
nothing is saved - unless you explicitly ask to do so. Thus when the PC
is switched off, all
changes and saved documents are lost - ideal for experimenting. In
order to store the saved documents permanently, they
must be transferred to a writable data medium. You can find these under
"file system -> media". If
you want to save settings and install further
software permanently, you must install
the system e.g. on a hard disk. In the following we assume internal
hard disks. An installed Linux system
has several partitions, i.e. at least one for the system and data, and
a
second as temporary memory (Swap), which the Ubuntu installer formats
automatically.If you have an empty or erasable hard disk, it is very simple. In all other cases there are several possibilities:
- The hard disk contains a system and data but you have a second new or erasable hard disk.
- The hard disk contains a system and data but also further usable partitions or free space.
- The hard disk contains a usual Windows installation on only one partition, which you want to keep. With sufficient free space (approx. 5 GB), the Ubuntu Installer can resize the partition and create the further necessary partitions. There is a small risk of failure, therefore make a backup and then it is also a good idea to defragment the Windows partition using Windows.
With marginal memory (less than 384 MB RAM, but at least 256 MB) you could start the installer from the boot screen without starting the live-system.
The installed system Jaunty Jackalope 9.04 is from May 2009. If you have a broadband connection to the internet you can install latest updates immediately or later at any time, this however takes a while.
If the above methods
are not successful, there are further
installation methods, e.g. starting from an alternative installation CD
or from the internet. Inform
yourself or ask knowledgeable persons, associations or dealers.
^
Programs
Many Ubuntu programs are provided by the Gnome and KDE desktop environments and other projects. Most of them are www: GNU programs derived from www: Debian. Any program can be run on top of any desktop.Most but not all programs are accessible from the top menu (Gnome and XFCE) or the "K"-button at the bottom left hand corner (KDE). On the SwissRemix there are several programs for every task - find the one that suits you best. Also there are many command-line programs, which are part of nearly every Linux system. These are accessible from "terminal" or "konsole". Type a letter or two and TAB several times to get a list of available commands and then "man <command>" and ENTER to get information about how to use it.
Clicking (or double-clicking) on a document will open it with its associated program. You can open documents with different programs by right-clicking and choosing "open with...".
You find general information about the installed programs and others under:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Software
The teaching programs are described here:
https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Edubuntu...
http://edu.kde.org and http://gcompris.net
Most programs have their own descriptions in the Gnome and KDE help centers available from both desktops.
Basic programs
Frequently needed are file managers and web browsers. The program Konqueror www: Konqueror is both, a modern fast browser and a very powerful file manager with profiles, sidebars, tabs, splitable windows and many extras. Konqueror might fail to properly display particular websites - in this case use Mozilla's www: Firefox. Further file managers are the desktop defaults Nautilus (Gnome), Thunar (XFCE) and Dolphin (default on KDE).
Each
one has it's own strengths, Konquerer for example has built in support
for many file formats and protocols. You
can open several Konqueror windows at
the same time, multiple tabs
and panes in each, and drag 'n drop
between all of them! Please note that the browsers and file managers
are usually set to open new tabs behind
the first tab, so you may have to click the new tab to see the page.For email, calender and addressbook, Gnome provides Evolution and KDE provides Kontact, which is simply a starter for the separately usable programs Kmail, Korganizer and Kaddressbook. The SwissRemix includes Thunderbird with Lightning Extension, found also on Windows and Mac computers.
For Office documents there is the powerful www: Open Office or the simple word processor www: Abiword and spread-sheet program www: Gnumeric. Desktop publishing with www: Scribus. With the new Okular you can view most document types, including ODF and PDF.
Multimedia: most popular formats need codecs, which are not all pre-installed due to legal restrictions. If such a codec is needed, the programs mostly offer to get and install this directly from the internet. If it doesn't work, see e.g. http://www.medibuntu.org.
Photos:
Gwenview is a quick viewer, kSnapshot screenshot camera, www: digiKam
a powerful management database, and www: GIMP a powerful image
manipulation program. www: Inkscape or the drawing
module of Open Office is used to draw in vector formats.Amoung the educational programs there are scientific ones like the interactive periodic table www: Kalzium (picture above) and the planetarium www: KStars (but see also Stellarium and Celestia), and also programs for children like the 50 modules contained in www: GCompris (picture at the right, but see also Childsplay) or the award-winning painting program www: TuxPaint. The new www: Marble is a desktop globe with different map types available.
There are many utilities. Notable might be the archive program Ark, the CD/DVD writing program K3b and the virtual keyboard Kvkbd (for touchscreens). Also the Application Finder, which lists and breifly describes every desktop program installed.
Even more programs (or less)!
A great advantage of Linux systems is the ease with which programs can be installed or deinstalled. There are about 20'000 available in the internet. Use one of the system tools or "packet-managers" like Synaptic in order to select and install programs over the internet - or deinstall them. This is usually done very quickly and does not require any system restart.^
Further information
(see also the German, French and Italian sections)All programs provide more or less extensive documentation available in the Gnome and KDE help centers. There are also "info" and "howto" guides, as well as "manuals" for the command-line programs. The Gnome help center focuses mainly on "howto" articles whereas the KDE documentation has an article for almost every single KDE program.
The books below provide more general information.
The internet provides an enormous amount of knowledge. Official Ubuntu information is at:
https://help.ubuntu.com
http://www.kubuntu.org/faq
https://wiki.ubuntu.com/Xubuntu
http://www.edubuntu.org
Further sites:
http://ubuntuguide.org
http://kubuntuguide.org
^
Books
Here on the DVD are some books and texts in various languages. In English there is this:
- The
Official Ubuntu Book Swiss Remix edition based on third
edition
- LiMux --
Free Software for
Munich by Volker Grassmuck
- From
the Free Software Movement by Richard Stallman
