A.P.P.L.E

I have always wanted to learn using Ubuntu Linux. After I ordered and received the free Ubuntu Live CD (version 7.04), I tried to install it to my laptop but somehow I did something wrong and nearly ruined everything. After that, I put Ubuntu aside and never touch it again (except when something wrong happen to the computer which runs on Ubuntu in the office).

Until recently, I feel the urge to set a path for Ubuntu in my learning process. So last week, I installed Ubuntu 7.04 to my BenQ Joybook A32 laptop. Installation is always easy and few clicks away, but have to be careful on the hard disk partition especially when you want to have dual OS (Windows and Linux) in your computer.

Choose “Start or install Ubuntu” after booting the Live CD to install Ubuntu

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I am a total newbie to Ubuntu Linux. Although I tried installing Ubuntu at home, but I didn’t really play around with it. In my workplace, there are 3 computers running on Ubuntu Linux. This is the part that makes my job challenging. Yesterday I was requested to remove Firefox in an Ubuntu Linux pc. In Linux, you don’t remove application like what you do in Windows. I did something, but failed to remove. So I just let it be.

This morning, right after I was logon to my Skype account, I got a message from my boss. Questioning me why she still observed the user surfing AirAsia website! Crap..I knew things gonna be bad if I still don’t find solution for this. I was really pissed off this early morning. Because, I REALLY AM NOT FAMILIAR WITH ANY LINUX PC!!!! I’m the only IT personnel here. Who should I discuss with? Well, in almost every situation like this, I will consult my friend, Google.

I’m glad that I did bookmark a very useful link some time earlier when I was looking for source for learning Ubuntu. This post is basically for my own reference, if I meet this sort of situation again.

An Easier Way to Install Programs

Ubuntu has a great package manager called Synaptic that lets you search for or find applications to install or remove from a list. You can check it out by going to System>Administration>Synaptic Package Manager. You can easily sort packages by category, their installation status, or by searching. If you find a package you want to add click it and select Mark for Installation. Once you’ve selected all the packages you wish to install, remove or upgrade at this time, click the Apply button. It’s as easy as that. However, not every application will be on this list and betas are usually never listed. In those cases you must go out and download the installer elsewhere and install it manually. Such is the case if you want the latest version of Firefox the day it comes out. It might take the repositories a day or two to get the latest versions.

The Synaptic Package Manager

Right click the application you want to install/remove/update and mark it to your preference.

After that, click on the Apply button

There is also a simpler version of the Synaptic Package Manger aptly-named Add Applications. You can access that via Applications>Add Applications.

Note: I used the “Add Application” shown above, to remove Firefox, but failed. It doesn’t allow, perhaps that time I was not login as root.

Source: PaulStamatiou

Did you notice that these 2 days I update my blog kinda late? But I’m still trying to update it everyday, as I don’t want my blog visitors to get bored with the same contents. I was busy and still busy of reinstalling Windows and other softwares which are essential to me. I was thinking of making a Dual OS in my laptop, the original Windows XP Professional and the Ubuntu 7.04 which I received some time ago. I’ve tried installing Ubuntu 6.06 to my desktop computer and it was nicely setup with two OS available for booting. (But deal to some Windows problem some time later, I reformat my desktop computer and install Windows XP only)

I was thinking what’s the difference between Ubuntu 6.06 and Ubuntu 7.04? So, I decided to install Ubuntu 7.04 to my laptop (currently using it to blog). When I start doing the installation, wow..the interface looks even better than the previous version, I mean look at the logo, it’s more round and solid. However the photo you see below, it’s a bit stretch. Well, that’s what it looks like when you have it freshly installed in a widescreen display laptop.

And because of some misunderstanding on the partition part, all, ALL my data in the harddisk all reformatted and gone~~~ Well, that’s why I’m busy these 2 days. You gonna say, installing Windows doesn’t take you 2 days, huh? Well, this include finding software which I always wanted to install and also, spending a lot of time searching for customized font…and a lot more, such as Photoshop brushes…I haven’t search for old and new one. That’s eating up my time.I’m sad that some critical data is gone, but hey, it’s a new start…my laptop is now more nicely organized and I’ve decided to change the font that I always use for the watermark to the one you see in the above picture. Now my laptop is ready to use and most software that I need is already installed.

P/S: Just in case you haven’t know yet, Ubuntu is one of Linux distros.

I thought I was gonna write something about installing Ubuntu earlier. Even the Ubuntu free CD is already received, think I should at least say something about installing Ubuntu. I’ve been searching for tutorial on installing Ubuntu before I started installing it to my desktop computer. Detailed tutorials sometimes just make things more complicated. So, I just follow the instructions available when running the Ubuntu CD (I downloaded the image and burnt it to CD) - and it’s actually very easy, just like how you install an application in Windows.

But before installing Ubuntu, we should know the requirements, although it can be supported by almost every system, even older systems.

Minimum Hardware Requirements
- 700 MHz or better processor
- 256MB of memory
- CD-ROM drive
- Ethernet interface
- VGA graphics interface
- 3GB of available disk space

So, I assume that you are going to install Ubuntu on a Windows system, for dual boot. And just assume that you just need a basic installation of Ubuntu - without worrying the hard disk partition. (if you are an expert, please ignore this entry, this is not for you)You can finish installing Ubuntu Linux in just few steps.
Step 1: Insert your Ubuntu Linux CD and boot it. (assume you know how to boot disc)
Step 2: Choose “Start or Install Ubuntu” when you see the menu screen.
Step 3: Then you will see a Ubuntu GUI desktop, double click on “Install”.
Step 4: Choose your preference language (you probably will want to choose “English”)
Step 5: Choose your geographical location & time zone.
Step 6: Choose your keyboard type (I chose “American English”, you probably do the same too)
Step 7: Fill in your information such as name, login ID, login password and computer name.
Step 8: For beginners (such as me), you would like to choose the first option, and let Ubuntu handle the spaces it need by itself.
Step 9: Last step, proceed to finish your installation.

Basically, if you follow the installation wizard closely, you won’t be lost. Of course, you can install Ubuntu with the “text method”, which I will not discuss it here. You can find more information about installing Ubuntu from many resources available from the Internet.

Earlier end of last month, I mentioned about ordering a free Ubuntu Linux CD. And today I finally received it. ^^ Happy!! This time is a newer and for the mean time the latest version of Ubuntu Linux (version 7.04, unlike the one I downloaded earlier which is version 6.06) Since I already installed Ubuntu Linux 6.06 to my PC, I will make this CD one of my collections.

So this is a photo of my newly received Ubuntu Linux free CD. Nice packing and nice disc cover design. To find out how to get a free Ubuntu Linux CD too, please read my previous post here. It took about 3 weeks time to get my CD. Have fun =)