Most computers in the world run some version of Microsoft Windows It is by far the most popular desktop operating system in the world, but when we move on to non-desktop systems such as the servers that power the Internet, things look different.
You will most likely find that some version of Linux is running on these machines. Ubuntu Linux is the desktop version of this robust and powerful operating system, which, depending on your needs, can be your ideal desktop operating system. If you are intrigued by the idea of ??Ubuntu, then this Ubuntu Linux beginner’s guide is a great place to start.
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What is Ubuntu Linux?
Ubuntu Linux is one of the Linux distributions or “distributions”. Linux is an open source operating system that is supported by a community of ordinary people and foundations sponsored by larger industry players.
Ubuntu, in particular, is created and maintained by Canonical. This is a version of Linux designed specifically as an alternative to operating systems such as Windows and macOS
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Everything from the interface to the standard software is geared towards common users. This is one of the reasons Ubuntu has become the most popular desktop version of Linux in the world.
Where can I find Ubuntu Linux?
Finding Ubuntu Linux is pretty easy. Just go to the Ubuntu website and download the version you want. You don’t have to pay anything, but donations are always welcome!
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After booting the Ubuntu disk image, you can create installation media, such as a bootable USB stick, or simply burn the image to DVD.
Install Ubuntu Linux
We will not cover the Ubuntu installation process in this article, but we recommend that you start by installing in a virtual machine so that you can safely try the operating system on yourself.
If you’re adventurous, you might even consider dual booting Windows 10 and Ubuntu. From now on, we’ll assume you have some version of Ubuntu to play with.
Getting started with Ubuntu Linux
When you first log into Ubuntu, you will be amazed by both familiar and unfamiliar. The Ubuntu desktop is known as “Unity” and has gone through a long process of refinement to become what it is today.
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The main area of ??the screen is the desktop. It also reflects the location in your directory structure. This is where you can store files and icons for items such as external drives will appear here.
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On the left side of the screen is the favorites bar. Basically, this is the Ubuntu version of the macOS dock or the pinned icons on the Windows 10 taskbar. By default, you will see the icons shown there, but the context menu allows you to immediately remove those you don’t need. Just right-click any of these icons and select Remove from Favorites.
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The grid icon in the bottom left corner will open all installed apps. This is similar to the Windows Start button or the Android app bar. You can right click on any of them and then “Add to favorites”, after which they will appear in the favorites bar.
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The top panel of the screen gives you access to general system functions. Click the notification section to access volume controls, settings shortcut, network settings, and power options.
Administrator privileges
The primary user account, which has full control over the computer, is called “root”. If you have root privileges, you are the master of the machine. This means you can also completely confuse things, which is why Ubuntu (and Linux in general) carefully separates the needs of the average user from the needs of the root level.
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Every time you try to make changes related to these more advanced features, you will have to enter the administrator password. This means that anyone else who gains access to the machine can only do a very limited amount of harm. This will help you think twice before making potentially harmful changes to your system.
An intensive course at the station
Terminal is a text-based command line interface, almost synonymous with Linux Although every other operating system has some form of command line interface, for a long time you couldn’t be a Linux user without extensive use of the Terminal.
Ubuntu is different. Most users will never have to touch Terminal at all, thanks to the efforts of Canonical and the Ubuntu community to make the operating system as user-friendly as possible. However, if you want, you can do whatever you want with the Terminal.
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Often, work in the Terminal is faster and more accurate than in the graphical interface. There are more terminal commands than anyone can remember, but there are a few that everyone should know:
- Sudo – elevates any subsequent command to administrator level.
- Apt-get – This allows you to install, update or remove software from the software database.
- Cd – change the current working directory
- Ls – list all files and folders in the current directory
- Pwd – shows the full path to the current directory.
- Cp – copy file from source to destination
- Mv – move file from source to destination
- Rm – delete file or directory. Be careful with this!
- Mkdir – create a new directory
- Man – shows the man page. Try “man intro” for an introduction to Linux commands.
As a beginner, you don’t need to use the terminal, but a working knowledge of the basics is recommended.
Install Ubuntu applications
There are two main ways to install software on your copy of Ubuntu. The easiest way is to use the built-in software store called “Ubuntu Software”. It works in much the same way as apps stored on other systems like Google Play on Android.
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The vast majority of Ubuntu apps are Free and Open Source (FOSS), but of course there are paid apps as well.
Another main way to install applications is to download the self-installing package. Usually these are either .deb files that work in all flavors of Linux Debian, including Ubuntu. Then there is the PPA or “Personal Package Archive”. Using Ubuntu software, you can add the PPA from your local drive after downloading it and then install it like any other app in the store.
Software assembly
Sometimes the program you need is not in the store and cannot be found in the installation package. Instead, you just get the code and components zipped in the archive. This is a popular compressed file type in Linux
In order for the software to be installed on your system, you need to “compile” it. Believe it or not, the easiest way to do this is to use the command line. The official compilation guide for Ubuntu describes it as a four-step process:
- Download and install the “build-essentials” package (first time).
- Download and extract the compressed file.
- Remove any software dependencies
- Compile and install the software
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Compiling software on Linux is not really a “novice” process, but the good news is that the vast majority of users are unlikely to look for software that is not available in a digital store or that is available as a do-it-yourself package.
It’s easier than it sounds!
Linux‘s reputation as a complex device right now is part of its distant past. Especially when it comes to Ubuntu. Using Ubuntu, if you get to know its specifics, is no more difficult than Windows or macOS Plus it’s free! You can try it now and it could be your new favorite operating system!
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