Ubuntu Linux For Dummies (2007)

In This Chapter

· Kubuntu: The GNOMEless Ubuntu

· Helping young learners with Edubuntu

· The lightweight Xubuntu

You say Ubuntu, I say Kubuntu. You say Edubuntu, I say Xubuntu. Why don't we just . . . Anyway, there's more to Ubuntu than just Ubuntu. As the song says, there are actually four variations of Ubuntu.

This appendix introduces them all. Ubuntu makes it easy to download each version and burn a CD-ROM. You can make and boot any or all discs. It's fun to experiment and explore the diverse Ubuntu world and make the decision as to which one best suits your needs.

Trying a Different Look: Kubuntu

Kubuntu is Ubuntu that uses the K Desktop Environment (KDE) graphical desktop in place of GNOME. KDE and GNOME are similar in many ways. However, KDE is considered to use more advanced technology than GNOME.

The ordinary computer user won't find that much difference between KDE and GNOME. Some people like KDE, others like GNOME, and yet others — like myself — don't care.

Kubuntu provides the same range of applications, such as Openoffice.org, that Ubuntu does. New Kubuntu releases follow the same six-month schedule, too. Please browse www.kubuntu.org for more information about this product.

The following instructions assume you're working from an Ubuntu computer with a writable CD-ROM or DVD drive.

You need to download a Kubuntu CD-ROM image from an Ubuntu mirror to a computer from which you can burn the image to a writable CD. Follow these steps:

1. Click your Firefox browser icon on the GNOME panel.

2. Type www.kubuntu.org/download.php in the Location text box and press the Enter key.

3. Click the Download link for the latest version.

4. Click the link to your continent.

The menu of download sites expands to different countries.

5. Click your country.

The menu expands to show universities and various organizations.

6. Click any of the various university or organization links (that house Kubuntu mirrors).

The list further expands to one or more actual download sites.

7. Click a download site.

The Opening Kubuntu-6.10 dialog opens.

8. Click the Save File button.

The Downloads dialog opens, showing a progress meter.

9. Click the Cleanup button and close the dialog when the download finishes.

After you download the Kubuntu disc image, you'll want to burn a CD-ROM. Follow these steps:

1. Insert a writable CD-ROM in your computer's CD burner drive.

2. From the GNOME menu bar, choose SystemAdministrationTerminal.

3. Type the following command to burn the CD-ROM:

sudo cdrecorder -v Desktop/kubuntu*iso

When the burn finishes, you can either reboot directly from the new disc or eject the disc and use it to boot another machine. Your computer boots from the Kubuntu CD-ROM, just like an Ubuntu disc. After the computer boots, you see the screen in Figure A-1 .

Figure A-1: The Kubuntu screen.

If you're comfortable using Ubuntu, you should feel at home using the KDE interface in Kubuntu.

Chapter A. Tutti-Fruti Ubuntu

In This Chapter

· Kubuntu: The GNOMEless Ubuntu

· Helping young learners with Edubuntu

· The lightweight Xubuntu

You say Ubuntu, I say Kubuntu. You say Edubuntu, I say Xubuntu. Why don't we just . . . Anyway, there's more to Ubuntu than just Ubuntu. As the song says, there are actually four variations of Ubuntu.

This appendix introduces them all. Ubuntu makes it easy to download each version and burn a CD-ROM. You can make and boot any or all discs. It's fun to experiment and explore the diverse Ubuntu world and make the decision as to which one best suits your needs.

Trying a Different Look: Kubuntu

Kubuntu is Ubuntu that uses the K Desktop Environment (KDE) graphical desktop in place of GNOME. KDE and GNOME are similar in many ways. However, KDE is considered to use more advanced technology than GNOME.

The ordinary computer user won't find that much difference between KDE and GNOME. Some people like KDE, others like GNOME, and yet others — like myself — don't care.

Kubuntu provides the same range of applications, such as Openoffice.org, that Ubuntu does. New Kubuntu releases follow the same six-month schedule, too. Please browse www.kubuntu.org for more information about this product.

The following instructions assume you're working from an Ubuntu computer with a writable CD-ROM or DVD drive.

You need to download a Kubuntu CD-ROM image from an Ubuntu mirror to a computer from which you can burn the image to a writable CD. Follow these steps:

1. Click your Firefox browser icon on the GNOME panel.

2. Type www.kubuntu.org/download.php in the Location text box and press the Enter key.

3. Click the Download link for the latest version.

4. Click the link to your continent.

The menu of download sites expands to different countries.

5. Click your country.

The menu expands to show universities and various organizations.

6. Click any of the various university or organization links (that house Kubuntu mirrors).

The list further expands to one or more actual download sites.

7. Click a download site.

The Opening Kubuntu-6.10 dialog opens.

8. Click the Save File button.

The Downloads dialog opens, showing a progress meter.

9. Click the Cleanup button and close the dialog when the download finishes.

After you download the Kubuntu disc image, you'll want to burn a CD-ROM. Follow these steps:

1. Insert a writable CD-ROM in your computer's CD burner drive.

2. From the GNOME menu bar, choose SystemAdministrationTerminal.

3. Type the following command to burn the CD-ROM:

sudo cdrecorder -v Desktop/kubuntu*iso

When the burn finishes, you can either reboot directly from the new disc or eject the disc and use it to boot another machine. Your computer boots from the Kubuntu CD-ROM, just like an Ubuntu disc. After the computer boots, you see the screen in Figure A-1 .

Figure A-1: The Kubuntu screen.

If you're comfortable using Ubuntu, you should feel at home using the KDE interface in Kubuntu.

An Operating System for Kids: Edubuntu

The Edubuntu project takes the concept of Ubuntu — humanity towards others — into the educational realm. The Edubuntu project takes the basic Ubuntu, which is based on Debian Linux, and adds educational tools to it.

Edubuntu is a cool variation on Ubuntu Linux. Edubuntu isn't just for kids, either. I enjoy the educational tools it provides and also the attractive, customized GNOME interface.

The following instructions assume you're working from an Ubuntu computer with a writable CD-ROM or DVD drive.

Downloading Edubuntu

You can download Edubuntu from one of Ubuntu's mirror sites. Follow these steps:

1. Click your Firefox browser icon on the GNOME panel.

2. Type www.edubuntu.org/Download in the Location text box and press the Enter key.

3. Click the link to your continent.

The menu of download sites expands to different countries.

4. Click your country.

The menu expands to show universities and various organizations.

5. Click any of the various university or organization links (that house Edubuntu mirrors).

The list further expands to one or more actual download sites.

6. Click a download site.

The Opening Edubuntu-6.10 dialog opens.

7. Click the Save File button.

The Downloads dialog opens, showing a progress meter.

8. Click the Cleanup button and close the dialog when the download finishes.

Burning the CD

When you have the Edubuntu CD-ROM image, use the following instructions to burn a CD-ROM from this image:

1. Insert a writable CD-ROM in your computer's CD-ROM drive.

2. From the GNOME menu bar, choose SystemAdministrationTerminal.

3. Type the following command to burn the CD-ROM.

sudo cdrecorder -v Desktop/edubuntu*iso

When you complete burning the CD-ROM, you can use it to boot into Edubuntu. Insert the disc and reboot your computer. When it finishes booting, you see the screen shown in Figure A-1 .

Figure A-1: Your Edubuntu computer.

Running Edubuntu

Edubuntu uses GNOME, just like Ubuntu, and provides all the applications and utilities you get with Ubuntu; it also gives you a very colorful desktop and fun icons.

Some of the more interesting and useful educational applications that Edubuntu provides are

· Kalzium: Displays an interactive periodic table from which you can click on the elements to see detailed information about them.

· Kanagram: Have fun experimenting with and guessing anagrams.

· KmPlot: Graphically plot mathematical functions using KmPlot.

· KStars: Enter your geographical location and see what stars and constellations you can see from your Edubuntu planetarium.

· Tux Pain: Provides a simple drawing program that kids of all ages can have fun using.

Everyone can learn and have fun using Edubuntu!

Follow these steps to access Edubuntu's educational tools:

1. From the GNOME menu bar, choose ApplicationsEducation.

The Education menu opens, where you can select from numerous educational-oriented applications.

2. Select applications (such as the Kalzium periodic table shown in Figure A-1 ).

Figure A-1: The Kalzium periodic table utility.

You can use Edubuntu to help your kids, or the child in you, learn more about periodic tables and the world.