Introducing Ubuntu Linux

Introducing Ubuntu Linux

When you sit down in front a computer, you're using what's called an operating system. This controls you see, such as icons and menus, and what you use, such as your keyboard and mouse. However, what you may not know is that there are 3 different operating systems on offer, one of which i will be talking and explaining about in this guide. The 3 operating system i am talking about are the following;

Microsoft Windows Vista
Apple Mac Os X Leopard
Linux
In this guide, i will be talking about Linux, or in essence, a operating that runs Linux, which in this case, is called Ubuntu. I have chosen this as i believe, that out of all 3, Ubuntu is the easiest to use and what's more, is free, which the other aren't, with Windows pricing from around £80 to £400, and the Apple Mac over £1,000, however, the Mac Mini, a bare bones version of the Mac operating system, is only £339. However this still doesn't alter the fact that Ubuntu is free, so it's a fantastic deal in comparison. In the guides following, you see why that is.

However, in this guide, i will be explaining just one thing, how to install Ubutu onto your home computer. If you wish to know the reasons as to why this is such a good system, please visit this site http://www.ubuntu.com/products/whatisubuntu/804features/, which will provide ample information, and what's more, comes straight from the horses mouth, the company itself, so you can immediatly guarantee realiable and truthful advice.

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If you have read the website information and like what you're reading and have decided that you want to install Ubuntu, that's great. This part of the guide will explain how to install onto your home computer. To install Ubuntu, you will need to use a CD-R or CD-RW disc. These can be bought from almost every shop. If you don't know what CD-R or CD-RW's are, ask in the shop and they will happily tell you.
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1.After turning on your computer and loading to the desktop, click on the Internet Explorer icon (or whatever browser you are using, such as Mozilla Firefox) and then in the address bar (the long bar which contains www in it), type in this address;

www.ubuntu.com

2.Following this, the Ubuntu home page will load. The next step is to the download Ubuntu. This is very simple. On the left hand side of the page, going down the page, look for a link that reads Get Ubuntu. This should be displayed in red writing. Underneath this, there should be another red link that reads Download. Click this and the Download page will appear.

3.On this page, i will display a list of options. Only one of these needs to be change, this being the Choose A Location Near You. To change this, simply click on the black pointed arrow next to the text that reads Please Choose A Location. This will display a whole list of options, displaying countries and companies. Don't panic, you just need the Great Britain Virgin Media option. Click on the black pointed arrow of the this drop down menu (not the arrow next to the Please Choose A Location as this will close the menu) until you find that option and then click Start Download.

4.The Download Will Start Shortly page will appear. Do not click on anything. Just wait until the File Download window appear and then click Save and save it to the desktop then click Save. The file will then download. This will take anything from 25 to 1 hour. My advice is go off and have a cup of tea or do what you will and come back from time to time to see if the file has finished downloaded. You will know this as the file download window will have change to display 3 new options, Run, Cancel or Exit.

5.Now that the file has downloaded, it's now time to download a application to copy the downloaded file to the cd so that it can be used for Ubuntu. The best program to use for this is a program called InfraRecorder (please don't leave now, it's really easy!). To download InfraRecorder, go to this address;

http://infrarecorder.sourceforge.net/?page_id=5

Following this, look down the right hand side of the page to you find text that reads Downloads

4.Following this, click the first link at the top of the page. This will take you to another site where you can download the file. If you are using Internet Explorer, a dialog box may appear. Click Close in this and then click the blue link on the page that reads This Direct Link. In the dialog box, click Save, and like the step for installing Ubuntu, save the program to the Desktop.

5.After the program has downloaded, double click the downloaded file to launch it's installer. Follow the instructions of the installer and click Close once it has installed.

6.Now that it has been downloaded, double click the InfraRecorder icon on the desktop. This will now load the program.

7.Don't panic. All those windows, i hear you cry!. You don't have to click on anything in these. You just click a few buttons and you'll be on your way. Not long now.

8.Along the top of the program window, you should see 6 options. Click on the 3rd option, this being Actions. Then click Burn Image. Then click on the file you have downloaded and click Open. Following this, click Ok, as you do not need to change any option in the window that appears.

9.Once again, it's just a case of waiting until it has been copied to the cd. Top yourself up with minerals once more and come back once it has downloaded.

10.Now that it has downloaded, it's time to run Ubuntu. To do this, click on the My Computer icon on your desktop and double clickon the drive that has the CD in (The name of this cd is Ubuntu). Following this click on the file that reads Setup and follow the instructions.

11.Now it's time to restart the computer. Click Start, Shut Down and then click Restart. When the computer has restarted, a new menu should appear at startup. This should read Ubuntu Linux and Microsoft Windows XP (or Vista). Press Enter for the first option. This should load the Ubuntu boot screen. Before this however, click Enter. Then click Try Ubuntu Without Making Changes To Your Computer or something to that effect. This will then load Ubuntu onto your computer

You may be wondering why it reads Try Ubuntu Without Making Changes To Your Computer . This is because you can use the CD to run Ubuntu without actually installing. This is one great major compared to Windows, as Window doesn't allow or even have an option for this.

12.The Ubuntu desktop should now load. Feel free to have a good look around the system. Click on things, see what they do. You can immediatly notice that it looks very different to Windows. However, this isn't a bad thing and will become second nature after a while.

13.If you like what you see and want to install Ubuntu, simply click on the Install icon on the desktop. This will then load the Installation window.

14.From here, click on English (which is already highlighed), then click on the button on the bottom of the window that reads Next. Now it's time to select the Time Zone. Don't panic. This is very easy. Simply move over the map until you can read Europe/London. Then click Next. On this screen, click British English and the top option in the window that appears to the right. Then click Next. Now it's time to fill out your information. This doesn't need an explanation really does it?. Simply follow what it says. For the last box, that reads select a name for this computer, leave it blank, as this is used for computers that are on networks, and if you are using a single home computer, this isn't the case.

You may be wondering why you need a password. The reason is that Linux is an extremely secure operating system and, in order for you to be able to use the system securely, it asks for a password so that all system files can be moved out of view so that you cannot delete any by mistake. Vista has recently adopted this approach

15.Once you've filled all the information click Next. Now it's time to select the disk you will be installing Ubuntu onto to. AAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAH! i hear you cry. Once again, this is very easy. Find the information that reads Guided Use Entire Disk or Erase Entire Disk. This will delete XP or Vista off the computer and install Ubuntu in it's place. Once you've selected this option, click Next. Now read the top bit of information that's here. If it's all correct, click Install. This will now install Ubuntu onto the computer.

16.Once again, top up time. Leave it to it's own devices. When the installation finishes, click on Restart Now in the dialog box that appears.

17.Now it wil ask you to take the cd out of the drive. Wait until the cd ejects from the drive and then press Enter. This will then restart the computer.

Ubuntu is now installed! Wasn't that hard was it!

Thank you for taking the time to read all of this. It's a hell of a lot i realise, so thanks for sticking it out for this long!.

If you wish to comment on this article, please do. Any comments are welcome. Let me know if you want me to do anymore. I will happily do so.

Once again thank you. Peace and love.

Matthew Duffy

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