book

Ubuntu Hacks

by Jonathan Oxer, Kyle Rankin, Bill Childers

June 2006

Beginner

447 pages

12h 18m

English

O'Reilly Media, Inc.

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About the AuthorsContributorsAcknowledgmentsJonathanKyleBill
Why Ubuntu Hacks?How to Use This BookHow This Book Is OrganizedConventions Used in This BookUsing Code ExamplesSafari EnabledHow to Contact UsGot a Hack?
1. Test-Drive UbuntuDownloading the Live CDBooting the CDAnother Use for the Live CD2. Get HelpWeb-Based DocumentationInteractive Help and SupportTraditional Pay-per-Incident Support3. Make Live CD Data PersistentSet the Label on Your USB Memory StickBoot the Live CD in Persistent ModeTesting PersistenceHow It Works4. Customize the Ubuntu Live CDBasic RequirementsAdd extra swapInstall the toolsStandard Live CDPrepare Original ImageSet Up the Target FilesystemApply CustomizationsDelete unnecessary packagesInstall additional packagesCustomize the home directoryUnmount Customized ImageRepack the FilesystemBuild the ISOBurn and BootMore Information and Scripts5. Install UbuntuSystem RequirementsPreserving Your Existing DataGetting the Installation CDInstalling Ubuntu6. Dual-Boot Ubuntu and WindowsPreparationInstallation7. Move Your Windows Data to UbuntuMake Sure You Notify the Post OfficeTransfer Outlook into ThunderbirdTransfer your Thunderbird mail to UbuntuAre You Bringing the Browser?Your Stuff, Your MusicYour Little Black BookAm I Forgetting Anything?You Could Just Hire a Mover8. Install Ubuntu on a MacReinstall Mac OS XInstall Ubuntu9. Set Up Your PrinterGNOME CUPS ManagerCUPS Web InterfaceShare Local PrintersApply Print Quotas10. Install Ubuntu on an External DriveSet Up the PartitionsInstall GRUBUse chrootTweak initrdUpdate GRUB11. Install from a Network Boot ServerPrepare the PXE Boot ServerConfigure DHCPConfigure TFTPBoot the Client12. Submit a Bug ReportGetting Ready to File the BugCreating a Malone AccountSearching for Your BugFiling Your Bug Report13. Use the Command LineNavigate the FilesystemRename and Delete Files and DirectoriesFile Globs and Tab Completion14. Get Productive with ApplicationsOffice SuiteGraphics and Photo EditorWeb BrowsingEmailInstant MessagingMedia Player
15. Get Under the Hood of the GNOME DesktopConfiguration Nirvana: the Configuration EditorScripting GConf16. Tweak the KDE DesktopPersonalHardwareSystem Administration17. Switch to a Lighter Window ManagerGenerate Program MenusChange to Your New Window ManagerTry XFCEUse FluxboxSeek EnlightenmentOther Window Managers18. Install JavaInstalling the Java Runtime EnvironmentConfirming the Installation19. Search Your ComputerInstalling BeagleStarting beagledUsing Beagle and deskbar-applet20. Access Remote Filesystems21. Tweak Your Desktop Like a ProGet Icons on Your DesktopGet Organized with TomboyAutomatic Wallpaper SwitchingGetting a Pull-Down “Quake” Terminal22. Sync Your Palm PDAConfiguring Palm SynchronizationConfiguring the Sync ConduitsAdd the Pilot Applet23. Sync Your Pocket PCConnecting the Pocket PCTesting the ConnectionEstablish a PartnershipSynchronize with EvolutionTesting MultisyncSyncing to the Pocket PCInstall Pocket PC SoftwareAccessing the Pocket PC’s FilesystemTroubleshooting24. Customize the Right-Click Contextual MenuEasy-Access TemplatesCustom Scripts25. Download and Share Files with the Best P2P SoftwareBitTorrentCommand lineGUIaMule and eDonkey2000LimeWire and GnutellaOther P2P Apps26. Make Your Own PDFsInstalling CUPS-PDFConfiguring CUPS for the PDF PrinterUsing Your New PDF Printer27. Blog with UbuntuInstalling DrivelConfiguring and Using Drivel
28. Install Multimedia Plug-insTweak Your Repository ListInstall General-Purpose Libraries and ToolsInstall Gstreamer LibrariesInstall Codecs of Ambiguous Legality29. Watch VideosInstall MPlayerUse MPlayerDVD playback(S)VCD playbackStreaming playbackTroubleshooting30. Play DVDs31. Buy Songs at the iTunes Music Store32. Get a Grip on CD RippingInstall GripConfigure Ubuntu to Default to GripConfigure GripConfigure CD optionsConfigure ripping optionsConfigure encoding optionsConfigure ID3 optionsConfigure DiscDB optionsRip a CD33. Burn CDs and DVDs34. Automate Audio CD BurningUse SerpentineUse K3b35. Rip and Encode DVDsLoad Your DVDConfigure SettingsQueue and Rip36. Create a Video DVDInstall tovidConvert the VideoCreate the XML FileCreate the DVD Filesystem StructureBurn the DVD37. Connect to a Digital CameraImport from a Non-USB-Storage-Device CameraImport from a USB-Storage-Device CameraAutomatically Rotate Your Photos with gThumb
38. Put Your Laptop to SleepGetting Some SleepTesting ACPI Sleep39. Hibernate Your LaptopConfiguring HibernationUsing Hibernation40. Prolong Your Battery Life41. Get Proprietary Wireless Cards WorkingInstalling ndiswrapper and ndisgtkWrapping the Windows DriversConfiguring the Adapter42. Roam WirelesslyUsing Your Wireless Network CardNetworkManager and You43. Make Laptop Settings Roam with Your NetworkInstall laptop-netConfigure laptop-net ProfilesConfigure the offline profileConfigure the default network profileTest your configurationCreate Personal laptop-net ProfilesConfigure the patterns fileConfigure the after-select script44. Make Bluetooth ConnectionsPairingManual PairingBluetooth File TransferConnect to the Internet45. Expand Your Laptop46. Hotswap Your Laptop’s Optical Drive
47. Configure Multibutton Mice48. Enable Your Multimedia KeyboardAssign GNOME Keyboard ShortcutsHotkeysUnderstand Hotkeys configuration parsingSet keyboard typeCustomize predefined actionsCreate custom actionsTest HotkeysOnscreen display settingsStart Hotkeys Automatically49. Configure a TouchpadPreparing Your X11 ConfigurationInstalling qsynapticsConfiguring the Touchpad with QSynaptics50. Connect Multiple DisplaysGrok the Xorg Conf FileSection “Device”Section “Monitor”Section “Screen”Section “ServerLayout”Tracking Down X ErrorsConfigure XineramaConfigure TwinView on nVidiaConfiguring MergedFB on ATI/RadeonCombining Methods51. Change the Ubuntu Splash Screen52. Enable 3-D Video AccelerationMeasure PerformanceIdentify Your Video CardDriversnVidiaATIMatrox53. Make Your Fonts PrettyFonts Are Not Created EqualFont Management with DefomaOnscreen Font-Rendering PreferencesScreen resolutionSmoothingHintingSubpixel orderInstall Microsoft Core FontsInstall Macintosh and Windows TrueType Fonts
54. Manage Packages from the Command Linedpkgapt and FriendsLazy like a fox55. Manage Packages with SynapticReload the Package ListInstall PackagesUpdate PackagesRemove PackagesSearch for PackagesEdit Preferences and Add Repositories56. Manage Packages with AdeptBasic Adept UsageReceive Update Notifications Automatically57. Install and Remove Standalone .deb FilesInstall a .debRemove a Package58. Search for Packages from the Command LineSearch for Packages Based on KeywordsSearch for Packages Based on Files They Contain59. Install Software from SourceInstall Compiler ToolsGet and Compile the SourceStep 1: configureStep 2: compileStep 3: installHacking the Hack60. Modify the List of Package RepositoriesAdd and Remove RepositoriesUnofficial Repositories61. Cache Packages Locally with Apt-cacherInstalling Apt-cacherServer setupClient setupConfiguration OptionsTraffic ReportsHacking the Hack62. Create an Ubuntu PackageCreate Package FilesBuild the PackageUpdate the Package63. Compile a Source PackageEnable Source RepositoriesInstall Package Build ToolsInstall Build Dependencies and Fetch the SourceApply ChangesBuild Binary Package64. Convert Non-Ubuntu PackagesConvert Packages with AlienSolve Package-Conversion ProblemsConvert Ubuntu Packages to Other Formats65. Create Your Own Package RepositoryAnatomy of a RepositoryGetting StartedUpdate the RepositoryManage a Repository Without Shell Access66. Convert Debian to UbuntuPerform the ConversionMix Ubuntu and Debian
67. Limit Permissions with sudo/etc/sudoers SyntaxShow It’s WorkingEnable the root Account68. Manage Security UpdatesUbuntu Update PolicyObtain Security UpdatesAutomate Update NotificationsPackage SignaturesMonitor Security Advisories69. Protect Your Network with a FirewallInitial Firewall SetupInitial Management-Machine SetupCreate a firewall projectDefine a new firewallAdd a host-specific policyCompile and Install the PolicyAutomatic Policy StartupAutomatic Policy Installation70. Use an Encrypted Filesystem to Protect Your DataKernel SetupCreate an Encrypted DeviceCreate a loopback disk imageSet up the block deviceUnmountingRemountingHacking the Hack71. Encrypt Your Email and Important FilesGenerate a GPG Key PairImporting GPG KeysSigning a GPG KeyEncrypting Files Using GPGDecrypting Files Using GPG72. Surf the Web AnonymouslyHow Onion Routing WorksInstalling and Using TorOther Apps73. Keep Windows Malware off Your System
74. Edit Configuration FilesNavigate Through the FileEdit a LineCopy and PasteUndoSave and ExitSearch and ReplaceHelpWhere to Learn More75. Manage Users and GroupsUse the User Administration ToolManage Users and Groups from the Command Line76. Mount Any FilesystemAdd a Local PartitionMount the FilesystemsMount Network Filesystems77. Control Startup ServicesServices Administration ToolCommand-Line MethodChange the RunlevelManually Start and Stop ServicesDisable Scripts from Starting78. Build Kernels the Ubuntu WayGet the SourceTools You Will NeedConfiguration MethodsConfiguring the KernelCompiling and PackagingInstall Your Kernel PackageRebooting and TestingInstalling on Other MachinesInstall Multiple Copies of One Kernel Version79. Back Up Your SystemGet Simple BackupConfigure Simple BackupUse recommended backup settingsUse custom backup settingsConfiguring Custom Backup SettingsConfigure files to includeConfigure files to excludeConfigure the backup destinationConfigure recurring backupsRestore from Backup80. Clone an InstallationExport the List of Installed PackagesPrepare the Destination SystemImport the Package ListHacking the Hack81. Rescue an Unbootable SystemBoot into Rescue ModeCommon Rescue ScenariosThe system won’t go past the boot menu, or the menu is missingThe system goes past the boot menu but can’t access the root filesystemThe system boots and continues through part of the boot process, but hangs at a particular serviceConclusion82. Check the Captain’s LogView the Logs83. Mount Removable Devices with Persistent Names84. Mount Remote Directories Securely and Easily85. Make Videos of Your Tech-Support Questions86. Synchronize Files Across MachinesThe Problem with rsyncSynchronize Files on Two Machines with Unison Using SSHTweaking Your ProfilesChanging the Location of Your Logfile DirectoryFurther Information About Unison

87. Run Windows ApplicationsInstall WineConfigure WineInstall a Windows ApplicationRun Windows ApplicationsWorking with WineRunning Other Windows Components88. Play Windows GamesRun Blasts from the PastRun Current Windows Games with CedegaRun Google Earth with Wine89. Run Ubuntu Inside WindowsInstall coLinuxSet Up the Debian ImageInstall UbuntuEnabling SSHRunning X11 Applications90. Use Xen to Host Virtual MachinesInitial Host InstallationBase Packages Required by XenObtain Xen3 Binary DistributionExtract Binary DistributionConfigure GRUB BootloaderXen ServicesEnable NetworkingDisable TLS LibrariesReboot91. Create an Ubuntu/Xen Virtual MachinePrepare VM FilesystemsRoot filesystemSwap filesystemMount the root filesystem imageInstall Ubuntu into the Root FilesystemConfigure the Virtual MachineRun Setup Within the VM ImageGet Ready to Crank Up the VMConfigure the VM in XenBoot Your Virtual MachineCreate Additional Guests92. Split Your Machine’s PersonalityInstalling VMware ServerRunning VMware Server
93. Install and Configure an Ubuntu ServerMinimal InstallationStatic Network ConfigurationUPS-Triggered Shutdown94. Build a File ServerEnable Quota SupportInstall SambaAdd SharesShare Printers95. Administer Your Server RemotelyConfigure SSHX11 ForwardingConfigure Passwordless AuthenticationCopy Files Securely96. Build a Web ServerInstall ApacheInstall PHPConfigure Dynamic Virtual Hosting97. Build an Email ServerPostfix SMTP ServerReduce Spam with GreylistingActivity ReportingPOP and IMAP Services98. Build a Caching Proxy ServerBasic Squid SetupProxy Traffic ReportsPeering Proxies99. Build a DHCP ServerInstall the DHCP DaemonBasic ConfigurationAssign Addresses to Specific HostsHacking the Hack100. Build a Domain Name ServerUnderstand DNS in 60 SecondsAuthoritative and Recursive LookupsInstall BIND9Create an Authoritative Forward ZoneFirewall Rules

Overview

Ubuntu Linux--the most popular Linux distribution on the planet--preserves the spirit embodied in the ancient African word ubuntu, which means both "humanity to others" and "I am what I am because of who we all are." Ubuntu won the Linux Journal Reader's Choice Award for best Linux distribution and is consistently the top-ranked Linux variant on DistroWatch.com. The reason this distribution is so widely popular is that Ubuntu is designed to be useful, usable, customizable, and always available for free worldwide.

Ubuntu Hacks is your one-stop source for all of the community knowledge you need to get the most out of Ubuntu: a collection of 100 tips and tools to help new and experienced Linux users install, configure, and customize Ubuntu. With this set of hacks, you can get Ubuntu Linux working exactly the way you need it to. Learn how to:

Install and test-drive Ubuntu Linux.
Keep your system running smoothly
Turn Ubuntu into a multimedia powerhouse: rip and burn discs, watch videos, listen to music, and more
Take Ubuntu on the road with Wi-Fi wireless networking, Bluetooth, etc.
Hook up multiple displays and enable your video card's 3-D acceleration
Run Ubuntu with virtualization technology such as Xen and VMware
Tighten your system's security
Set up an Ubuntu-powered server

Ubuntu Hacks will not only show you how to get everything working just right, you will also have a great time doing it as you explore the powerful features lurking within Ubuntu.

"Put in a nutshell, this book is a collection of around 100 tips and tricks which the authors choose to call hacks, which explain how to accomplish various tasks in Ubuntu Linux. The so called hacks range from down right ordinary to the other end of the spectrum of doing specialised things...More over, each and every tip in this book has been tested by the authors on the latest version of Ubuntu (Dapper Drake) and is guaranteed to work. In writing this book, it is clear that the authors have put in a lot of hard work in covering all facets of configuring this popular Linux distribution which makes this book a worth while buy."
-- Ravi Kumar, Slashdot.org