Ubuntu 10.04 Lts Desktop Handbook

The Ubuntu 10.04 desktop covers the Ubuntu 10.04 (Lucid Lynx) release. The emphasis here is on what users will face when using Ubuntu, covering topics like installation, applications, software management, the GNOME and KDE4 desktops, shell commands, network connections, and system administration tasks. Office, multimedia, mail, and Web applications are reviewed. Desktops are examined in detail including the new desktop themes designed for Ubuntu. The KDE4 desktop provides a very different interface using plasma containers to support the panel, menu, desktop, configuration tools, and plasmoid applets. Though administrative topics are covered, the emphasis is on what a user would need to know to perform tasks. Certain key tools are covered in detail like Network Manager, which supports both wireless 3G and Ethernet connections, the Ubuntu Software Center for easy software selection and installation, and the Ubuntu One synchronization and sharing service along with the Ubuntu Music service. Gufw provides a user interface for managing the ufw firewall, the default firewall. Advanced components of Ubuntu 10.04 are also examined such as the GRUB 2 boot loader, and the creation of Ubuntu Live and Netbook USB drives, Computer Janitor for removing unused software, PulseAudio sound configuration, and Disk Utility (DeviceKit) for storage device configuration and information (SMART). Alternate multimedia releases like Ubuntu Studio and Mythbuntu are also referenced.