Features

• The power and flexibility of the Linux desktop - for working professionals needing to get up to speed fast on Linux.
• From Janet Valade, best-selling PHP author and longtime Linux expert.
• Covers the three most popular versions of Linux: Fedora, SuSE, and Mandrake PLUS both the GNOME and KDE desktop suites
• Fast-paced: introductory tutorials give way to advanced topics such as the Linux command line and Linux shell scripts - all in the unique Spring Into one-page and two-page tutorial format.

Preface.
About the Author.
About the Series Editor.

1. Understanding Open Source Software.

Open Source Software
Open Source License
Linux Is Open Source Software
What Is GNU?
Summary

2. Choosing a Linux Distribution.

Distribution Contents
Red Hat/Fedora
Mandrake
SuSE
Other Distributions
Live CDs
Summary

3. Getting Ready to Install Linux.

Hardware Requirements
Hardware Compatibility
Purchasing Linux
Downloading Linux
Planning Your Computer System
Running Linux with Windows
Examining Your Hard Drive
Making Room for Linux During Installation
Making Room for Linux Before Installation
Booting from the CD or from a Floppy
Summary

4. Installation.

Installation Overview
Starting the Fedora Installation Procedure
Collecting Hardware Information for Fedora
Selecting the Installation Type for Fedora
Selecting Where to Install Fedora
Collecting Network Information for Fedora
Languages and Time Zone for Fedora
Creating the Root Account for Fedora
Selecting Packages to Install on Fedora
Installing the Fedora System
Starting the Mandrake Installation Procedure
Collecting Information for Mandrake
Selecting Packages to Install on Mandrake
Installing the Mandrake System
Creating Accounts for Mandrake
Configuration Summary for Mandrake
Finishing Mandrake Installation
Starting the SuSE Installation Procedure
Configuration Settings for SuSE
Selecting Packages to Install on SuSE
Installing the SuSE System
Configuring the Installed SuSE System
Finishing SuSE Installation
Summary

5. Interacting with Linux.

The Graphical User Interface on Linux
GNOME
KDE
The Command-Line Interface on Linux
Choosing the Interface
Summary

6. Using Your Desktop.

Logging In
Your First Login
Anatomy of a Desktop
KDE and GNOME Desktops
The Panel
Working on the Desktop
Configuring the Desktop
Changing the KDE Background
Changing the GNOME Background
Setting Fonts
Setting the Screen Saver
Organizing the Desktop
Changing the Panel Location and Size
Configuring Multiple Virtual Desktops
Logging Out
Summary

7. Using the Command Line.

Entering Commands
Entering a Single Command
Command-Line Syntax
Redirecting Input and Output
Running Commands in the Background
Editing the Command Line
Command-Line Help
Some Useful Commands
The sort Command
The grep Command
Configuring the Terminal Window
Summary

8. Linux Accounts.

Account Types
Groups
Account Information
Adding Accounts
Passwords
Group Information
Adding Groups
Forgotten Root Password
Summary

9. File Management.

File Organization
File Information
Examining Files from the Desktop
Examining Files from the Command Line
File Permissions
Changing Permissions
Managing Owners and Groups
File Types
Finding Files
Creating Directories, Files, and Links
Copying, Renaming, and Moving Files
Viewing and Editing Text Files
Deleting Files and Directories
Summary

10. Applications and Programs.

Programs
Linux Commands
Applications
Managing Application Software
Installing from the Distribution CDs
Installing from the Distribution Web Site
Finding Packages on the Internet
Installing Packages Using RPM
Installing Packages from Source Code
Summary

11. Word Processing.

Creating a Document
Menus and Toolbars
Formatting
Styles
Using Templates
Creating Templates
Editing Document Contents
Autocorrection
Spell Checking
Tables and Columns
Frames
Graphics in Documents
The Gallery
Document File Formats
Tracking Changes
Summary

12. Spreadsheets.

Creating a Spreadsheet
Menus and Toolbars
Formatting Cells
Formatting Pages
Editing the Spreadsheet Content
Formulas and Functions
Saving and Printing
Summary

13. Graphics.

Graphics File Formats
Viewing Graphics Files
Scanning Documents
Presentation Graphics
Digital Cameras
Screen Shots
Diagramming with Dia
Drawing with OpenOffice Draw
Creating and Opening Images in the GIMP
The GIMP Toolbox
Changing Image Size in GIMP
Removing Elements from an Image in GIMP
Adding Elements to an Image in the GIMP
Working with Layers in the GIMP
Summary

14. Printing.

Installing Your Printer on Fedora
Installing Your Printer on Other Distributions
Printing
Managing Print Jobs
Summary

15. The Internet.

Accessing the Internet
Hardware for Accessing the Internet
Checking Your Network Connections
Adding a Dial-Up Network Connection
Adding a Broadband Network Connection
Web Browsers
Browsing with Mozilla
Mozilla Menus and Toolbars
The Mozilla Sidebar
Tabbed Browsing in Mozilla
Controlling Pop-Ups with Mozilla
Downloads, Forms, Passwords, and Cookies
Plug-Ins
Summary

16. Multimedia.

Configuring Your Sound Card
Playing Audio CDs
Downloading Music
Xmms
Rhythmbox
Video Players
RealPlayer
MPlayer
Listening to Radio
Copying Music Files from CD to Hard Disk
Summary

17. Email, Messaging, and News.

Email Accounts
Email Software
Setting Up an Email Account
Configuring Mozilla Email
Reading Email in Mozilla
Sending Email in Mozilla
Mozilla Message Filters
Creating a Message Filter in Mozilla
Spam
Mozilla Address Book
Adding and Editing Address Cards
Instant Messaging
Signing Up for AIM
Signing Up for MSN Messenger
Signing On with Gaim
IM Conversations
Newsgroups
Summary

18. Editing Text Files.

Opening a File in Kate
Editing in Kate
Kate Features for Programmers
Opening a File in vi
Editing and Saving Files with vi
Moving Around a File in vi
vi Editing Commands
Sample vi Editing Session
Summary

19. Shell Scripts.

A Simple Shell Script
The Basics of Variables and Arrays
Reading Data into Variables
Special Characters and Quotes
Flow Control
Testing Conditions
If Statements
Case Statements
For Loops
While Loops and Until Loops
Infinite Loops
Scheduling Scripts to Run Automatically
A Sample Script
Summary

Appendix A: Regular Expressions.
Appendix B: Command Reference.
Index.