Ubuntu Unleashed 2017

Book + Content Update Program

Ubuntu Unleashed 2017 Edition is filled with unique and advanced information for everyone who wants to make the most of the Ubuntu Linux operating system. This new edition has been thoroughly updated by a long-time Ubuntu community leader to reflect the exciting new Ubuntu 16.04 LTS release with forthcoming online updates for 16.10, 17.04, and 17.10 when they are released.

Former Ubuntu Forum administrator Matthew Helmke covers all you need to know about Ubuntu 16.04 installation, configuration, productivity, multimedia, development, system administration, server operations, networking, virtualization, security, DevOps, and more—including intermediate-to-advanced techniques you won’t find in any other book.

Helmke presents up-to-the-minute introductions to Ubuntu’s key productivity and Web development tools, programming languages, hardware support, and more. You’ll find new or improved coverage of navigation via Unity Dash, wireless networking, VPNs, software repositories, new NoSQL database options, virtualization and cloud services, new programming languages and development tools, monitoring, troubleshooting, and more.

• Configure and customize the Unity desktop
• Get started with multimedia and productivity applications, including LibreOffice
• Manage Linux services, users, and software packages
• Administer and run Ubuntu from the command line
• Automate tasks and use shell scripting
• Provide secure remote access and configure a secure VPN
• Manage kernels and modules
• Administer file, print, email, proxy, LDAP, DNS, and HTTP servers (Apache, Nginx, or alternatives)
• Learn about new options for managing large numbers of servers
• Work with databases (both SQL and the newest NoSQL alternatives)
• Get started with virtualization
• Build a private cloud with Juju and Charms
• Learn the basics about popular programming languages including Python, PHP, Perl, and new alternatives such as Go and Rust
• Learn about Ubuntu’s work toward usability on touchscreen and phone devices

In addition, this book is part of InformIT’s exciting Content Update Program, which provides content updates for major technology improvements! As significant updates are made to Docker and Azure, sections of this book will be updated or new sections will be added to match the updates to the technologies. As updates become available, they will be delivered to you via a free Web Edition of this book, which can be accessed with any Internet connection. To learn more, visit informit.com/cup.

How to access the Web Edition: Follow the instructions inside to learn how to register your book to access the FREE Web Edition.

Introduction   xxxiii
Licensing   xxxiv
Who This Book Is For   xxxv
   Those Wanting to Become Intermediate or Advanced Users   xxxv
   Sysadmins, Programmers, and DevOps   xxxvi
What This Book Contains   xxxvii
Conventions Used in This Book   xxxviii

PART I:  GETTING STARTED
Chapter 1  Installing Ubuntu and Post-Installation Configuration   1
Before You Begin the Installation   1
   Researching Your Hardware Specifications   2
   Installation Options   2
   32-Bit vs 64-Bit Ubuntu   4
   Planning Partition Strategies   5
   The Boot Loader   5
   Installing from DVD or USB Drive   6
Step-by-Step Installation   6
   Installing   7
   First Update   13
Shutting Down   13
Finding Programs and Files   14
Software Updater   15
The sudo Command   18
Configuring Software Repositories   19
System Settings   21
   Detecting and Configuring a Printer   22
   Configuring Power Management in Ubuntu   22
Setting the Time and Date   23
Configuring Wireless Networks   24
Troubleshooting Post-Installation Configuration Problems   26
References   27
Chapter 2  Background Information and Resources   29
What Is Linux?   29
Why Use Linux?   31
What Is Ubuntu?   33
Ubuntu for Business   33
Ubuntu in Your Home   35
Getting the Most from Ubuntu and Linux Documentation   35
Ubuntu Developers and Documentation   36
Websites and Search Engines   37
   Web Search Tips   37
   Google Is Your Friend   37
   Ubuntu Package Listings   38
   Commercial Support   38
   Documentation   39
Linux Guides   39
   Ubuntu   40
Mailing Lists   40
   Ubuntu Project Mailing Lists   41
Internet Relay Chat   42

PART II:  DESKTOP UBUNTU
Chapter 3  Working with Unity   43
Foundations and the X Server   43
   Basic X Concepts   44
   Using X   45
   Elements of the xorg.conf File   46
   Starting X   51
   Using a Display Manager   51
   Changing Window Managers   52
Using Unity, a Primer   52
   The Desktop   53
   Customizing and Configuring Unity   58
Power Shortcuts   60
References   61
Chapter 4  On the Internet   63
Getting Started with Firefox   63
Checking Out Google Chrome and Chromium65
Choosing an Email Client   66
   Mozilla Thunderbird   66
   Evolution   67
   Other Mail Clients   68
RSS Readers   69
   Firefox   69
   Liferea   69
Internet Relay Chat   70
Usenet Newsgroups   72
References   74
Chapter 5  Productivity Applications   75
Introducing LibreOffice   76
Other Office Suites for Ubuntu   78
   Working with GNOME Office   78
   Working with KOffice   80
Other Useful Productivity Software   80
   Working with PDF   80
   Working with XML and DocBook   81
   Working with LaTeX   82
Productivity Applications Written for Microsoft Windows   83
References   83
Chapter 6  Multimedia Applications   85
Sound and Music   85
   Sound Cards   86
   Adjusting Volume   87
   Sound Formats   88
   Listening to Music   89
Graphics Manipulation   92
   The GNU Image Manipulation Program   93
   Using Scanners in Ubuntu   94
   Working with Graphics Formats   95
   Capturing Screen Images   97
   Other Graphics Manipulation Options   97
Using Digital Cameras with Ubuntu   98
   Handheld Digital Cameras   98
   Using Shotwell Photo Manager   98
Burning CDs and DVDs in Ubuntu   99
   Creating CDs and DVDs with Brasero   99
   Creating CDs from the Command Line   100
   Creating DVDs from the Command Line   102
Viewing Video   104
   TV and Video Hardware   104
   Video Formats   105
   Viewing Video in Linux   106
   Personal Video Recorders   107
   Video Editing   107
References   109
Chapter 7  Other Ubuntu Interfaces   111
Desktop Environment   112
KDE and Kubuntu   113
Xfce and Xubuntu   114
   LXDE and Lubuntu   115
GNOME3 and Ubuntu GNOME   116
MATE and Ubuntu MATE   117
Ubuntu Kylin   118
References   118
Chapter 8  Games   121
Ubuntu Gaming   121
Installing Proprietary Video Drivers   122
Steam   123
Installing Games in Ubuntu   123
   Warsow   124
   Scorched 3D   124
   Frozen Bubble   125
   SuperTux   126
   Battle for Wesnoth   126
   Frets on Fire   127
   FlightGear   128
   Speed Dreams   129
   Games for Kids   129
   Commercial Games   129
Playing Windows Games   130
References   130

PART III:  SYSTEM ADMINISTRATION
Chapter 9  Managing Software   133
Ubuntu Software   133
Using Synaptic for Software Management   134
Staying Up-to-Date   137
Working on the Command Line   138
   Day-to-Day Usage   138
   Finding Software   141
   Using apt Instead of apt-get   142
Compiling Software from Source   143
   Compiling from a Tarball   143
   Compiling from Source from the Ubuntu Repositories   144
Configuration Management   145
   dotdee   145
Snappy Ubuntu Core   146
Using Snaps   146
References   147
Chapter 10  Command-Line Beginner’s Class   149
What Is the Command Line?   150
Accessing the Command Line   151
   Text-Based Console Login   152
   Logging Out   153
   Logging In and Out from a Remote Computer   153
User Accounts   154
Reading Documentation   155
   Using Man Pages   156
   Using apropros   156
   Using whereis   157
Understanding the Linux File System Hierarchy   157
   Essential Commands in /bin and /sbin   158
   Configuration Files in /etc   159
   User Directories: /home   159
   Using the Contents of the /proc Directory to Interact with the Kernel   160
   Working with Shared Data in the /usr Directory   161
   Temporary File Storage in the /tmp Directory   162
   Accessing Variable Data Files in the /var Directory   162
Navigating the Linux File System   162
   Listing the Contents of a Directory with ls   162
   Changing Directories with cd   164
   Finding Your Current Directory with pwd   165
Working with Permissions   165
   Assigning Permissions   166
   Directory Permissions   167
   Altering File Permissions with chmod   168
   File Permissions with umask   169
   File Permissions with chgrp   170
   Changing File Permissions with chown   170
   Understanding Set User ID, Set Group ID, and Sticky Bit Permissions   170
   Setting Permissions with Access Control Lists   171
Working with Files   173
   Creating a File with touch   173
   Creating a Directory with mkdir   173
   Deleting a Directory with rmdir   174
   Deleting a File or Directory with rm   175
   Moving or Renaming a File with mv   175
   Copying a File with cp   176
   Displaying the Contents of a File with cat   177
   Displaying the Contents of a File with less   177
   Using Wildcards and Regular Expressions   177
Working as Root   178
   Understanding and Fixing sudo   178
   Creating Users   181
   Deleting Users   182
   Shutting Down the System   182
   Rebooting the System   183
Commonly Used Commands and Programs   183
References   184
Chapter 11  Command-Line Master Class Part 1    185
Why Use the Command Line?   186
Using Basic Commands   187
   Printing the Contents of a File with cat   188
   Changing Directories with cd   189
   Changing File Access Permissions with chmod   191
   Copying Files with cp   191
   Printing Disk Usage with du   192
   Using echo   193
   Finding Files by Searching with find   193
   Searches for a String in Input with grep   196
   Paging Through Output with less   197
   Creating Links Between Files with ln   199
   Finding Files from an Index with locate   200
   Listing Files in the Current Directory with ls   200
   Listing System Information with lsblk, lshw, lsmod, and lspci   202
   Reading Manual Pages with man   203
   Making Directories with mkdir   204
   Moving Files with mv   204
   Renaming Files with rename   204
   Deleting Files and Directories with rm   205
   Sorting the Contents of a File with sort   205
   Printing the Last Lines of a File with tail   207
   Printing the Location of a Command with which   207
   Download Files with wget   207
References   208
Chapter 12  Command-Line Master Class Part 2   209
Redirecting Output and Input   209
stdin, stdout, stderr, and Redirection   211
Comparing Files   212
   Finding Differences in Files with diff   212
   Finding Similarities in Files with comm212
Limiting Resource Use and Job Control   213
   Listing Processes with ps   213
   Listing Jobs with jobs   214
   Running One or More Tasks in the Background   215
   Moving Jobs to the Background or Foreground with bg and fg   215
   Printing Resource Usage with top   216
   Setting Processes Priority with nice   218
Combining Commands   219
   Pipes   219
   Combining Commands with Boolean Operators   221
   Running Separate Commands in Sequence   222
   Process Substitution   222
Using Environment Variables   222
Using Common Text Editors   226
   Working with nano   227
   Working with vi   227
   Working with emacs   229
   Working with sed and awk   230
Working with Compressed Files   232
Using Multiple Terminals with byobu   233
Polite System Reset Using REISUB   234
Fixing an Ubuntu System That Will Not Boot   235
   Checking BIOS   235
   Checking GRUB   235
   Reinstalling GRUB   235
   Using Recovery Mode   236
   Reinstalling Ubuntu   236
Tips and Tricks   236
   Running the Previous Command   236
   Running Any Previous Command   237
   Running a Previous Command that Started with Specific Letters   237
   Running the Same Thing You Just Ran with a Different First Word   237
   Viewing Your History and More   237
   Doing Two or More Things   237
   Using Shortcuts   238
   Confining a Script to a Directory   238
   Using Coreutils   239
   Reading the Contents of the Kernel Ring Buffer with dmesg   239
References   240
Chapter 13  Managing Users   241
User Accounts   241
   The Super User/Root User   242
   User IDs and Group IDs   244
   File Permissions   244
Managing Groups   245
   Group Listing   245
   Group Management Tools   246
Managing Users   248
   User Management Tools   248
   Adding New Users   250
   Monitoring User Activity on the System   251
Managing Passwords   252
   System Password Policy   252
   The Password File   253
   Shadow Passwords   254
   Managing Password Security for Users   256
   Changing Passwords in a Batch   256
Granting System Administrator Privileges to Regular Users   257
   Temporarily Changing User Identity with the su Command   257
   Granting Root Privileges on Occasion: The sudo Command   259
Disk Quotas   262
   Implementing Quotas   262
   Manually Configuring Quotas   263
Related Ubuntu Commands   264
References   264
Chapter 14  Automating Tasks and Shell Scripting   265
Scheduling Tasks   265
   Using at and batch to Schedule Tasks for Later   265
   Using cron to Run Jobs Repeatedly   268
   Using rtcwake to Wake Your Computer from Sleep Automatically   270
Basic Shell Control   272
   The Shell Command Line   273
   Shell Pattern-Matching Support   274
   Redirecting Input and Output   275
   Piping Data   276
   Background Processing   277
Writing and Executing a Shell Script   277
   Running the New Shell Program   279
   Storing Shell Scripts for System-Wide Access   279
   Interpreting Shell Scripts Through Specific Shells   280
   Using Variables in Shell Scripts   281
   Assigning a Value to a Variable   282
   Accessing Variable Values   282
   Positional Parameters   282
   A Simple Example of a Positional Parameter   283
   Using Positional Parameters to Access and Retrieve
   Variables from the Command Line   284
   Using a Simple Script to Automate Tasks   284
   Built-In Variables   286
   Special Characters   287
   Using Double Quotes to Resolve Variables in Strings with Embedded Spaces   288
   Using Single Quotes to Maintain Unexpanded Variables   288
   Using the Backslash as an Escape Character   289
   Using the Backtick to Replace a String with Output   289
   Comparison of Expressions in pdksh and bash   290
   Comparing Expressions with tcsh   295
   The for Statement   299
   The while Statement   300
   The until Statement   302
   The repeat Statement (tcsh)   303
   The select Statement (pdksh)   303
   The shift Statement   304
   The if Statement   304
   The case Statement   305
   The break and exit Statements   307
   Using Functions in Shell Scripts   307
References   308
Chapter 15  The Boot Process   311
Running Services at Boot   311
Beginning the Boot Loading Process   312
   Loading the Linux Kernel   314
   System Services and Runlevels   315
   Runlevel Definitions   315
   Booting into the Default Runlevel   316
   Understanding init Scripts and the Final Stage of Initialization   316
   Controlling Services at Boot with Administrative Tools   317
   Changing Runlevels   318
   Troubleshooting Runlevel Problems319
   Starting and Stopping Services Manually   319
Using Upstart   319
systemd   320
Boot Repair   322
References   322
Chapter 16  System-Monitoring Tools   323
Console-Based Monitoring   323
   Using the kill Command to Control Processes   325
   Using Priority Scheduling and Control   326
   Displaying Free and Used Memory with free   327
   Disk Space   328
   Disk Quotas   329
   Checking Log Files   329
   Rotating Log Files   331
Graphical Process and System Management Tools   333
   System Monitor