UBUNTU REPORT NUMBER FOUR

October 20, 2006

By Helen Dunn Frame

Another five chapters have been read in Ubuntu for Non-Geeks. I assume the emphasis on so many computer games, which I'm not interested in, is part of teaching one how to use Ubuntu. One such game is Xmahjongg, which can be installed in different ways. For those of you who enjoy games, you should be in Seventh Heaven.

Chapter Nine

This chapter starts with "Compiling Programs From Source." Source or source code is a set of instructions. Source needs help from low-level program language or an interpreter. These are usually called scripts. Sometimes a compiler is used which runs faster than scripts. Programmers use high-level languages that require the use of these scripts and compilers.

The author explained that "almost all source packages come in the form of tarballs" or other packages (the icons look like packages). Tarballs contain a group of files that have been archived (collected) into one file. Most often it is compressed to save space just like Zip files in Windows (SIT (SnuffIT) files on the Mac). Tar files end in ".tar.gz" or when compressed ".tar.bz2".

A number of commands are listed but I will deal with them when I actually use them. It notes the average computer doesn't come with various applications and libraries needed to compile applications from source. This gathering together all the dependent files can be done with Synaptic. It suggests searching for and installing build-essential, checkinstall and libgtk 1-2-dev that will be needed for future jobs or exercises used for learning Ubuntu.

It discusses installing Skype. It looks a bit involved, but if taken step by step, it will be worth it. As I use Skype, I'll be dealing with this at a future date. Just know you can run it.

"Applications that are compiled and can run as is by your operating system are called binaries." Some binaries depend on other libraries and software on the computer; basic ones operate independently. For example, G-Suduko is a dynamic binary package which generates and solves in the sudoku game.

It is necessary to install Java Runtime Environment so you can run Java-based applications. To do so one uses Synaptic. The chapter also covers running some Windows application from within Linux using a program named Wine. It allows one to run Window apps without having Windows installed on your computer.

Chapter Ten

Finally a chapter covers Printers. Firstly, determine if your printer is supported. Drivers for them are also listed on the websites. Go to www.linuxprinting.org . If you are about to buy a new printer, also look at https://wiki.ubuntu.com/HardwareSuppport-ComponetsPrinters . The chapter explains how to set up the Printer after Ubuntu is installed. If the usual way of installing doesn't work, it explains how to connect a printer using the trial and error method.

In Linux most documents may be saved as PDF files. Note that the dialog box may say printing to PDF when it really means to save the document as a PDF File or export it. You can also create a virtual PDF printer if you're not satisfied with the results of a conversion.

The chapter also covers canceling a print job, which sounds like much the same procedure as in Windows. You can also "pause" a print job.

Apparently support for Scanners is a bit spotty in Linux. The back end that handles the process in Ubuntu is called Sane; its graphical interface is called XSane. To check if your scanner will work, go to www.sane-project.org/sane-mfgs.html.

An entire section is devoted to scanned Images. Most applications use ppi (pixels per inch) and dpi (dots per inch) interchangeably but they aren't the same. Images on the screen are in pixels while the printer uses dots. It is advised when scanning images for display on a computer or web pages, use the ppi similar to a typical screen resolution or a little larger. Remember the higher the resolution of a scanned image, the larger the file will be in terms of taking up disk space. It is suggested that you practice scanning when you do not need something urgently. ( Chuck says this is something we could do a whole session on.)

Chapter Eleven

Basically two kinds of fonts exist. "Bitmap" characters are stored as a map of dots. "Outline fonts" are similar to vector graphics where each character is stored as a mathematical formula. These can change their shape to accommodate whatever size is needed. The main Outline Font formats are Type 1 or PostScript and TrueType. Ways to install TrueType are covered in detail.

The chapter also explains how to install Microsoft Windows Core Fonts via Synaptic and from the Windows Partition for Dual Booters. Finally, Note you can customize system fonts as well as create fonts with FontForge.

Chapter Twelve

Using Ubuntu you will be able to read whatever language(s) you are capable of understanding. While Firefox automatically recognizes a language on a web page, and displays in correctly, the encoding can be changed. As I often need characters that aren't standard in English, like accented letters, I was delighted to learn that I could modify the Character Map utility. The basic system works much the same as those Symbol tables found in Windows. In OpenOffice, click Insert, Special Character and then Okay. It is also possible to use the Compose Key Options for those who prefer to use keyboard code instructions. You can modify the keyboard if you use a foreign language more often. Multilingual login is possible.

Chapter 13

This chapter deals with OpenOffice.org and its applications called Writer, Calc (like Excel), Impress (PowerPoint equivalent), Draw, Base (graphical) and Math. OpenOffice is able to read and write Microsoft Office Files. If you want to save an OpenOffice file to read in Microsoft, it is necessary to save them in a format that Microsoft can read, such as .doc or .rtf. The buttons in OpenOffice are called: Export to PDF, Hyperlink, Navigator, Gallery, Data Source, and Styles and Formatting and perform all the usual word processor functions.

Word processing in AbiWord (which was covered at a PC Club meeting) notes that it is a "lighter" program (faster and takes less disk space ) for those who use a program mainly for word processing.

"Other Cool Productivity Apps" are Sticky Notes, Tombay (panel applet), GnuCash (similar to Quicken), and Scribus (desktop publishing).

Glancing ahead, Appendix "A" covers Desktop CDs for AMD 64 and PowerPC Users. "B" covers checking the integrity of Downloaded ISOs in Windows. For this a tiny program called md5sum is needed. It also covers the requirements for the other users noted in "A." "C" lists resources including Forums, Linux References, Blogs, Hardware Compatibility Issues, Wireless Connections, Free Downloads, News and Information, Magazines, Books, and Ubuntu CDs. If anyone needs information about any of these let me know and I fill you in.

Do you feel by now as I do that Ubuntu offers an abundance of possibilities? Only five more chapters to read and report about before I make the decision to install instead of practice!