Sams Teach Yourself Red Hat® Fedora™ 4 Linux All in One

Description

Join an estimated 85% of the U.S. Linux market in using Red Hat's Linux distributions by learning it from a Fedora authority. Sams Teach Yourself Red Hat Fedora 4 All in One is a starter kit that will help you install, configure, and use Red Hat's Fedora 4 distribution and desktop applications. The easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions will also show you how to:

• Use the OpenOffice.org productivity suite and other leading applications.
• Troubleshoot hardware issues and install new components.
• Set up a small Linux-based network to share files and resources.

Back Cover

Join an estimated 85% of the U.S. Linux market in using Red Hat's Linux distributions by learning it from a Fedora authority. Sams Teach Yourself Red Hat Fedora 4 All in One is a starter kit that will help you install, configure, and use Red Hat's Fedora 4 distribution and desktop applications. The easy-to-understand, step-by-step instructions will also show you how to:

• Use the OpenOffice.org productivity suite and other leading applications.
• Troubleshoot hardware issues and install new components.
• Set up a small Linux-based network to share files and resources.

Contents

Introduction.

Fedora Core 4 and Linux

What You'll Learn in This Book

Conventions Used in This Book

I. INSTALLING FEDORA CORE.

1. Preparing to Install Fedora Core 4.

Taking a Hardware Inventory

Evaluating Your Hardware

Making Space for Linux

Launching the Fedora Core 4 Installer

2. Installing Fedora Core 4.

Starting the Fedora Core 4 Installer

Beginning the Installation

3. Booting, Logging In, and Configuring.

Booting Fedora Core 4

Welcome to Fedora Core 4!

Configuring Your Printer and Internet Service

II. EXPLORING LINUX FUNDAMENTALS.

4. Introducing the Fedora Core 4 Desktop.

Logging In to the Desktop

Navigating the Desktop

Working with Multiple Windows

Understanding Virtual Workspaces

Logging Out of the Fedora Core 4 Desktop

5. Working with Files on the Desktop.

Creating a File Using the Text Editor

Understanding the Linux File System

Using File Dialog Boxes in Linux

Using the File Manager

Working with Files and Directories

Manipulating Files Using Drag and Drop

Working with Trash Contents

6. Working with Files in the Shell.

Why Learn to Use the Linux Command Line?

Introducing the Shell

7. Understanding File Properties.

Understanding Executable Files

Using Symbolic Links

Understanding Permissions

III. USING FEDORA CORE.

8. Creating Text Documents with OpenOffice.org Writer.

Previewing the OpenOffice.org Applications

Creating and Formatting an OpenOffice.org Writer Document

9. Creating Spreadsheets with OpenOffice.org Calc.

Understanding Electronic Spreadsheets

Using OpenOffice.org Calc

10. Creating Presentations with OpenOffice.org Impress.

Understanding Electronic Presentations

Launching OpenOffice.org Impress

Creating Your First Presentation

Working with Your Presentation

11. Browsing the Web with Firefox.

Introducing Firefox

Browsing the Web with Firefox

12. Managing Email with Evolution.

Reading and Writing Email with Evolution

13. Using Other Network Tools.

Instant Messaging in Fedora Core 4

Accessing Windows Networks

Using File Transfer Protocol on the Desktop

14. Editing Images and Photos.

Downloading Images From Your Digital Camera

Using The GIMP for Basic Photo Editing

Using More Advanced GIMP Tools

15. Playing and Recording Sound and Music.

Using the Volume Control

Playing Audio CDs

Playing MP3 Digital Music Files

Recording and Playing Back Sound

Burning Your Own CDs

16. Customizing the Desktop.

Using the Desktop Preferences

Configuring the Menubar

17. Getting Help on the Desktop.

Using Application Help

Viewing Systemwide Help in the Help Browser

Reading Other Documentation on the Desktop

IV. USING THE LINUX COMMAND LINE.

18. Becoming Familiar with Shell Environments.

Why Learn to Use the Linux Command Line?

Understanding Virtual Consoles

Becoming Comfortable at the Command Line

Getting Help at the Command Line

Using the GNU info System

Getting Help from the Commands Themselves

19. Performing Basic Shell Tasks.

Grouping Files for Efficient File Management

Searching Files and Directories Quickly

Using Command Output for Complex Tasks

20. Creating, Editing, and Saving Text Files.

Using Common Command-Line Editors

Keeping Your Shell Programs Under Control

21. Managing High-Quality Documents at the Command Line.

Printing at the Command Line

Creating High-Quality Documents at the Command Line

22. Performing Simple Math and Database Tasks at the Command Line.

Performing Math Tasks Using the Binary Calculator

Creating and Sorting Lists of Data

23. Using the Network at the Command Line.

Browsing the Web at the Command Line

Managing Email at the Console

24. Using Other Systems Remotely at the Command Line.

Logging In to a Remote Linux or Unix System

Exchanging Files with Linux/Unix Hosts Using ftp

Exchanging Files with Windows Hosts Using smbclient

25. Harnessing the Power of the Shell.

Adding to Your Command Repertoire

Using Shell Variables and Quoting

Creating Your Own Commands Using Shell Scripting

V. ADVANCED TOPICS.

26. Desktop Power Tools.

Additional Features of the Terminal Application

Using Basic X Window System Applications

Interacting with the User in Shell Scripts

Scripting the File Manager

27. Using Desktop Applications Remotely.

Understanding the X Window System Protocol

Networking X Using the Secure Shell

Networking X Manually

Allowing Incoming X Connections with xhost

Allowing and Starting Remote X Sessions

28. Command-Line System Administration.

Using the su Command

Managing System Processes

Managing Running Services

Managing File Systems

Managing Accounts

Using cron to Manage Periodic Jobs

Shutting Down and Restarting

29. Desktop System Administration.

Managing System Processes

Managing Running Services

Managing Network Interfaces

Managing Accounts

Reading System Logs

Mounting and Unmounting File Systems

30. Security Basics.

Managing the Fedora Core 4 Firewall

Understanding Advanced Permissions

Protecting the Root Account

Logging Users Out Automatically

31. Installing Linux Software.

Installing and Removing Fedora Core 4 Components

Using Third-Party Software

Using the rpm Command

Using Application Launchers

32. Keeping Fedora Core 4 Updated.

Introducing the Red Hat Network

Keeping Fedora Core 4 Updated from the Command Line

33. Offering Network File Services.

Before You Begin

Offering Network File System Service

Offering Windows File Sharing Service

34. Offering Web and FTP Service.

Before You Begin

Running a Web Server

Running a File Transfer Protocol Server

35. Backups, Troubleshooting, and Rescue.

Backing Up and Restoring Your Data

Dealing with Catastrophic Failures

Recognizing Other Critical Problems

VI. APPENDIXES.

Appendix A: Installer Troubleshooting.

Loading Modules at Install Time

Using Module Parameters: A Last Resort

Using the Text Mode Installer

Installing from Network Volumes or Hard Drives

Appendix B: Adding Windows Compatibility to Linux.

Windows Compatibility Overview

Codeweavers CrossOver Office

VMware Workstation

Netraverse Win4Lin

Index.

Author

Sams Teach Yourself Red Hat Fedora 4 Linux All in OneAbout the Author

Aron Hsiao is a longtime Unix and Linux enthusiast with over a decade of experience administering Unix-like operating systems. Over the years, he has worked in network deployment, software development, web development, and Internet advertising. He has also worked as a volunteer in a number of computer-related capacities in his community and served as the About.com guide to Linux from 1997 through 2001. He holds degrees in English and Anthropology from the University of Utah and a master's degree in the Social Sciences from the University of Chicago. He currently works as an editor for military history titles at ABC-CLIO. He is the author of a number of Linux titles, including The Concise Guide to XFree86 for Linux, Sams Teach Yourself Linux Security Basics in 24 Hours, and others.

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