RM Jones’ Adventure

This is a step by step installation for beginners (like me).

I have been “playing” with Linux off an on for the last two or three years. I put it in, have problems, and take it back out. I don’t like Windows Vista so I am a little more determined this time. I believe that Ubuntu / Kubuntu 8.04 “Hardy Heron” is ready for the average person so I am writing this for the complete beginner. Please remember, there are a lot of ways to do what I am doing here. This is my way. I am a beginner and am making this as much as a record of what worked for me as I am to provide you with information. Please remember, this is what I did to set up my HP Pavilion a1140n computer. It may be a little different for you but probably not much. I wrote this step by step as I was doing the procedures on the computer I was setting up. I hope this helps.

First I think I’ll set up some more of the Preferences. I will be using Ubuntu since that is where I will be installing some of the software from. It doesn’t make any difference actually where I install software from as both Ubuntu and Kubuntu will have access to them. I just like the way that Ubuntu handles the installation of software at this point in the setup process.

1. At this time I won’t be setting up many of the preferences since I don’t plan to use Ubuntu much. I will spend much more time on it later in the Kubuntu desktop. The preferences you setup only apply to the desktop you are using at the time. In other words if you set up everything in Ubuntu the will not be setup in Kubuntu.
2. To start off we go to “System > Preferences > Control Center”. As you seen in part three of this series there are all kinds of settings here. At this time, as an example, I am going to set up the “About Me” preferences so I click on “About Me” right at the top and enter whatever information I want to fill in. While I’m here I will click on the box just to the left of my name at the top of the window and pick out a “face” for my. I like the nice peaceful “Sunset.jpg” so that is what I’ll use. You can use any photo on your computer. Then click “Open” to select the file you want to use. When done click “Close” That’s all there is to it.
3. Have fun setting up your other settings and then we will go on with installing some software.

OK, your back. Let’s set up some software. It is very easy in Ubuntu (and Kubuntu) as long as you use the software they provide. To install software you download from the internet is another story and I’m still trying to figure out how to do that. Not a lot of success so far but really with the selections that Ubuntu provides there is little need for anything else until you are far more comfortable with Linux.

1. OK, let’s go to “Applications > Add/Remove”. I like to do things the way I’m going to lay out but you can do whatever you want. First I make sure that in the “Show” box it says “All available applications”. This gives me access to everything that Ubuntu has to offer for this version.
2. Next I click on “Accessories” in the left panel. And then click on “Popularity” at the top of the right panel. This will sort the items by Popularity. I click it again if I have to in order to get the list with the most popular at the top.
3. Items that have a check mark are already installed so I just scroll down until I find one that isn’t checked. I click anywhere on that item, except in the check box, and read the description in the bottom panel of the screen. When you see something you want installed simply click in the check box.
4. If you select an item and get the message “Enable the installation of unsupported and restricted software” just click enable. This should only happen the first time.
5. Although some of the software you will see listed is for the KDE 4 desktop you can install it. I don’t. I find that some of it requires part of the KDE 4 desktop, which I don’t like, so I don’t take the chance that I will install KDE 4. If it says KDE 4 in the description I don’t install it. Silly probably. You can install it if you want.
6. After I have selected everything in the “Accessories” section that I want, Click on “Apply Changes” and then “Apply”. You may have to enter your password.
7. When it starts installing, after it downloads, I like to click on “Show progress of single files” so I can see if it is waiting for my input. Once in a great while my input may be required.
8. After the installation is complete you can “Add/Remove More Applications” or “Close” if you are done and return to the desktop.
9. I usually only do one section at a time because on earlier versions of Ubuntu I have had it stop working in the middle of a download and I don’t want to lose any more time than I must if that happens.
10. That’s all there is to installing software that is available from Ubuntu. Just continue on down the list and install anything you like.

That’s all for today. I’ll be back before long with more of the ramblings from a new Linux user. I really like Ubuntu and Kubuntu and plan to be using them for many years to come. The transition from Windows to Linux will take a time. I have to find which software I like to use, learn how to use it and then become good enough with it so I can do everything I want. It won’t be an overnight process but it will come. If you are tired of Microsoft Windows give Ubuntu a try. You can even try it without installing it, but that’s another tale for another time

Have a Great Day.

Bob Jones