How to Start Moving to Ubuntu

29 Aug 2009

Linux

Maybe I don’t have that great experience with ubuntu as I just started to use it for almost a year but I really enjoyed every moment I use it whether for entertainment or Developing or General Stuff.

And That little time gave me a chance to explore this OS which is really for human beings .. I cannot say I gave up using Windows because I have to use it for doing work for clients but most of times I try to find alternatives to use on Ubuntu . And I’ll Show some resources to help moving to Ubuntu .. If you’re a developer or just a user, I’ll start to write about moving to Ubuntu for a newbie to be a well-experienced ubuntu user.

How to Start Moving to Ubuntu

Most of people who think to move to ubuntu are Windows users, People who have Mac would never think to move to Ubuntu I guess :D .. so You will need to have an Ubuntu CD . You can just download the ISO file and burn it on a CD or you can request a free CD which will be delivered to you by mail in about 2 weeks . Installation is too easy if you are a windows user, It will show you an option to install with Windows but you will need to create a partition on your HDD to put Ubuntu System files on . I would recommend a 10 or 15 GB Partition for Installing Ubuntu .

It will take less than 30 minutes to copy system files and start to install it without bothering you with any details or serials or Drivers to install. and then you can easily login with your username and password you entered while starting to install it .

Congratulations ! You have Ubuntu Installed and you still have Windows in case you didn’t like it, but You Will =)

Installing Applications

There are different kinds of applications like any OS .. You will find tools to help you using ubuntu , Applications to Connect to Internet and surf the web like Firefox and Pidgin (All-in-one IM App), Evolution Mail (Desktop Mail Client) .

To Install Applications, All You have to do is Go To Applications Menu > Add/Remove and Look Search in “All Available Application” about what you look for and It will help you install it (Media Apps, Graphics, Internet , Office, Games …) .

Another way to install apps you find through Terminal Commands ..You should find the package you need to install via web and install it. If we wanted to install Firefox 3.5 for example we can open Terminal by going to Applications > Accessories > Terminal , and insert the following command :

sudo apt-get install firefox-3.5

The 3rd way to Install Applications is using DEB installers which will install Applications like If you’re installing an application on Windows and won’t annoy you with anything , You can Find Deb Installers for most Apps for Ubuntu on GetDeb Website

Other Resources to help you find applications :

Installing LAMP

LAMP Means Linux,Apache, MySQL, PHP .. It’s very to easy to have your localhost on Ubuntu with Very simple commands:

Installing Apache

Type this command in terminal to install Apache :

sudo apt-get install apache2

Terminal will ask you to enter your password (Sudo order needs Administration Authorization always). Then You can test your apache server once the installation is done by going to your localhost via web browser (http://localhost) , If you get the message It works! then It was installed Successfully .

Your localhost folder will be in this location (/var/www). If you need to get rid of authorization every time you need to copy or paste in this folder you can change its permission just like that :

sudo chmod 777 /var/www/

Installing PHP

Just like Apache, You’ll need to insert this command in terminal :

sudo apt-get install php5 libapache2-mod-php5

After PHP Installation is done you need to restart your apache via terminal :

sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 restart

The You can test your php by creating a file.php and test php info so we first create the file and edit it :

sudo gedit /var/www/testphp.php

and then type this code inside the file and save it :

<?php phpinfo(); ?>

Now Open this file in your web browser : http://localhost/testphp.php

Installing MySQL

Installing MySQL could be a bit complicated but won’t take couple minutes :

sudo apt-get install mysql-server

While Installing MySQL & After downloading files It will ask you to enter your MySQL Password twice, so keep it in your mind as you will use it to connect to database in your projects .. just like Any Server

And then we need to configure php with MySQL and Install phpMyAdmin to control our databases:

sudo apt-get install libapache2-mod-auth-mysql php5-mysql phpmyadmin

Then You need to restart Apache again and test your localhost with some PHP/MySQL Script :)

sudo /etc/init.d/apache2 restart

This article via Ricardo Cappellano (Smashing Magazine) is one of the most useful articles to help you develop websites on Linux so You really need to start reading it too !

Themes, Icons, Wallpapers

Ubuntu is based on GNOME, a user-friendly Desktop Interface for Unix Operating Systems. You can fine many wallpapers, Icons, Themes to start customizing your desktop . GNOME Look is one of the most useful sources to customize your Ubuntu . Lifehacker also have some amazing articles to make your desktop more stylish like The Stylish Ubuntu Desktop Article .

You could maybe workout to get an Ubuntu Desktop Looks like Mac (Not Exactly but looks cool :D)

Support

Inside Ubuntu Forums, You will find thousands of helpful topics to get you all the support you need like General Help, Installing & Upgrading issues, Hardware, Media & Server Support .