1. 9
Linux on the Desktop

2. Learning Outcomes
Describe Linux and its origins and list benefits and drawbacks
Select, acquire, and install a distribution of Linux for the desktop
Identify certain features and utilities in a Linux GUI for customizing it and performing common tasks
Demonstrate the use of shell commands to accomplish common tasks
Secure a Linux desktop by creating user accounts, assigning passwords, and applying file and folder permissions

3. Linux Overview
LO 9.1

4. Why Learn Linux?
Qualifying for a Job
Improving Your Skills

5. Why Learn Linux? Year Event 1970s
Ken Thompson of Bell Labs writes precursor to UNIX
1984
GNU created to develop a free UNIX-like OS
1988
UNIX licensees form the Open System Foundation (OSF)
1991
Linus Torvalds begins writing open-source version of a UNIX-like OS
1994
Many versions of Linux kernels freely available

6. Linux Today Open-source movement growing
Supported by many organizations
Open-source Apache HTTP Server
Written for UNIX
Also runs on Linux

7. Linux Distributions Include kernel Include bundled programs
Add functionality to Linux
Targeted bundled apps
Desktop
Server

8. Benefits of Linux Many distributions are free
Runs well on old computers
Fast
GUI optional
Stable
Secure
Open source

9. The KDE GUI
Figure 9-1 The KDE GUI in a Fedora installation.

10. The Unity GUI
Figure 9-2 The Unity GUI in an Ubuntu installation.

11. Drawbacks of Linux Lack of Centralized Support
Choice of GUIs is confusing
Limited software selection
Limited hardware support
Complexity

12. Finding Software for Linux
Figure 9-3 The Ubuntu Software Center

13. Linux on Your Desktop
LO 9.2

14. Acquiring Linux for the Desktop
Many distributions available
Select one that matches your needs
Example of needs:
GUI desktop
Quick and easy setup
Included software bundle
Live image
Ubuntu or Fedora

15. Installing Linux for the Desktop
Connect to distribution site and download
Save the ISO file
Create a bootable disc
Test the disc by rebooting
Install on physical PC or virtual machine

16. Update Linux after Installation
Linux distributions can have many updates
Updating is time-consuming

17. Exploring a Linux GUI
LO 9.3

18. Logging In to Ubuntu Linux
Figure 9-4 Log in to the Linux GUI.

19. The Ubuntu Unity Desktop
The Ubuntu Desktop bar displays at the top of the screen in the Unity GUI.
Move the cursor to the Desktop bar to show the menus.

20. Ubuntu Unity Launcher
Figure 9-5 The Launcher with icons labeled.

21. Searching in the Ubuntu Unity Desktop
Figure 9-6 The Dash search utility displays recently used apps and files when it opens.

22. Browse Directories in the GUI
Every user has a home directory
User has full control in home
User cannot make changes in other directories
Path describes location of file or directory
First forward slash (/) is the root
Subsequent forward slashes separate directories
Everything is a file to Linux

23. Table 9-1 Linux Default Directories
Directory
Purpose or Contents /
The top, or root directory of a storage volume
/bin
Linux commands
/boot
Files to be loaded during Linux boot up
/dev
Files that represent physical devices
/etc
Linux system configuration files
/home
Home directories for each user
/lib
Shared libraries for programs and commands to use
/mnt
Mount points for removable devices
/opt
Optional (add-on) software packages
/proc
Current status of processes
/root
Root account home directory
/sbin
System commands and binary files
/tmp
Temporary files
/usr
Secondary hierarchy
/var
Several directories containing variable data

24. Updating Ubuntu The Update Manager icon appears on the Launcher.
Open the Update Manager and install the updates.

25. System Settings
Unity’s System Settings window serves the same purpose as Windows’ Control Panel and OS X’s System Preferences.

26. Modify the Desktop Right-click empty area of desktop
Select Change Desktop Background
Behavior tab controls how Launcher opens
Select wallpaper
Control Brightness and Lock settings
Modify display settings
Universal Access for ease of use

27. Ending a Linux Session by Logging Out
Open System menu (gear)
Select Log Out
Figure 9-7 The Ubuntu Unity System menu.

28. Switching Users
Click User icon
The User menu opens
Select User

29. Shutting Down, Restarting, or Suspending Linux
Open System menu (gear)
Select Shut Down

30. Linux Command-Line Interface
LO 9.4

31. The Terminal Window in Linux
Figure 9-8 A terminal windows in the Ubuntu GUI.

32. Linux Shell Command Syntax
Each line begins with a command
A space follows the command
Options for a command follow
Order of options not important
Use a space between each option

33. Linux Shell Command Syntax (continued)
Precede short options with a hyphen
Precede long options with 2 hyphens
Combine multiple short options
Some commands followed by name of object

34. Looking at the Contents of a Directory
Figure 9-9 The ls command showing a simple listing of the current directory.
Figure 9-10 The ls -a command showing a listing of all items in the current directory.

35. Combining Shell Command Options
Figure 9-11 The ls command using two options (-a and -l) showing a listing of all items in the current directory and the “long” information on each item.

36. The Help Manual for a Linux Command
Figure 9-12 Enter the man ls command to see the manual page for the ls command.

37. Command-Line History Saved for current session in .bash_history
Scroll through commands and reuse

38. Command Completion Type command and press Tab key
Completes file and directory names

39. The date and cal Commands

40. Linux Feedback
A message appears only if a command causes an error.

41. Table 9-2 Basic Shell Commands for File Management
Description cd
Changes current directory
chmod
Changes the mode or file permissions cp
Copies a file ls
Lists directory contents
mkdir
Makes a directory
more
Displays a text file, one screenful at a time
pwd
Prints the working directory rm
Deletes indicated file

42. Table 9-3 Commonly Used Options for the ls Command
ls Option
Description -a
Lists all files in the directory, including hidden files. Files are hidden by making the first character a period: .bash_profile -l
Displays a long listing of the directory contents with all file attributes and permissions listed -F
Classifies the listed objects. Directory names have a / character after the name. -S
Sorts the output by size -t
Sorts the output by time

43. A Listing of the /etc directory
Figure 9-13 A listing of the /etc directory.

44. A Listing of the /etc directory with more details
Figure 9-14 A listing of the /etc directory with more details.

45. Changing the Current Directory
Figure 9-15 Changing to the /usr/sbin directory.

46. Changing to the Home Directory
Figure 9-16 Changing to the Home directory using the tilde (~).

47. Where am I?
Use the pwd command to display the path to the current directory.

48. Relative Path
Figure 9-17 Use the command cd .. to move to the parent directory of the current directory (up one level).

49. Using Wildcards
Figure 9-18 A portion of the results of the command ls [c-d]* when run from the /etc directory.

50. Creating Directories
Figure 9-19 Use mkdir to create directories and ls to confirm that they were created.

51. Copying Files
Figure 9-20 Copying the hosts file from the /etc directory to the user’s home directory.

52. Securing a Linux Desktop
LO 9.5

53. Home Directories Each account has home directory
User’s name assigned to directory
User has full control of home directory

54. The Linux Root Account All-powerful account
Only used when absolutely necessary
Disabled by default
Administrator can temporarily use root

55. Creating User Accounts in a Linux GUI
User Accounts in System Settings
First account create is Administrator type
Subsequent can be Administrator or Standard
Administrator can create new accounts
Temporarily given ability to create accounts
Must provide Administrator’s credentials

56. Temporarily Using Root Privileges
Administrator-Type User
Temporarily takes root account privileges
Precede command with sudo (Superuser do)
When prompted, enter administrator’s password
Root privileges granted for five minutes

57. Using Root Privileges to Install Software
Installing the finger daemon.

58. Table 9-4 Shell Commands for User Management
Description
useradd
Adds a user to the system
userdel
Removes a user from the system
passwd
Changes a user’s password
finger
Finds a username

59. Creating a User with useradd
Figure 9-21 Create a user with the useradd command. Confirm its creation with the finger command.

60. Changing User Passwords
Change own password
Enter passwd command alone
Provide password
Change password for another account
Enter sudo passwd <username>
Enter new password

61. Deleting Users Enter sudo userdel <username>
Delete files in user’s home directory
Delete user’s home directory
Enter rmdir <directoryname>
Enter rm –rf <directory-or-file-name>

62. File and Folder Permissions
Figure 9-22 A sample listing showing attributes.

63. Table 9-5 Access Mode Numbers
Permission
Value
Read 4
Write 2
Execute 1