Get started with Linux - part 2

If you have read part 1 of our series on using Linux, you will have learnt how to install a copy of Ubuntu Linux. Now it's time to learn how to use it.

Fortunately, Ubuntu is just as capable as Windows and comes with more software ready to use from the outset. It is also simpler to install software as we will demonstrate in a little bit.

In this article we’ll show how to read emails, surf the web and personalise the computer with a new wallpaper and screensaver.

The Ubuntu desktop
Before we change anything, let’s quickly recap how the Ubuntu desktop works. Have a look at our video guide to the Ubuntu desktop www.computeractive.co.uk/2233238.

There are bars running along the top and bottom of the screen. The bottom bar is similar to the Taskbar in Windows. The small button at the far left minimises all the windows and the one on the right opens the Recycle Bin. The space in between is used to show buttons that represent all the programs running on the computer.

The top bar starts with three menus on the left. Programs can be started from the Applications menu at the top left, folders opened from the Places menu and settings changed in the System menu.

There are a few shortcut icons next to the System menu; by default these open the web browser, email program and help. The right-hand section of the top bar is similar to the Notification Area in Windows. It contains icons for running programs that need attention and the clock.

In the very top right of the screen you’ll find a button that opens the shutdown menu.

Tweaking the desktop
When first installed Ubuntu covers the screen in some drab and rather unattractive brown wallpaper, but changing this is simple.

Click on the System menu, then Preferences, then on Appearance Preferences. Click on the Background tab to see the available wallpapers. Left-click on one of the backgrounds and it will be applied immediately. Click on the Add button to add new images stored on your hard disk to the list.

The top left picture is just a plain colour. This colour can be changed by clicking on the coloured icon next to the menu option solid colour.

If you have a good graphics card, there are some fancy desktop effects that can enabled. Click on the Visual Effects tab and select either the middle or bottom option. The effects of the bottom option can get distracting, but they are a great way of showing off as they are much fancier than the Aero effects used by Windows Vista.

If you can’t enable the effects then you may need to install an extra graphics driver ­ we’ll explain how to do this later.

There are also lots of screensavers to choose from instead of the boring black screen that Ubuntu uses by default.

Click on the System menu, Preferences and then Screensaver. The screensavers are listed down the left-hand side and the main part of the window shows a preview of the one that’s selected. Click on the Preview button for a proper taste of how a screen saver will look.

Unlike in Windows, this preview won’t disappear if you move the mouse. Instead there are arrows at the top to cycle through the different screensavers on offer.

Bear in mind that many of the 3D screensavers are quite demanding and leaving your PC with the screensaver running won’t necessarily be giving it or your electricity bill a break.

With this in mind, once you have chosen a screensaver, click on the Power Management button. You can set when the computer should go into a low power sleep mode when it is not being used.

If there are several user accounts set up on the computer, you may want to change the login screen so that people don’t have to remember their user names.

Click on the System menu then Administration and then Login Window. Enter your password when prompted. Ignore the first tab and click on the Local tab. The default option is Human. Scroll down the list and click on the bottom option, Human List.

A list of all the user accounts on the computer will now be shown on the login screen ­ - simply click on your name and type in your password to start using the computer. Click on Close when you are happy with the options.