The Setup

Running from cd

• First ensure your pc is set to boot from cd.
• Insert the cd.

From VM

• Once you set up the Virtual Machine select the Cd image to boot from.

Once the CD Starts

Select the Language

• Not everyone is English so select a Language and hit return (enter)

Select the Live Session

• Normally this just entails hitting return again. But to be on the safe side ensure that "Try Ubuntu without any change to your computer" is highlighted first.

Installing From Ubiquity

This install method is the same for both Live and Direct install.

Language

• Select a language and hit Forward.

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• From the map select the closest city to where you live and hit forward.

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• Select the type of Keyboard you like to use and hit forward.

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Manual Partitioning

• First select Manual from the installer.

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• Then partition appropriately using the tools in the new window.

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End Install

With the base install and partitioning over there are just a couple of steps left to finalise the install.

Tests to complete

• Adding a user. This user is effectively the system administrator.

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• Confirmation of the install with the option to hit advanced to modify sections.

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• Install process, once confirmed you will see a bar that shows the progress of the install.

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OpenOffice.org Writer

Basic editing, formatting and saving

• Enter some text transform it using fonts, sizes ,colours and positioning tools.
• Save it as ODF, DOC and PDF.
• Open the PDF file in Evince and confirm that it looks as expected

OpenOffice Java support

• Install openoffice.org-java-common to enable Java support

• Start OpenOffice

• Create a letter using the wizard in File -> Wizards -> Letter...

  • Select a page design and Printed items to include
  • Enter sender data and add a footer

  • Choose Create a Letter from this template and click Finnish

• Confirm that the wizard generates a letter template that you can edit

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FireFox 3

FireFox is the default browser of choice in Ubuntu.

Tests to try

• Goto to www.ubuntu.com.
• Type planet ubuntu into the address box.
• Try youtube see if the you need to install flash dialogue appears.
• Try Adding, Sorting and Deleting bookmarks.

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Disk Usage Analyser

Tests to try

• Hit the Scan Home button. Check the results tally.

• Hit the Scan Filesystem button. Do A quick check to see that the results tally.

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Movie Player (Totem)

Totem is the default Movie player for Gnome. It will play media from youtube, The web and your machine.

Tests to perform

• Insert a dvd in your machine see if it plays.
• Enable the youtube plugin. In the side bar select youtube from the drop down menu find your favourite video and hit play.
• Try playing the file located in the Ubuntu Examples Folder.

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Rhythmbox

Rhythmbox is the default music manager in Ubuntu.

Tests to perform

• Rip a cd.
• If you have a LastFM account add the lastfm plugin and configure it.
• Try a radio station.
• Try creating a cd from a playlist.
• Try adding a podcast.
• If you have a second machine with music on, start up Rhythmbox on that machine and configure the daap sharing plugin, then go back to the other machine start up Rhythmbox and the daap share should now be visible.
• Try connecting to the daap share browse and play music from there.
• Try to listen a song from Jamendo and Magnatune.

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Evolution

Evolution is the default PIM (mail, calendaring, task manager) for Gnome. Alternatives include Claws-mail and Thunderbird, feel free to download them and test them out too.

Test to perform

• Try the first run setup wizard ensuring it is relatively easy to understand.
• If you have backed up a copy of Evolution prior to this see if you can restore it.
• Send a test mail to yourself to check that send and receive are working correctly.
• Setup an appointment with alarm and ensure it works as expected.
• Setup a task and be sure it is displayed in the clock applet (just click on the clock for the expanded view)
• Create a memo and be sure it shows up as expected
• Add a contact be sure it is displayed and saved correctly by shutting down evolution and reopening it.

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Terminal

Terminal is the gnome shell window that gives you access to the Linux command line shell.

Test to perform

• First off try a command:

 sudo apt-get update

Besure that you are asked for [Sudo] Password for X (where X is your user name).

• Click on Edit, select Profiles, select Edit and select colours. Modify the colours to a different set and be sure it happens in the terminal window.

• Set a Background Image and be sure it appear in the terminal.
• Change the Zoom Level.
• Try opening so of the other programs and see if any errors appear in the terminal window.

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Gimp

The Gimp (Gnu Image Manipulation Program) is probably one of the most powerful imaging tools available in Linux. It is comparable to Photoshop or Paintshop Pro.

Tests to perform

• Open the Gimp. Create a picture. Save it.
• If you can get an image off the web or a camera try editing it.
• Play around with the tools and ensure they work in an obvious manner.

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