Ceci est une ancienne révision du document !
Q I'm not a programmer, where should I get involved to help promote Linux?
A Get involved with StartUbuntu! Moving people from Windows XP to Lubuntu seems to be a natural transition.
Q How can I resize the top panel?
A (Thanks to CatKiller in the Ubuntu Forums) Alt-Super right-click.
Q I will have an extremely rare chance to use high-speed Internet for a weekend. My phone has Internet access, so I can use Google, but it can't handle heavy-duty downloads. I want to use Ubuntu for application development and playing with sound files. What programs should I install?
A Here's Gord's list for you: install Ubuntu 12.04, get all updates, then add: Restricted Extras, build-essential, GIMP, Audacity, VLC Media Player, ffmpeg. I'm not sure if Python is installed by default, if not, get it. That should give you enough stuff to play with to keep you busy for many months.
Q I installed VirtualBox from the Ubuntu repositories, and I'm having a problem….
A VirtualBox is one of the few exceptions to the rule. Install it from www.virtualbox.org
Top new questions at Askubuntu
* How do I know what files are executed when I open an application? http://goo.gl/Bl1gd9
* How do I install Ubuntu Server 13.04 (step-by-step) http://goo.gl/wf2Z5J
* Replacement for mplayer? http://goo.gl/lXWu1b
* Why doesn't Steam start? http://goo.gl/rOst5l
* How can I extract images from a raw email? http://goo.gl/FqB71o
* Typing “|” (upwards arrow) with a keyboard shortcut http://goo.gl/bGuEKT
* My Ubuntu Macbook Pro feels warm, can I solve this? http://goo.gl/jwyGIE
* Will installing Ubuntu to dual boot with Windows 8 slow down Windows? http://goo.gl/JvDKN0
* Closest alternative to Times New Roman http://goo.gl/g5Wlis
* Are updates released all at once or ad hoc? http://goo.gl/zfpVrx
* Change default guest session launcher applications? http://goo.gl/rsPvZZ
* .exe files getting downloaded when asked to install `ubuntu-restricted-extras` http://goo.gl/SfZDi9
* Can Unity be used as an independent interface in a custom non-ubuntu build OS? http://goo.gl/Cto25Y
* How can I prevent programs from switching workspaces? http://goo.gl/FGOKvt
* Color picker for entire screen http://goo.gl/gzBYMC
Tips and Techniques
Distro Screening
To my mind, the differences among different versions of Linux come down to four factors: • the desktop (appearance and how it works), • the file manager, • how much work I have to do after installation (installing the programs I use and setting preferences), • the political factor: do I approve of the behaviour of the organization.
I feel there are only two significantly different desktop styles: Unity/Gnome, and KDE/Cinnamon/LXDE/XFCE. Within the two groups, the differences are minor. I always install my own wallpaper, so there's no brown vs blue vs green debate on my systems.
I find the Windows XP/7 style user interface is most productive for me, so there's no way I would use Unity or Gnome as a daily driver. (I do have the LTS and latest versions of Ubuntu installed in Virtualbox in order to answer questions.)
Many Kubuntu users rave about its file manager, but it makes me crazy; I can't figure out how to do what I want to do. I find the file manager in Lubuntu (LXDE) far too stripped down, but the one in Xubuntu does the job. However, for everyday use I prefer Nemo (Mint) or Nautilus (Ubuntu).
Mint with Cinnamon requires the least work after installation, in order to do the things I want to do. Most lightweight Linux distros do not include Libreoffice, and I can't live without it. I also want to view Youtube videos and listen to MP3s.
I am a huge fan of Canonical and Mark Shuttleworth, even if they have had some recent missteps in dealing with the community. Desktop Linux would be nowhere without Canonical, and I am grateful. Also, I have the impression they have a long-term vision for the future. But I still find Unity counter-productive.
I'm also a big fan of the Mint team. Again and again, they seem to ask the question, “what do the users want,” and come up with the right answer. Users don't care about the future, they just want to get stuff done today. That's me in a nutshell.