Ubuntu FAQ

Is Ubuntu compatible with Windows?
Yes. Installing Ubuntu does not stop you from working with your Microsoft Windows files and applications. Ubuntu can be installed along-side (side-by-side) Windows and also it can be installed within Windows as a program. However if you use Ubuntu you may not need to use Windows since most of the applications on Windows are also available bundled with Ubuntu, like Office, Web browser etc

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Why is Linux/Ubuntu less prone to Malware/Viruses?
 Possible reasons Linux/Ubuntu is less prone to malware:  Linux is based on UNIX architecture. UNIX is designed as a multi-user operating system and has in-built safeguards to protect user from malware. This includes user permissions definitions, user space distinct from system space etc Programs are run as normal user, not Root User. Vast diversity makes it difficult to reproduce flaws in a system. All software and drivers are frequently updated by Package Managers. Software is generally installed from vast Repositories not from unfamiliar websites. No-one profits from supplying anti-virus or security products. 

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Ubuntu Installation alongside windows
For the installation process [click here]

Ubuntu Upgrade from 12.04 to 14.04 from DVD or Erase ubuntu 12.04 and install 14.04
For the installation process

How do I install UBUNTU using something else option
Steps to follow after choosing something else option while installing Ubuntu:-

Step 1: When you chose something else and click on Continue, something like the following screen will show up:



In the above window, first ntfs partition is the Windoze native partition and second is the free space. In your case, if you don't see any free space, then you can create one by deleting free partition in your desired hard disk. You can make sure which hard disk you have selected under “Device for boot loader installation”. Your ubuntu bootloader will be installed in this hard disk drive.

Step 2: Now, after freeing up the required space, you can add partitions for root directory by clicking on “Add” in the above window.

The below screen will show up when you click on “Add”:



Now, select as shown in this picture by giving your desired space for ubuntu root directory. The “/” symbol always indicates the root directory in GNU/Linux systems.

Then click OK.

This will create a new partition for the root directory.

Step 2a: Now, again click on “Add” and create a swap area. This can be done by selecting swap in the drop down menu of “Use as:” in the above window. Always the swap partition size should be the double of your RAM size. So if your RAM is 1GB then swap would be 2GB.

Then click OK.

Step 3: The above steps will result in the Install window as shown below:

Here it shows that /dev/sda1 is your Windoze partition. /dev/sda2 is your new root partition. And /dev/sda3 is your SWAP space.

Once you are happy with the changes you have made, click “Install now” and proceed to the next step.

From next step, it'll be usual installation which may show up “Where are you?” window to know the location and so on.

How can I install new software/tools on Ubuntu?
The preferred way to install software in Ubuntu is to use the package manager, which you can access through Ubuntu Software Center. This requires an Internet connection, unless you are using offline repositories. Ubuntu Software Center can be accessed through Applications-> Ubuntu Software Center. Type a query into the search-> Select a package you think is relative to what you want-> Click "Install"

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How to convert videos from one format to different formats in Openshot video editor
Step 1:Open The openshot video editor by clicking on Applications>Sound and videos->Openshot video editor (If openshot video editor is not installed then install it from the Ubuntu software center)



Step 2: After Opening the Openshot video editor Click on “+” mark to import the video files from your computer.



Step3:After importing the video files, to convert the video from one format to another format click on Export video tool which is red Button as shown in the below picture.



Step4:After selecting the export button you will get the below mentioned window. In File name give the video name and in profile select all format and in Target select the format you want to convert the video file. And then click on export video to convert.

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How do I install and switch to the GNOME-Classic desktop?
To install the Classic desktop on your Ubuntu 12.04 machine, follow the steps below:  Press Ctrl + Alt + T on your keyboard to open the Terminal.  When the Terminal opens, type the commands below at the prompt, i.e. after the $ symbol.  Press Enter. Enter your password when prompted.  Note: When you type, your password is not visible.  Restart your system, and at the log in screen, click on the Ubuntu Greeter icon.
 * sudo apt-get install gnome-session-fallback

 Select the GNOME-Classic session and login. As shown below.  This is only a one-time selection. You need not do this everytime you login.  Your system will now start with Classic Desktop always! </ul>

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How to connect the Projector in Ubuntu 12.04
Basically we use 2 connections of Projector to connect, they are. a.Power cable connection. b.VGA cable connection.

 Projector Power cable connection is from socket to projector and VGA is from laptop/desktop to

Follow the steps to connect the projector

1.In Computer go to Applications-->System tool>System Settings 2.Click on Display.

3. Check mark on Mirror display and click on Detect displayes and Apply. It will connects automatically.

(Note: After following the ablove steps if you are not able connect the projector then keeping projector ON state restart your laptop/Desktop.)

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How do I launch PhET?
The customised DVD that you receive during your training sessions has PhET pre-installed on it. A shortcut or a launcher to PhET can be created as follows:

1. Applications->System Tools--->Preferences-->Main menu

2.Select Science from menu, Click on +New Item

<li>3.Type as mentioned below without any mistake.
 * 1) '''Name:PhET
 * 2) '''Command:firefox /opt/PhET/index.html



<li>4.Click on OK and close all tabs

<li>5.To open PhET, go as follows Applications->Science->PhET



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How do I create desktop shortcuts for applications on Ubuntu?
<ul>Follow the steps to create desktop shortcuts: <li>Find the program in the Applications menus and right click.</li> <li>Select Add this launcher to desktop.</li> <li>A link to the application will now be on your desktop.</li> </ul> Back to Top

How do I remove an application/software on Ubuntu?
<ul>To remove an application: <li>Click Applications → Ubuntu Software Center.</li> <li>In the Installed Software section, find the application that you want to remove by finding it in the list or by searching for it.</li> <li>Select the application and click Remove.</li> <li>You may be asked to enter your password. After you have done that, the application will be removed. This should not take very long.</li> </ul> Back to Top

How to recover the missing top panel in Ubuntu (Gnome Desktop)
<ol> <li> Press Alt+F2 <li> Type 'gnome-terminal' <li> Check/tick 'Run in terminal' box <li> and type the following command 'gconftool --recursive-unset /apps/panel&&  killall gnome-panel' </ol> Alternatively,

You can open the terminal by clicking on Application -> Accessories -> Terminal and type the following command at the $ sign 'gconftool --recursive-unset /apps/panel&& killall gnome-panel'

How to add new/recover missing icons on top Panel in Ubuntu (Gnome Desktop)
<ol>


 * 1) Alt+Win+ right click on the top panel to add the applet.
 * 2) Then in the list select select indicator applet complete as below.( for time,volume,blutooth and power button)
 * 1) click Add
 * 2) Then close the window.

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Why is GNU/Linux not as popular as Windows though it has so many advantages and benefits
It is known that technology particularly software has an element of addiction and people are unwilling to move to a 'new' environment requiring learning (also Newtons first law :-) ). this also adds to the 'lock-in' of the software.  in an environment where proprietary software is pirated, it is already free (mufta) so no immediate economic benefit is seen in adopting public software.

The challenge is to explain to people that this is not about mufta but about mukta - that the learning resources we use (software is a digital tlm) must be publicly owned so that we all have the freedom to share and modify. If a private company owns them then our learning process is under the control of the vendor who can decide the access to the software. Hence this is a philosophical and ethical issue (rather than purely technological or economic) and like any other social change process (like fighting alcoholism for eg - the benefits of avoiding alcohol is known still it is not easy to give it up), change will be slow and gradual.

Also there are strong forces to keep us chained to proprietary software - hardware vendors who get commission on sale of the proprietary software (no commission on public software!!), proprietary software vendors who adopt unethical and illegal practices to push their products. and the willingness of many of us to stay ignorant :-) and avoid this debate/discussion on the ethics of using proprietary software on grounds of "convenience"

Gnu/linux is public software, intended for public use in all areas (not just education). it is our collective responsibility (all of us in society need to come together to insist that we will only use digital resources that are not proprietary), proprietising (privatising) digital resources and preventing their free sharing (which is so simple - copy/paste) is unethical and greatly harmful to society.

'''But there are many positive examples - in many countries (and states in India like Kerala), once many people start using GNU/Linux, it spreads fast. Specially if teachers use it, they can explain the benefits to students. So let us keep talking about the importance of software freedom, of the need for public software (like public education) for universal access... and supporting people to adopt it.. our efforts will surely give the result'--