所谓LTS，就是Long Term Support。这也是Ubuntu在6.06之后的第二个LTS版本。

注意看上面的图片（点击可以看到大图），屏幕下方有2个任务栏，Vista是Host OS的，XP是Guest OS的。说白了，无缝窗口（Seamless）模式就是实现了像操作Host一样的操作的Guest的方法。

不过要使用这项功能，也是要有前提条件的：

• Guest OS必须是Windows
• Guest OS必须安装Guest Additions（启动Guest OS后，选择Device–>Install Guest Additions）。需要注意的是，要先release Guest OS的光盘，否则Additions不会加载到Guest OS上。因为Guest Additions实际上是以虚拟光盘的形式装入Guest的。这一点和其他虚拟机软件类似。

虽然v1.5.0已经发布并且可以使用了，但似乎VirtualBox的主页上还是1.4.0的Win x86版本下载。不过，1.5.0已经可以下载了，路径的规则和1.4.0一样。这里再贴一下：

http://www.virtualbox.org/download/1.5.0/VirtualBox_1.5.0_Win_x86.msi

Update 1:47 Sept 7th, 2007 PST: 官方网站上已经更新了下载连接，直接去Virtual Box的下载页面，就可以了。

他们提供了Solaris的系统，并且有C、C++等语言的编译环境。对于想用Unix的人来说，还是不错的。不过没有X。

目前提供几个服务器：

• x4100.unix-center.net
• solaris.unix-center.net

推荐使用Putty使用SSH方式访问。

Takeaway:
There are numerous common features with every Linux installation. This document lists 10 of the more important ones you should know about.
By Jeffrey G. Thomas

Linux is not Windows, and although there are some similarities, you must realize that there may be a few “new ways of doing things” to learn before you can be comfortable in Linux. Linux is an open-source clone of UNIX, a secure operating system (OS) that predates DOS and Windows and is designed for multiple users. The items in the following list generally apply to any UNIX-based *nix system, such as Linux and the various BSD’s. For the purposes of this article, assume that it’s all Linux.

Here are the 10 things to know
Editor’s note: As part of a recent IT Soapboxblog post I asked Linux users and evangelists in the TechRepublic community to step up to the plate and take a crack at producing some informative articles and downloads on the Linux operating system. This document is just one of the submissions inspired by that challenge. Just click the Linux challenge tag to track other published submissions stemming from this grass roots project.

1. File hierarchy

Unlike some other OS’s that have a file tree for each drive, the Linux file system is one big tree. At the top you have / (Root) and every folder, file, and drive branches off of this Root.

For example, say that you have two hard drives (named a and b), one floppy drive, and one CD-ROM. Let’s say that the first hard drive has two partitions (named a1 and a2). In Windows, it would look like this:

• + hard drive a, partition one (hda1): C Drive
• + hda2: D Drive
• + hdb1: E Drive
• + floppy: A drive
• + CD-ROM: F Drive

In Linux, you have one file system, not the five listed in the Windows example. Each drive is mounted onto the tree and acts just like a folder. The drives could be placed like this:

• + hda1: / (our Root)
• + hda2: /home
• + hdb1: /home/user/music
• + floppy: /mnt/floppy
• + CD-ROM: /mnt/cdrom

Our D Drive and E Drive are attached within our C Drive and there is no need to go to the top to switch drives; the switching happens seamlessly as we move from one folder to another. The same is true with our Floppy and CD-ROM: they are just attached under /mnt as part of the one file system. These drives, in reality, can be attached almost anywhere in a Linux system, depending on how the installation (or user) set up the /etc/fstab file, which tells the computer where things get attached and how to handle them. See Figure A.

Figure A

File structure

2. Modular system

Think about the guts of Windows XP, Win2k, Win98, Win95, and Apple OS X. Each has different components inside and a different graphical look. What if you wanted the Media Player in XP, the File Manager in 98, the stability of Win2k, and the look of OS X all in one unit? In Linux, each aspect of the system is independent, so you can mix and match parts to make your very own Frankenstein OS. You can choose from a variety of programs to run as your firewall, another to play media, yet another to run your File Manager.

Unlike the “tower” OS’s from Microsoft, where everything is interconnected and depends on each aspect of the system, the Linux OS is spread out like a Market: everything works together for the common good, but vendors (independent parts of the OS) can be excluded, and the OS will still function. Don’t want a Media Player or File Manager? Take it out! Your OS will not fall like a broken tower.

This modularity is the reason for so many distributions of Linux (commonly called distros); any person or company can mix and match the programs they find most useful and slap a name on that collection. RedHat, Xandros, SimplyMEPIS, and Suse are all examples of distros.

Some of the larger distros have copycats that use their settings, but change the included programs. This is the Linux way, and the mix-and-match approach gives users more choice in the long run. DistroWatch.com currently lists over 350 distributions of Linux. Many on the list are specialized to serve a specific group of people, but all can be altered to run the same programs.

Because programs are interchangeable, the Graphical User Interface (GUI) is no exception. GUI’s give you the look and feel of a modern OS with the mouse, program icons, menus, etc. Any Linux system (well, one that is running on a real computer, not a phone) can run one of many different GUI’s, just like it can run many web browsers or different email client programs.

Want your system to look like Windows? Use FVWM with the XP theme. Want it to be fast? Try IceWM. Want it to be more “full featured”?; try GNOME or KDE. All of these GUI’s have benefits and drawbacks, but they all present the user with an interface that can be manipulated with a mouse. Although this may result in every Linux screen looking different, all of the GUI’s are still doing the same behind-the-scenes work for you; just use your eyes and often it is not hard at all.

3. Hardware, software, and everything in between

Linux has come a long way in the few short years of its existence. It is less than half the age of Microsoft Windows, and yet it is more powerful, more stable, less resource-hungry, and graphically equal (if not superior) to this costly, buggy OS from Redmond.

One thing that Linux doesn’t yet have going for it is vendor support. If you really like Intuit’s QuickBooks, for example, you cannot natively run it in Linux. There are projects to make Windows programs run in Linux, such as CrossOver Office and Wine, but these work with varying success, depending on the Windows program. Until software companies decide to port their programs to Linux, you will not be able to run them natively.

Not all is lost, however. Open Source software has upward of 15,000 of programs that run natively in Linux. Because these programs are (usually) free of charge, they vary in quality, but the majority of programs are wonderfully written and constantly improved. These programs can import and export non-native file types as well. GNUCash can read those Quickbooks files just fine, and OpenOffice.org can read MSWord *.doc files. If you dislike GNUCash, don’t despair. There are other similar programs also available for free, and more and more software companies are releasing Linux versions of their software.

These same issues apply to hardware. Just as you cannot expect just any piece of hardware off the shelf to work with an Apple computer, the same can be said for Linux machines. Most standard hardware works perfectly; hard drives, RAM, flash drives, motherboards, NIC’s, and digital cameras usually have little trouble under Linux. Newer, cutting edge hardware is a different story. Until hardware vendors choose to support Linux, the drivers needed to work these pieces of hardware must be written by the Linux community for free and in the community members’ spare time.

Therefore, there is a lag behind Windows support since hardware companies often work directly with Microsoft to ensure compatibility, and tend to let Linux volunteers figure out the Linux hardware support on their own. Laptops are notorious for their non-standard hardware; it can be a challenge to map special keys in Linux. The good news here is that vendor support for Linux hardware, like software, is changing for the better as more and more companies see their future in Linux.

Everything in between the hardware and the software in a Linux machine is the kernel. This kernel is what connects the hardware to the software, and an updated kernel is made available via Internet every few weeks; the most current is 2.6.14. If you have hardware that isn’t currently supported, there is a chance that a newer kernel could help you out. Installing this kernel yourself isn’t always easy, however; that’s where Package Managers come into play.

4. Package Managers – Program installation made easy(er)

There are many ways to install programs in Linux, but the easiest is with your distribution’s Package Manager (PM). The PM makes sure that any missing files (called dependencies) are also installed so the program runs correctly. Choosing a distribution often comes down to which type of PM you like, but any Linux software can be installed on different distributions if you can find the corresponding Package.

These PM’s usually have an on-line repository for their programs. Installing an application is as easy as searching through the program repository and clicking Install. Can’t find IceWM or MPlayer in your Package Manager’s list? There is always a way to add a new on-line repository that will have what you are looking for. Some examples of Package Managers include Synaptic (based on dpkg and Apt) for Debian (and derivatives); Yum for RedHat (and derivatives); YaST2 for SuSE (and derivatives); and Emerge for Gentoo.

5. Permissions

Linux is designed to have multiple users, and these users fall into groups. Every user has permissions to read, write, or execute (R/W/X) their own files, and permission to change those permissions. Because Linux is designed for multiple users, each user has their own password and may restrict access to their files. These are called User Permissions.

Each user belongs to one or more groups, and a user can set their file/folder permissions so that others in the group can read but not write the files, or any other combination of R/W/X. These are Group permissions. For example, Joe and Susan are both in Accounting. They can allow the Accounting group access to each other’s files, but they can restrict that access from those in the Sales group.

The Others permissions can allow or deny access to these files for anyone outside the Group. These permissions are for the safety of the overall system, as well as for each user’s data. Most home users are fine to leave the default permissions alone on their files. (See Figure B)

Figure B

Permissions

The Root user (not to be confused with the / Root of a file system), as the Administrator, has rights to all files and is the only user who can alter system-wide settings. The Root user has their own password, which is used for system maintenance. This distinction prevents a regular user from installing harmful spy ware on the system or deleting important files.

6. Home directory

Windows has My Documents, but where do you put files that aren’t documents? Usually on the Windows Desktop! Linux can clutter the desktop too, but each of our users also has a Home directory, usually located at /home/user. Within that Home directory you often have Documents (/home/user/documents), program links, music (/home/user/Music), or whatever we want. We can create files and folders here, and organize or disorganize them as much as we want, just like it was our own personal Home. Depending on how our permissions are set, we can allow or prevent any other user access to these files (except the Root user).

7. Default installation differences

There are a few differences between Linux distributions, such as where some files are kept or what some of the default programs are named. Just knowing that the file system might be a bit different between RedHat and SuSE is a great start. Most users don’t need to know what those differences are, but they should be aware that the internal file systems can be a bit different. When asking for help, make sure to let others know which distribution you are running. If you don’t have troubles in your system or don’t care to set up complex behind-the-scenes operations, don’t worry too much about this.

8. CLI, or “how to run”

From the Start-type menu, the xterm program (also called Console) brings you to a Terminal, which looks a bit like a DOS window, but it actually predates and out-powers DOS. This is the Command Line Interface (CLI), the origin of our favorite OS which is present in every Linux distribution. We won’t get into the finer details, which can fill books, but the CLI a powerful tool often needed to troubleshoot your computer. If you ask for help on the Internet and someone asks you to run lspci, they want you to start xterm, type lspci, hit enter, and then provide the screen’s response.

When you start an xterm, you are your regular user-self with limited powers. To get into Root User mode (see Permissions above) in an xterm, type su [enter], then type the Root password [enter]. Now you have a lot of power so be nice. The Root user can destroy anyone’s data, including the system files needed to run Linux. To leave an xterm or su mode, type exit [enter].

9. Ctrl-alt-escape

Clicking the ctrl-alt-escape key combination changes your mouse into an X, skull-and-crossbones, or some other sinister mouse-cursor. In this mode, clicking on a misbehaving or frozen application will kill it. It is similar to the End Process in Windows Task Manager, but use with care. If you don’t want to kill anything, use the Esc key to back out of kill mode. Clicking on the wrong program (including the desktop GUI) can cause a serious headache.

10. The Internet is your friend!

Many distros have a User’s Forum where questions, answers, and tips are passed around. LinuxQuestions.org is a great site for overall Linux knowledge and help. Remember, before posting questions on any forum, research your questions (both at LQ and on Google) to avoid asking about an issue that may already be solved. Also, check the age of any solution that you find, as old answers may no longer apply to this fast-changing world of Open Source software. When asking a question, be sure to include as much (applicable) information as you can about your system, such as:

• The processor type (Intel or AMD or Apple PPC?)
• Your distribution (SuSE? Debian?)
• The program with which you’re having trouble, and
• Any other relevant information.

Keep an open mind

Linux and open-source software have made leaps and bounds in the last few years, but for users coming from the closed world of Windows, the internal workings of Linux may seem foreign. An open mind and a willingness to share knowledge helps the Linux community grow, and we welcome you to our ranks.

Original posted in:
http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5102-10877-5960961.html

Or Chinese – Simplefied Edition:
http://wiki.ubuntu.org.cn/10ThingsYouShouldKnowAboutEveryLinuxInstall

Ubuntu的确是汲取了很多Windows中优秀的东西，包括Automatic Update。刚刚装好的系统，右上角的Notification Area就提示了有更新的package要装。更是简单到只要点一下更新的图标，再点一下OK，就可以自动完成更新了。

这里有个不是很爽的东西，Ubuntu（包括Debian）的aptitude，如果他正在工作（下载或安装package），就不能同时开启另一个进程工作。也就是说，如果你在更新系统，那么无论是apt-get还是aptitude，还是Ubuntu的Package Manager都是无法工作。

当然，如果是tarball的package还是可以安装的。

花了将近1个小时下载并安装了全部的更新，其中包括一个linux-kernel-i386-2.6.17-11-generic的package。这里着重说一下，在后面的过程中，正式因为这个新的内核导致了其他的问题。

更新完成重新启动系统，却发现显示分辨率变成了800×600@60Hz了，而且只能从800×600和640×480中进行选择。这其实就是已经存在的nvidia-glx的package和新的内核不兼容。（当初装Debian的时候，就遇到过类似的问题）。

作为暂时的处理方法，先把老内核作为GRUB的默认选项了。至于新内核，我想了一下，-10和-11估计也没什么太大的差距，先凑合用了。

Update 2/23 20:43：翻了翻网上的方法，其实简单的要命。装一下nvidia-glx（如果显卡在“列表”中的最下面部分，就要装nvidia-glx legacy）。然后修改/etc/X11/xorg.conf文件：1、在Module中添加Load “glx”；2、在显卡配置中，将Driver “nv”换成Driver “nvidia”。重启，搞定。

接下来安装en-us环境下的中文支持。Ubuntu在中文支持上和早期的Debian相比，已经有了很大的提高了。想当初早期的Debian Woody默认安装后，是无法显示中文的，所有的中文字符都显示为1个方框，方框的4个角上分别写着1个数字。而现在的Ubuntu Edgy默认就可以显示所有的字符了，虽然看起来并不是那么漂亮。

我打算用文泉驿的字体（当然，用simsun或者Windows Vista中的微软雅黑都可以，只是复制不同的文件而已）。这里有个脚本，可以直接从文泉驿网站上下载nightly build的字体问题，并且自动安装。

[coolcode]
#!/bin/sh
sudo apt-get install build-essential bdftopcf
mkdir temp
cd temp
wget http://wenq.org/daily
tar xzf wqy*
cd wqy*
make
sudo rm *b.pcf
if [ ! -d /usr/share/fonts/wqy-bitmapfont ]
then
sudo mkdir /usr/share/fonts/wqy-bitmapfont
fi
sudo mv *.pcf /usr/share/fonts/wqy-bitmapfont
cd ../..
rm -r temp
sudo fc-cache -fv
if [ -f /etc/fonts/conf.d/30-debconf-no-bitmaps.conf ]
then
sudo unlink /etc/fonts/conf.d/30-debconf-no-bitmaps.conf
fi
[/coolcode]

chmod到755，然后run一下就行了。

仅仅这样做还是不够的，还要修改字体的配置文件/etc/fonts/fonts.conf：
[coolcode]


serif

sudo apt-get install im-switch scim-pinyinim-switch -s scim-pinyin

基本搞定。。

这次之所以选择Ubuntu，首先是因为Ubuntu是基于Debian的一个Open Source的Linux系统，与Debian的“大家投票”的更新形式不同，Ubuntu是有专人（Triage？）决定他采用或者不采用哪些功能或者包。

要安装Ubuntu非常简单，如果是全新系统，而且只安装一个系统，甚至比Windows的安装更加简单。

直接从Ubuntu首页（http://www.ubuntu.com/）上下载最新的版本就行了（到目前为止，Ubuntu的最新版本是Edgy Eft，也就是Version 6.10）。

Ubuntu的版本号比较奇怪，6.10表示它是在2006年10月发布的。上一个版本Dapper Drake是6.06。

如果想得到更多的支持，可以试试看Dapper，因为Dapper是LTS（Long Term Support）的。不过也无所谓，Open Source的最大优点就是有广泛的人使用和支持。

Ubuntu的最近几个版本如下：

• Warty Warthog (4.10)
• Hoary Hedgehog (5.04)
• Breezy Badger (5.10)
• Dapper Drake (6.06)
• Edgy Eft (6.10)

我在下载到Ubuntu光盘镜像后，遇到了个比较棘手的问题。Ubuntu CD是715MB的，而我手里的CDR都是650MB的。没辙，既然先决定要装了，就凑合一下吧。找了张DVD-R给刻了。

Ubuntu CD是个Live CD，意味着即使不安装，也可以直接在光盘上运行。安装更是简单到点击Install图标就可以了。

安装过程还是非常简单的，却在分区中遇到了问题。我因为以前装过Debian，所以就决定用类似的方法手工分区。计划是这样的：

结果有问题，安装都快结束了，提示了一个Install GRUB failed! (fatal error: ‘grub-install’ failed)。想了半天也没感觉有问题啊，然后进入一个Terminal，手工安装GRUB，却提示Can’t find /boot。很怪异。

想来想去，还是暂时放弃了。除了swap，/usr，/home外，都使用一个分区了。结果就变成这样了：

暂时是搞定了。接下来升级系统，发现Edgy居然也有这么多安全更新和包的更新。接下来就是该处理了中文支持了（其实默认情况下，中文已经可以显示了。）

具体方法如下：

1. 首先打开Vista的安装源，进入boot目录
2. 输入：

   bootsect /nt60 SYS

3. 重新启动，Vista 的启动管理器已经恢复。

PS：因为Vista使用了新的引导管理器，以前的的NTLDR已经不在Vista中使用了（更别提是修改C:\boot.ini了）

Today, Debian is a troubled distribution. In order to get Debian GNU/Linux 4.0, codenamed etch, out the door by its scheduled date of December 4, 2006, Dunc-Tank.org, a group of Debian developers and fans, was formed.

Historically, Debian has been notoriously late ever since Debian 1.2 was released almost a decade ago in 1997. So, Dunc-Tank was created to accelerate Debian’s development.

If it does die, we’ll miss it — but in Ubuntu and the other Linux distributions that have been based on the best of it, its DNA will live on.