Difference between revisions of "Advanced Adoption Class FAQ"
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You're welcome to install a PCI wireless card in your computer in order to use a wireless signal in your home. Be advised, though: not every wireless card will work in your Ubuntu computer. Please use the following website to determine which cards will work: | You're welcome to install a PCI wireless card in your computer in order to use a wireless signal in your home. Be advised, though: not every wireless card will work in your Ubuntu computer. Please use the following website to determine which cards will work: | ||
| − | http://linux-wless.passys.nl/ | + | * https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupported |
| + | * http://linux-wless.passys.nl/ (for older cards) | ||
==Playing DVDs and Using MP3s== | ==Playing DVDs and Using MP3s== | ||
===Playing DVDs=== | ===Playing DVDs=== | ||
| − | Sadly, the laws in the USA (specifically, the DMCA) make it so that watching a DVD in certain circumstances is illegal. Those circumstances are present on your FreekBox. This particular violation has gone completely unprosecuted so far, but the reality is that to watch DVDs you own you will have to practice a bit a civil disobedience. Otherwise, we would have installed the software for you beforehand. | + | Sadly, the laws in the USA (specifically, the DMCA) make it so that watching a DVD in certain circumstances is illegal. Those circumstances are present on your FreekBox. This particular violation has gone completely unprosecuted so far, but the reality is that to watch DVDs you own you will have to practice a bit a civil disobedience. Otherwise, we would have installed the software for you beforehand. |
To get started, you'll need to choose a DVD player (available cheaply at our store) and install it. Then follow this link for instructions on enabling it: http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Enabling_a_DVD-ROM | To get started, you'll need to choose a DVD player (available cheaply at our store) and install it. Then follow this link for instructions on enabling it: http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Enabling_a_DVD-ROM | ||
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==Digital Media== | ==Digital Media== | ||
===Image Editing=== | ===Image Editing=== | ||
| − | Your Advanced Adoption | + | Your Advanced Adoption Teacher probably already told you about The Gimp and how cool it is. There's lots and lots of online support for this program. |
* An introduction: http://gimp.org/about/introduction.html | * An introduction: http://gimp.org/about/introduction.html | ||
* Tutorials: http://gimp.org/tutorials | * Tutorials: http://gimp.org/tutorials | ||
| Line 28: | Line 29: | ||
There's a huge amount of audio software released for Linux. Some of it edits audio, some records it, some simulates drums, some is cross-platform, and some only creates files that can be read and understood by Linux-based systems. | There's a huge amount of audio software released for Linux. Some of it edits audio, some records it, some simulates drums, some is cross-platform, and some only creates files that can be read and understood by Linux-based systems. | ||
| − | Audacity is a solid, cross-platform audio editor and recorder. Ardour is a Digital Audio Workstation program. It's for advanced audio editing. Ardour can do multichannel recording, and has a powerful mixer, unlimited tracks/busses/plugins, and hardware control from surfaces like the Mackie Control Universal, and more. | + | Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ is a solid, cross-platform audio editor and recorder. Ardour http://ardour.org/ is a Digital Audio Workstation program. It's for advanced audio editing. Ardour can do multichannel recording, and has a powerful mixer, unlimited tracks/busses/plugins, and hardware control from surfaces like the Mackie Control Universal, and more. |
Another option is to download the audio tools in the Ubuntu Studio package. See "The Whole Shebang" below for more info on that. | Another option is to download the audio tools in the Ubuntu Studio package. See "The Whole Shebang" below for more info on that. | ||
===Video Editing=== | ===Video Editing=== | ||
| − | A simple video editor for Linux, Kino, is available for download through your Synaptic Package Manager. You can also download PiTiVi. They're relatively simple to use. | + | A simple video editor for Linux, Kino http://www.kinodv.org/, is available for download through your Synaptic Package Manager. You can also download PiTiVi http://www.pitivi.org. They're relatively simple to use. |
Another option is to download the video tools in the Ubuntu Studio package. See below for more info on that. | Another option is to download the video tools in the Ubuntu Studio package. See below for more info on that. | ||
| Line 42: | Line 43: | ||
===The Whole Shebang=== | ===The Whole Shebang=== | ||
| − | Ubuntu Studio is a relatively new package that lumps together a ton of audio, video, and image editing software for the enthusiast. Using | + | Ubuntu Studio is a relatively new package that lumps together a ton of audio, video, and image editing software for the enthusiast. Using Synaptic, you can download the whole thing or just the audio, video, or image parts. |
To find out more about Ubuntu Studio, go to http://ubuntustudio.org and http://en.wikipedia.org/index.php/Ubuntu_Studio | To find out more about Ubuntu Studio, go to http://ubuntustudio.org and http://en.wikipedia.org/index.php/Ubuntu_Studio | ||
| − | If you got your FreekBox from us before | + | If you got your FreekBox from us before December, 2007, you'll need to upgrade your machine before you can install and use Ubuntu Studio. To do that, follow the instructions in the "Updating and Upgrading" section of this FAQ. |
| − | To install Ubuntu Studio packages, open Synaptic (System->Administration->Synaptic) and search for "ubuntustudio". Then install whichever package you'd like, | + | To install Ubuntu Studio packages, open Synaptic (System->Administration->Synaptic) and search for "ubuntustudio". Then install whichever package you'd like, whether it's -graphics, -video, -audio, etc. |
==Updating and Upgrading== | ==Updating and Upgrading== | ||
| Line 55: | Line 56: | ||
A couple of times per year, Ubuntu releases a new distribution of its software. A new distribution might include a new version of your programs (the program would go from version 1.0 to version 2.0, for instance, while monthly updates might only bring you from version 1.0 to version 1.1), a new boot loader, entirely new applications, a new version of Gnome (your desktop environment), and other new software under the hood that will most likely make your system run faster and better. | A couple of times per year, Ubuntu releases a new distribution of its software. A new distribution might include a new version of your programs (the program would go from version 1.0 to version 2.0, for instance, while monthly updates might only bring you from version 1.0 to version 1.1), a new boot loader, entirely new applications, a new version of Gnome (your desktop environment), and other new software under the hood that will most likely make your system run faster and better. | ||
| − | Sometimes, though, an Ubuntu release is less-than-ideal to use. If you're in doubt, please call or send an email to tech support to find out if you should upgrade. If you haven't upgraded to | + | Sometimes, though, an Ubuntu release is less-than-ideal to use. If you're in doubt, please call or send an email to tech support to find out if you should upgrade. If you haven't upgraded to Hardy Heron (8.04), it's safe to do so. |
| − | |||
| − | |||
==Getting Help== | ==Getting Help== | ||
| Line 65: | Line 64: | ||
First things first. | First things first. | ||
| − | Tech support hours are Tuesday | + | Tech support hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 12-6pm. |
| − | (503)232-9350, then press | + | :(503)232-9350, then press 225 |
| − | support [at] freegeek.org | + | :support [at] freegeek.org |
During tech support times, you can bring in your computer to have us look at it, or call and someone will answer. At any time during or outside of those hours, you can call and leave a message or send an email, and someone will get back to you during tech support hours. | During tech support times, you can bring in your computer to have us look at it, or call and someone will answer. At any time during or outside of those hours, you can call and leave a message or send an email, and someone will get back to you during tech support hours. | ||
Latest revision as of 13:38, 10 October 2011
This FAQ is meant to supplement the Advanced Adoption Class. The information below is for those who have a bit of computer experience and would like to expand their knowledge or use their computer for more than simple email, Internet, and word processing tasks.
This FAQ is available (with active links!) online at http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Advanced_Adoption_Class_FAQ.
Using Wireless
You're welcome to install a PCI wireless card in your computer in order to use a wireless signal in your home. Be advised, though: not every wireless card will work in your Ubuntu computer. Please use the following website to determine which cards will work:
- https://help.ubuntu.com/community/WifiDocs/WirelessCardsSupported
- http://linux-wless.passys.nl/ (for older cards)
Playing DVDs and Using MP3s
Playing DVDs
Sadly, the laws in the USA (specifically, the DMCA) make it so that watching a DVD in certain circumstances is illegal. Those circumstances are present on your FreekBox. This particular violation has gone completely unprosecuted so far, but the reality is that to watch DVDs you own you will have to practice a bit a civil disobedience. Otherwise, we would have installed the software for you beforehand.
To get started, you'll need to choose a DVD player (available cheaply at our store) and install it. Then follow this link for instructions on enabling it: http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Enabling_a_DVD-ROM
Using MP3s
To enable MP3s on your FreekBox, follow the instructions in this howto: http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Enabling_mp3
Digital Media
Image Editing
Your Advanced Adoption Teacher probably already told you about The Gimp and how cool it is. There's lots and lots of online support for this program.
- An introduction: http://gimp.org/about/introduction.html
- Tutorials: http://gimp.org/tutorials
- Screenshots: http://gimp.org/screenshots
Audio Programs
There's a huge amount of audio software released for Linux. Some of it edits audio, some records it, some simulates drums, some is cross-platform, and some only creates files that can be read and understood by Linux-based systems.
Audacity http://audacity.sourceforge.net/ is a solid, cross-platform audio editor and recorder. Ardour http://ardour.org/ is a Digital Audio Workstation program. It's for advanced audio editing. Ardour can do multichannel recording, and has a powerful mixer, unlimited tracks/busses/plugins, and hardware control from surfaces like the Mackie Control Universal, and more.
Another option is to download the audio tools in the Ubuntu Studio package. See "The Whole Shebang" below for more info on that.
Video Editing
A simple video editor for Linux, Kino http://www.kinodv.org/, is available for download through your Synaptic Package Manager. You can also download PiTiVi http://www.pitivi.org. They're relatively simple to use.
Another option is to download the video tools in the Ubuntu Studio package. See below for more info on that.
For the advanced video editor (and more advanced Linux user - installing may prove to be a challenge), Cinelerra is an open-source non-linear video editing program. Cinelerra isn't available through Synaptic: you'll have to go to the program's website and download it from source.
We've never used video or audio editing software here at Free Geek, so be sure to let us know how it goes if you dive in!
The Whole Shebang
Ubuntu Studio is a relatively new package that lumps together a ton of audio, video, and image editing software for the enthusiast. Using Synaptic, you can download the whole thing or just the audio, video, or image parts.
To find out more about Ubuntu Studio, go to http://ubuntustudio.org and http://en.wikipedia.org/index.php/Ubuntu_Studio
If you got your FreekBox from us before December, 2007, you'll need to upgrade your machine before you can install and use Ubuntu Studio. To do that, follow the instructions in the "Updating and Upgrading" section of this FAQ.
To install Ubuntu Studio packages, open Synaptic (System->Administration->Synaptic) and search for "ubuntustudio". Then install whichever package you'd like, whether it's -graphics, -video, -audio, etc.
Updating and Upgrading
Much of the time, when you start up your computer and log in, you'll notice a little orange star in the top left corner of your desktop. It'll urge you to upgrade your machine, and tell you how many upgrades you have. It's a good idea to upgrade at least every couple of months. It's free, and it solves securtiy issues and lends new functionalities to your programs.
A couple of times per year, Ubuntu releases a new distribution of its software. A new distribution might include a new version of your programs (the program would go from version 1.0 to version 2.0, for instance, while monthly updates might only bring you from version 1.0 to version 1.1), a new boot loader, entirely new applications, a new version of Gnome (your desktop environment), and other new software under the hood that will most likely make your system run faster and better.
Sometimes, though, an Ubuntu release is less-than-ideal to use. If you're in doubt, please call or send an email to tech support to find out if you should upgrade. If you haven't upgraded to Hardy Heron (8.04), it's safe to do so.
Getting Help
While you do get a year of free tech support with your Freek Box, and we encourage you to use it, you might also want to try out the resources available to you on your computer and on the internet before calling. That way, you'll learn more about your computer, and more about the community available to help you out when you get in a jam.
Free Geek Tech Support
First things first.
Tech support hours are Tuesday through Saturday from 12-6pm.
- (503)232-9350, then press 225
- support [at] freegeek.org
During tech support times, you can bring in your computer to have us look at it, or call and someone will answer. At any time during or outside of those hours, you can call and leave a message or send an email, and someone will get back to you during tech support hours.
You can also check our wiki to see if there's any info that pertains to your problem: http://wiki.freegeek.org/index.php/Category:Tech_support
On Your Computer
There's a wealth of information already installed on your computer. Go to System->Help->System Documentation and browse or search for answers to your issues.
Online
There are many online communities full of people who are most likely working through the same issues that you're experiencing. Browse their newbie sections, search using the name of the program you're having problems with, or post a question or two.
- Ubuntu Forums: http://ubuntuforums.org
- Ubuntu Guide (a list of tips, tricks, and links): http://ubuntuguide.org
- Newbiedocs for Debian, the distribution on which Ubuntu is based: http://newbiedoc.berlios.de
For those with a little more command-line knowledge and who'd like to do things the older, non-graphical way, check out these sites:
- The Linux Documentation Project has howtos on just about everything: http://tldp.org
- Linux Basics has lots of tutorials, and an online book covering the Linux distros, text editing, and beginning networking: http://linuxbasics.org