Advanced Adoption Class FAQ
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:
Playing DVDs and Using MP3s
Playing DVDs
In order to play DVDs on your new FreekBox, you'll need to install some software that can decode the digital signal from the DVD so you can watch it. This piece of software is called a codec. To learn more about codecs, visit this link: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Codec.
To get started, you'll need to buy 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
Image, Video, and Audio Editing
Image Editing
Your Advanced Adoption Teach probably already told 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 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.
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 November, 2007, you'll need to upgrade your machine before you can install and use Ubuntu Studio. To do that, follow the instructions in the 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, but remember to also install the "ubuntustudiolauncher" so all your new programs can work together.
Upgrading
Getting Help