[chmod]

Configuring and installing Linux

This is the second part of my series on Linux (see part one here-What is Linux).

The first part was all theory aimed at giving you an insight into Linux and what exactly is this OS that people talk about. This part is all hands on, starting from the beginning -installation. Before we get into it this is not designed as a step by step how to, what I will be aiming to do is go through the options that are presented to you during the installation phase and describe what each option does so that you will be able to install the system in a way that suits you. For this “tutorial” I will be using Ubuntu as that's one of the more popular distributions and the one most of you are familiar with.

Getting started

So let's get started, I will assume you know how to make a bootable USB/CD for those who don't have a look at an excellent thread by @Ex094 which can be found here. Once you have done that and booted from that media you will be greeted by this screen:



You can “Try Ubuntu” which loads the OS from that media and allows you to use the OS exactly how you would if it was installed, this is useful for testing distribution's before committing any changes to your HDD, or and the one we will be looking at you can install the OS directly to your hard drive feel free to read the release notes if you so wish. Once you choose to begin the installation you will be presented with various options as seen here:



Note that there is also a list of recommended criteria for best results and a couple of options here:

Download updates while installing
this is pretty self explanatory if you have an active internet connection Ubuntu will attempt to download system and software updates as it installs it giving you an up-to-date system right out of the box.

Install this third-party software
These are a few third-party plugins for some popular audio and video codecs again these will be installed along side the system if you choose this option

For the purposes of this tutorial I shall be installing both of these I recommend you at least choose to update the system while installing but it's optional.

Disk partitioning

Next we move on to disk partitioning -this is the important bit so please read carefully before going ahead with it:



We have a few options here
Erase disk and install Ubuntu
This will erase your entire hard drive and use it all for Ubuntu, use this only if you are sure you no longer want your current OS and any data stored within it as this will be lost.

Encrypt the new Ubuntu installation for security
You can choose to encrypt the hard drive during installation meaning the system will require a password at boot time before the disk(s) can be read, if you choose this option make sure you remember the password or the system will be unusable along with any data stored on it

Use LVM with the new Ubuntu installation
This option is intended more for large disks and allows easier disk management -ideal if you will be adding and removing or resizing disks on a regular basis, for more info have a look at this article for some more information.

Something else
This is what most of you will be using, and allows you to install Ubuntu alongside your other OS and also allows for custom partitioning allowing a lot of control over the partitioning process it will look something like:



although you will most likely have other partitions listed for the other OS you have installed, you will most likely be looking for unallocated (blank unformatted) space. Since I am on a virtual machine and have no need to set custom partitioning I will simply be choosing the first option.

Computer settings

Next is pretty standard select your timezone either by clicking your state/country/timezone or by typing in the box:



Again the next screen is straightforward just confirm your keyboard layout from the list, it's usually the one Ubuntu chooses based on the location you gave it previously or if you are unsure click the “Detect Keyboard Layout” button and follow the on screen instructions:



Almost there, the next screen you will be setting up your computer name and user account:



There are a few options here:
Log in automatically
This option will log you in as the user you set up here automatically when the system boots not very secure but if your the only one using the machine and are confident it won't get stolen this option will save you a few seconds.

Require password to login
This will be a traditional login screen where a user is required to enter his/her credentials before using the system

Encrypt my home folder
This is a sub option if you choose to require a password and is an extra layer of security it works much like the hard drive encryption we saw earlier but only targets the home directory (which is your main folder kinda like c:/users/%username% on a Windows system.

Next we have this screen where you can log into or create an Ubuntu one account:



This is basically a cloud storage service allowing you to back up and restore data stored on it automatically, this is obviously Ubuntu specific and completely optional.

Finishing up

And there we have it:



Ubuntu will install itself to your hard drive with the options you choose and not a scary terminal in sight! Sit back relax and in a few minutes you will be ready to go.


Next up we will look at the terminal, it seams daunting at first but it's just misunderstood and trust me you will learn to love it.

If I have missed anything or made a mistake don't hesitate to point it out, and I shall try to get the next tutorial together fairly soon.

<< Part 1

[Ex094]

Detailed Thread, I was waiting for this Awesome work once again chmod...

[chmod]

Detailed Thread, I was waiting for this Awesome work once again chmod...

Thank you very much I will be going further into it and getting on to more advanced stuff (no idea how many parts it's going to be) and maybe eventually take some requests from people about what they would like to use Linux for and write something to implement it

[Ex094]

Detailed Thread, I was waiting for this Awesome work once again chmod...

Thank you very much I will be going further into it and getting on to more advanced stuff (no idea how many parts it's going to be) and maybe eventually take some requests from people about what they would like to use Linux for and write something to implement it

That's awesome :HeartEyes: I'll try to come up with some Linux tutos too

[untevivan]

Only one question, it unless not the instruction from the official site?

[chmod]

Only one question, it unless not the instruction from the official site?

No it is not the instruction from the official website it was written by myself and all screen shots where taken by me.

Detailed Thread, I was waiting for this Awesome work once again chmod...

Thank you very much I will be going further into it and getting on to more advanced stuff (no idea how many parts it's going to be) and maybe eventually take some requests from people about what they would like to use Linux for and write something to implement it

That's awesome :HeartEyes: I'll try to come up with some Linux tutos too

Awesome I look forward to it, you might even save me some work

[untevivan]

Well then, thank you, beginners will be very useful!) Very nice work!

[Psycho_Coder]

Simple, nice and clean tutorial but I prefer manual partitioning of the system and also recommend this to each and every one. Also why haven't you added the tutorial tag. Its better to add one. Also Can I include this in my tutorials collections thread.

[chmod]

Simple, nice and clean tutorial but I prefer manual partitioning of the system and also recommend this to each and every one. Also why haven't you added the tutorial tag. Its better to add one. Also Can I include this in my tutorials collections thread.

I forgot about tags in all honesty :Not-Amused: I'll add it in, I usually go for manual partitioning myself but for the purpose of clarity I omitted it, I may very well dedicate a tutorial to it though.

Feel free to add this to your thread if you feel it's worthy, thanks for the feedback!

[Spirit]

Great work!
I'll be looking forward to part 3