Ubuntu Linux--the most popular Linux distribution on the planet--preserves the spirit embodied in the ancient African word ubuntu, which means both "humanity to others" and "I am what I am because of who we all are." Ubuntu won the Linux Journal Reader's Choice Award for best Linux distribution and is consistently the top-ranked Linux variant on DistroWatch.com. The reason this distribution is so widely popular is that Ubuntu is designed to be useful, usable, customizable, and always available for free worldwide.

Ubuntu Hacks is your one-stop source for all of the community knowledge you need to get the most out of Ubuntu: a collection of 100 tips and tools to help new and experienced Linux users install, configure, and customize Ubuntu. With this set of hacks, you can get Ubuntu Linux working exactly the way you need it to. Learn how to:

• Install and test-drive Ubuntu Linux.

• Keep your system running smoothly

• Turn Ubuntu into a multimedia powerhouse: rip and burn discs, watch videos, listen to music, and more

• Take Ubuntu on the road with Wi-Fi wireless networking, Bluetooth, etc.

• Hook up multiple displays and enable your video card's 3-D acceleration

• Run Ubuntu with virtualization technology such as Xen and VMware

• Tighten your system's security

• Set up an Ubuntu-powered server

Ubuntu Hacks will not only show you how to get everything working just right, you will also have a great time doing it as you explore the powerful features lurking within Ubuntu.

"Put in a nutshell, this book is a collection of around 100 tips and tricks which the authors choose to call hacks, which explain how to accomplish various tasks in Ubuntu Linux. The so called hacks range from down right ordinary to the other end of the spectrum of doing specialised things...More over, each and every tip in this book has been tested by the authors on the latest version of Ubuntu (Dapper Drake) and is guaranteed to work. In writing this book, it is clear that the authors have put in a lot of hard work in covering all facets of configuring this popular Linux distribution which makes this book a worth while buy." -- Ravi Kumar, Slashdot.org

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 28 Ratings

Good, but out-of-date - 2008-05-30
Reviewer Rating:
Information presented is solid for an older distribution, but is not relevant for v8.04. Ubuntu has made significant changes in the installation , partitioning, and setup areas - none of which are covered in this version of Ubuntu Hacks. Most serious is the omission of problems using the partition manager with ntfs partitions.

You don't need to wait for the 2nd Edition. - 2008-03-06
Reviewer Rating:
"Ubuntu Hacks" shows its age, but still packs a lot of useful information. The authors chose to base their hacks on the 6.06 LTS (Long Term Support) version of Ubuntu, which is supported by Canonical until June 2011. As of this writing, Canonical has released version 7.10 and is actively working on the next version, Herdy Heron.

Still, this book remains about 90% accurate (IMO). In most of the places where it is no longer accurate things have actually become easier to accomplish in the newer versions. For example, it is much easier in 7.10 to enable restricted drivers than it was in 6.06.

Highs:
* Focused on how things are done in Ubuntu.
* Still useful despite its age.
* Something for every level of user, but newer users will get more out of it.

Lows:
* True experts in Ubuntu may find themselves skipping a few chapters. I was able to find helpful tidbits in chapters I thought I could skip, however.
* The various authors have wildly different writing styles. A couple of the hacks could have had more information or detail, but most were well-written.

Overall, I recommend this book if you are seriously considering or already using Ubuntu as your primary OS on any machine. Ubuntu has been compared to Mac OS X in its look and feel. "Ubuntu Hacks" can be compared to a slim version of "The Macintosh Bible" for Ubuntu.

A Favorite Computer Book - Highly Recommended for Techies & Newbies - 2008-09-04
Reviewer Rating:
There are numerous reasons to recommend this book, but it looks like many reviewers have covered the material. I just want to note that I constantly reference and use this book, and I am always recommending it, to friends !

I own a lot of computer books, most of which are for Linux, and this has become one of my favorites. Any time I thought, "There must be a way to....." I later found the answer in this thorough book. Highly Recommended for Techies & Newbies, alike.

I started with Ubuntu Linux Bible, which is good for general info, and those *completely* new to Linux but also shows differences between other Distributions of Linux and Ubuntu. That book is good, for beginners.

Then I read Hacking Ubuntu: Serious Hacks Mods and Customizations (ExtremeTech), and Ubuntu Linux Toolbox: 1000+ Commands for Ubuntu and Debian Power Users, to really get into the operating system, and understand where all the goodies are located.

The GNOME (default) desktop is nice, but many features are hidden...thus the need for books, to unlock the potential. It is a good idea to also install KDE, and upgrade to Kubuntu, for more power.

By the time I began reading Ubuntu Hacks: Tips & Tools for Exploring, Using, and Tuning Linux (Hacks), I had a good grasp of the system, and I had tested many installations, dual boots (with Windohs, etc.).

You may need a couple of the books mentioned, if you are new to Ubuntu, and particularly if you are new to Linux. However, with the above books, even if you create a "dual boot" system....you may find yourself rarely booting into Windohs.

ubuntu hacks - 2008-10-06
Reviewer Rating:
It is Oreilly which if your new means well written to the point . I like the dummy series which are good reads on what can be a mind numbing topic and I do this stuff for a living. This is good goto book nice easy or hard to do and it tells you that good explanation and examples. If you need more Debion has documentation on commands at it's website. The problem is going through all the information.

Outstanding book - 2008-04-15
Reviewer Rating:
Well worth the money. This book is clear, informative, accurate, and well-written. Used in conjunction with "The Official Ubuntu Book", someone new to Ubuntu Linux will be up and running in no time, and able to do some very useful tweaking. This book addresses many practical issues to turn the standard Ubuntu install into a much more versatile machine. Very helpful for the basic administrative tasks as well. Highly Recommended.

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