Chapter 4. Post-Installation Configuration

IN THIS CHAPTER

• Troubleshooting Post-Installation Configuration Problems

• The sudo Command

• First Update

• Configuring Software Repositories

• Installing Graphics Drivers

• Changing Ubuntu's Look and Feel

• Preferred Behaviors

• Input Devices

• Detecting and Configuring a Modem

• Power Management in Ubuntu

• Resetting the Date and Time

• Managing PCMCIA

• Configuring and Using CD, DVD, and CD-RW Drives

• Configuring Wireless Networks

• Configuring Firestarter

• Reference

As demonstrated in Chapter 3, "Installing Ubuntu," in most cases the installation of Ubuntu is extremely easy. Installation itself includes Ubuntu probing for existing system hardware and then automatically configuring itself accordingly. By doing this, it produces a system that is almost ready for use.

Regardless of how proficient you are with Linux, you can expect to do some extra configuration after you have logged in to your system, even if it is as basic as changing the background picture or significantly altering the way GNOME looks. This chapter covers the various options you have to customize your system. We examine how to change the look and feel of Ubuntu, changing time and date settings, working with regional settings, and considering other options that impact how you interact with Ubuntu. Upon completion of this chapter, you will be familiar with the basics of the Ubuntu desktop and know about some of the GUI configuration tools available.

Note

Throughout this chapter, we introduce you to several key applications relevant also to other chapters of this book. We include them here because they are essential to getting your system to work as you intend. You will find it worthwhile referring back to this chapter as you work your way through the book.