as Windows, macOS, and of course, UNIX. A simple Ubuntu server can be
put to work as an initial partial solution or made to mimic file, mail, or print
servers of other operating systems. Clerical staff should quickly adapt to
using familiar Internet and productivity tools, while your business gets the
additional benefits of stability, security, and a virus-free computing platform.
By carefully allocating monies spent on server hardware, a productive and
efficient multiuser system can be built for much less than the cost of
comparable commercial software. Combine these benefits with support for
laptops, mobile devices, and remote access, and you will find that Ubuntu
supports the creation and use of an inexpensive yet efficient work
environment.
Ubuntu in Your Home
Ubuntu installs a special set of preselected software packages onto your hard
drive. These packages, which are suitable for small office/home office
(SOHO) users, provide a wealth of productivity tools for document
management, printing, communication, and personal productivity.
The standard installation requires only about 2GB of hard drive space.
Despite the small footprint, the install also contains administrative tools,
additional authoring and publishing clients, a variety of editors, a GNOME-
based X11 desktop, support for sound, graphics editing programs, and
graphical and text-based Internet tools.
Getting the Most from Ubuntu and Linux
Documentation
Nearly all commercial Linux distributions include shrink-wrapped manuals
and documentation covering installation and configuration. You will not find
official documentation included on the DVD provided with this book.
However, at www.ubuntu.com you can find the links to various Ubuntu
documentation projects.
Documentation for Ubuntu (and many other Linux software packages) is
distributed and available in a variety of formats. Some guides are available in
PDF and can be read using Adobe’s Acrobat Reader for Linux or the evince
client. Guides are also available as bundled HTML files for reading with a
web browser such as links, KDE’s Konqueror, GNOME’s Epiphany, or
Firefox. Along with these guides, Ubuntu provides various tips, FAQs, and