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Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop

Linux for Prime Time with the Java Desktop System

By Tom Adelstein, Sam Hiser

Publisher: O'Reilly Media

Release Date: September 2004

Pages: 416

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The Java Desktop System (TM), from Sun Microsystems, is a modern system for all kinds of users, novice through expert. As an unusually robust, well-integrated desktop system, it may become the first to fulfill the promise of mass adoption for open source.

JDS brings Linux and other open source software up to a level of usability that makes them suitable for the enormous base of Personal Computer users including office workers, students, mobile and home users. It behaves pretty much the way a Windows or Mac user would expect, but with many more powerful features. JDS has seen widespread adoption in the United States, Britain, China, and elsewhere.

This book is the ideal guide to JDS: it is clear and direct, but loaded with insights from authors who have spent time working with, supporting, and enhancing the system. Tom Adelstein is an award winning polymath system designer; Sam Hiser is a respected business consultant with an itch that led him to become the marketing project lead for OpenOffice.org. Both are advocates for open source and founders of the Open Government Interoperability Project, members of the Open Source Software Institute and contributors to the JDShelp.org project.

This book carefully covers such housekeeping chores as setting up networking, updates, and backups. Then it enters into great depth concerning the key productivity tools every user needs: email, web browsing, instant messaging, word processing, spreadsheets, and slide presentations.

A number of chapters and appendices concerning useful tools, including things you can add to your system, rounds out this remarkably useful book. It has plenty to offer the new user as well as the seasoned Linux professional.

Chapter 1 Introducing the JDS Linux Desktop
1. So What Do You Get?
2. How to Use This Book
3. System Requirements
4. Installing JDS
5. What’s on Your JDS Screen
6. Where to Find the Information You Need
7. What’s Next?
Chapter 2 Essential JDS
1. Starting JDS
2. Ending a Session or Shutting Down JDS
3. Running Programs
4. Managing Users
5. Accessing Directories (Folders)
6. So What Have We Learned?
Chapter 3 Toward JDS Proficiency
1. Role of the Operating System
2. JDS Printing System
3. Gaining JDS Proficiency
Chapter 4 JDS Networking
1. Looking at the Internet
2. Connecting by Dial-up Modem
3. JDS in a Local Network
4. Going Wireless
5. Public and Private Hotspots
6. Joining Wireless Hotspots
7. Different Networking Protocols Available in JDS
8. JDS Networking Recap
Chapter 5 Maintaining and Supporting JDS
1. Using Online Update
2. Install/Remove Software
3. Backing Up and Restoring Files and Folders
4. Maintaining and Supporting JDS
Chapter 6 Using the Internet Applications
1. Email and Calendar
2. JDS Instant Messenger (IM)
3. Web Browser
Chapter 7 Word Processing with StarWriter
1. StarWriter Basics
2. StarWriter Power Tips
3. StarOffice Initial Setup
4. StarWriter Customizations
5. StarWriter’s File Format
Chapter 8 Spreadsheets and Presentations Using StarOffice
1. StarCalc
2. StarCalc Basics
3. StarImpress
4. StarImpress Basics
Chapter 9 Using Windows Applications with JDS
1. Remote Desktop Protocol
2. Using Windows Applications with JDS
Chapter 10 Using Other JDS Software
1. Adobe Acrobat Reader and StarOffice PDF Creator
2. RealPlayer 8 Plug-in
3. GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)
4. Using Other JDS Software

Appendix Linux Commands
Appendix Online Documentation
1. The Linux Documentation Project
2. JDS Community Support
3. Java Desktop System (Release2)
4. Web Browser (Mozilla)
5. Instant Messenger (gaim)
6. StarOffice 7
7. StarOffice Tutorials for Kids
8. OpenOffice.org Documentation (FAQs)
Appendix Secure Connections Through SSH
1. Examples
Appendix Using RPM Manager
1. The RPM Manager
Appendix Known Problems and Solutions
1. Problem: Panel Crashes
2. Problem: Connecting by Modem
3. Problem: Can’t Run File from Remote Directories
4. Problem: Sound Recorder Slide Bar
5. Problem: Sound Recorder Stops
6. Problem: Backspace Is Inserted
7. Problem: RPMs Don’t Recognize the Linux Release on Your Machine
8. Problem: Clock Settings
9. Problem: VMWare Failure
10. Problem: Help
11. Problem: Sun Java Desktop Doesn’t Support DVD Playback
12. Problem: ATI Video Cards
Appendix Installation Guide
1. System Requirements
2. Installing JDS
3. Resizing Your Partition
4. Creating a Custom Partitions Table
5. Checking for and Installing System Updates
6. Some Common Troubleshooting
Glossary
Colophon

Books & Videos

Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop

Linux for Prime Time with the Java Desktop System

Read on Safari with a 10-day trial

Table of Contents

Chapter 1 Introducing the JDS Linux Desktop

So What Do You Get?

How to Use This Book

System Requirements

Installing JDS

What’s on Your JDS Screen

Where to Find the Information You Need

What’s Next?

Chapter 2 Essential JDS

Starting JDS

Ending a Session or Shutting Down JDS

Running Programs

Managing Users

Accessing Directories (Folders)

So What Have We Learned?

Chapter 3 Toward JDS Proficiency

Role of the Operating System

JDS Printing System

Gaining JDS Proficiency

Chapter 4 JDS Networking

Looking at the Internet

Connecting by Dial-up Modem

JDS in a Local Network

Going Wireless

Public and Private Hotspots

Joining Wireless Hotspots

Different Networking Protocols Available in JDS

JDS Networking Recap

Chapter 5 Maintaining and Supporting JDS

Using Online Update

Install/Remove Software

Backing Up and Restoring Files and Folders

Maintaining and Supporting JDS

Chapter 6 Using the Internet Applications

Email and Calendar

JDS Instant Messenger (IM)

Web Browser

Chapter 7 Word Processing with StarWriter

StarWriter Basics

StarWriter Power Tips

StarOffice Initial Setup

StarWriter Customizations

StarWriter’s File Format

Chapter 8 Spreadsheets and Presentations Using StarOffice

StarCalc

StarCalc Basics

StarImpress

StarImpress Basics

Chapter 9 Using Windows Applications with JDS

Remote Desktop Protocol

Using Windows Applications with JDS

Chapter 10 Using Other JDS Software

Adobe Acrobat Reader and StarOffice PDF Creator

RealPlayer 8 Plug-in

GNU Image Manipulation Program (GIMP)

Using Other JDS Software

Appendix Linux Commands

Appendix Online Documentation

The Linux Documentation Project

JDS Community Support

Java Desktop System (Release2)

Web Browser (Mozilla)

Instant Messenger (gaim)

StarOffice 7

StarOffice Tutorials for Kids

OpenOffice.org Documentation (FAQs)

Appendix Secure Connections Through SSH

Examples

Appendix Using RPM Manager

The RPM Manager

Appendix Known Problems and Solutions

Problem: Panel Crashes

Problem: Connecting by Modem

Problem: Can’t Run File from Remote Directories

Problem: Sound Recorder Slide Bar