Table Of ContentBOOKS FOR PROFESSIONALS BY PROFESSIONALS®
Petersen
Beginning Fedora Desktop
RELATED
Beginning Fedora Desktop: Fedora 20 Edition is a complete guide to using the Fedora 20 Desktop
Linux release as your daily driver for multimedia, productivity, social networking, the GNOME 3
desktop, administrative tasks, and more. Author and Linux expert Richard Petersen delves into
the operating system as a whole and offers you a complete treatment of Fedora 20 Desktop
configuration and use.
You’ll discover how to install and update the Fedora 20 Desktop, learn which applications
perform which functions, how to manage software, use of the GNOME 3 and KDE desktop
configuration tools, useful shell commands, and both the Fedora administration and network tools.
Get the most out of Fedora 20 Desktop—including free Office suites, editors, e-book readers,
music and video applications and codecs, email clients, Web browsers, FTP and BitTorrent clients,
microblogging and IM applications—with a copy of Beginning Fedora Desktop: Fedora 20 Edition
at your side.
Here are just a few of the highlights:
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GNOME Software and PackageKit
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(Xfce, LXDE, Sugar, Mate, and Cinnamon)
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software, along with GNOME 3 applications for notes, weather, time, maps, and music
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(cid:115)(cid:0)(cid:0)(cid:72)(cid:79)(cid:87)(cid:0)(cid:84)(cid:79)(cid:0)(cid:80)(cid:65)(cid:82)(cid:84)(cid:73)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:80)(cid:65)(cid:84)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:67)(cid:73)(cid:65)(cid:76)(cid:0)(cid:78)(cid:69)(cid:84)(cid:87)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:75)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:85)(cid:83)(cid:73)(cid:78)(cid:71)(cid:0)(cid:79)(cid:80)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:0)(cid:83)(cid:79)(cid:85)(cid:82)(cid:67)(cid:69)(cid:0)(cid:67)(cid:76)(cid:73)(cid:69)(cid:78)(cid:84)(cid:83)(cid:0)(cid:70)(cid:79)(cid:82)(cid:0)(cid:41)(cid:45)(cid:12)(cid:0)(cid:54)(cid:79)(cid:41)(cid:48)(cid:12)(cid:0)
and microblogging
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as configure firewalls with FirewallD and access network resources with Samba
Beginning Fedora Desktop: Fedora 20 Edition is for novice to intermediate users who are looking
to install Fedora 20 as their primary computing environment
ISBN 978-1-4842-0068-1
55499
Shelve in
Linux/UNIX Applications FEDORA 20
EDITION
User level:
Beginning–Intermediate 9781484200681
www.apress.com
For your convenience Apress has placed some of the front
matter material after the index. Please use the Bookmarks
and Contents at a Glance links to access them.
Contents at a Glance
About the Author. ...............................................................................................................xxi
About the Technical Reviewers. .......................................................................................xxiii
Acknowledgments ............................................................................................................xxv
Introduction ....................................................................................................................xxvii
(cid:78) Chapter 1: Fedora 20 Introduction.....................................................................................1
(cid:78) Chapter 2: Installation and Upgrade ................................................................................13
(cid:78) Chapter 3: Usage Basics: Login, Desktop, and Help ........................................................43
(cid:78) Chapter 4: Installing and Updating Software: YUM, GNOME Software, PackageKit,
and RPM ..........................................................................................................................95
(cid:78) Chapter 5: Office Applications and Editors ....................................................................133
(cid:78) Chapter 6: Graphics and Multimedia .............................................................................163
(cid:78) Chapter 7: Internet Applications: Web and FTP .............................................................197
(cid:78) Chapter 8: Social Networking: Microblogging, IM, VoIP, and Social Desktop ................219
(cid:78) Chapter 9: GNOME 3 ......................................................................................................231
(cid:78) Chapter 10: The K Desktop Environment: KDE ...............................................................263
(cid:78) Chapter 11: Shells .........................................................................................................311
(cid:78) Chapter 12: Additional Desktops ...................................................................................341
(cid:78) Chapter 13: Fedora System Tools ..................................................................................359
(cid:78) Chapter 14: System Administration ..............................................................................381
v
(cid:78) CONTENTS AT A GLANCE
(cid:78) Chapter 15: Network Configuration ...............................................................................421
(cid:78) Chapter 16: Printing ......................................................................................................443
Index .................................................................................................................................459
vi
Introduction
This book examines Fedora for the user. Although administrative tools are covered, the emphasis is on what a user
would need to know to perform tasks. The focus here is on what users face when using Fedora, covering topics such
as installation, applications, software management, the GNOME and KDE desktops, shell commands, and the Fedora
administration and network tools. Desktops are examined in detail, including configuration options. Applications
examined include office suites, editors, e-book readers, music and video applications and codecs, e-mail clients,
web browsers, FTP clients, microblogging, and IM applications. This book is designed for the Fedora 20 desktop, with
all the latest features of interest to users.
Part 1 focuses on getting started, covering Fedora information and resources, Fedora Live DVDs, installing and
setting up Fedora, and the basic use and configuration of the desktop. The GNOME 3 System Settings configuration
tools, such as power, background, privacy, network, and display, are examined. Also covered are software
management using the YUM software manager and its desktop front ends, the GNOME Software and PackageKit,
along with repositories and their use, including the RPM Fusion repository.
Part 2 keys in on such applications as office, multimedia, mail, Internet, and social networking. This part includes
coverage of the PulseAudio sound interface and music and video applications. New GNOME applications are
included, such as GNOME Music, GNOME Weather, and GNOME Maps.
Part 3 covers the two major desktops, GNOME and KDE, discussing GNOME 3 features, including the activities
overviews, the dash, and the top bar. Unique KDE 4 features such as the dashboard and activities are also explored.
In addition, the shell interface is examined, including features such as history, file name completion, directory,
and file operations, among others. Additional desktops are also discussed, including Xfce, LXDE, Sugar (SoaS),
Mate, and Cinnamon.
Part 4 deals with administrative topics, first discussing system tools, such as the GNOME system monitor, the
Disk Usage Analyzer, the Disk Utility storage manager, temperature monitors, and SELinux configuration. Then a
detailed chapter on Fedora system administration tools such as those for managing users, authorization controls, and
Bluetooth, along with service management and file system access, is included. The network configuration chapter
covers a variety of network tasks, including configuration of wired and wireless connections, firewalls, and Samba
Windows access. Both the GNOME 3 network tool and the older Network Manager editor application are covered.
Finally, a chapter on printing examines both the GNOME 3 printers tool and the older system-config-printer
application and their support for personal and remote printers.
xxvii
CHAPTER 1
Fedora 20 Introduction
The Fedora release of Linux is maintained and developed by an open source project called the Fedora Project
(http://fedoraproject.org). The release consists entirely of open source software. Development is carried out
using contributions from Linux developers. The project is designed to work much like other open source projects,
with releases keeping pace with the course of rapid online development. The Fedora Project features detailed
documentation of certain topics, such as installation and desktop user guides, at http://docs.fedoraproject.org
(see Table 1-1).
Table 1-1. Fedora Sites
Web Site Descrription
http://fedoraproject.org Fedora resources
http://download.fedoraproject.org Fedora repository site
http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/20/ Fedora installation guide
html/Installation_Guide/
http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/20/ Fedora release notes
html/Release_Notes/index.html
http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Overview Fedora project overview
http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/FAQ Fedora FAQ
http://fedoraproject.org/wiki/CommunityWebsites Fedora community web sites
http://docs.fedoraproject.org Documentation and support tutorials for Fedora releases
http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-fedora Fedora download page
http://fedoraproject.org/get-fedora-all Fedora download page for all download methods and
Fedora versions
http://download.fedoraproject.org Fedora repository, mirror link
http://mirrors.fedoraproject.org Fedora mirrors list
http://fedoraforum.org User discussion support forum, endorsed by the Fedora
Project; includes FAQs and news links
www.linuxfoundation.org The Linux Foundation, official Linux development
(continued)
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CHAPTER 1 (cid:78) FEDORA 20 INTRODUCTION
Table 1-1. (continued)
Web Site Descrription
http://kernel.org Latest Linux kernels
www.redhat.com The Red Hat web site
http://magazine.redhat.com/ Red Hat Magazine, with specialized articles on latest
developments
www.centos.org Community Enterprise Operating System, CENTOS
(Red Hat–based)
This chapter covers the information about the Fedora release, where to obtain informaion on it, and what
versions are available for download. You can also download and try out the Fedora release on a Live DVD without
installing it, even running it from a USB disk.
Fedora Documentation
Documentation for Fedora can be found at http://docs.fedoraproject.org (see Table 1-1). The Fedora installation
guide provides a detailed description of all install procedures. The Fedora desktop user guide covers basic desktop
operations, such as logging in, using office applications, and accessing the Web. Several dedicated Fedora support sites
are available that provide helpful information, including http://fedoraforum.org and http://fedoraproject.org.
The http://fedoraforum.org site is a Fedora Project–sponsored forum for end-user support. Here you can post
questions and check responses for common problems.
Your Firefox browser will already be configured with links for accessing popular documentation and support
sites. On the Firefox Bookmarks toolbar, click the Fedora Project button to display a menu with entries for Fedora
Project, Fedora Forum, Fedora Solved, Fedora Weekly News, Planet Fedora, and Join Fedora. The Red Hat menu
displays entries for Red Hat, jBoss, OpenSource.com, and The Open Source Way (you may have to set the bookmarks
toolbar to display; choose View (cid:176) Bookmarks Toolbar).
Fedora maintains detailed specialized documentation, such as information on understanding how udev
is implemented or how SELinux is configured. For much of the documentation you must rely on installed
documentation in /usr/share/doc or on the man and info pages, as well as the context help button for different
applications running on your desktop. Web sites for software such as GNOME, KDE, and LibreOffice.org provide
extensive applicable documentation. For installation, you can use the Fedora installation guide at
http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/20/html/Installation_Guide/.
Fedora 20
The Fedora versions of Linux are entirely free. You can download the most current version from
http://fedoraproject.org or http://download.fedoraproject.org. The http://download.fedoraproject.org
address will link to the best available mirror for you. You can update Fedora using the software update (PackageKit) to
access the Fedora repository. Access is automatically configured during installation.
The Fedora distribution is also available online at numerous FTP sites. Fedora maintains download sites at
http://download.fedoraproject.org, along with a mirrors listing at http://mirrors.fedoraproject.org, where
you can download the entire current release of Fedora Linux, as well as updates and additional software.
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CHAPTER 1 (cid:78) FEDORA 20 INTRODUCTION
Fedora 20 Desktop Features
Fedora releases feature key updates to critical applications as well as new tools. The following information is derived
for the official Fedora release notes. Consult these notes for detailed information about all new changes. The Fedora
release notes are located on all the Fedora spins as an HTML file on the top directory. You can also find the release
notes at http://docs.fedoraproject.org/en-US/Fedora/20/html/Release_Notes/.
Fedora 20 uses GNOME 3.10 and KDE 4.11.
Fedora provides the Mate and Cinnamon desktops. Mate is a traditional desktop based
on GNOME 2, and Cinnamon is the Mint Linux desktop derived from GNOME 3, but with
many traditional features, such as the panel and applets.
GNOME Software has replaced PackageKit as the primary front-end software management
application. GNOME Software (gnome-software) is designed to work with applications
rather than just specific packages. You can still install and use the older PackageKit software
manager (Packages and Software Update).
The lock screen displays the time, date, and username. From the lock screen, you can
adjust the sound, configure your network connection, and check your power. Press the ESC
key to display the login screen.
The System Status Area has been combined into one menu showing sound volume,
brightness, network connections, the current user, battery power, and buttons for Settings,
lock screen, and power off. The user item is only shown if more than one user is set up for
the system. The user menu item expands to Log Out and Switch User entries.
For systems with wireless devices, there is a Wi-Fi entry in the System Status Area menu
that expands to a menu with options to select a network, turn off the wireless device, and to
open the GNOME Network system setting dialog at the wireless tab (Wi-Fi Settings).
For systems with a battery, such as laptops, a Battery entry is displayed on the System Status
Area menu showing the power level. The Power menu item expands to a menu with an
entry to open the Power Settings dialog in System Settings.
GNOME windows and workspaces can be displayed easily and accessed quickly from the
overview.
Sound volume and screen brightness (laptops) are adjusted using sliders on the System
Status Area menu.
A search box at the top of the overview allows you to search directly for applications and
files. It is also configured to search GNOME Contacts, Documents, and Keys, as well as to
conduct a web search. Use the System Settings Search dialog to select the applications that
can be searched. You can also add other applications.
The GNOME Tweak Tool lets you perform common desktop configurations, such as placing
your home folder on the desktop, changing the theme for icons and windows, changing and
adjusting fonts, choosing startup applications, configuring how the date is displayed on the
top bar, and setting up static (fixed number) workspaces.
The GNOME Network dialog for System Settings has been enhanced and is now the
primary network configuration tool. As with the system-config-network (Network
Connections), it is a front end to Network Manager. The older system-config-network can
still be installed and used. Both use similar dialog entries.
Several System Settings dialogs have been redesigned, including Date & Time, Power,
Displays, Background, and Region & Language.
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CHAPTER 1 (cid:78) FEDORA 20 INTRODUCTION
Several new System Settings dialogs have been added: Notifications, Privacy, Search, and
Sharing. Screen Lock is now managed by Privacy.
The Privacy dialog in System Settings lets you configure Screen Lock, Usage & History, and
to Purge Trash & Temporary Files.
The Sharing dialog in System Settings lets you allow screen sharing, media sharing in
specified folders, and remote logins.
The Notification dialog in System Settings lets you select applications that can
display notices.
Chat messages can be responded to on the message tray.
On GNOME Help, the Getting Started page displays animations for common tasks, such as
starting applications or accessing files.
Though GNOME workspaces are generated automatically (dynamic) from the overview,
you can also use the GNOME Tweak Tool to set up static (fixed-number) workspaces
instead.
The GNOME overview features a dash (Activities) that lists icons for your favorite
applications and opened applications, letting you access them quickly. You can add
applications to the dash. An Applications icon on the dash opens the applications overview.
A search box at the top lets you search for applications and files. A Frequent button at the
bottom lets you display only frequently accessed applications. A pager to the right lets you
move through the icons by page.
In the GNOME-shell, notifications are displayed in the message tray at the bottom of
the screen (they are automatically hidden). Use the Super+m key to display it (Windows
key+m), or move the mouse forcefully to the bottom edge of the screen.
On all GNOME windows, the toolbar and the title bar have been combined into a header
bar, with a single close box on the right side.
The GNOME Files file manager has buttons for two views: icon and list. A button for a View
menu lists tasks such as zooming and sorting, and a tool button displays a menu for folder
tasks such as a new tab, item selection, and bookmarking. A Files menu on the GNOME
applications menu on the top bar contains tasks such as connecting to an FTP site, opening
a new window, and configuring bookmarks.
The GNOME Files file manager (Nautilus) features a sidebar with Places, Devices,
Computer, Bookmarks, and Network sections. You can quickly access any file system on
removable devices, remote networks, and internal drives, as well as your home folders.
The file manager supports a preview of file contents, displaying text, video, images, and
PDF files. Select the file and press the spacebar.
In System Settings, you can configure use of Online Accounts, such as Google and
Facebook. Configuring the Online Accounts sets up configuration for mail and chat
(Empathy).
GNOME supports an integrated onscreen keyboard for both access and tablets and the
integration of keyboard layouts and input methods.
GNOME Contacts (gnome-contacts) provides integrated management for all your contacts
on Empathy, Evolution, and online accounts.
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CHAPTER 1 (cid:78) FEDORA 20 INTRODUCTION
GNOME Documents supports local and cloud-based documents (Google docs and
Microsoft SkyDrive), letting you quickly search and access your documents (text, PDF,
presentations, and spreadsheets).
systemd and its unit files have replaced System V and its init scripts. Upstart is no longer
used. The GNOME Log Viewer is a front end to journald.
journald has replaced syslogd as the logging daemon. You can use jouralctl to
access the logs.
The GNOME print manager (System Settings (cid:176) Printers) features full support for
configuring printers.
KDE provides several desktop improvements, including the system tray, notification area,
desktop file indexing, and a reworked activities interface, which makes it easier to manage
desktop widget collections.
The GNOME Classic mode (gnome-classic-session package) lets you use a GNOME 2–like
interface.
Fedora ISO Images
Fedora disks are released as a set of spins that collect software for different purposes. Currently, there are three major
Fedora distribution spins available: the Install DVD for desktops, workstations, and servers; the Desktop Live DVD
(GNOME Desktop); and the Fedora KDE Live DVD. The Install DVD spin includes a collection of workstation and
server software, but not the entire collection. Spins are created with Revisor, which you can use to develop your own
customized spins. You can find out more information about spins at https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/SIGs/Spins.
Fedora Desktop Live DVD: The Fedora GNOME Desktop Live DVD, available in i386 and
x86_64 versions
Fedora KDE Live DVD: The Fedora KDE desktop Live DVD, available in i386 and x86_64
versions
Fedora Install DVDs: The Fedora Install DVD, with a more complete selection of software,
available in i386 and x86_64 versions; only performs an installation or rescue
Fedora Custom Spins
Custom spins are also available and can be downloaded from http://spins.fedoraproject.org. The official spins
are listed at https://fedoraproject.org/wiki/Releases/20/Spins.
Fedora XFCE Desktop Spin: Features the XFCE desktop instead of GNOME
Fedora LXDE Desktop Spin: The Lightweight X11 Desktop Environment
Fedora Mate-Compiz Desktop Spin: The Mate Desktop Environment. Mate is an updated
version of the GNOME 2 interface
Fedora SoaS Desktop Spin: Sugar on a Stick spin for USB drives featuring the Sugar
desktop (OLPC)
Fedora Games Spin: Games available on Fedora
Fedora Design Suite: Image applications available on Fedora
Fedora FEL Spin: Fedora Electronics Lab spin
5
