Jekyll2018-09-30T01:05:38-07:00https://www.nhaines.com/nhaines.comNathan Haines is an author and computer instructor who loves space, science, adventure, and Free Software.Nathan HainesAnnouncing the Ubuntu 18.10 Free Culture Showcase winners2018-09-28T00:00:00-07:002018-09-28T00:00:00-07:00https://www.nhaines.com/blog/2018/09/28/announcing-ubuntu-18.10-free-culture-showcase-winners<p>October approaches, and Ubuntu marches steadly along the road from one LTS to another. Ubuntu 18.10 is another step in Ubuntu’s future. And now it’s time to unveil a small part of that change: the community wallpapers to be included in Ubuntu 18.10!</p>
<p>Every cycle, talented artists around the world create media and release it under licenses that encourage sharing and adaptation. This cycle we had some amazing images submitted to the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Ubuntu 18.10 Free Culture Showcase</a> photo pool on Flickr, where all eligible submissions can be found. The competition was fierce; narrowing down the options to the final selections was painful!</p>
<p>But there can be only 12, and the final images that will be included in Ubuntu 18.10 are:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155485295@N04/28898305427/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Cosmic Cuttlefish</a> by Jim Coleman</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/143512932@N03/29085424897/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Spring Flowers</a> by MK4-MI01</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mendhak/37748450101/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Carriage Return</a> by mendhak</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/153219066@N06/41387651640/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Ubuntu Party de Paris</a> by Marcos Costales</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/98223780@N05/41846068390/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Tapiola, Espoo Cultural Center</a> by Agostino Faedda</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/14287735@N05/42055551820/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Fairground at Night</a> by martin</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tomas_sobek/42346768035/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Milky Way before the dawn</a> by Tomas Sobek</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/38121135@N05/42996830034/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Black sand beach</a> by Mads Rosendahl</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/simosx/43736940061/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">The Image of Mount Parnassus</a> by simosx</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bernhardhanakam/44033490521/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Morning</a> by Bernhard Hanakam</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155984160@N07/43295035514/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Encounter</a> by Lzardjin</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/134476822@N04/43642256642/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1810/">touche de vert</a> by François Cante</li>
</ul>
<p>A big congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who submitted a wallpaper. You can find these wallpapers (along with dozens of other stunning wallpapers) today at the links above, or in your desktop wallpaper list after you upgrade to or install Ubuntu 18.10 on October 18th.</p>Nathan HainesOctober approaches, and Ubuntu marches steadly along the road from one LTS to another. Ubuntu 18.10 is another step in Ubuntu’s future. And now it’s time to unveil a small part of that change: the community wallpapers to be included in Ubuntu 18.10! Every cycle, talented artists around the world create media and release it under licenses that encourage sharing and adaptation. This cycle we had some amazing images submitted to the Ubuntu 18.10 Free Culture Showcase photo pool on Flickr, where all eligible submissions can be found. The competition was fierce; narrowing down the options to the final selections was painful! But there can be only 12, and the final images that will be included in Ubuntu 18.10 are: Cosmic Cuttlefish by Jim Coleman Spring Flowers by MK4-MI01 Carriage Return by mendhak Ubuntu Party de Paris by Marcos Costales Tapiola, Espoo Cultural Center by Agostino Faedda Fairground at Night by martin Milky Way before the dawn by Tomas Sobek Black sand beach by Mads Rosendahl The Image of Mount Parnassus by simosx Morning by Bernhard Hanakam Encounter by Lzardjin touche de vert by François Cante A big congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who submitted a wallpaper. You can find these wallpapers (along with dozens of other stunning wallpapers) today at the links above, or in your desktop wallpaper list after you upgrade to or install Ubuntu 18.10 on October 18th.Declaring the Commencement of the Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase for 18.102018-07-02T00:00:00-07:002018-07-02T00:00:00-07:00https://www.nhaines.com/blog/2018/07/02/declaring-commencement-ubuntu-free-culture-showcase-18.10<p>Another LTS is here and the upgrade prompts are coming to a desktop near you in just a couple of weeks. But Ubuntu development never stops, and creative persons come together to collaborate concurrently with cautious users scrutinizing new releases.</p>
<p>Every Ubuntu release contemplates a question. A carefully chosen codename piques the curiousity of keen, eager fans. Ubuntu 18.10 isn’t excluded from this cunning course of continuing curios.</p>
<p>Ubuntu 18.10 is codenamed <strong>Cosmic Cuttlefish</strong>. Christened after a cute mollusc of the class Cephalopoda, these clever creatures have made the cut since the early Cretaceous. Careful consideration will expose an extraordinary quirk: chromatic changes facilitate a unique mechanism for communication. They change the color of their skin to send communiqués. This codename should encourage wacky and eccentric, but unique and colorful images we can ship in October!</p>
<p>For the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/ubuntu-fcs-1810/">Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase for 18.10</a>, we’re requesting accomplished and consummate photographers and artists to submit their Creative Commons-licensed photos and artwork to the Free Culture Showcase, a contest that determines which wallpapers we’ll include with Ubuntu 18.10 as extra content for choosy consumers of desktop Ubuntu.</p>
<p>The contest will conclude on August 13th. Check the subsequent conditions for acceptance, and consider sharing your creation with the cosmic community across the globe.</p>
<p>All content must be released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike or Creative Commons Attribute license. (The Creative Commons Zero waiver is okay, too!). Each entrant must only submit content they have created themselves, and all submissions must adhere to the <a href="https://www.ubuntu.com/about/about-ubuntu/conduct">Ubuntu Code of Conduct</a>.</p>
<p>The winning collection will be included in the Ubuntu 18.10 release on October 18th, 2018!</p>
<p>There’s cornucopia of other considerations, so please consult the <a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuFreeCultureShowcase">Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase</a> wiki page for details. Good luck!</p>Nathan HainesAnother LTS is here and the upgrade prompts are coming to a desktop near you in just a couple of weeks. But Ubuntu development never stops, and creative persons come together to collaborate concurrently with cautious users scrutinizing new releases. Every Ubuntu release contemplates a question. A carefully chosen codename piques the curiousity of keen, eager fans. Ubuntu 18.10 isn’t excluded from this cunning course of continuing curios. Ubuntu 18.10 is codenamed Cosmic Cuttlefish. Christened after a cute mollusc of the class Cephalopoda, these clever creatures have made the cut since the early Cretaceous. Careful consideration will expose an extraordinary quirk: chromatic changes facilitate a unique mechanism for communication. They change the color of their skin to send communiqués. This codename should encourage wacky and eccentric, but unique and colorful images we can ship in October! For the Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase for 18.10, we’re requesting accomplished and consummate photographers and artists to submit their Creative Commons-licensed photos and artwork to the Free Culture Showcase, a contest that determines which wallpapers we’ll include with Ubuntu 18.10 as extra content for choosy consumers of desktop Ubuntu. The contest will conclude on August 13th. Check the subsequent conditions for acceptance, and consider sharing your creation with the cosmic community across the globe. All content must be released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike or Creative Commons Attribute license. (The Creative Commons Zero waiver is okay, too!). Each entrant must only submit content they have created themselves, and all submissions must adhere to the Ubuntu Code of Conduct. The winning collection will be included in the Ubuntu 18.10 release on October 18th, 2018! There’s cornucopia of other considerations, so please consult the Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase wiki page for details. Good luck!Announcing the Ubuntu 18.04 LTS Free Culture Showcase winners2018-04-08T00:00:00-07:002018-04-08T00:00:00-07:00https://www.nhaines.com/blog/2018/04/08/announcing-ubuntu-18.04-lts-free-culture-showcase-winners<p>In just under 3 weeks, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS launches. This exciting new release is a new Long Term Support release and will introduce many Ubuntu users to GNOME Shell and a closer upstream experience. In addition, Ubuntu developers have been working long and hard to ensure that 18.04 is a big, brilliant release that builds a bridge from 16.04 LTS to a better, bigger platform that can be built upon, without becoming unnecessarily boisterous.</p>
<p>As with each Ubuntu release, 18.04 showcases community artwork with bravado. Thanks to the <a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuFreeCultureShowcase">Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase</a>, we have 12 new wallpapers that will ship with the release:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/2piradians/26004351258/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">definitive light zen orange</a> by Pierre Cante</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/2piradians/38851755875/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">this is bionic beaver</a> by Pierre Cante</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/151639045@N04/38964156770/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">Ross Jones Rockpool (Sydney)</a> by Chris Carignan</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/139201850@N08/39934165035/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">Spices in Athens</a> by Makis Chourdakis</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156025176@N03/26944954568/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">Halifax Sunset</a> by Vlad Drobinin</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/152979024@N03/40553221392/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">raindrops on the table</a> by Alex Fazit</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/giaferroni/39005352134/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">Manhattan Sunset</a> by Giacomo Ferroni</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mniess/40693321472/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">Wall with door on Gozo</a> by Matthias Ness</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mniess/39841195505/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">On top of the Rubihorn</a> by Matthias Ness</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/156020990@N04/28238601779/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">El Haouaria</a> by Nusi Nusi</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/tiripon/35371507326/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde</a> by Thierry Pon</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/roytanck/39669638774/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1804-lts/">Crocus Wallpaper</a> by Roy Tanck</li>
</ul>
<p>And since this is an LTS, we’re refreshing the example content on the install media. Not only can you test your graphics and audio hardware for compatibility, but with entertaining media as well:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UuXU1pFD3zE">Selfie del futuro</a> by Alberto Mardegan</li>
<li><a href="https://soundcloud.com/jenyfa-duncan/i-dont-know-original">I Don’t Know (original)</a> by Jenyfa Duncan</li>
</ul>
<p>A big congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who submitted a wallpaper, video entry ,or song. You’ll find this media on your Ubuntu desktop after you upgrade or install Ubuntu 18.04 LTS on April 26th!</p>Nathan HainesIn just under 3 weeks, Ubuntu 18.04 LTS launches. This exciting new release is a new Long Term Support release and will introduce many Ubuntu users to GNOME Shell and a closer upstream experience. In addition, Ubuntu developers have been working long and hard to ensure that 18.04 is a big, brilliant release that builds a bridge from 16.04 LTS to a better, bigger platform that can be built upon, without becoming unnecessarily boisterous. As with each Ubuntu release, 18.04 showcases community artwork with bravado. Thanks to the Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase, we have 12 new wallpapers that will ship with the release: definitive light zen orange by Pierre Cante this is bionic beaver by Pierre Cante Ross Jones Rockpool (Sydney) by Chris Carignan Spices in Athens by Makis Chourdakis Halifax Sunset by Vlad Drobinin raindrops on the table by Alex Fazit Manhattan Sunset by Giacomo Ferroni Wall with door on Gozo by Matthias Ness On top of the Rubihorn by Matthias Ness El Haouaria by Nusi Nusi Cathédrale Marie-Reine-du-Monde by Thierry Pon Crocus Wallpaper by Roy Tanck And since this is an LTS, we’re refreshing the example content on the install media. Not only can you test your graphics and audio hardware for compatibility, but with entertaining media as well: Selfie del futuro by Alberto Mardegan I Don’t Know (original) by Jenyfa Duncan A big congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who submitted a wallpaper, video entry ,or song. You’ll find this media on your Ubuntu desktop after you upgrade or install Ubuntu 18.04 LTS on April 26th!Introducing the Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase for 18.042018-01-15T00:00:00-08:002018-01-15T00:00:00-08:00https://www.nhaines.com/blog/2018/01/15/introducing-ubuntu-free-culture-showcase-18.04<p>Ubuntu’s changed a lot in the last year, and everything is leading up to a really exciting event: the release of 18.04 LTS! This next version of Ubuntu will once again offer a stable foundation for countless humans who use computers for work, play, art, relaxation, and creation. Among the various visual refreshes of Ubuntu, it’s also time to go to the community and ask for the best wallpapers. And it’s also time to look for a new video and music file that will be waiting for Ubuntu users on the install media’s Examples folder, to reassure them that their video and sound drivers are quite operational.</p>
<p>Long-term support releases like Ubuntu 18.04 LTS are very important, because they are downloaded and installed <strong>ten times more often</strong> than every single interim release combined. That means that the wallpapers, video, and music that are shipped will be seen ten times more than in other releases. So artists, select your best works. <strong>Ubuntu enthusiasts, spread the word about the contest as far and wide as you can.</strong> Everyone can help make this next LTS version of Ubuntu an amazing success.</p>
<p>All content must be released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike or Creative Commons Attribute license. (The Creative Commons Zero waiver is okay, too!). Each entrant must only submit content they have created themselves, and all submissions must adhere to the <a href="https://www.ubuntu.com/about/about-ubuntu/conduct">Ubuntu Code of Conduct</a>.</p>
<p>The winners will be featured in the Ubuntu 18.04 LTS release this April!</p>
<p>There are a lot of details, so please see the <a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuFreeCultureShowcase">Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase</a> wiki page for details and links to where you can submit your work from now through March 15th. Good luck!</p>Nathan HainesUbuntu’s changed a lot in the last year, and everything is leading up to a really exciting event: the release of 18.04 LTS! This next version of Ubuntu will once again offer a stable foundation for countless humans who use computers for work, play, art, relaxation, and creation. Among the various visual refreshes of Ubuntu, it’s also time to go to the community and ask for the best wallpapers. And it’s also time to look for a new video and music file that will be waiting for Ubuntu users on the install media’s Examples folder, to reassure them that their video and sound drivers are quite operational. Long-term support releases like Ubuntu 18.04 LTS are very important, because they are downloaded and installed ten times more often than every single interim release combined. That means that the wallpapers, video, and music that are shipped will be seen ten times more than in other releases. So artists, select your best works. Ubuntu enthusiasts, spread the word about the contest as far and wide as you can. Everyone can help make this next LTS version of Ubuntu an amazing success. All content must be released under a Creative Commons Attribution-Sharealike or Creative Commons Attribute license. (The Creative Commons Zero waiver is okay, too!). Each entrant must only submit content they have created themselves, and all submissions must adhere to the Ubuntu Code of Conduct. The winners will be featured in the Ubuntu 18.04 LTS release this April! There are a lot of details, so please see the Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase wiki page for details and links to where you can submit your work from now through March 15th. Good luck!Winners of the Ubuntu 17.10 Free Culture Showcase2017-10-21T00:00:00-07:002017-10-21T00:00:00-07:00https://www.nhaines.com/blog/2017/10/21/winners-ubuntu-1710-free-culture-showcase<p>Every new Ubuntu cycle brings many changes, and the arrival of Ubuntu 17.10, the “Artful Aardvark” release, brings more changes than usual. The default desktop has changed to GNOME Shell, with some very thoughtful changes by the desktop team to make it more familiar. And of course, the community wallpapers included with this exciting new release have changed as well!</p>
<p>Every cycle, talented artists around the world create media and release it under licenses that encourage sharing and adaptation. For Ubuntu 17.10, 50 images were submitted to the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Ubuntu 17.10 Free Culture Showcase</a> photo pool on Flickr, where all eligible submissions can be found.<!--more--></p>
<p>Amid the busy development work being done each cycle, a small group of community members votes on their favorites. These anonymous contributors work hard to make the community and software around Ubuntu even better. But this time around I would like to thank two additional contributors who were asked to look at the photo pool and vote. Their ballots held the same weight as each of the others.</p>
<p>The first is <a href="https://twitter.com/barton808">Barton George</a>, who works at Dell and leads Product Sputnik, which produces some really nice Ubuntu-based laptops specifically for developers to use. It was nice of him to take some time to review the entries and give his feedback.</p>
<p>The second is <a href="https://twitter.com/silbs">Jane Silber</a>, the outgoing CEO of Canonical, who for many years has helped guide Ubuntu and been very generous to the community with her time and energy. She was the first respondent when requests to vote were sent out—no surprise to anyone who saw her dedication firsthand—and I am happy that she was able to take a little time, during her last Ubuntu release as CEO, to recommend a few images. :)</p>
<p>The results are in, the new release is out, and I’m proud to announce the winning images that are waiting for you right now in Ubuntu 17.10:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mendhak/32949012216/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Planking is going against the grain </a> by mendhak</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155454773@N02/34989306656/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Voss</a> by fortuneblues</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/151639045@N04/35239605556/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Lighthouse at sunrise</a> by Frenchie.Smalls</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/151487227@N03/34335194134/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Lily of the Valley</a> by Robert Slotte</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/radugalan/29879630105/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Green Island</a> by Radu Galan</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/lucaciavatta/8424680112/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Sunrise on the Beach</a> by Luca Ciavatta</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/155690637@N06/34783714930/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Bloom</a> by Victor Madru</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/14287735@N05/35337501901/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Bee on lavender</a> by Martin</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/rishikeshgawade/11354529633/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Red delight</a> by Rishikesh Gawade</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/pdaniell/35174704152/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">London Eye</a> by Paul Daniell</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/mendhak/34201349830/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">More Kamikochi</a> by mendhak</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bernhardhanakam/34870104572/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Headstock</a> by Bernhard Hanakam</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/152163273@N04/35602097546/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Grand Canyon North Rim</a> by Rihards Vilks</li>
</ul>
<p>A big congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who submitted a wallpaper. You can find these wallpapers (along with dozens of other stunning wallpapers) at the links above, or in your desktop wallpaper list in Ubuntu 17.10.</p>Nathan HainesEvery new Ubuntu cycle brings many changes, and the arrival of Ubuntu 17.10, the “Artful Aardvark” release, brings more changes than usual. The default desktop has changed to GNOME Shell, with some very thoughtful changes by the desktop team to make it more familiar. And of course, the community wallpapers included with this exciting new release have changed as well! Every cycle, talented artists around the world create media and release it under licenses that encourage sharing and adaptation. For Ubuntu 17.10, 50 images were submitted to the Ubuntu 17.10 Free Culture Showcase photo pool on Flickr, where all eligible submissions can be found.Beginning Ubuntu for Windows and Mac Users, Second Edition2017-08-31T00:00:00-07:002017-08-31T00:00:00-07:00https://www.nhaines.com/blog/2017/08/31/beginning-ubuntu-windows-mac-users-2e<iframe type="text/html" width="336" height="550" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen="" style="max-width:100%; float:right; margin-left: 3em" src="https://read.amazon.com/kp/card?asin=B0755NB6L6&preview=inline&linkCode=kpe&ref_=cm_sw_r_kb_dp_XvoQzbRYD75Y8&tag=nhaines-20"></iframe>
<p><em>Where do I begin?</em> That’s the challenge ahead of anyone who tries something new. And the first step of any new experience. Sometimes this can be exciting, like when you sit down to try food at a new restaurant. Other times the question is paralyzing. Taking the first step is difficult when the path is unclear or unmarked.</p>
<p>Ubuntu is the world’s third most popular operating system. It powers twenty million desktop computers, and untold servers. But for even more people who grew up using Windows or OS X, their operating system <em>is</em> the computer. Ubuntu’s Linux and Unix heritage are no longer its greatest strength, but its biggest drawback. <em>But it doesn’t have to be.</em>
<!--more-->
For new Ubuntu users, the first challenge to surmount is familiarity. Ubuntu thinks and behaves in different ways from the computing experience they’ve gained over the years. And those years of experience are an enemy at first. But using a new operating system is much like visiting a foreign country. Everything’s different, but after a chance to acclimate, it’s not <em>that</em> different. The trick is finding your way around until you know what’s the same. The differences aren’t that vast and soon everything is manageable.</p>
<p>My new book, <em><a href="http://amzn.to/2wrz3v1">Beginning Ubuntu for Windows and Mac Users</a></em> was written to help speed that process along, and has been fully updated for Ubuntu 16.04 LTS in this second edition. Ubuntu is the perfect operating system for every day business, casual, and entertainment use. The book explains key concepts and helps users adapt to their new operating system. It’s a reference guide to the best software in Ubuntu that can get tasks done. And it teaches how to use Ubuntu so that any computer user can get started and learn from there.</p>
<p><em><a href="http://amzn.to/2wrz3v1">Beginning Ubuntu for Windows and Mac Users</a></em> expects readers to want to use Ubuntu graphically, and prefers this over command line shortcuts. When the command line is introduced in Chapter 5, it’s from the perspective of a window into an older period of computing history, and after a short overview, it walks the user through specific tasks that demonstrate exactly why one would use the command line over the graphical tools. Simple information lookup, text-based browsing, and even games gives the command line a practical purpose and makes the chapter a handy reference.</p>
<p>The book finishes up with power user advice that shows simple yet powerful ways to make an Ubuntu system even more powerful, from enabling multiple workspaces to installing VirtualBox and working with virtual machines.</p>
<p>If you’ve been wanting to try Ubuntu but don’t know where to begin, this book is for you. It explains the origins of Ubuntu and walks you through the install process step by step. It talks about dual-booting and installing graphics drivers. It even helps you find the right “translation” as you learn the Ubuntu desktop. Looking for the Start Menu or Spotlight? The Dash icon provides the same functionality.</p>
<p>If you’re already an Ubuntu user, you may benefit from the clear instructions and format of the book. But you can also buy the book for friends. It’s a friendly, gentle introduction to Ubuntu that any Windows or Mac user will enjoy, and the perfect gift for anyone who could benefit from using Ubuntu.</p>
<p><em><a href="http://amzn.to/1MpbL9V">Beginning Ubuntu for Windows and Mac Users</a></em> is available today from <a href="http://amzn.to/2wrz3v1">Amazon</a>, <a href="https://www.barnesandnoble.com/w/beginning-ubuntu-for-windows-and-mac-users-nathan-haines/1126983418?ean=9781484229996">Barnes & Noble</a>, and other fine booksellers around the world. Best of all, <a href="http://www.apress.com/9781484229996">the companion ebook is only $5 through Apress</a> when you buy the print version (even if you didn’t buy it from the publisher), and the ebook is available DRM-free in PDF, EPUB, and MOBI (Kindle) formats. Not only is that an incredible bargain that offers all 150+ screenshots in full color, but the DRM-free files respect you and your investment.</p>
<p>Whether you’ve already taken the first steps into experiencing Ubuntu for yourself, or you’ve hesitated because you don’t know where to begin, this book is for you. We’ll walk through the first steps together, and your existing Windows and Mac experience will help you take the next steps as you explore the endless possibilities offered by Ubuntu.</p>Nathan Haines[![book cover](/images/beginning-ubuntu-for-windows-and-mac-users-2e.jpg)](http://amzn.to/2wrz3v1) *Where do I begin?* That’s the challenge ahead of anyone who tries something new. And the first step of any new experience. Sometimes this can be exciting, like when you sit down to try food at a new restaurant. Other times the question is paralyzing. Taking the first step is difficult when the path is unclear or unmarked. Ubuntu is the world’s third most popular operating system. It powers twenty million desktop computers, and untold servers. But for even more people who grew up using Windows or OS X, their operating system *is* the computer. Ubuntu’s Linux and Unix heritage are no longer its greatest strength, but its biggest drawback. *But it doesn’t have to be.*We’re looking for Ubuntu 17.10 wallpapers right now!2017-06-01T00:00:00-07:002017-06-01T00:00:00-07:00https://www.nhaines.com/blog/2017/06/01/looking-ubuntu-1710-wallpapers-right-now<p>Ubuntu is a testament to the power of sharing, and we use the default selection of desktop wallpapers in each release as a way to celebrate the larger Free Culture movement. Talented artists across the globe create media and release it under licenses that don’t simply allow, but cheerfully encourage sharing and adaptation. This cycle’s Free Culture Showcase for Ubuntu 17.10 is now underway!</p>
<p>Big changes for Ubuntu mean we want 12 big desktop images. Your photo or illustration can be the first thing an Ubuntu user sees when they sit down to use their computer.</p>
<p>Submissions will be handled via Flickr at the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/ubuntu-fcs-1710/">Ubuntu 17.10 Free Culture Showcase - Wallpapers</a> group, and the submission window begins now and ends on March 5th.</p>
<p>More information about the Free Culture Showcase is available on the Ubuntu wiki at <a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuFreeCultureShowcase">https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuFreeCultureShowcase</a>.</p>
<p>I’m looking forward to seeing the 10 photos and 2 illustrations that will ship on all Ubuntu 17.10 desktop systems on October 19th!</p>Nathan HainesUbuntu is a testament to the power of sharing, and we use the default selection of desktop wallpapers in each release as a way to celebrate the larger Free Culture movement. Talented artists across the globe create media and release it under licenses that don’t simply allow, but cheerfully encourage sharing and adaptation. This cycle’s Free Culture Showcase for Ubuntu 17.10 is now underway!Winners of the Ubuntu 17.04 Free Culture Showcase2017-03-26T00:00:00-07:002017-03-26T00:00:00-07:00https://www.nhaines.com/blog/2017/03/26/winners-ubuntu-1704-free-culture-showcase<p>Spring is here and the release of Ubuntu 17.04 is just around the corner. I’ve been using it for two weeks and I can’t say I’m disappointed! But one new feature that never disappoints me is appearance of the community wallpapers that were selected from the Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase!</p>
<p>Every cycle, talented artists around the world create media and release it under licenses that encourage sharing and adaptation. For Ubuntu 17.04, 96 images were submitted to the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Ubuntu 17.04 Free Culture Showcase</a> photo pool on Flickr, where all eligible submissions can be found.
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But now the results are in, and the top choices, voted on by certain members of the Ubuntu community, and I’m proud to announce the winning images that will be included in Ubuntu 17.04:</p>
<ul>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/jplauriente/31637545095/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">A star has fallen (Una estrella ha caído)</a> by Juan Pablo Lauriente</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/bernhardhanakam/32946786896/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Candy</a> by Bernhard Hanakam</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/el_nando/32119060833/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Espaciolandia</a> by Nando.uy</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/moritz-reisinger/28610752925/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Forest</a> by Moritz Reisinger</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/moritzmhmk/30647458685/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Mushrooms 3</a> by moritzmhmk</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/ash_007/15447935009/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Pink and Blue</a> by Ashwin Deshpande</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/152061606@N05/32611082100/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Purple Daisy</a> by Maria Scotto</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/147857916@N03/32495900001/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Road to Nowhere</a> by Matt Bailey/Forsaken Media</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/oliver_hb/20149896796/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Seebrücke Graal-Müritz</a> by Oliver_hb</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/148059413@N07/33060307215/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Some Light Reading</a> by Brandilyn Carpenter</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/147745758@N02/32444569073/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Passion</a> by Vilia Majere</li>
<li><a href="https://www.flickr.com/photos/2piradians/32614869630/in/pool-ubuntu-fcs-1704/">there is something human in that stuff</a> by Pierre Cante</li>
</ul>
<p>A big congratulations to the winners, and thanks to everyone who submitted a wallpaper. You can find these wallpapers (along with dozens of other stunning wallpapers) today at the links above, or in your desktop wallpaper list after you upgrade or install Ubuntu 17.04 on April 13th.</p>Nathan HainesSpring is here and the release of Ubuntu 17.04 is just around the corner. I’ve been using it for two weeks and I can’t say I’m disappointed! But one new feature that never disappoints me is appearance of the community wallpapers that were selected from the Ubuntu Free Culture Showcase! Every cycle, talented artists around the world create media and release it under licenses that encourage sharing and adaptation. For Ubuntu 17.04, 96 images were submitted to the Ubuntu 17.04 Free Culture Showcase photo pool on Flickr, where all eligible submissions can be found.UbuCon Summit Comes to Pasadena this Week!2017-02-26T00:00:00-08:002017-02-26T00:00:00-08:00https://www.nhaines.com/blog/2017/02/26/ubucon-summit-comes-pasadena-week<p><img src="/blog/images/20170119-ubucon.jpg" alt="UbuCon SCALE 14x group photo" /></p>
<p>Once again, <a href="http://ubucon.org/en/events/ubucon-summit-us/">UbuCon Summit</a> will be hosted by the <a href="http://www.socallinuxexpo.org/scale/15x/">Southern California Linux Expo</a> in Pasadena, California on March 2nd and 3rd. UbuCon Summit is two days that celebrate Ubuntu and the community, and this year has some excitement in store.
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Thursday’s keynote will feature Carl Richell, the CEO and founder of <a href="https://system76.com/">System 76</a>, a premium source of Ubuntu desktop and laptop computers. Entitled “Acrylic, Aluminum, Thumb Screws, and Heavy Machinery at System 76,” he will share how System 76 is reinventing what it means to be a computer manufacturer, and talk about how they are changing the relationship between users and their devices. Don’t miss this fascinating peek behind the scenes of a computer manufacturer that focuses on Ubuntu, and keep your ears peeled because they are announcing new products during the keynote!</p>
<p>We also have community member Amber Graner who will share her inspiring advice on how to forge a path to success with her talk “You Don’t Need Permission to Contribute to Your Own Destiny,” and Elizabeth Joseph who will talk about her 10 years in the Xubuntu community.</p>
<p>Thursday will wrap up with our traditional open Ubuntu Q&A panel where you can ask us your burning questions about Ubuntu, and Friday will see a talk from Michael Hall, “Sponsored by Canonical” where he describes the relationship between Canonical and Ubuntu and how it’s changed, and Sergio Schvezov will describe Ubuntu’s next-generation packaging format in “From Source to Snaps.” After a short break for lunch and the expo floor, we’ll be back for four unconference sessions, where attendees will come together to discuss the Ubuntu topics that matter most to them.</p>
<p>Ubuntu will be at booth 605 during the Southern California Linux Expo’s exhibition floor hours from Friday through Sunday. You’ll be able to see the latest version of Ubuntu, see how it works with touchscreens, laptops, phones, and embedded devices, and get questions answered by both community and Canonical volunteers at the booth.</p>
<p>Come for UbuCon, stay for SCALE! This is a weekend not to be missed!</p>
<p>About SCaLE:</p>
<p>SCALE 15x, the 15th Annual Southern California Linux Expo, is the largest
community-run Linux/FOSS showcase event in North America. It will be held
from March 2-5 at the Pasadena Convention Center in Pasadena, California.
For more information on the expo, visit https://www.socallinuxexpo.org</p>Nathan HainesOnce again, UbuCon Summit will be hosted by the Southern California Linux Expo in Pasadena, California on March 2nd and 3rd. UbuCon Summit is two days that celebrate Ubuntu and the community, and this year has some excitement in store.We’re looking for Ubuntu 17.04 wallpapers right now!2017-01-28T00:00:00-08:002017-01-28T00:00:00-08:00https://www.nhaines.com/blog/2017/01/28/looking-ubuntu-1704-wallpapers-right-now<p>Ubuntu is a testament to the power of sharing, and we use the default selection of desktop wallpapers in each release as a way to celebrate the larger Free Culture movement. Talented artists across the globe create media and release it under licenses that don’t simply allow, but cheerfully encourage sharing and adaptation. This cycle’s Free Culture Showcase for Ubuntu 17.04 is now underway!</p>
<p>We’re halfway to the next LTS, and we’re looking for beautiful wallpaper images that will literally set the backdrop for new users as they use Ubuntu 17.04 every day. Whether on the desktop, phone, or tablet, your photo or can be the first thing Ubuntu users see whenever they are greeted by the ubiquitous Ubuntu welcome screen or access their desktop.</p>
<p>Submissions will be handled via Flickr at the <a href="https://www.flickr.com/groups/ubuntu-fcs-1704/">Ubuntu 17.04 Free Culture Showcase - Wallpapers</a> group, and the submission window begins now and ends on March 5th.</p>
<p>More information about the Free Culture Showcase is available on the Ubuntu wiki at <a href="https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuFreeCultureShowcase">https://wiki.ubuntu.com/UbuntuFreeCultureShowcase</a>.</p>
<p>I’m looking forward to seeing the 10 photos and 2 illustrations that will ship on all graphical Ubuntu 17.04-based systems and devices on April 13th!</p>Nathan HainesUbuntu is a testament to the power of sharing, and we use the default selection of desktop wallpapers in each release as a way to celebrate the larger Free Culture movement. Talented artists across the globe create media and release it under licenses that don’t simply allow, but cheerfully encourage sharing and adaptation. This cycle’s Free Culture Showcase for Ubuntu 17.04 is now underway!