Can't Find Things in Ubuntu

[PrinceofCarlsbad]

So I am a total newbie. Please, if you respond to this inquiry, spell it out in small words. Feel free to treat me like a three year old child. I have received some responses and so far I am exactly in the same place when I first installed Ubuntu.

I have been trying to go through Beginning Ubuntu Linux but there are inconsistencies with what the books says and what it looks like on my computer. For example, The book speaks of a Device Manager that should be located under System > Administration > Device Manager. It does not appear for me under System > Administration.

The book I have was published in 2006 and I am using Ubuntu 10.10.

[nujinini]

The only thing I can think of is maybe the book you were reading was meant for an older version of Ubuntu?

Maybe you can check it out, I suggestt.

[MASONTX]

Books are nice, but as you found out can be different from the current version you are looking at. The best way to get familiar with a new distro (IMHO) is to cick on every tab and every sub-menu item and investigate what is where, and what it does. Sorry I can't be more specific right now, but I am on my work computer and not my home computer which has 10.10 on it.

[coopstah13]

I would start here https://help.ubuntu.com/10.10/index.html

also, ubuntu offers online elearning course if you would like that as well Canonical Store

also, try google for ubuntu 10.10 tutorial or ubuntu 10.10 guide

[theKbStockpiler]

The first objective with any computer O.S is it become a confident user of the G.U.I (graphic users interface). This amounts to the use of menus and the mouse or what Apple pioneered. After you are pro efficient with this you should move on to the shell terminal if your ambitions lead your there. If you are not clicking on a particular background to see if a menu appears you are typing commands into the Bash shell. It is one or the other in most computer user (not developer) types of situations..

First I would read a manual on this topic. The KEY to this is which Desktop environment you are using. This is usually Gnome or KDE. Gnome is easier and your mind will be able to relate to it natively . Later you can switch to KDE if you feel the overhead if worth it. To me it is'nt. To some people it is.

Most Linux Distributions Gnome desktops are similar so if you read the Manual for one most of the info will be the same for all of them. I think Mandriva manuals to be about the best for beginners. Fedora is more specific to Fedora and is more involved than what is suitable for a beginner.User Guide - Tour of the GNOME Desktop - FedoraProject The Gnome manuals are good but way to superficial. GNOME 2.8 Desktop User GuideThey are for people with no experience.

After you read the Mandriva Manuals you should look into Ubuntu forums or read the Slackware Manuals. Slackware Manuals are not perfect but start to get at what is beyond just using the mouse.Don't be concerned if you questions are silly or stupid or whatever, go ahead and post them if you can't find a decent answer with a Google search. That's what forums are for, if you need help beyond a basic search. All of the forums have their own niche so don't be afraid to post on more than one of them.

I tried to find a beginners manual for Ubuntu but the best I could find is Download - Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference or Ubuntu:Maverick -

I hope that this reply will allow you to do the same in the future.

[sgosnell]

There is no device manager in Ubuntu. People who write books don't necessarily know what they're writing about, unfortunately. Google will serve you far better, I think, but you'll still run across people who don't know what they're talking about. You have to filter out the BS from the truth, and that can be difficult sometimes.

[coopstah13]

a book from 2006 is going to be too outdated to be relevant

linux in general has changed so much in 4 years, you would need something more recent to be worthwhile

[rokytnji]

If you have a printer you can make youir own book, or just open PDF on another Desktop like Desktop 2,3,or 4, and read it while running ,Prince.
Main page - Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference

Not awake yet. I see KB gave you the same link .