Red Hat ENTERPRISE LINUX 4 - STEP BY STEP GUIDE User manual

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4
Red Hat Enterprise Linux Step
By Step Guide

Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4: Red Hat Enterprise Linux Step By Step Guide
Copyright © 2003 Red Hat, Inc.
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Table of Contents
Introduction.......................................................................................................................................... i
1. Architecture-specific Information .......................................................................................... i
2. Changes to This Manual ........................................................................................................ i
3. Document Conventions ......................................................................................................... ii
4. Copying and Pasting Text With X........................................................................................ iv
5. Using the Mouse ................................................................................................................... v
6. We Need Feedback! .............................................................................................................. v
I. Starting Out ...................................................................................................................................... i
1. Getting Started ...................................................................................................................... 1
1.1. Setup Agent........................................................................................................... 1
1.2. Introductory Terms................................................................................................. 6
1.3. Logging In.............................................................................................................. 7
1.4. Graphical Interface................................................................................................. 9
1.5. Opening a Shell Prompt ......................................................................................... 9
1.6. Creating a User Account ........................................................................................ 9
1.7. Documentation and Help ..................................................................................... 11
1.8. Logging Out ......................................................................................................... 13
1.9. Shutting Down your Computer ............................................................................ 14
2. Using the Graphical Desktop .............................................................................................. 15
2.1. Using Nautilus ..................................................................................................... 15
2.2. Using the Desktop................................................................................................ 19
2.3. Using the Panel .................................................................................................... 21
2.4. Using the Applications and Actions Menus ....................................................... 25
2.5. Customizing your GNOME session.................................................................... 26
2.6. Logging Out ......................................................................................................... 31
2.7. Switching Desktops ............................................................................................. 31
3. Managing Files and Directories .......................................................................................... 33
3.1. File System Terms................................................................................................ 33
3.2. A Larger Picture of the File System .................................................................... 33
3.3. Managing Files..................................................................................................... 35
3.4. File Compression and Archiving ......................................................................... 37
3.5. Managing Directories........................................................................................... 43
4. Shell Prompt Basics ............................................................................................................ 45
4.1. Why Use a Shell Prompt...................................................................................... 45
4.2. The History of the Shell ....................................................................................... 45
4.3. Basics ................................................................................................................... 46
4.4. Determining Your Current Directory with pwd ................................................... 51
4.5. Manipulating Files in Your Current Working Directory ...................................... 51
4.6. Leaving your Current Working Directory ............................................................ 56
4.7. Locating Files and Directories ............................................................................. 57
4.8. Viewing text files from the shell prompt.............................................................. 59
4.9. Manipulating Information from the Shell ............................................................ 60
4.10. Using Multiple Commands ................................................................................ 64
4.11. Ownership and Permissions ............................................................................... 64
II. Using Your System ....................................................................................................................... 71
5. Connecting to the Internet................................................................................................... 73
5.1. The Internet Configuration Wizard ...................................................................... 73
5.2. Creating a Dial-Up Connection ........................................................................... 74
5.3. Creating a High Speed Connection ...................................................................... 75
5.4. Creating a Wireless Connection........................................................................... 76
5.5. Additional Resources ........................................................................................... 76
6. Web Browsing..................................................................................................................... 77
6.1. Firefox ................................................................................................................. 77

7. Email Applications.............................................................................................................. 81
7.1. Evolution.............................................................................................................. 82
7.2. Thunderbird.......................................................................................................... 84
7.3. Plain Text Email Clients ...................................................................................... 86
8. Working with OpenOffice.org............................................................................................. 89
8.1. Feature overview of OpenOffice.org.................................................................... 89
8.2. OpenOffice.org Writer ......................................................................................... 91
8.3. OpenOffice.org Calc ............................................................................................ 94
8.4. OpenOffice.org Impress ....................................................................................... 95
8.5. OpenOffice.org Draw and Math........................................................................... 96
9. Working with Other Text Applications ............................................................................... 99
9.1. Working with Text Editors ................................................................................... 99
9.2. Viewing PDF and PS files .................................................................................. 100
10. Audio, Video, and Games ............................................................................................... 101
10.1. Playing Audio CDs .......................................................................................... 101
10.2. Playing Digital Audio Files ............................................................................. 102
10.3. Troubleshooting Your Sound Card .................................................................. 103
10.4. Troubleshooting Your Video Card ................................................................... 104
10.5. Games .............................................................................................................. 105
10.6. Finding Games Online ..................................................................................... 106
11. Working with Digital Cameras ....................................................................................... 107
11.1. Nautilus and Digital Cameras ....................................................................... 107
11.2. Using gThumb ................................................................................................ 107
12. Working with Images ...................................................................................................... 109
12.1. Saving Images .................................................................................................. 109
12.2. Viewing Images................................................................................................ 109
12.3. Editing and Creating Images with the GIMP................................................... 110
13. Diskettes and CD-ROMs ................................................................................................ 113
13.1. Using Diskettes ................................................................................................ 113
13.2. CD- and DVD-ROMs ...................................................................................... 115
13.3. CD/DVD-Rs and CD/DVD-RWs..................................................................... 117
13.4. Additional Resources ....................................................................................... 120
13.5. USB Flash Drives............................................................................................. 120
III. Troubleshooting Your System ................................................................................................. 123
14. Frequently Asked Questions ........................................................................................... 125
14.1. Localhost Login and Password ........................................................................ 125
14.2. Forgotten root Password .................................................................................. 125
14.3. Forgotten user Password .................................................................................. 126
14.4. Changing Passwords ........................................................................................ 126
14.5. Password Maintenance..................................................................................... 126
14.6. Starting Applications ....................................................................................... 126
14.7. Finding Commands Quickly ............................................................................ 127
14.8. Tips on Using Command History .................................................................... 128
14.9. Keep ls Output from Scrolling ....................................................................... 128
14.10. Accessing a Windows Partition ..................................................................... 129
14.11. Error Messages During Installation of RPMs................................................ 131
14.12. Changing Login from Console to X at Startup .............................................. 131

IV. Appendix ................................................................................................................................... 133
A. KDE: The K Desktop Environment ................................................................................. 135
A.1. Customizing KDE............................................................................................. 135
A.2. Introducing Konqueror .................................................................................... 136
A.3. Using Konqueror ............................................................................................. 138
A.4. Using the KDE Desktop.................................................................................... 140
A.5. Using the Panel ................................................................................................. 141
A.6. Browsing the Web with Konqueror ................................................................. 144
A.7. Using Konqueror to View Images ................................................................... 145
A.8. KMail ................................................................................................................ 146
A.9. Logging Out of KDE......................................................................................... 148
A.10. Finding Help ................................................................................................... 148
B. Getting Started with Gnu Privacy Guard.......................................................................... 151
B.1. Configuration File ............................................................................................. 151
B.2. Warning Messages............................................................................................. 152
B.3. Generating a Keypair......................................................................................... 152
B.4. Generating a Revocation Certificate.................................................................. 154
B.5. Exporting your Public Key................................................................................ 155
B.6. Importing a Public Key ..................................................................................... 157
B.7. What Are Digital Signatures? ........................................................................... 158
B.8. Additional Resources ........................................................................................ 158
C. Applications ..................................................................................................................... 161
D. A Comparison of Common DOS and Linux Commands ................................................ 165
E. System Directories............................................................................................................ 167
F. Keyboard Shortcuts........................................................................................................... 169
Index................................................................................................................................................. 171
Colophon.......................................................................................................................................... 175

Introduction
Welcome to the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Step By Step Guide!
By now, you should have read the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Installation Guide and successfully in-
stalled Red Hat Enterprise Linux. This manual is designed to help new and intermediate Linux users
navigate and perform common tasks. Keep in mind that Linux looks, feels, and performs differently
from other operating systems you may have used. Forget about the conventions of other operating sys-
tems and, with an open mind, approach Red Hat Enterprise Linux as a new, interesting, and versatile
alternative.
This manual is task-oriented. You will find useful tips, hints, warnings, and screen shots interspersed
throughout. First, you will learn the basics of using Red Hat Enterprise Linux, such as familiarizing
yourself with the desktop, learning to use the shell prompt, and navigating through files and folders.
Once the basics are covered, the manual moves on to more advanced topics including setting up an
internet connection, configuring a printer, and working with documents.
Most users choose to work within either the GNOME or KDE graphical desktop environments (other
desktop environments are also available). The Red Hat Enterprise Linux Step By Step Guide focuses
primarily on how to perform tasks in these two environments.
Topics discussed include:
•Using the graphical desktop environment
•Managing files and directories
•Working with documents
•Using the Web and email
•Working with a digital camera
After conquering the basics of your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system, you may need information
on more advanced topics. You can find this information in the Red Hat Enterprise Linux System
Administration Guide, the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Reference Guide, the Red Hat Enterprise Linux
Introduction to System Administration, and the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Security Guide.
HTML, PDF, and RPM versions of the manuals are available on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Docu-
mentation CD and online at http://www.redhat.com/docs/.
Note
Although this manual reflects the most current information possible, read the Red Hat Enterprise
Linux Release Notes for information that may not have been available prior to our documentation
being finalized. The Release Notes can be found on the Red Hat Enterprise Linux CD #1, online at
http://www.redhat.com/docs/, or in the /usr/share/doc/redhat-release-4<product>/directory
after installation, where <product>is AS,ES,WS, or Desktop.
1. Architecture-specific Information
Unless otherwise noted, information contained in this manual applies only to the x86 processor and
processors featuring the Intel® Extended Memory 64 Technology (Intel® EM64T) and AMD64 tech-
nologies. For architecture-specific information, refer to the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Installation
Guide for your respective architecture.

ii Introduction
2. Changes to This Manual
This manual was previously published under the title Red Hat Linux Getting Started Guide. It has
been renamed and incorporated into the Red Hat Enterprise Linux documentation set. It has been
modified to include new features in Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 and to reflect changes in documented
procedures that are not supported in Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Changes to this manual include:
Removable Media
The title and contents of this chapter have been changed from Diskettes and CD-ROMs to re-
flect expanded media options: both DVD-ROMs and USB flash drives are now included in this
chapter.
Web Browsers
Firefox has replaced Mozilla as the default web browser.
Email Applications
Thunderbird has replaced Mozilla Mail.
3. Document Conventions
When you read this manual, certain words are represented in different fonts, typefaces, sizes, and
weights. This highlighting is systematic; different words are represented in the same style to indicate
their inclusion in a specific category. The types of words that are represented this way include the
following:
command
Linux commands (and other operating system commands, when used) are represented this way.
This style should indicate to you that you can type the word or phrase on the command line
and press [Enter] to invoke a command. Sometimes a command contains words that would be
displayed in a different style on their own (such as file names). In these cases, they are considered
to be part of the command, so the entire phrase is displayed as a command. For example:
Use the cat testfile command to view the contents of a file, named testfile, in the current
working directory.
file name
File names, directory names, paths, and RPM package names are represented this way. This style
should indicate that a particular file or directory exists by that name on your system. Examples:
The .bashrc file in your home directory contains bash shell definitions and aliases for your own
use.
The /etc/fstab file contains information about different system devices and file systems.
Install the webalizer RPM if you want to use a Web server log file analysis program.
application
This style indicates that the program is an end-user application (as opposed to system software).
For example:
Use Mozilla to browse the Web.

Introduction iii
[key]
A key on the keyboard is shown in this style. For example:
To use [Tab] completion, type in a character and then press the [Tab] key. Your terminal displays
the list of files in the directory that start with that letter.
[key]-[combination]
A combination of keystrokes is represented in this way. For example:
The [Ctrl]-[Alt]-[Backspace] key combination exits your graphical session and returns you to the
graphical login screen or the console.
text found on a GUI interface
A title, word, or phrase found on a GUI interface screen or window is shown in this style. Text
shown in this style is being used to identify a particular GUI screen or an element on a GUI
screen (such as text associated with a checkbox or field). Example:
Select the Require Password checkbox if you would like your screensaver to require a password
before stopping.
top level of a menu on a GUI screen or window
A word in this style indicates that the word is the top level of a pulldown menu. If you click on
the word on the GUI screen, the rest of the menu should appear. For example:
Under File on a GNOME terminal, the New Tab option allows you to open multiple shell
prompts in the same window.
If you need to type in a sequence of commands from a GUI menu, they are shown like the
following example:
Go to Applications (the main menu on the panel) => Programming => Emacs Text Editor to
start the Emacs text editor.
button on a GUI screen or window
This style indicates that the text can be found on a clickable button on a GUI screen. For example:
Click on the Back button to return to the webpage you last viewed.
computer output
Text in this style indicates text displayed to a shell prompt such as error messages and responses
to commands. For example:
The ls command displays the contents of a directory. For example:
Desktop about.html logs paulwesterberg.png
Mail backupfiles mail reports
The output returned in response to the command (in this case, the contents of the directory) is
shown in this style.
prompt
A prompt, which is a computer’s way of signifying that it is ready for you to input something, is
shown in this style. Examples:
$
#
[stephen@maturin stephen]$
leopard login:

iv Introduction
user input
Text that the user has to type, either on the command line, or into a text box on a GUI screen, is
displayed in this style. In the following example, text is displayed in this style:
To boot your system into the text based installation program, you must type in the text com-
mand at the boot: prompt.
<replaceable>
Text used for examples, which is meant to be replaced with data provided by the user, is displayed
in this style. In the following example, <version-number>is displayed in this style:
The directory for the kernel source is /usr/src/kernels/<version-number>/, where
<version-number>is the version and type of kernel installed on this system.
Additionally, we use several different strategies to draw your attention to certain pieces of information.
In order of how critical the information is to your system, these items are marked as a note, tip,
important, caution, or warning. For example:
Note
Remember that Linux is case sensitive. In other words, a rose is not a ROSE is not a rOsE.
Tip
The directory /usr/share/doc/ contains additional documentation for packages installed on your
system.
Important
If you modify the DHCP configuration file, the changes do not take effect until you restart the DHCP
daemon.
Caution
Do not perform routine tasks as root — use a regular user account unless you need to use the root
account for system administration tasks.
Warning
Be careful to remove only the necessary partitions. Removing other partitions could result in data
loss or a corrupted system environment.

Introduction v
4. Copying and Pasting Text With X
Copying and pasting text is easy using your mouse and the X Window System. To copy text, click and
drag your mouse over the text to highlight it. To paste the text somewhere, click the middle mouse
button in the spot where the text should be placed.
5. Using the Mouse
Red Hat Enterprise Linux is designed to use a three-button mouse. If you have a two-button mouse,
you should have selected three-button emulation during the installation process. If you are using three-
button emulation, pressing both mouse buttons at the same time equates to pressing the missing third
(middle) button.
In this document, if you are instructed to click with the mouse on something, that means click the left
mouse button. If you need to use the middle or right mouse button, that will be explicitly stated. (This
will be reversed if you have configured your mouse to be used by a left handed person.)
The phrase "drag and drop" may be familiar to you. If you are instructed to drag and drop an item
on your GUI desktop, click on something and hold the mouse button down. While continuing to hold
down the mouse button, drag the item by moving the mouse to a new location. When you have reached
the desired location, release the mouse button to drop the item.
6. We Need Feedback!
If you spot a typographical error in the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Step By Step Guide, or if you have
thought of a way to make this manual better, we would love to hear from you! Please submit a report
in Bugzilla: http://bugzilla.redhat.com/bugzilla/ against the component rhel-sbs.
When submitting a bug report, be sure to mention the manual’s identifier:
rhel-sbs(EN)-4-Print-RHI (2005-02-16T01:05)
If you have a suggestion for improving the documentation, try to be as specific as possible when de-
scribing it. If you have found an error, please include the section number and some of the surrounding
text so we can find it easily.

vi Introduction

I. Starting Out
To begin the journey of using your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system, you need to learn the basics.
This part introduces the concepts and terms that help you get the most out of Red Hat Enterprise
Linux, and learn some of its exciting features. From configuring your system with Setup Agent to
using your graphical desktop and the shell prompt, this part helps you get acquainted with your Red
Hat Enterprise Linux system.
Table of Contents
1. Getting Started ................................................................................................................................ 1
2. Using the Graphical Desktop ....................................................................................................... 15
3. Managing Files and Directories ................................................................................................... 33
4. Shell Prompt Basics ...................................................................................................................... 45

Chapter 1.
Getting Started
From booting up to shutting down, whether you are working or playing, Red Hat Enterprise Linux
provides tools and applications to help you get the most out of your computing environment. This
chapter guides you through some basic tasks that you can perform on your Red Hat Enterprise Linux
system.
1.1. Setup Agent
Figure 1-1. Setup Agent
The first time you start your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system, the Setup Agent is presented. The
Setup Agent guides you through the configuration of your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system. Using
this tool, you can set your system time and date, add users to your system, install software, register
your machine with the Red Hat Network, and more. Setup Agent allows you to configure your en-
vironment at the beginning, so that you can get started using your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system
quickly.
Figure 1-2. License Agreement

2 Chapter 1. Getting Started
The Setup Agent first prompts you to read and agree to the License Agreement, which discusses your
rights in using Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Click Yes, I agree to the License Agreement and click
Next to continue.
Important
You must agree to the License Agreement to continue using Red Hat Enterprise Linux. If you choose
No, I do not agree at the License Agreement screen, the machine prompts you to either re-read the
agreement or decline and shutdown your system. You cannot use Red Hat Enterprise Linux without
first agreeing to the License Agreement.
Figure 1-3. Date and Time Configuration
The Setup Agent allows you to manually set your machine’s date and time, which adjusts the clock on
your computer’s BIOS (Basic Input Output System). To set the day, month, and year on your system,
use the calendar interface. To set your time in hours, minutes, and seconds, use the provided text
boxes.
Figure 1-4. Network Time Protocol

Chapter 1. Getting Started 3
You may also synchronize your date and time automatically with a network time server — a computer
that sends accurate date and time settings to your system through a network connection. Select, the
Network Time Protocol, check the box labeled Enable Network Time Protocol, and use the drop-
down menu to select a time server. Once you have set your time and date, click Next to continue.
Figure 1-5. Display
Next, configure your display. Red Hat Enterprise Linux auto-detects your monitor and loads the cor-
rect driver. If you would like to choose another driver, click on the Configure... button and browse the
list of available drivers. Select the resolution of your screen and click Next to continue.
Figure 1-6. Red Hat Network Registration Client
You must register your system with Red Hat Network to continue. Red Hat Network provides au-
tomatic updates of your Red Hat Enterprise Linux system, including security updates. If you have
already registered with Red Hat Network, enter your account information in the appropriate field. If
you have never registered, choose I don’t have a Red Hat login. I need to create one.. Click Next —
if you need to create a Red Hat login, the Red Hat Update Agent launches. After you have entered
your Red Hat login information, the Setup Agent continues to the next screen.

4 Chapter 1. Getting Started
Figure 1-7. Activation
To activate an existing Red Hat subscription, enter the Activation Number in the appropriate field.
Otherwise, select I do not have a subscription number. Click Next to continue.
Figure 1-8. User Account
Next, you should create a user account to use on a routine basis. It is not recommended to log in to
your root account for common computing tasks, as you may damage your system or unintentionally
delete a file. The Setup Agent lets you enter a username, an optional full name for the account, and a
password (which you must enter twice). This creates a user account that you can use to log into your
Red Hat Enterprise Linux system and which has its own home directory on the system to store files.

Chapter 1. Getting Started 5
Figure 1-9. Sound Card
The Setup Agent probes your system for sound cards and attempts to configure the correct settings
for use with Red Hat Enterprise Linux. You can then click the Play test sound button to play a sound
sample. If you can hear the sample, select OK and your sound card configuration is complete.
Figure 1-10. Installing Additional Software
To install Red Hat Enterprise Linux RPM packages that you did not install during installation, software
from third-party providers, or documentation from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Documentation CD,
you can do so at the Additional CDs screen. Insert the CD containing the software or documentation
you want to install, click the Install... button, and follow the instructions.
Note
If you are installing a package from the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Installation CDs, you must insert
CD 1, click the Install... button, choose the package(s) or component you want to install, and, if
prompted, change the CD.

6 Chapter 1. Getting Started
Figure 1-11. Finish Setup
Now that your system is configured, you are ready to log in and start using Red Hat Enterprise Linux.
Press Forward to exit the Setup Agent.
1.2. Introductory Terms
When you learn about a new operating system, you should also learn new terminology. This section
defines a few basic terms you should learn. You will see these terms often throughout all Red Hat
Enterprise Linux documentation including the Red Hat Enterprise Linux Step By Step Guide:
•Command: An instruction given to the computer, most often with the keyboard or mouse.
•Command line: The space at the shell prompt where commands are typed.
•Graphical Desktop: The most visible area of a GUI. The desktop is where your user Home and
Computer icons are located. You can customize your desktop to have special backgrounds, colors,
and pictures to add a personal touch.
•Graphical User Interface (GUI): A general term for interactive windows, icons, menus, and panels
which allow a user to initiate actions such as starting applications and opening files using a mouse
and keyboard.
•Icons are small images representing an application, folder, shortcut or system resource (such as a
diskette drive). Launcher icons usually refer to application shortcuts.
•Man page and Info page: Man (short for manual) and Info pages give detailed information about
a command or file (man pages tend to be brief and provide less explanation than Info pages). For
example, to read the man page for the su command, type man su at a shell prompt (or type info
su for the info page). To close man or Info pages, press [q].
•Panel: A desktop toolbar, located across the top and bottom of your desktop (such as Figure 1-12).
The panel contains the Applications menu and shortcut icons to start commonly used programs.
Panels can also be customized to suit your needs.
Figure 1-12. The Desktop Panel
•Root: Root is an administrative user account created during installation that has complete access
to the system.(Root is also known as the superuser.) You must be logged in as root to accomplish
certain system administration tasks, such as changing administrative passwords and running sys-
tem configuration tools. User accounts are created so that typical user tasks can be done without