About this User Guide

This book is divided into four parts. Part II is an introduction to Linux basics. We wrote Chapter 5, Linux for Beginners especially to help out new users. In it we describe the first steps a new user must master and we explain concepts such as “logging in/out”, security tips, and more.

Then Chapter 6, Where to Get Documentation will guide you through a fairly exhaustive list of documentation sources which you can consult in order to attain a better Linux knowledge. A Mandrake Linux-specific section points to numerous in-house resources which you can find on the Net. We also discuss the popular KDE graphical environment (see Chapter 7, Using KDE).

Part III will show you how to use two of Mozilla's embedded applications: the browser (Chapter 9, Surfing with Mozilla) and the mail client (Chapter 10, Mail Client: Mozilla).

Part IV gives a short description of everyday applications such as the OpenOffice suite (see the section called “Word Processors”, the section called “Spreadsheets” and the section called “Presentations”), file managers (the section called “File Managers: Konqueror and Nautilus”), printers (the section called “Printing and Faxing from Applications”), digital cameras (the section called “Digital Photo Cameras”), scanners (the section called “Installing and Using Scanners”), CD burning (the section called “CD Burning”), webcam and video conferencing applications (the section called “Webcams And Video Conferencing”), and more.

Part V goes through more technical aspects of a Mandrake Linux system:

Finally, an appendix discussing the Linux paradigm by comparing it to other OSes in Chapter 4, Migrating to Linux from Windows®/Mac OS X®.

Thank you for choosing Mandrake Linux and have fun!