Ubuntu Linux® For Dummies®

Chapter C. About the CD

This appendix describes what you get on the companion CD and the minimum computer configuration you need for Ubuntu Linux.

The companion Ubuntu Linux For Dummies CD contains the full Ubuntu Linux 6.10.

The companion CD contains most applications described in this book. However, you must download a few applications, such as Network Manager (Chapter 7), from the Internet. I describe where to find and how to download and install such applications.

System Requirements

To use the Ubuntu Linux For Dummies CD‐ROM, make sure that your computer meets (or exceeds) these minimum requirements:

• An Intel‐compatible 32‐bit PC with a CD drive, an LCD display or multisync monitor, a keyboard, and a mouse. (The attached CD doesn't work with 64‐bit PCs. You can download a compatible CD for 64‐bit PCs from www.ubuntu.org.)

  For reasonable performance using the graphical GNOME Desktop and X Window System, I recommend at least 512MB, but you can get away with only 256MB of main memory.

• Enough hard drive space for your planned Ubuntu system. You have two options:

  • No hard disk space. Yes, that's right, none! You can run Ubuntu Linux directly from CD. However, your computer won't remember your settings and your work when you shut down.

    The instructions for booting the Ubuntu Linux operating system directly (live) from the CD are in Chapter 2.

  • If you want to make a permanent Ubuntu Linux installation that remembers your settings and your files, you need at least 3GB of hard disk space. I recommend ...