Learn how you can take complete control and run your small business with powerful, free open source software (FOSS). This book introduces small business owners to the power and security of Linux and other FOSS tools to manage any small business as well as the many advantages it has over expensive, proprietary software. While exploring the reasons for using Free Open Source Software, you'll investigate the assertion that, “The value of any software lies in its usefulness not in its price,” set forth by Linux Torvalds, the creator of Linux. This book examines the use of Linux and also the other Free Open Source Software you need to meet your business challenges including the usual accounting, Email, web browsing, word-processing tasks. You will be introduced to advanced tools such as those that enable you to create audio and video clips you can use to promote your business or that can even be your primary product, such as how-to instruction.
Most small business owners perform many tasks including that of administering their computers. This book shows you how to find and install new software you need to run your business and keep it up to date using the tools already provided by Linux and the secure, trusted repositories available online. It also explores how to decide which tasks to do in-house and which you might want to sub out to external resources such as advertising and contact services to attract and keep customers. Linux for Small Business Owners provides some logic, reason, and explanation for each of the steps that are needed and the tools used to implement Linux in your small business. It is a detailed guide to removing Windows from your computers and installing Linux and some commonly used open source software like the LibreOffice suite of programs, accounting, and other software useful to many small businesses. It also provides the information and tools necessary to manage and maintain Linux and applications up-to-date and secure.
Author(s): David Both, Cyndi Bulka
Edition: 1
Publisher: Apress
Year: 2022
Language: English
Commentary: TruePDF
Pages: 391
Tags: Open Source; Linux; Small Business
Table of Contents
About the Authors
About the Technical Reviewer
Acknowledgments
Introduction
Chapter 1: Using Linux – The Personal Case
Objectives
Introduction
Who We Are
Cyndi
David
Why I Use Linux
Linux Is Free (as in Beer)
Linux Is Free (as in Speech)
Linux Is Safe
Linux Is Reliable
Linux Is Powerful
Linux Gives You Complete Control
Linux Extends the Life of Your Hardware
Linux Is Easy
Lots of Software
Linux Is Fun
Chapter Summary
Exercises
Chapter 2: A Bit of History – Becoming Linux
Objectives
Introduction
Windows Origins
Unix
The Birth of Linux
The Linux Truth
What It Means to Small Business Owners
Chapter Summary
Chapter 3: Using Linux – The Business Case
Objectives
Introduction
The Usual Reasons for Using Linux
Reliability
Extensive Software Choices
Security
Free as in Beer
Free as in Speech
Cyndi
David
SELinux
Support
Proprietary Software and Maintainability
FOSS and Maintainability
Stability
Why You Should Use Linux
The Points of Pain
Chapter Summary
Chapter 4: Choosing Hardware
Objectives
Introduction
Bottom Line
Compatibility
Viewing Information Using BIOS or UEFI
Accessing BIOS/UEFI
System Information
Rescuing Older Computers
Guidelines for Older Computers
General Considerations for Used Computers
Purchasing a New Computer
Guidelines for New Computers
Processor Details
Intel
AMD
Processor Comparison List
Standardization
What We Have
Laptops
Where to Buy
Choosing a Computer Store
Big-Box Stores
Linux User Groups
Online Computer Stores
System76
Emperor Linux
Our Test Computer
Entering BIOS Mode
Chapter Summary
Chapter 5: Take Linux for a Test Drive
Objectives
Introduction
Terms
Storage Device
Live (ISO) Image
Spin
Install the Linux Live Image on a USB Thumb Drive Using Your Windows Computer
Download and Install the Fedora Media Writer
Testing Your Own Computers
Boot the Live USB Device
The Good News
Xfce Upper Panel
Applications Menu
Window Buttons
Network Status
Volume Control
In-Store Testing
Chapter Summary
Chapter 6: Finding Software
Objectives
Introduction
About Microsoft Programs
Create an Inventory
Select New Software
Office Suite – LibreOffice
Accounting – GnuCash
Email Client – Thunderbird
Web Browser – Firefox or Chrome
File Manager – Thunar
Screen Capture – Spectacle
Image Editor – GIMP
Audio Editor – Audacity
Audio Playback – Audacious, Juk
Video Recording and Streaming – OBS Studio
Video Editing – OpenShot, Shotcut
Video/Media Playback – VLC Media Player
Multimedia Conversion – ffmpeg, Handbrake
Animation – Blender, Opentoonz
Desktop
About Choice
Cyndi
David
Flexibility
Resources
Chapter Summary
Chapter 7: Making the Decision
Objectives
Introduction
Cyndi
David
Closed Box
Open Book
Finally – Reasons
Others
You
Chapter Summary
Chapter 8: Preparing for the Switch
Objectives
Introduction
Finding Your Data
How Much Data Do I have?
Another USB Device
Back Up Your Data
Chapter Summary
Chapter 9: Installing Linux
Objectives
Introduction
Boot the Fedora Live Image
Installing Fedora
Start the Installation
Set the Host Name
Set the Root Password
Create Your User Account
Hard Drive Partitioning
Begin the Installation
Exit the Installer
Shut Down the Live System
Chapter Summary
Chapter 10: Getting Started
Objectives
Introduction
Terms
Account
Dialog
Menu
Context Menu
Why Xfce?
Getting Started
Login
The Xfce Desktop
The File Manager
Stability
Configurability
Exploring the Xfce Desktop
Settings Manager
Changing the Wallpaper
Screensaver
Power Manager
Adding Launchers to Panel 2
Default Applications
Desktop Appearance
Appearance
Multiple Desktops
When You Are Done with the Computer
What I Do When I Am Done with My Own Computer
The Light Bulb
Thermal Stress
The Energy Cost of Manufacturing
So What Breaks?
What Should You Do?
What I Do
Chapter Summary
Chapter 11: Easy File Management
Objectives
Introduction
Create Some Test Files
Introducing the Thunar File Manager
Launching Thunar
The Thunar Interface
Thunar Configuration
Location Selector
File View
File Manager Preferences Dialog
Display Tab
Side Pane Tab
Behavior Tab
Advanced Tab
File Management with Thunar
Basic Navigation
Selecting Files
Deselecting Files
Using the Context Menu
Archiving Files
File Properties
Using External Storage Devices
The Trash Bin
Your Storage Drive
Storage Space
Storage Device Failures
Cleanup
Chapter Summary
Chapter 12: Restoring Your Data
Objectives
Introduction
Restoring Your Files
Organizing Your Files
A Strategy
Doing It
Cleanup – Empty the Trash
Organization
Chapter Summary
Chapter 13: Software Management
Objectives
Introduction
DNFDragora
DNFDragora Issues
Deactivating DNFDragora
RPMs
Repositories
The fedora Repository
The updates Repository
How It Works
DNF
Updates
Update Philosophy – Windows vs. Linux
Force
The Update Stream
Checking for Updates
Installing Updates
Rebooting After Updates
Installing New Software
GnuCash
Searching for Software
Program and Package Names
About Groups
Installing LibreOffice
Fonts
Font Compatibility
Listing Fonts
Viewing Fonts
Installing New Fonts
Removing Software
Adding Repositories
Other Software
Chapter Summary
Chapter 14: Backups
Objectives
Introduction
The Dangers
Actual Events
Choosing What to Back Up
Backup Requirements
Backup Medium
Typical Backup Solutions
My Backup Solution
rsync as a Backup Tool
The rsbu Backup Script
Installing rsbu
Download the RPM Package
Install the RPM Package
The rsbu-setup Program
What You Will Need
Run the rsbu-setup Program
Test the Encrypted Connection
Configuration
Getting Started with rsbu
Make Your First Backup
Results
Recovery Testing
Preparing Additional Backup Devices
Automating Your Backups
The Last Step
Chapter Summary
Chapter 15: Upgrades
Objectives
Introduction
Fedora Upgrades
First Things First
Six Easy Steps
Backups
Install Updates
Install the Plug-in
Download the Files
Reboot and Do the Upgrade
Optional Post-Upgrade Tasks
Chapter Summary
Chapter 16: Printing
Objectives
Introduction
Choosing a Printer
Determine Your Needs
Printers That Meet Your Requirements
Find Compatible Printers
How to Install a Printer
Plug and Play
Guided
Complex
Alternatives
Chapter Summary
Chapter 17: Security
Objectives
Introduction
Security by Obscurity
What Is Security?
Data Protection
Attack Vectors
Self-Inflicted Problems
System Problems
Physical Attacks
Network Attacks
Example: Scareware
Software Vulnerabilities
Linux and Security
Login Security
Password Security
Password Encryption
Generating Good Passwords
Keeping Track of All Those Passwords
KeePassXC
Installing KeePassXC
Firewalls
Dynamic Firewall
Public Wi-Fi
The Cloud
Steps to Improve Your Security
Chapter Summary
Chapter 18: Automation
Objectives
Introduction
What Is Automation?
Anything Can Be Automated
Should I Automate Things Myself?
Chapter Summary
Chapter 19: Finding Help
Objectives
Introduction
Getting Help
Built-In Help
Command Help
Online Help
Books
User Groups
Consultants
Chapter Summary
Chapter 20: Where Do I Go From Here?
Cyndi
Appendix 1: About Files
Objectives
Introduction
User Accounts and Security
File Attributes
File Ownership
Directory Permissions
Filesystems
Filesystem Functions
The Linux Filesystem Hierarchical Standard
The Linux Filesystem Hierarchical Standard (FHS)
Appendix 2: Introduction to the Command Line
Objectives
Introduction
CLI vs. GUI
Defining the Command Line
Command Prompt
Command Line
Command Line Interface (CLI)
Command
Terminal
KVM
Console
Virtual Console
Terminal Emulator
Session
Shell
Data Streams
STDIO
Getting Help – The Man(ual) Pages
Some Important Linux Commands
The PWD
Using Directories and Paths
Create Some Test Files
Pipes
less Is More
Redirection
Time and Date
Tab Completion Facility
Command Recall
Summary
Bibliography
Books
Web sites
Glossary
Numeric Naming and Prefixes
Index
