“Getting Started with Ubuntu Bionic: Your Ultimate Guide”

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Getting Started with Ubuntu 18.04 (Bionic Beaver): Your Ultimate Guide

Ubuntu 18.04, codenamed “Bionic Beaver,” is a Long Term Support (LTS) release of the popular Ubuntu Linux distribution. Released in April 2018, it reached its end of standard support in April 2023, but extended security maintenance (ESM) is available until 2028. This guide provides a comprehensive walkthrough, from initial installation to essential post-installation tasks, ensuring a smooth and productive experience.

1. Choosing the Right Edition and Downloading:

Ubuntu comes in various “flavors,” each offering a different desktop environment. Here’s a breakdown:

  • Ubuntu (GNOME): The default and most popular edition, featuring the modern and user-friendly GNOME desktop. Suitable for most users.
  • Kubuntu (KDE Plasma): Offers the highly customizable and feature-rich KDE Plasma desktop. Ideal for users who prefer a more traditional desktop experience with extensive configuration options.
  • Xubuntu (XFCE): A lightweight and efficient option, perfect for older hardware or systems with limited resources.
  • Lubuntu (LXQt): An extremely lightweight and resource-friendly desktop, ideal for very low-powered systems.
  • Ubuntu MATE (MATE): Provides a traditional GNOME 2-like desktop experience, known for its stability and simplicity.
  • Ubuntu Budgie (Budgie): A modern and elegant desktop environment that focuses on simplicity and ease of use.
  • Ubuntu Studio (XFCE): Pre-configured with a suite of multimedia production tools, targeting audio, video, and graphics creators.

Download:

  1. Go to the Ubuntu website’s archive: Since 18.04 is past its standard support, you’ll need to access the archived releases. Search for “Ubuntu 18.04 releases” online. The official Ubuntu release page will usually have a link to older releases. A typical URL will look like this: http://releases.ubuntu.com/18.04/.
  2. Choose your architecture: Select the amd64 (64-bit) image for most modern computers. If you have a very old system, you might need the i386 (32-bit) image, but this is increasingly rare.
  3. Select the ISO file: You’ll likely want the ubuntu-18.04.x-desktop-amd64.iso file (where “x” is the point release number, like .5 or .6). This is the desktop installer.
  4. Download the ISO: Click the link to download the .iso file. This file contains the entire operating system.

2. Creating Bootable Media:

You need to create a bootable USB drive or DVD from the downloaded ISO file.

  • Using Rufus (Windows):

    1. Download and run Rufus (a free and open-source tool).
    2. Insert your USB drive (at least 4GB).
    3. In Rufus:
      • Device: Select your USB drive.
      • Boot selection: Click “SELECT” and choose your downloaded Ubuntu ISO file.
      • Partition scheme: Choose “MBR” (usually the best choice unless you know you need GPT).
      • Target system: Leave it as “BIOS or UEFI” (usually works for both).
      • File system: Leave it as “FAT32 (Default)”.
      • Cluster size: Leave it at the default.
    4. Click “START.” Acknowledge any warnings (it will erase the USB drive).

  • Using Etcher (Windows, macOS, Linux):

    1. Download and install Balena Etcher.
    2. Open Etcher.
    3. Click “Flash from file” and select your Ubuntu ISO.
    4. Click “Select target” and choose your USB drive.
    5. Click “Flash!”

  • Using dd (Linux – Command Line): Use with extreme caution! Incorrect use can erase your hard drive.

    1. Identify your USB drive’s device name (e.g., /dev/sdb). Use lsblk to list block devices. Be absolutely certain you have the correct device.
    2. Open a terminal and run (replace /dev/sdb with your USB device and /path/to/ubuntu.iso with the actual path to your ISO):
      bash
      sudo dd if=/path/to/ubuntu.iso of=/dev/sdb bs=4M status=progress oflag=sync

      • if: Input file (your ISO).
      • of: Output file (your USB drive).
      • bs: Block size (4M is generally good).
      • status=progress: Shows the progress of the operation.
      • oflag=sync: Ensures data is written before the command completes.

3. Booting from the Installation Media:

  1. Insert the USB drive or DVD into the computer you want to install Ubuntu on.
  2. Restart the computer.
  3. Access the BIOS/UEFI settings: This usually involves pressing a key during startup (often Del, F2, F10, F12, or Esc). The specific key varies by computer manufacturer; check your computer’s manual or look for on-screen prompts.
  4. Change the boot order: In the BIOS/UEFI settings, find the boot order or boot priority section. Set your USB drive or DVD drive as the first boot device.
  5. Save and exit: Save the changes to the BIOS/UEFI settings and exit. Your computer should now boot from the Ubuntu installation media.

4. The Installation Process:

  1. “Try Ubuntu” or “Install Ubuntu”: You’ll see a menu. Choose “Install Ubuntu” to proceed directly with the installation. “Try Ubuntu” allows you to test the system without installing it.
  2. Keyboard Layout: Select your keyboard layout.
  3. Updates and Other Software:
    • Normal installation: Includes web browsers, utilities, office software, games, and media players.
    • Minimal installation: Installs only a basic desktop environment and essential utilities. Choose this for a leaner system.
    • Download updates while installing Ubuntu: Recommended to get the latest security and software updates. Requires an internet connection.
    • Install third-party software for graphics and Wi-Fi hardware and additional media formats: Recommended, especially if you have proprietary hardware (like NVIDIA graphics cards).
  4. Installation Type: This is the most critical step. Choose carefully!
    • Erase disk and install Ubuntu: This will completely erase your hard drive and install Ubuntu as the only operating system. Use this only if you’re sure you want to remove all existing data.
    • Something else: This option allows you to manually partition your hard drive. This is the most flexible option, but also the most complex. It’s required for dual-booting with another operating system (like Windows). Only use this if you understand disk partitioning. You’ll need to create at least:
      • A root partition (/) formatted as ext4 (at least 20GB recommended).
      • A swap partition (usually the same size as your RAM, or smaller if you have a lot of RAM). Not strictly required, but recommended.
      • (Optional) A separate /home partition for your personal files. This makes it easier to reinstall Ubuntu without losing your data.
    • Install Ubuntu alongside [Existing OS]: This option should automatically detect existing operating systems and create a dual-boot setup. However, always back up your data before proceeding, as there’s always a small risk of data loss.
  5. Where are you? Select your time zone.
  6. Who are you? Create your user account:
    • Your name: Your full name.
    • Your computer’s name: A name for your computer on the network.
    • Pick a username: Your login name (lowercase, no spaces).
    • Choose a password: A strong password.
    • Require my password to log in: Recommended for security.
    • Log in automatically: Convenient, but less secure.
  7. Install: Click “Install Now.” The installation process will begin. This can take some time, depending on your hardware.
  8. Restart: Once the installation is complete, you’ll be prompted to restart your computer. Remove the installation media when prompted.

5. Post-Installation Tasks:

After your first boot into your new Ubuntu system, perform these essential tasks:

  1. Update Your System: Open a terminal (Ctrl+Alt+T) and run:
    bash
    sudo apt update
    sudo apt upgrade
    This updates the package lists and upgrades all installed packages to their latest versions. You’ll be prompted for your password.

  2. Install Restricted Extras (Optional but Recommended): This package provides support for various multimedia codecs (MP3, etc.) and other proprietary formats:
    bash
    sudo apt install ubuntu-restricted-extras

  3. Install Additional Drivers (If Needed): If you have proprietary hardware (especially NVIDIA or AMD graphics cards), you might need to install additional drivers for optimal performance.

    • Open “Software & Updates” from the application menu.
    • Go to the “Additional Drivers” tab.
    • Ubuntu will scan for available drivers. Select the recommended proprietary driver and click “Apply Changes.”

  4. Configure Your Desktop (GNOME):

    • GNOME Tweaks: Install GNOME Tweaks for more advanced customization options:
      bash
      sudo apt install gnome-tweaks
      Use Tweaks to change themes, fonts, extensions, and other settings.
    • GNOME Extensions: Extend the functionality of GNOME with extensions. You can install extensions from the GNOME Extensions website (extensions.gnome.org) using a browser extension, or through the terminal.

  5. Install Essential Software: Install any additional software you need. You can use the “Ubuntu Software” application (a graphical package manager) or the terminal. Here are some common examples:

    • VLC Media Player: sudo apt install vlc
    • GIMP (Image Editor): sudo apt install gimp
    • LibreOffice (Office Suite): (Usually pre-installed, but if not) sudo apt install libreoffice
    • Chromium Web Browser: sudo apt install chromium-browser
    • Visual Studio Code (Code Editor): Download the .deb package from the official website and install it.

  6. Set up Backups: Regular backups are crucial. Ubuntu includes a built-in backup tool called “Deja Dup” (search for “Backups” in the application menu). Configure it to back up your important files to an external drive or cloud storage.

  7. Enable Firewall (ufw): Ubuntu’s firewall is ufw (Uncomplicated Firewall). It’s usually disabled by default.
    bash
    sudo ufw enable
    sudo ufw status # Check status
    This enables a basic firewall that blocks incoming connections. You can configure more specific rules if needed.

  8. Learn the Command Line (Optional but Highly Recommended): The command line is a powerful tool in Linux. Familiarize yourself with basic commands like ls, cd, mkdir, rm, cp, mv, sudo, apt, etc. There are many online resources and tutorials available.

  9. Explore! Ubuntu is a versatile and powerful operating system. Take some time to explore its features, try different applications, and customize it to your liking. The Ubuntu community is large and helpful, so don’t hesitate to ask for help if you need it.

  10. Consider ESM (Extended Security Maintenance): Since standard support has ended, for continued security updates, you must enable ESM. This requires an Ubuntu Pro subscription (free for personal use on up to 5 machines). Visit the Ubuntu website and search for “Ubuntu Pro” for details on how to subscribe and enable ESM. Without ESM, your system will not receive critical security patches.

This comprehensive guide provides a solid foundation for getting started with Ubuntu 18.04. Remember to back up your data before making any significant changes to your system, and enjoy the world of open-source software!

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