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FreekBox 2 Manual

Welcome to your new FreekBox!
This guide was designed to help the recipients of FreekBox 2 computers with starting to use them, usually in conjunction with the class you'll get at FREE GEEK. Remember there's no substitute for practice and experience, so dive in! Many items in this manual will not apply to Freekboxen adopted after March 2005 (FreekBox 3 systems). This manual is no longer being maintained.

FREE GEEK offers drop-in and phone technical support to FreekBox users on Tuesday, Thursday, and Saturday between 3 and 6pm. Our phone number is 503 232 9350. Please call before coming in! There will not always be someone around who can help you. If you call during a different time and leave a clear description of your problem along with your name and phone number, support may be able to call you during the next support time. If you have Internet access and want to keep up-to-date on what can be done with a FreekBox, there is information for FreekBox adopters on our website, including a FreekBox support email list. When you have an email address, you can subscribe to this list at http://lists.freegeek.org/listinfo/freekbox.

Table of Contents

This manual is broken up into basic sections, so we could categorize the questions. Those sections are:

Caveat

This manual is no loner being maintained, as we are no longer making FreekBox 2 systems.

Written for FreekBox version 2.0. This manual last updated May 5, 2005.

What is a FreekBox?

You get more for your volunteer time than just a chunk of equipment. By earning a FreekBox, you have joined an elite group; here are some of your benefits!

The computer

From a constant stream of donated equipment, FREE GEEK builds FreekBoxes. We test and catalogue the components that come through every day to build the best systems we can. As of March 2004, the hardware specifications (specs) for FreekBoxes will fall in this range:

Processor Pentium II, 400 - 450 MHz
Memory (RAM) 128 MB
Hard Drive 6 - 6.9 GB
17" Monitor Speakers
CD-ROM drive Floppy drive
Sound card 33.6 - 56k modem

Due to the rapid changes in computer equipment, these specs are not particularly impressive when put next to a brand-new computer one might buy in the store. They are, however, functional and capable of running the software that makes the computer useful! The parts have been tested and the assembled system has undergone a quality control process.

One thing that makes a FreekBox a FreekBox is that it is based on Free, or Open Source, Software. The basic software, or operating system, we use is called Linux or GNU/Linux. It is free not only in the sense that it is free from licensing fees, but also in that people are free to use, modify, and learn from the software's source code. (See the next section, on GNU/Linux)

We've modified the look and feel of the FreekBox's software to make it easier for beginners to use it for the most common uses, word processing and using the Internet. You can, of course, modify it yourself as you learn more about your FreekBox and GNU/Linux, but the manual is written with this simple default setup in mind. Please note also that we will probably not be able to support software you add.

The adoption class

An often-overlooked aspect of the FreekBox is that it comes with a basic class on how to use it (the "FreekBox Adoption class"). Adopters (and their families) are welcome to retake this class if they want a refresher. Call to schedule an "audit" of the class.

Support policy

Free Geek will support you in your efforts to use your FreekBox, with certain limits. For the first year after adoption you are welcome to phone in or drop in with questions during Technical Support hours or join the FreekBox e-mail list (http://lists.freegeek.org/listinfo/freekbox) and write in questions.

Free Geek promises that the hardware and software on this system will work properly for one year after adoption if:

  1. the system has not been modified (except by Free Geek) and
  2. it has been used as intended regularly since adoption and
  3. it is used by the original Adopter or someone else who has taken the Adoption class at Free Geek.


Free Geek will attempt to correct problems over the telephone, if requested, but the adopter should be prepared to bring the machine back to Free Geek. Free Geek will solve the problem by either repairing or replacing the system or any of its components, including reinstallation of our software if necessary. Replacements will be similar to or better than the original equipment. Every reasonable effort will be made to solve the problem quickly, but because of Free Geek's volunteer nature the machine may need to be left with us for some days.

While Free Geek will make an effort to protect user data including screen savers and other personalizations this cannot be guaranteed. It is often not possible. Adopters should keep backups of their important data.

Third party software (software not provided by Free Geek) is not covered by this agreement. We will help you, or point you to sources of help, if possible, but don't have the resources to keep up with changing conditions.

Hardware

What physically makes up your computer
You've probably handled a lot of computer equipment while at FREE GEEK. This is all called hardware, in contrast to software, which refers to the programs that run on the computers.

What do the numbers in the specs mean?

The specifications for a FreekBox (see previous section) may just sound like a bunch of numbers. Each of them refers to a different aspect of the computer.

Processor:the processor is the brain of the computer, whice does all of the calculations. They were made in generations (386, 486, Pentium, Pentium II) and within generations are distinguished by their speed in mHz (166, 200, 266). A better processor will result in a more powerful machine, capable of doing more calculations more quickly. A graphics-intensive 3D game would demand a better processor than working on a spreadsheet.

RAM: this is short-term memory, or workspace, not storage. More RAM means the computer can do certain things more quickly and do more things at the same time (each program running takes a certain amount of memory).

Hard drive: this is the long-term storage space on the computer, which holds system files, program files, and any files you create or download. How much space you need will vary according to what you plan to do with the computer; FreekBox-size hard drives should be more than adequate for most normal uses, but you would want a bigger drive to hold an extensive audio collection.

Modem speed: this is just one of the things that influence how fast you can access the Internet. Others include the type of connection you have to the Internet, the type of connection your service provider (ISP) has, the number of people trying to access the same thing as you, the speed of your computer, luck, and sunspots.

What are all these ports?

If you look closely at what you're plugging in, you'll find that it's quite easy to get it all right.

Power
power port		 Video
video port
There should be one of these on your monitor and one on the system. You may want to invest in a surge supressor to plug these into if your power is unreliable. This will go from the monitor to the system; the pictures have to get to the monitor somehow! Note this is the only plug with three rows of pins/holes.
Mouse (serial)
serial port		 Mouse (PS/2)
ps/2 port
You may have a serial mouse or a PS/2 mouse, which may look like the PS/2 keyboard port. Do not plug in or unplug PS/2 connectors while the computer is on.
Keyboard (AT)
AT port		 Keyboard (PS/2)
ps/2 port
You may have an AT Keyboard or a PS/2 keyboard, which may look like the mouse port, but they will be labeled. Do not plug in or unplug PS/2 connectors while the computer is on.
Speakers
speaker ports		 Modem
phone jack
A sound card will have several similar holes, usually labeled, but often hard to read. If sound doesn't seem to work, be sure the speakers have power (if necessary) and are plugged into the right port. A modem will have two holes that look like telephone jacks. Use the one labeled "TELCO", "WALL" or "LINE" to connect to the wall jack. If you get a no dial tone message, you may have the line plugged into the wrong port. There may also be sound ports on the modem - do not use these. On FreekBoxes, sound card and modem are separate.
Network
 Do not confuse your modem with the network card, which has one (slightly wider) hole that is similar to a telephone jack. You may use a network card if you have a network at home or if you decide to get broadband internet.

How do you physically set up the machine?

The chart above has pictures of the main ports that will need to be plugged in. Don't forget, both the monitor and system need power. Your speakers may also need power or batteries to work.

Look closely at any plug you may be having difficulty with. Plugs with pins (mouse, keyboard, video) will plug into ports with holes, and vice versa. There will be a right way up on these plugs: the trapezoidal ones will be obvious, and the circular ones usually have a mark to designate the top. Be aware that if you try to force a plug in the wrong way, you may bend the pins and damage it. This will only happen if you use force, but you do want to make sure they are actually plugged in all the way.

What can you add to a FreekBox (in terms of hardware)?

See the last section, "Improving the system: adding things on" for details about this. Be sure to find out about Linux compatability before purchasing any components or peripherals. For example, many scanners are not yet supported by Linux. FREE GEEK will not be able to help you add hardware, so you will have to do the research and maybe find a friend to help you.

GNU/Linux

The FreekBox is GNU/Linux based. What does that mean to you?
Every computer needs an operating system. FreekBoxes use a version of the GNU/Linux operating system called Debian. Here are a few things you may want or need to know as you use it.

What is an operating system?

An operating system (OS) is the very basic software that enables a computer to run, and to run other programs. This is the layer that lies between the ones and zeros and the complicated demands of software that people can use.

The structure of different OSes can be quite different from one another. Software written for one OS relies on various features of that system and won't be able to run -- or even install -- on a different OS. However, people use computers for pretty much the same purposes regardless of OS, so there are comparable programs for any common use you might want to put the machine to.

What is GNU/Linux and why do we use it?

You're probably aware that the FreekBox uses the GNU/Linux operating system - but what is it? If you've used a computer in the last ten years, odds are you've used one running a version of Microsoft Windows. Windows came to market domination through a series of good and lucky moves throughout the development of personal computers.

Early in their history, computers were very big and very expensive, so only large corporations used them, for large, simple jobs like payroll. Some companies made small computers intended to be used by one person at a time, but these were mostly used by hobbyists. IBM, the biggest of the big computer makers and sellers decided to get into the small computer market and called theirs a Personal Computer. (Apple, the biggest player in the little game, called theirs a microcomputer.) But the software that ran the big jobs wouldn't suit so they bought a small system from a young guy named Bill Gates.

As more companies began to use what are now called desktop computers they mostly bought from the trusted name of IBM, so the MS-DOS software was on most office computers. Anyone who wanted to sell an office application (a program that does a specific job, like bookkeeping) had to make sure it would work with MS-DOS. Many companies began making personal computers, and they also had to make sure that their computers could run the software that buyers already had on their IBM machines. Thus the original and its successor, Windows, have become standard on office machines, though IBM itself is no longer in that business.

There was always a small market in middle sized computers, called minicomputers. UNIX was and is the program most used to run these. In 1994 a graduate student in Finland, Linus Torvalds, (pronounced Leen-us) wrote a version of UNIX suitable for a personal computer, paired it with many tools (called GNU applications) that had been developed by the Free Software Foundation, and put it, for free, on the Internet. Anyone who wants to add to or improve this software can do so, and post her work for everyone to use. Thus the most creative minds in computing are liberated to work on GNU/Linux so long as they in turn offer it for free. The programs on your computer are chosen from a wide variety of available Free Software, and there are many more and different ones available to you.

A movement has grown up around Open Source software (including GNU/Linux), with the principle that all software should be available for free - that's is as necessary as water nowadays, and no one should keep secrets and charge for them. GNU/Linux is not the only Open Source operating system, but it is relatively widely used, especially by businesses and on servers which need to be stable. Becuase Open Source software is developed by lots of people all over without a central authority, there is a lot of variety and diversity to be found.

Because FREE GEEK believes in making technology available to everyone, we not only don't charge for the computers but also don't use software that requires licensing fees and keeps its source code secret. This not only keeps the computers free, but also ensures a constant stream of new Free Software, developed by people all over the world and available for download from the Internet. But, because the commercial software writers are in it for a profit, many programs developed for MS Windows are not available for GNU/Linux. If a talented person wants to recreate a game for GNU/Linux similar to one s/he enjoyed on Windows, then it will become available. (If an untalented person ditto, many others will tinker with the game and post their improvements.)

See http://www.fsf.org and http://www.gnu.org for more on these concepts!

What does GNU/Linux look like?

Unlike some other OSes, the graphical interface -- the program which displays windows and menus, icons and mouse pointers -- is not part of the OS, but a separate program that runs on top of it. There is a wide variety of programs that can be used for this and most of them are hugely customizable - with the effect that GNU/Linux can really look like anything. For more on this topic, see the next section, The User Interface.

Why do you log in?

Like its parent, UNIX, GNU/Linux is designed to be used by multiple users. That is, many different people can have accounts on one computer. This means you have to tell the computer, by logging on, who you are. This simply means telling the computer your user name and password. Each user has different preferences about how the computer should look and a different place for their own personal file to go. Therefore, the computer needs to know who is using the computer, and logging in tells the computer that. Each user has a password, a "secret code", that proves to the computer that you are who you say you are.

How do you log in?

When your computer is done starting up, you'll find yourself at a login screen. The penguin icons here represent users on this system - and if you click on one of them, it'll fill the name in for login.

The login field is for the name of the user you're logging in as. The password field is for that user's password; as a security feature, anything you type in the password field will come out as asterisks (*). Remember that both the login and the password are case-sensitive, meaning that it does matter if any given letter is capitalized or not. FreekBoxes have one user set up already when you get the system, called guest. The password for guest is guest, but don't let that confuse you: one's passwrod is usually different from the username.

The Session Type field will change the way that the computer looks and functions. The default setting is a special, simpler interface, the one that is documented in this manual. This field in the login dialogue should say FREE GEEK or Default. If you change it while experimenting and want to go back, you can just set this field to FREE GEEK when you next login.

What is the root account and why is it on your machine?

Every Unix-based system has an administrative user account. This user, called root or superuser, is just that - a user with "superpowers" when it comes to working with the machine. This is your computer, so you will be the "system administrator", and that means you have access to the root account. You probably won't need to use this account very often - just to set up new accounts, reset passwords, and for some system maintenance tasks.

When you're logged in with your regular account, you pretty much can't damage the system (unless you go at it physically, in which case nothing is guaranteed!) all system-related files are off-limits for regular users to move or change. The root user, on the other hand, has the right to do ANYTHING to these files, which includes breaking stuff as much as it includes fixing it. We discourage people from logging in as root unless they need to for particular tasks. Even then, you should

The password is freegeek on brand-new FreekBoxes, but you should change this the first time you log in as root, for security reasons. The root passwords for all FreekBoxes are the same when they are made, but you should change yours as soon as you can. This is usually done in class. When you do change your root password, write it down. If you forget your root password, you'll have to bring your computer in so we can break into it for you!

How do you log in to a text terminal as root?

To get a text terminal as root (or the superuser), press Ctrl+Alt+T on your keyboard. This will open a text window - text only, so the mouse won't help! In that window, you can type commands, and the first command you should run will be the one that logs you in as root:
su (then hit Enter)
This command, "switch user", lets you log in temporarily as root. The system now needs to know you really have that right - something you can prove by entering root's password. When you are on the command line and you type in the password, you won't see the letters on the screen when you type.

How do you set up a new account?

Every person who uses this computer regularly should have their own account. This way they can set up the machine they way they like it (colors, right/lefthandedness, etc) and keep their private papers and writings private.

Setting up a new user account is a system administrator job, so we'll have to log in as root. It's also easy. For simplicity (trust us), we'll be using the command line for the tasks of setting up the user account and setting a password. One way to do this is to open a text-only terminal.

Once you've successfully logged in, you'll be at a prompt (freekbox:/home/guest# is a prompt). The command for adding a user is adduser . It will ask for a username; this can be anything you like. Remember that the case of the letters (UPPER or lower) does matter and that the username must start with a lowercase letter. Aside from a password, the information it asks you for is pretty much not important on a home system like a FreekBox, so you can leave it blank if you like.

If you find you want to remove a user, the command is deluser. I recommend you try man deluser to find out more about this command before using it. (man is short for manual and can be used for most commands. Type q to get out of man.)

How do you change your password?

In order to set or change your password, you need to get to a command line, then type in the following command:

passwd

The computer will then ask you to type in the current password. (This is to prevent mischevious imps from changing your password when you've left the computer on, but are away from it.) When you have entered the current password, the computer then asks for your new password, which it asks for twice. After you type in the exact same password (both times) the password has been successfully changed.

Why can't you see the password as you type it, and why do you have to type it twice?

As you type the password, it will not show you the characters that you are typing. This is a security measure. Maybe the computer is a little paranoid, but it's worried that someone is sneaking a look over your shoulder as you type. When you are setting or changing a password, it will ask you to type the password twice. Since you can't see the characters as you type, it's easy to make a mistake and not know it. If you type exactly the same password both times, then the password is successfully reset.

What if you forget your password?

When you set or change your password, you should be sure to write it down and keep it someplace safe. However, if you forget a password, you can log in as root to change it. For example, if redrobot was the name of your user account, you could log in as root (see above) and type:

passwd redrobot

The computer will then ask you to type in a new password. It will ask you to type the password in twice, and it will not show you the characters as you type them. If you type exactly the same password both times, then the password for that user is successfully reset.

Of course, if you forget your root password, you've got more of a difficulty! You'll have to bring the computer in to FREE GEEK (just the box, the system) so we can get in and reset your root password. Call to find out about tech support hours.

How do you properly turn off the machine?

When you're done using the machine, you want to be sure you shut it down properly, as there are a lot of things running at any given time, and the computer needs a chance to "turn out the lights and lock the doors" - make sure everything is the way it should be and isn't interrupted rudely by the power being shut off.

Before you shut down the machine, log out. The log out option is the first thing on the menu. This will bring you back to the log in screen.

There's a Shutdown button on the log in screen. Click this button, and the computer will start turning off all the things that are running (it looks like the start-up process). When it's ready to be shut off, it'll say

Power Down

Then you can turn off the power switch.

The User Interface

What a FreekBox looks like and how to get around on it
User interface is a phrase you hear frequently in talk about computers. It's merely a generic term for all of the ways which you can interact with the computer. It frequently refers specifically to what you see on the screen - for example, the FreekBox has a graphical user interface (GUI), which means that things are represented on the screen spatially and with pictures. Alternately, you can use a command line interface, which is a text-only way of interacting with the computer where you would type in what you want the machine to do, and it does it, which is wonderful if you know exactly what you want to do and how to do it, but a bit daunting for a beginner.

We've put a significant amount of work into making the FreekBox user interface simple for beginners to use. Some of these terms and skills will be useful to almost any GUI you may run into, while others are specific to this interface.

What do you call the parts of the screen and windows?

Explicated Screenshot of Freekbox UI with a window and its parts.

These terms have to do with individual windows. Most programs you run will open a window or two, and much of the same terminology is used fom window to window.

buttons for manipulating the window


What do the desktop icons and buttons mean?

Icons on the desktop and buttons on the panel are mostly the same. These all operate with a single click. If you're not sure if you actually clicked on it, watch the processor monitor (by the clock) for activity instead of clicking again. Clicking twice will bring up two copies of the program or possibly an error.



What is a right-click? Why does the mouse have multiple buttons?

Generally, when you click the mouse, you'll use the button under your index finger - the left-hand button. If instructed to "click and drag", use the left mouse button to click on the object and hold that button down while you move the mouse. You'll see the mouse cursor on the screen is different - this signifies that you are holding something and it'll stay that way until you let go.

But what is a right-click? It's just like a regular click, but with the right mouse button (using your middle or ring finger, whichever is more comfortable). This will bring up a menu, the contents of which depend on where on the screen you click. This is called a contextual menu because it has items appropriate to the context of the click.

If you change your mouse settings to left-handed, these will be reversed, so you can go by which finger you use. A regular click will be with your index finger, and a right-click will be with the middle or ring finger.

What is a dialog or dialog window?

There are many times when the computer needs some information from you before it can proceed with a given task. At these times, it will frequently open a window with fields for you to fill in and/or buttons to push. Sometimes it just needs an OK to continue, and sometimes you have to browse to a directory or fill in a file name. But generally (and this is the thing to remember) you will not be able to continue without responding to the dialog box. If you try to click onto the main window you were working in, you may find that you cannot type and the buttons don't work. You need to get back to that dialog and finish it!

About the Menus menu and menu switching

The submenu called Menus is for changing the configuration of the menu. If you click on one of these options, the menu will go away briefly, and have different options when it comes back. Pick the arrangement you feel most comfortable with!

If you use either the Basic or Detailed menu option, it will have an asterisk (*) next to it on this menu.


About the Basic menu

The basic menu has only the bare minimum, described in very generic language to prevent confusion.


About the Detailed menu

Unlike the Basic menu, the Detailed menu uses the actual name of the application for greater accuracy. It also has a lot more options. This is the menu for people who want to explore a little more than the Basic menu allows.


How do you change the desktop color/wallpaper?

Right-click on an empty spot on the desktop! This will give you a menu of things you can do from there - one of which is Configure Background (see the tiny Mona Lisa?).

This will get you into a dialogue where you can change the colors (with a number of interesting gradient options) or use digital pictures as "wallpaper". Note: to use wallpaper, you have to select "single wallpaper" instead of "no wallpaper".

How can you make the mouse left-handed/change the mouse cursor or speed?

To make the mouse left handed and modify other functions, you need to go into the detailed menu. If you aren't using the detailed menu, go to Menus > Detailed (you can switch back when we're done, don't worry!).

The Detailed menu has a submenu for Configuration: mouse controls are under there. The top part of the page has the tool to change the "handedness" of the mouse - try it out! This will change which button is the default click. You generally want the button under your index finger to be the standard (usually left) click.

If you want to change the speed of the mouse, click on the "Advanced" tab at the top of the screen. "Pointer Acceleration" will let you make the mouse go faster or slower - depending on your preferences.

When you've got these settings the way you want them, click Apply (at the bottom right) and close the Control Center with the X button at the upper right. You may want to change the menu back to the way you had it before by clicking Menu > Previous.

How do you play audio CDs?

Make sure your speakers (or headphones) are plugged in and have power, if applicable. Put the CD in the drive and click on the CD Player icon on the desktop, which will open the program Kscd. If you're using the Detailed menu, this can also be found in the Music submenu.

If the CD has mp3 format music on it, it's treated like a data CD. To play this, you have to use XMMS, which is on the Detailed menu right next to Kscd. XMMS will work for mp3 music files you might download from the Internet, too.

How can you save files to a floppy?

Make sure you already have saved a copy to your home directory or elsewhere on your computer - you never want your only copy of anything on a floppy disk!

From the word processor or other program you created the file in: hit Save As, and browse to /floppy/files, then save. If, when the save dialog opens, it is in your home directory (or most anyplace else), you will have to navigate up the file tree (up arrow or ..) to / (the root directory) before you find floppy/.

To look at or access files on a floppy disk, click on the Floppy Disk Files icon on your desktop. You can also copy files from your home directory to a floppy by clicking on My Files and on Floppy Disk Files, and dragging the file from one to the other (this is what we do in class). It will ask you if you want to Move or Copy the file. Remember what i said about floppy disks and be sure you choose Copy!

How do you open a text terminal/console window?

In case you need to get to a text-mode window (for example in order to run su for administrative purposes), we've set up a key combination Ctrl + Alt + T to do just that. Alternately, you could go to Programs > Apps > Tools > Xshells > Rxvt. The key combination is easier!

How do you find out more about the GUI/What is IceWM?

Unlike in Windows, Linux doesn't have just one graphical interface. This means it's very flexible and configurable, but it also means that if you're looking for more information on configuring it, you have to know more information. The window manager (program that controls the windows and menus and panel look and behavior) that FreekBoxes run by default is called IceWM, so if you're looking for more resources or programs to configure it, look for that name. Elements of the K Desktop Environment (KDE) are also used in the FreekBox setup, so you may want to learn more about KDE as well.

The Internet

Notes on Using the Internet with a FreekBox
Most FreekBox adopters want to use their new machine to connect to the Internet, whether for research or communication or curiosity. FreekBoxes come with a working modem, so they're capable of connecting to the Internet once you have an account with an ISP.

What is the Internet?

The Internet is a pretty nebulous thing - it's a world wide network of interconnected computers which share information in a number of different ways. By far the most well-known aspect of the Internet is the World Wide Web, which consists of pages written in a language called html, stored on servers all over the world which are set up to allow you to download those files. HyperText Markup Language is designed to make pages that link to each other - thus the "web" is formed.

Among the other important and widely used parts of the Internet are email, newsgroups, Internet Relay Chat (irc), and various messaging services. There is software on your FreekBox to access all of these, so feel free to experiment!

What is a browser?

The software you need to view html pages on the 'web (or even html files stored locally on your computer) is called a browser, and there are many of them. A browser will take html pages and process, or "render", them into formatted pages with hyperlinks which you can click on to get to another page (or place within the same page).

It's called a browser because the activity of moving from page to page on the 'web is called browsing - like browsing through a library or store to find just the thing you want or merely to look at all the interesting stuff that's available. A more dynamic term is "surfing" the web, but that window on your screen called Galeon wouldn't make a very convincing "surfboard", would it?

What is an ISP?

ISP stands for Internet Service Provider. The ISP is the company that provides your connection to the Internet. You need an account with an ISP in order to connect to their server, which has a permanent connection. Once you are connected, you can use that connection to do any number of things: browse the web, check email, use instant messenging services, etc.

People frequently ask about free service providers. Unfortunately, the few "free" service providers that still exist (and they all seem to be fading away) require you to run special software on your computer so they can broadcast ads to you. This software is almost invariably written for MS Windows, so it won't work on a Linux machine.

Similarly, some other service providers require you to run their software on your computer - notably AOL and Juno. These service providers won't work with this computer because of the same limitations. See the question below for more specific information about this issue. There are plenty of other service providers out there, though; these are just advertised heavily.

How do you find an ISP?

There are many service providers out there. You may want to determine what services you want: an email address? web hosting? limited or unlimited hours? Start small until you know what you're really looking for.

Then check the yellow pages or a publication like Computer Bits. You might want to call around to find out about rates. Most ISPs will say they don't support Linux, meaning that their support staff don't know anything about it. This is different from the service not working on Linux - and don't worry, you can come to us if you need help with your system.

Your ISP will be another paid utility, like the electric bill. Even if we all believe that information should flow freely, like water, there's some expense in maintaining the network. (The same reason we have to pay for water!) You can generally get better rates if you sign up for longer stretches of time; a six-month deal will usually be better than a one-month one.

Which ISPs just don't work with Linux?

Many ISPs will say that they "don't support Linux". Don't let that scare you. Many ISPs offer services that are standard and work well with Linux. (In fact, many of them are running Linux on their own servers.) But even so, they don't have the resources to offer technical support to Linux customers just as we don't have the resources to support computers other than FreekBoxes. You will probably still be able to use their services with your FreekBox.

That being said, there are a few ISPs that we understand use proprietary software that is only available for Windows (or Windows and Mac) and will not work with any form of Linux, including your FreekBox. It would be best to stay away from these ISPs. A partial list would include:

Many ISPs will offer to send you a CD-Rom for setup: we can pretty much guarantee that this CD will be made for Windows, designed to make sure you have an up-to-date version of the browser and also to configure the Windows dialer automatically. You don't need this CD to set up the ISP on your computer.

Dial dialog

How do you set up an ISP?

You need to have established an account with an ISP. They will give you a username and password (which are probably different from your username and password on your computer) and a phone number. This is the number the computer will be dialing. If you have an account with Whiz to Coho, the numbers are already configured and you can skip this question and move on to the next.

Click the "Internet Dialer" icon on the desktop. This will open kppp, the Internet dialer. Click the button marked Setup; this will open the Dial window.

Choose "dialog set-up", do not choose "Wizard". The "Wizard" is intended for European connections only and will just be confusing.

Type the name of your ISP next to "connection". Click "Add" and type in the phone number(s) you got from your ISP. These are the local numbers that your modem uses to dial the ISP's servers. Do not use the phone number you would use to talk to someone at the ISP.

If your ISP provided DNS numbers, click the "DNS" tab and choose "Manual". Add the DNS numbers provided by your ISP.

When you're done, click "OK". You will now see your ISP listed under "Account setup" in the kppp configuration dialog box. Click "OK". This setup only needs to be done once. The same procedure can be followed if your ISP changes phone numbers, or you change your ISP.

How do you connect to the Internet?

To use the Internet, first make sure you have an ISP and that it's set up correctly on your machine (see previous question). Then click on the Internet Dialer icon on your desktop.

This will bring up kppp. You can select your account name from the drop-down box, and put in your user name and password, make sure the "Show Log" box is checked, then click Connect.

This will pop up the log window while it dials, showing the commands sent to the modem and the responses received. Reading this can help you determine where the problem lies if there is one. When the connection is made, the log window will disappear, and kppp will minimize, becoming a button on your toolbar. You can click on that button to see how long you've been online and to disconnect.

Once you're connected to the Internet, you can open the web browser, Galeon, or use other Internet applications like Kmail, Gaim, or xchat.

What are your options for email?

Many people have email accounts already on websites like yahoo or mail.com. These accounts are great because, hey, they're free! and they're accessable from anywhere where you have web access. Some people maintain several accounts on these free services for different uses, like one for personal email, one for business, and one to give to random people and web sites that ask for an address (to cut down on the amount of unsolicited email they get).

On the other hand, you will most likely get an email account from your ISP when you sign up. This account will differ in the way you access the email. Your provider may make a web-based email interface available to you (Whiz to Coho does), but an email client is another way to go. An email client, like KMail, reads email from the email server and lets you move around, save, and write messages more conveniently than web email does. FREE GEEK tech support can help you configure Kmail if you decide to use it. Be sure to get all relevant information from your ISP before calling or coming in. The hours for support are on the first page of this manual.

FreekBox Software

The term "software" refers to the programs that run on your computer, letting you do something useful with it. Without these programs, your box would sit there uselessly (unless you need a doorstop). Some of the software that comes installed on the FreekBox includes:

In order to use this software, you must set up the hardware (first time only), turn on the computer, log in, and then start the software of your choice. Most of these are easy to access from icons on the desktop or from the simple or detailed menus.

What software is on here?

Of course, you may want to do other things with your computer than what's on the detailed menu. Here's a sampling of other software that comes on the FreekBox, all accessible through the Programs submenu (if you don't see "Programs" on your menu, turn on the Detailed menu). It may take a little looking to find them - treasure hunt! Remember, it's your computer, and if you're logged in as a regular user, you can't really break it.

How do you know if you can use any given software on this system?

As we said before, software written for Windows won't run under Linux - and since Windows has a gargantuan share of the market, most software you'll see in stores will be written for Windows. This isn't really a disaster, since you can often get Free Software that does the same thing if you know where and how to look on the Internet.

People ask frequently, "My friend gave me this CD (or it came in the mail), can I use it on my FreekBox?" Sadly, as detailed above, the odds are against it. Check the package and see if it says "for Windows" or "Win95/98/2000/ME/XP" on it. If you're not sure and this is an option, insert the CD and look at the contents (click the CD ROM files icon on the desktop). If the files end with .exe, it's probably made for Windows.

Likewise with programs you download from the Internet. Check the site you're downloading from for "system requirements" and whether they have different downloads for different operating systems. It's most likely that something without any indication of operating system (and where the OS can't be deduced by the context) is written for Windows. This includes many popular screensavers, novelty programs, and games. But don't worry, Linux users are frivolous too, there are goofy software widgets out there that you can use! They just take a little more effort to set up. Be sure, when you're out scouring the web for software, that you add "Linux" to your search.

Where can you find more software?

Free Software is very much an Internet-driven phenomenon. The Internet is what allowed so many people from all over to communicate and create all this software - and the Internet is what they often use to make it available for free.

Because Linux is growing in popularity, you may start to see things written for Linux in stores or libraries. Keep your eye out! But be aware of the limitations of your system, as well. The FreekBox specs do not add up to the perfect gaming machine, especially as pertains to RAM, processor power, and video RAM. It is intended to do mostly Internet and word processing tasks.

The version of Linux used on the FreekBoxes is called Debian. Debian has what's called a package management system, which lets you research what software is available for your computer, download the software, check if your computer needs any additional software to run it, and download and install that software too. This program is called apt, and is one of those programs which you will need to log in as root to use. man apt will probably give you more information than you can use about it: you will probably find more beginner-level information if you consult the web.

What games are there?

Not all games will work on the FreekBox, especially not ones bought in a store. The same caveats apply as do for other kinds of software (see the previous question), but you should also note that many games require higher-level hardware. The FreekBoxes are designed to do word processing and Internet access. They do have Solitaire (many versions) and a few arcade-style games.

Adding on to your FreekBox

New hardware and other improvements you can make
The FreekBox is admittedly a very basic system, all made pretty much the same. Many people find the addition of a printer useful if not essential. There are also many questions about how adopters can gussy up their new machines, both with added peripherals (the external bits) and upgrading internal components.

Please be aware that because FREE GEEK has limited support capabilities we can't really support hardware changes on your computer. Our support volunteers are going to be mostly knowledgable about the hardware configuration and software setup on standard FreekBoxes. You should also remember that we will not support computers that have had different operating systems installed on them. See the first section of this manual for our support policy.

Is this system upgradeable?

First, upgrades fall into two categories, Software and Hardware, which are interrelated. Software, including operating systems, have minimum hardware requirements. This means that you may be technically able to install a program, but it will require a certain level of hardware to run at an acceptible speed. And it's usually true that the minimum is pretty slow, so they also add "recommended" levels that are more what you need to really run it. See the question "What do these specs mean?" in the Hardware section for more information on this stuff.

There are a number of factors that will determine whether, how, and how much you can upgrade any of a number of different things about your machine, including hard drive (storage) space, amount of memory (RAM), and processor type and speed. Many of these are determined by different qualities of the the motherboard, such as the voltage, the BIOS (basic input/output system, really basic software typically stored on a chip on the motherboard) or the number and type of RAM slots. These will vary from machine to machine so before you go out and buy components to upgrade your system, be sure they will actually work. Certain hardware, like faster CD-ROMs, better video cards (assuming your motherboard has the correct slot), ZIP Drives, better sound cards, etc., is much easier to add.

External components have their own challenges: for starters, you want to make sure that your computer has the right kind of connector. For example, most FreekBoxes do not have USB ports, so if you get a peripheral, like certain scanners, that requires USB, you're pretty sunk! Peripherals also require configuration so the computer knows that it's attached and how to communicate with it. As with any kind of hardware change, a bit of research and knowing your hardware can save you time and money.

The final factor in deciding what or even whether to upgrade is common sense. Do I want to put a $169 video card in a Pentium 200 computer that can't run the latest video game at a decent speed anyway? No. The video ram may help, but the processor and buss are still bottlenecks to speed. For certain ends, you just have to give it up and build or buy a better system.

So, yes, a FreekBox is upgradeable, but only within limits, which will vary from system to system (such is the nature of these reborn computers). However, finding out about the specifics can be quite a learning experience.

How do you set up a printer?

First, you have to be sure that the printer you are trying to set up is supported in Linux. The printing system on your machine is CUPS, the Common Unix Print System. To find out what printers are supported under CUPS, try the Linux Printing website at http://www.linuxprinting.org. Printers available at the FREE GEEK store will be labelled if they are FreekBox compatible.

Before you can use your printer, it must be connected to your computer. This allows the data to be printed to pass from your computer to the printer, where it is written to the paper.

WARNING: Connecting the printer and computer should be done with both units powered off.

One end of the cable has 25 pins in it (called a DB-25) and this connects to the computer. There will be only one place you can plug this in on your computer. It's often labeled as the "printer" or "parallel" port, or has a small picture of a printer by this port. Connect the cable here, and use the screws to secure the cable to the computer.

The printer will have a port which is slightly bigger than the DB-25, and instead of pins is has a slot that runs the length of it, with metal strips running along the side down into the slot. The other end of the cable connects here.

Loading paper into your printer varies from model to model. However, this information can usually be looked up at the manufacturers web site on the Internet. Simply go to their web site and look for any documentation for the model of printer you have. The manufacturer name and the printer model number will be written on the printer somewhere. Note this information because you'll need it to configure the computer to recognize the printer.

There is usually a switch labeled with "off" and "on", or "0" and "1" which can be used to turn the printer on. After plugging the power cable into your wall outlet, move the switch to the "on" or "1" position. Lights or other indicators should activate and you may hear a whirring sound when the printer is turned on.

When your computer and your printer are both on and you're logged in, go to Main menu > Configuration > Printer Setup, which will open the CUPS printer management interface in Galeon. Click on "Do Administration Tasks". When it asks for "Username" type in root and the root password, since this is an administrative task!

Select the "Add Printer" button under the "Printers" section.

A dialog box will come up asking for the printer name and other information; type "lp" for the printer name and click on "Continue".

For the "Device" field, click and select "Parallel Port #1". Click the "Continue" button.

Select the printer manufacturer from the list you are presented. For the "Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIp" printer, this will be "HP". Then click the Continue button.

Select the type of printer you have from the list. For the "Hewlett-Packard LaserJet IIp" printer, you will select the entry which says "HP LaserJet series". Click the "Continue" button.

You should now receive a message saying "Printer lp has been added successfully." Your printer is now ready to test and use. To test it, try printing a document from the word processor!

Can you set up a scanner?

This can sometimes be difficult and complicated under Linux. If you want to try to get this working, we'll have to install more software, called SANE, on your computer, and you should check the list of supported scanners at http://www.mostang.com/sane. Pay close attention to that list: if a scanner is listed as "beta" or "unstable", you probably don't want to try it!

How do you update this manual?

First, you need to be online, since the latest version of the manual is only available via the Internet. Second, you have to be logged into a text console as root (see the Linux section fo thsi manual for instructions on how to do this). Lastly, you type in this command:
manualupdate
When the command finishes running, you should have a fresh copy of the manual.

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