handbook on ubuntu-linuxhc.tap.nic.in/aphc/hc2013/ubuntuhandbook.pdf · it contains title of file....

HANDBOOK

ON

UBUNTU-LINUX (As Customized by Hon'ble e-Committee, Supreme Court of India)

FOR

JUDICIARY

PREPARED BY

HIGH COURT OF AP

2

Contributors to this document:

1. Sri. B V L N Chakravarthi

2. Sri. M Suneel Kumar

3. Smt. D Varoodhini

4. Sri. M Radha Krishna Chahavan

5. Sri. T Venu Gopal Rao

6. Sri. B Rajasekhar

7. Sri. D Yedukondalu

8. Sri. S Nageswara Rao

9. Sri. C N Murthy

10. Sri. R Raghunatha Reddy

11. Sri. P Govardhan

12. Sri. Ch Jithendhar

All the above are Judicial Officers of Andhra Pradesh Judiciary.

Compiled and Edited by Mr. BVLN Chakravarthy and Mr. M.Radha Krishna Chahavan

under the guidance of High Court of AP, Hyderabad.

High Court of APHigh Court of AP

3

Table of ContentsBASIC OPERATING SYSTEM CONCEPTS.................................................................7

What is a Computer ?.......................................................................................7What makes a Computer System ?...................................................................7What is Software ?............................................................................................7Why Linux ?......................................................................................................9

UNDERSTANDING THE UBUNTU MENU DESIGN...................................................10Applications & Places Menu Design................................................................10

DESKTOP................................................................................................................11UNITY DESKTOP ....................................................................................................12APPLICATION MENU...............................................................................................13LAUNCHER.............................................................................................................13DASH .....................................................................................................................14

Lenses at the bottom in the Dash (Filters) :..................................................14Shortcuts of Dash :.........................................................................................14Work Spaces :.................................................................................................15

Switching between work spaces :..........................................................................15Managing Windows :.......................................................................................15Moving and resizing Windows :......................................................................15

BROWSING FILES..................................................................................................16THE UNITY DESKTOP .............................................................................................18

Launcher ........................................................................................................19Understanding Dash ......................................................................................20

Ubuntu Unity Desktop Environment Tips...............................................................22Applications of Ubuntu...........................................................................................25

Clip Board Manager ..................................................................................25The Stardict talking dictionary ......................................................................25To use Text to Speech (TTS) feature...............................................................26Recording voice using Sound Recorder..........................................................27To take a Screen Shot.....................................................................................27To Force Quit (force kill) an errant/misbehaving application...........................28Ubuntu-Linux video tutorials and user guide material....................................29Recoll Desktop Search ..............................................................................30Clipboard Manager ...................................................................................30StarDict Scan .................................................................................................30IPMessenger (IPTUX).......................................................................................31Pdf Chain .......................................................................................................31Pdf to text generation.....................................................................................32Photo Management using F-Spot / Shotwell ..................................................32Multimedia applications..................................................................................33Gedit text editor ............................................................................................33Using right click – open with:..........................................................................33Startup Applications:......................................................................................34Ubuntu Software Centre:................................................................................34


4

Synaptic Package Manager and its features:..................................................35Disk Usage Analyzer ......................................................................................36

How to Find:...........................................................................................................36GNOME-CLASSIC:...................................................................................................36

Files & Folders Permissions.............................................................................36How to Find:....................................................................................................37MD5 Sum Hash value.....................................................................................38DATA RECOVERY TOOLS..................................................................................39

PhotoRec.................................................................................................39CD/DVD BURNING(Writing).............................................................................46

TO CREATE A CD OR DVD........................................................................46Erasing the data from a disk:..................................................................47Disc copy:................................................................................................47Image file:...............................................................................................48Burn image:............................................................................................48

Basic tips to use a Libre Office efficiently:.............................................................49Use of Space bar vs. Tab.................................................................................49Paragraph Spacing..........................................................................................49Page Breaks ...................................................................................................49Left/Right/Center Justify..................................................................................50Insert & Overwrite Mode ................................................................................52Page Settings in the Document and the Printer .............................................52Paragraph Numbering (Simple and Outline(Sub level)) .................................53Using Right Click Options...............................................................................54

Saving a Document: Save (Ctrl S), Save As, Saving with Password, File Type........55 Password protection......................................................................................55Changing the password for a document.........................................................56

Undo & Redo: Undo (Ctrl + Z), Redo(Ctrl + Y).......................................................56Finding & Replacing Text: Edit → Find (Ctrl + F)....................................................57Character Formatting: Format → Character ..........................................................57Paragraph Formatting: ..........................................................................................58Export as PDF: .......................................................................................................58Using Bullets and Numbering for Paragraphs: Symbols and Graphics as Bullets, Simple Numbering and Outline Numbering...........................................................58Page Numbering: ..................................................................................................58Backup and Auto Saving........................................................................................59

Automatic Saving Methods:............................................................................59Creating Backup Copy of File: ........................................................................59

Miscellaneous:........................................................................................................60Viewing/Checking Non printing Characters button from the tool bar.............60Zooming through Ctrl + Scroll button............................................................60Using Format Paintbrush.................................................................................61

Using the Format Paintbrush..................................................................................61To format a single paragraph:.........................................................................62


5

To format more than one paragraph:..............................................................62Insert Special Characters/Symbols.........................................................................62Working with Tables...............................................................................................62

Creating a table..............................................................................................63Inserting a new table......................................................................................63Using AutoCorrect to create a table...............................................................65Create a table from formatted text.................................................................65Resizing and positioning the table..................................................................67Merging and splitting cells..............................................................................68

To merge a cell or group of cells into one cell:........................................68To split a cell into multiple cells:.............................................................68

Automatic formatting of tables.......................................................................69Deleting a table..............................................................................................70

Working with Document in Track Changes Mode:..................................................70Convert table.........................................................................................................71Sorting data in a table...........................................................................................72Auto Text................................................................................................................72

Galleries ........................................................................................................75 Formatting Title Page.....................................................................................76Auto correct Options.......................................................................................76Bookmarks .....................................................................................................77Format - Character..........................................................................................78

Character : Fonts and Font effects .........................................................78Character – Position................................................................................78Character – Hyperlink..............................................................................79Character – Background..........................................................................79

FORMAT – PARAGRAPH....................................................................................79Indents and spacing:-..............................................................................79Format – paragraph – text flow................................................................80

EDIT – SELECTION MODE................................................................................81Standard selection:-................................................................................81Blocked Area:-.........................................................................................81

Creating Breaks..............................................................................................81CONTROL + ENTER ...............................................................................81SHIFT + ENTER........................................................................................81

FORMAT CHANGE CASE..................................................................................82INSERT FRAME................................................................................................82INSERT FOOT NOTE AND END NOTE...............................................................82

Foot note ................................................................................................82End note .................................................................................................83

Configuration and customization of LibreOffice Writer..........................................84Customization: ...............................................................................................84

Menus: ...................................................................................................84Keyboard:................................................................................................84


6

Tool bars:.................................................................................................85Events: ...................................................................................................85Options: ..................................................................................................85

Load/Save: .....................................................................................................85Language Settings:.................................................................................86

Extension Manager:........................................................................................87Read Selection................................................................................................87

Networking Concepts.............................................................................................87FIREFOX WEB-BROWSER TIPS & TECHNIQUES.......................................................89GOOGLE SEARCH TIPS & TECHNIQUES..................................................................92Manupatra User Guide...........................................................................................95

GETTING STARTED...................................................................................95LOGGING ON....................................................................................95IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING PASSWORD......................95

MY HOME PAGE.......................................................................................95SEARCH METHODS..................................................................................97

Selection of Database......................................................................97Field Search.....................................................................................97Search Tips .....................................................................................97


7

BASIC OPERATING SYSTEM CONCEPTS

What is a Computer ?

Computer is an electronic device which takes input of data, processes that data and gives output of information.

What makes a Computer System ?

Hardware : Input devices : Key Board, Mouse, Mic, Scanner, etc.Software : Operating System, Application Software, etc.Human ware : User

What is Software ?

A Software is a collection of Computer Programmes.

What is Operating System ?

Operating System is the Software which works as an interface between the Computer and the User

Eg: Windows, Linux, Mac OS, Unix etc.

What is an Application Software ?Application Software is the Computer Software which helps the user to accomplish specific tasks

Eg: Word processors, Spreadsheet Programs, Media Players, Database Applications etc.

Open Source Software Concepts

A Source Code is the program code exactly as it is written by the programmer; the raw code that is not compiled and is editable is source code. (Compilation is the process of finalising a code for execution).

Any one who access to Source Code can make his own additions, deletions, or changes and develop his own version of Software with modified or added futures. This is possible only when the Source Code of the Software is made freely available and that is what the Open Source idea is all about.

Free Software and Open Source Software

Free Software is already compiled and ready to use Software.

Open Source Software means the Source Code is available to whoever wishes to build around it and make fully functional Software.


8

Free Software need not be open. Open Source Software can be paid Software in which the Source Code made available to the buyer.

The ideology of free and open Source Software is not to provide an Operating System free of costs but to give Users the freedom to learn in depth how an Operating System works and allow them to change Operating System to their liking.

General Public Licence (GPL)

Richard Stall man, the founder of the GNU designed a set of rights that all Users are entitled to and they have been documented in the GNU as General Public Licence (GPL).

The GPL is set of terms and conditions that distributors of Open Source Software have to adhere to in order to be GPL certified. It ensures that any one can modify a GPL certified program at will and use.

If the modified code has to be given to Public distribution, than the modified code has to be given to all the Program Users. This is the Core Element of Open Source.

Linux Operating System

The concept of the Operating System came about during the 1950s and 1960s.

There was no Generic Operating System in those days. Operating Systems would be written specifically for each machine or purposeEg : FORTRAN MONITOR SYSTEM, GENERAL MOTORS OPERATING SYSTEM, HONEY WELL EXECUTIVE SYSTEM ETC.The Scientist from Bell Labs developed UNIX Operating System in the year 1969. Linus Torvalds was born in the same year.Microsoft introduced MS – DOS in the year 1981 and Windows 1.0 in the year 1983.Linus Torvalds developed Linux Operating System in the year 1991 while he was studying at the University of Helsinki and the first version was completed in the year 1994. The Mascot of Linux is Penguin called Tux. As of now there all around 350 distributions of Linux Operating System. Linux is an Operating System. The strict definition of Linux is only the Kernel.

An overall package that is ready to install and use is called a Distribution (popularly known as Distro).

Some of the Popular Linux Distributions

Ubuntu

Red Hat


9

Mint FedoraSuse LinuxKnoppixDebian

Why Linux ?

Linux Operating System is flexible and more secured.

Some differences between Commercial OS and Linux Operating Systems

COMMERCIAL OS Linux

Copyrighted --- Open Source

Costly --- Free

Wide Spread --- Still Spreading

Less Secure --- Very Secure

Frequent Viruses --- Low Virus Threat

Frequent Crashes--- Very Stable

Ubuntu-Linux

Ubuntu was conceived in the year 2004 by Mr. Mark Shuttle worth a South African entrepreneur.

His company's name is Canonical.

Ubuntu means “Humanity towards others”.

Ubuntu is a Linux based Operating System.

Linux Kernel is almost brain of the Ubuntu Operating System.

Ubuntu is community based and it is developed, written and maintained by the

community.

For the majority of every day computing tasks, you will find suitable alternative

applications available in Ubuntu.


10

Ubuntu will always be free of charge.

Ubuntu Core Applications are all free and Open Source.

Ubuntu spread quickly, its community grew rapidly and soon Ubuntu Operating

System became the most popular Linux Distribution available.

Ubuntu gained attention of large organisations world wide.

Ubuntu-Linux Distributions and its versions – LTS

There are two types of releases for Ubuntu Linux Distributions

• LTS (Long Term Support)

• Normal version

LTS version is a stable version having support for five years.

(Corporations and Organisations who would like to stick to one release for long

time as they can while still being supported will go for LTS)

Normal version will be having 18 months support.

(Who likes to constantly to update to get the latest features will go for normal

version).

Ubuntu project started in the year 2004. The first version is 4.10 released in

October, 2004. The first number represents the year last two numbers represents

the month of a year.

Ubuntu places along side these numbers names of animals to infuse life into each

release. The 12.04 version is named as “Precise Pangolin”.

The version installed in the Laptops of the Judicial Officers is e-Committee

customised Ubuntu-Linux 12.04-LTS.


11

UNDERSTANDING THE UBUNTU MENU DESIGN

Applications & Places Menu Design

File :File is a named location in the memory which contains data. File is dependent on applications.File name-extensionEg : .txt, .doc, .exls, .odt, .ppt, etc.File shall be opened with a compatible applications basing its extension.File. Primary name : Secondary name :Eg : Court.doc : Court is primary name

.doc is secondary name.

Folder :

Folder is a location for storing files. A folder may contain many more sub folders.

Title Bar :It contains title of file.Window default buttons : Minimize, Maximize, closeMenu Bar :Contains file menu and edit menuBar contains command such as file, edit, view, go, book marks, help, etc.Tool Bar :For fast accessing of menusBar containing Tools such as formatting tools, table tools, etc. Standard tool bar and Formatting tool barToggle Buttons :Commands operated with one click on and with one click offEg : Bold, Italic, underline buttonsCommand Buttons :

Eg : OK, Close, Cancel, etc.

Radio Buttons :Round circlesTo select an option. If one option is selected, other option will be de-selected.Combo Box :Displays optionsDisplays multiple options.Check Box:Selecting an option-enable : Un selecting an option-disableText Box :Ability to type textScroll Bar :Scroll bar used to scroll page


12

Left to Right (Horizontal scroll bar)Top to Bottom (Vertical scroll bar)Ruler :ScaleStatus Bar :Page display

DESKTOP

There are many similarities between Ubuntu and other Operating Systems like Windows or Mac.

All based on the concept of Graphical User Interface (GUI). We use mouse to

navigate the Desktop, Open applications, move files and other tasks.

The Desktop environment is the look and feel of your system and the way the Desktop is laid out.

The Desktop environment in Ubuntu is known as UNITY.

Number of Desktop environment are available in Ubuntu

GNOME

GNOME CLASSIC

GNOME CLASSIC (NO EFFECTS)

KDE PLASMA WORKSPACE

UBUNTU

UBUNTU 2D

UNITY DESKTOP Initial view : (1) Desktop back ground

(2) Two bars :(1) Horizontal bar at the top of the Desktop (Menu bar)

(2) Vertical bar at the far left of the Desktop (Launcher)

Below the Menu bar : Image that covers entire Desktop is called as Desktop back ground or wall paper.

Menu bar (Indicator bar) : Incorporates common functions used in Ubuntu


13

Icons on the far right of the Menu bar is called “Indicator area”

1. Key board indicator-Key board layout

2. Messaging indicator-Social applications

3. Network indicator-Network connections

4. Sound indicator-Sound settings

5. User menu-User accounts

6. Session indicator-System settings, Software updates, printers, Session options like logout, restart, shut down, etc.

APPLICATION MENU

Every application has a Menu System where different actions can be executed

Eg : File, Edit, View, etc.

LAUNCHER

Provides easy access to applications, mounted devices and the thrash.

All running applications on your System will place an icon in the Launcher while application is running.

The first icon in the Launcher is “Dash”

A major innovation and core element of UNITY is Dash.

Running Applications from Launcher

Click on the application in the Launcher

Triangle-Left side of application-indicates running application

Triangle-Right side of application-indicates application is in the foreground

Adding and removing applications from the Launcher

Add : (1) Open Dash

↓


14

Find application to Add

↓

Drag and drop it to the Launcher

(2)Run the application

↓

Right click on the icon in the Launcher

↓

Lock to Launcher

Remove : Right click on the application in the Launcher

↓

Select unlock from the Launcher

DASH

Dash is a tool to help access and find applications and files on your Computer quickly (A more advanced start Menu)

Dash replaces the GNOME two menus

Click on the Dash icon

↓

Icon appears with a search bar

On the top you will find grouping of recently accessed applications, files and downloads.

To open any application, files, etc. type its name, immediately you will find the

said application or file. Click the same to open it.


15

Lenses at the bottom in the Dash (Filters) :

1) Home lens

2) Application lens

3) Files and Folders lens

4) Music lens

5) Video lens

These lenses will filter the scope of the search for relevant applications files and folders.

Shortcuts of Dash :

Click Super Key (Key with Windows Symbol) in the Key board

Super Key + A : Open applications

Super Key + V : Open Video files

Super Key + M : Open music files

Super Key + F : Open files and folders

Work Spaces :

Work Space is also known as Virtual Desktop

It improves Desktop Navigation

In Ubuntu there are four work spaces by default

Eg : You can open all your media application in one work space, office suite in

second work space, web browser in third work space and other application in the

fourth work space.

Switching between work spaces :

1) Using work space switcher available in the Launcher

2) Super Key + S - Navigation keys


16

3) Super Key + W - Navigation of Windows

Managing Windows :

Window is the box that appears on your screen. Window in Ubuntu is similar to Window in Microsoft Windows

Title bar :Top part - Name of the application

Three buttons on the top left corner – left to right

1) Close, 2) Minimize, 3) Maximize.

Moving and resizing Windows :

Moving :

Place mouse pointer on Windows title bar

↓

Click and drag the Window continuing to hold down the left mouse button

Resize :

Place the mouse pointer on any edge or corner of the Window

↓

Pointer turns into a larger two sided arrow

↓

Click and drag to resize the Window

Switching between the Windows :

1) Alt + tab

2) Click on the corresponding icon on the Launcher

↓

Move mouse to the left side of the screen

↓

Right click on the application icon

(If multiple Windows are open for application-double click)


17

Moving Windows to different work space :

Window (don't maximize ↓ left click on the window title bar and select Windows

always on the top or visible work space)

BROWSING FILES

1) Dash

2) Files and Folders in the Launcher.

3) Home Folder - Right click

Documents, downloads, Music, PDF, Pictures, Read Me, Ubuntu One and Videos

Home Folder store your personal files

Opening files :

1) Double click on file icon.

2) Right click on file icon.

↓

Select open with

CREATING NEW FOLDERS

1) File

↓

Creating New Folder

2) Right click on Desktop

↓ Pop Menu

Create New Folder

3) Ctrl + Shift + N (Key board)

Hidden files and folders :

Hidden files and folders will contain “.” in front of the name

To see hidden files and folders – (1) Home folder – view – show hidden files


18

(2) Ctrl + H

Copying and moving files and folders :

1) Right click on folder or file – select copy option – Again right click on empty

space select paste option.

2) Home folder - edit – copy

3) Ctrl + C (copy)

4) Ctrl + V (paste)

5) Ctrl + X (cut)

Opening New Window :

1) Home folder – file new window

2) Ctrl + N (new window)

EXTRA PANE

1) Home folder – view - Extra Pane

2) Home folder – F3


19

THE UNITY DESKTOP

The most significant and important feature that was introduced in Ubuntu 12.4 is

unity desktop environment which is a default environment . When we log in we

will find the plain background of desktop with two bars, one on the top and other

one on extreme left side. They are called as top bar and launcher,which is shown

below

The right side of top bar contains indicators starting from left to right Regional

language key board , clipboard , keyboard settings, message indicator, power

indicator, blue tooth settings indicator, network indicator ,sound settings

indicator, time and date indicator and system settings indicator. The names of

indicators itself describes it's function and we can see the options by clicking on

them.


20

Launcher

The next important feature is launcher. We can call the launcher as a start menu, which shows the running

applications and status of the applications and external hard disk, USB

devise attached to system etc. We can launch an application by clicking the

icon of the application. We can manage the position of the applications on

the launcher by changing their current position from top to bottom or

bottom to top depending upon our priorities by holding it for some time and

we can move the application icon from top to bottom or bottom to top

wherever you want(Within Launcher). To add an application to launcher we

have to right click on the application when it is running and you will get a

pop up like as shown on right side and simply choosing

the option lock to launcher we can lock the application to

launcher or simply by dragging the application in to the

launcher and dropping it we can lock the application to

launcher. Similarly when we right click on the icon of

application that appeared in launcher a dialog box will

pop up as shown,beside and simply by choosing unlock

we can remove that application from launcher.

Note:Except force-quit application, all other applications

can be removed from and added to launcher.

Whenever we open an application either from launcher menu or

applications searched through dash tool it will be shown on the launcher

panel with a white triangle on left and right side. It means the said

application is running and active. If we open 3 to 4 or more applications there will

be a white triangle shape on the left side of all the applications that were running

and white triangle will appear only on the active application simply by scrolling

down or up we can notice the opened applications. We can see all the applications

that were opened when 3 or more files of the same applications were opened, we

can find 3 or more white triangles on the left side of the said applications


21

appeared for fire fox in the launcher above. If we click on it, it will open all the

running files of the said application and will open as shown bellow with work

space switcher and we can chose whichever file or folder we need.

You may wonder that closing ,minimizing and reducing size of window menu is not

appearing in the ubuntu 12.04, but the same is running behind. If you move

cursor to left top corner of desktop you will get the

said menu through which we can close, minimize

and reduce the window size.

Understanding Dash

Earlier we used to search our system through system, places and application

menu for files ,folders and applications. Now the said menus are united and

placed in an application to search the system i.e., dash which can be found on the

top of launcher with ubuntu logo. We can run the said application simply by

pressing super key(key with windows logo situated on the left side of left Alt

key. simply pressing super key the application will run and a window will pop

up as below.


22

By default it will open home folder and display recent applications, files and

documents, While searching through dash search tool, we can search by using

lenses that are provided on the bottom panel of dash tool , which is situated

below the dash tool, application- window. simply clicking on the icons we can run

those lenses.

By using these lenses we can get filtered results. There are four lenses i.e.

application lens, files and folder lens, music lens and video lens. The short cuts for

running the said lenses are, super key +‘A’ for applications, super key +‘F’ for

files and folders, super key+ ‘M’ for music and super key +‘V’ for videos. When we

use lenses, it will open window with option of search on left and filter results on

right top corner.


23

By clicking on white triangle situated on the right side of filter results will pop up

with a menu showing type of folders size of file or folders, which will enable the

search files and folders speedily by choosing the specifications of files and folders

for which we are searching. When we use application lens it will display recently

used applications, installed applications and available applications for download. It

also displays with options as accessibility, accessories, customization, developer,

education fonts, games, graphics, Internet, media, office, science and engineering

and system. So we can choose our options. The dash tool will starts the search,

when we start typing a word.

Ubuntu Unity Desktop Environment Tips

After a computer is started and logged in, the very first screen on the monitor is

called desktop. Desktop environment is the systematic arrangement of various

applications, files and folders on the desktop.

There are various environments in ubuntu operating system viz., unity, gnome,

KDE etc.


24

According to the convenience, one can choose any of these environments to work

on the

computer.

Ubuntu Unity Desktop

The basic and unique feature of unity desktop is dash home. Dash home in ubuntu

unity desktop is just like google in internet.

Till now in other desktop environments, we used to manually search for an

application or

file or folder, or use the search function to search by mentioning the extension or

exact

name of the file or folder or application.

But through dash home this search is made more easy. It works as a free style

search

engine within your computer.

− Simply type in what you remember of the name of the file or folder and the

Dash

will show results it finds as you type

− If you just type 'ab', it spreads all the applications, files and folders which

contain such letters in their names immediately on the desktop

− Even if you do not specifically know the exact name of the application, you can


25

search freely by typing the relevant word

for example: if you want to access webcam and you do not know through which

application your webcam works – just go to dash home and type webcam – you

will get all the applications available in the computer through which you can

access the webcam

In ubuntu there is one application by name 'cheese webcam booth' through

which you can access webcam – so even if you do not know that name and

where it exist – by just typing webcam you will get it in the result

− Applications can now be quickly launched by pressing the Super key, type the

application name and press enter or just click to launch the application.


26

Applications of Ubuntu

Clip Board Manager

Most of us spend a lot of time copying and pasting text while working in a

word processor.

clip board manager is a handy tool used to enhance the copy and paste

functionality of the operating system by saving copied data for long time storage.

It is a good tool for copying text and related matter from one window to

another. whenever you use commands like copy, paste or taking screen shots the

said data would be stored in a location known as clipboard.

It allows you to accept your clip board history upto 100 older entries.

It also supports images. for example take a screen shot of your desktop and

copy it to the clip board. you can paste the image in word document.

Once you clipboard it is filed with many of the items. you can select any

items by first clicking the items and you simply paste it into the document.

Clip board manager icon appearing on the top panel (Session Bar),

keeps clipboard history.

You can save the history by ensuring the check mark in the option, save

history in preferences, which can be viewed by right-click on the clipboard icon.

The Stardict talking dictionary

You can open this by clicking the icon in launcher or typing STARDICT in Dash

Home and selecting it.

On writing a word in search bar, a tree like instant result of synonyms is displayed


27

as per the categories of parts of speech. Apart from this tree like result, other

multiple dictionaries are also visible including the Thesaurus.

After typing a word, press Enter to listen to its pronunciation.

To use Text to Speech (TTS) feature

Computers have interesting functionalities like voice/speech conversions.

Ububtu Operating system has such one text to speech application. It is known as

Gespeaker and it is a very good tool.

We can use this application by using a simple graphical user interface. It comes

with male and female voices adjust voice settings.

This application allows to translate between a long list of languages. Recordings

are saved in the .wav format.

To use this application open Dash Home, then type Gespeaker.

This functionality reads aloud a given text with settings male/female voice, pitch,


28

volume, speed and word gap.

Using Gespeaker, the speech output of the compute can also be recorded and

saved in WAV sound format using the 'Record' button from the tool bar.

Recording voice using Sound Recorder

Voice can be recorded using Sound Recorder.

To access this application, open Dash Home and type sound recorder.

To take a Screen Shot

Screen shots are just normal picture files, so you can email them and share them.

This is useful if you want to show someone how to do something on the

computer.

Applications - Accessories- take screen shot.

Or (2) Graphics – GIMP – File – create – screen shot


29

or (3) print screen key or button from Top panel, etc.

or one can even access the application by using dash home and open screen shot

if the same is not available in the launcher panel.

You can take a picture of the whole screen (Grab the whole desktop).

Just the window that you're currently using (Grab the current window).

or you can select an area of the screen by dragging a box around it (Select the

area to grab).

Click Take Screen shot.

If you selected Select area to grab, the cursor will change into a cross. Click and

drag the area you want for the screen shot.

The save Screen shot window will now appear. Choose where to save the screen

shot and click save.

To Force Quit (force kill) an errant/misbehaving application

By using the force quit, an application which is not responding and not being


30

closed by the regular close button, can be forcefully terminated/closed.

Do not use it on empty desktop.

Ubuntu-Linux video tutorials and user guide material

Applications (GNOME DESKTOP) – “Learning has no End”,

All the relevant and required know-how about Computer Fundamentals and using

e-Committee's Ubuntu-Linux have been provided in the form of Audio-video

Tutorials and Users Guides.


31

Recoll Desktop Search

This is a powerful search package. with this files can be accessed that

are stored in the system. Dash Home → type “Recoll”.

Clipboard Manager

In Ubuntu this is referred as “Clip It”. This function is useful whenever

multiple items are copied. Select necessary texts→clip board

manager→select the required item→Paste at the required place in the text

document.

An important feature in this application is that it can remember the

clips attached to it even if the system is shut down and opened.

That means history can be stored and we can also specify the

number of items that needs to be managed (remembered). Once

the text is selected and copied it does not matter whether the file

was saved or not. The copied text or phrase just remains in the Clip

Board Manager.

StarDict Scan

This is an amazing dictionary application.

Click the icon on the Desktop →type the word Ex.“good”→meaning is

displayed with many synonyms with

strings→


32

2. Another important feature in this tool is “scan”. This appears in

the bottom left corner of StarDict when opened.

3. By clicking in this scan box, it is activated. Minimize the

application →Select a word (double click) in a document→ meaning is shown

thereitself.

IPMessenger (IPTUX)

This is a Local Area Network (LAN) communication.

1. Dash→type iptux→click

2. This feature works only when there is internet connectivity. By

using this application files can be shared among the connected

users by using IP address.

3. Once connected it automatically detects other users/clients who

can send and receive files among from the group.

Pdf Chain

This is a very helpful feature that can be used in using pdf files. With

this tool we can merge or split the files. Any number of pdf files can be

merged into a single pdf file. Not only files but different pages in pdf

format available in a file can also be merged with “even” number or

“odd” number pages. Further the text can be rotated either clock-wise

or anti-clockwise. Pages can be separated by using “burst” option. By


33

using this option some selected pages which are confidential can be

excluded while sharing with others.

Pdf to text generation

In general we use text documents. Each document consists of an

extension name such as .doc, .pdf, .odt etc. “Pdf” means portable

document format. The basic feature of this pdf format is that the

document cannot be edited. However in certain cases we need to edit

the text of pdf document. For this purpose there are certain

applications available in Ubuntu. One such application is “gPDF Text

ebook editor”.

1. Choose a pdf document →right click on the file→open with g PDF

Text ebook editor.

2. This feature is required in order to modify any text appearing in

pdf format. For example the time table or syallabus which needs

to be corrected or altered can be easily done with this tool

instead of re-typing the total text.

3. The essential feature in this application is that it removes line

space after conversion from pdf format.

Photo Management using F-Spot / Shotwell

Shotwell is a wonderful application that can be used to manage the

photos. When it is used for first time, the application automatically

collects the entire image files and displays it chronologically as per

year.


34

1. Dash Home →Shotwell

2. A similar application is “F-spot”. Go to Dash Home→F-spot

3. This feature will not automatically collects the photos. Instead we

have to import (collect) the photos from a folder.

4. Simple editing can be done with this application. We can adjust

the contrast, brightness etc.

5. An interesting feature is that we can view the photos as a slide

show with an option available in this application.

Multimedia applications

1. Rhythmbox , VLC Media Player & Movie Player : With these

applications we can listen to music files and view video files.

2. VLC player in general plays all the popular audio and video

formats such as mp3 and mp4. This is in open source.

3. Rhythm box is also a similar tool available to play audio files. In

fact this option is available on the menu bar itself on the

desktop. The icon appears as a speaker.

Gedit text editor

This is similar to “Notepad” available in Windows. The file is saved in plain text

document like “.txt” in Windows. No page set up is available and straight away

any text can be entered.

Using right click – open with:

It is an application to open a particular file, picture, photo, music, etc., with permissible application.


35

For example: A 'word document' will be opened with “Libre Office Writer” application.

How to select the required application:

1. Select the file, picture, photo, music, etc., to be opened

2. right click the mouse panel – A dialogue box will be opened with a list

of several options including the option “Open with other application”

3. Click the said option – Choose the required application to open the

selected file, picture, etc.

4. This option of “Open with Other application” is available in “File” in

Menu Bar.

Startup Applications:

In this application, there will be a list of applications already installed and

available for installation in the system or laptop.

For example: Clip Board Manager, Login Sound, Perfect clock Screenshot

are some applications already installed.

Through this application, we can add new applications and remove the

existing and unwanted applications. We can also edit the applications.

How to go to it

1. Go to Dash Home by using 'super key'

2. Type “startup applications”

3. click on the icon “startup applications

4. A dialogue box will be opened containing the list of applications

already installed and available for installation.

Ubuntu Software Centre:


36

A software is a compilation of computer programmes.

Ubuntu Software Centre is a virtual catalog of thousands of free applications

and other software.

It is quickest and easiest way to find and instal new applications.

Who is providing software?Ans: Ubuntu or Canonical Partners, an Engineers syndicate.How to install and remove a software?

1. Go to 'dash home' by using 'super key' (OR) select the icon 'Ubuntu

Software Centre' appearing on the 'launcher'

2. Go to required subject in the list available

3. choose the required software application – For example: Sound &

Video software application and click “Install” for installation -

4. For removal of a 'software application', selection the application and

click “Remove”.

5. The 'install' and 'remove' options are available in “File” in Menu bar.

6. For installing a new software application, internet facility and

administrative privileges are necessary.

7. While installing, the system will ask for an authentication - There we

have to type the password “Ubuntu”.

8. Most of the software applications are free of costs. Some costs money.

Synaptic Package Manager and its features:

It is a manager enables the user to install, upgrade or remove software packages.

How to install or remove a package?

1. Go to “Synaptic Package Manager” through dash home


37

2. select the package to be installed or to be removed – Click 'Mark for

installation' or 'unmark' as the case may be.

3. Packages available: Amateur radio, base system, communication,

development etc.

Disk Usage Analyzer

1. Disk Usage Analyzer, also referred to as baobab, is the best interactive application to

monitor or visualize disk space usage by getting the size for each files in a folder or drive

(storage media) on the desktop.

2. This application is a graphical, menu-driven tool to view and monitor disk usage, including

multiple internal and external hard drives, USB and writable optical drives.

3. It analyzes the information and generate a graphical chart showing disk usage distribution

according to folders, files or other user defined criteria.

Main features of software:

To scan files, folders(including sub-folders), drives size

Presents graphical utilization information chart

Lists files/folders according to configurable criteria

How to Find:

Go to Dash home ↓

Type 'Disk usage analyzer' ↓

Double-click on it.

GNOME-CLASSIC:

Applications ↓System Tools


38

↓Disk Usage Analyzer

Files & Folders Permissions

1. Everyone who logs on to the system is called as user. However, not every user is created

equal. Some users have more capabilities than others.

2. These users are known as SUPER USERS or SYSTEM ADMINISTRATORS.

3. They have the maximum set of capabilities in the system.

4. Super user can create any number of users under him.

5. All these users can be organized into groups so that common information can be shared

among them. Users can belong to multiple groups.

6. There are three levels of security in a system, namely, System, Directory and File. The

system security is controlled by the super user.

7. The directory and file securities are controlled by the users who own them.

8. System security controls who is allowed to access the system.

9. Both the directory and file security levels use a set of permission codes to determine who

can access and manipulate a directory and file.

10.The permission codes are divided into three set of codes.

1. The first set contains the permission of the owner of the file or the directory.

2. The second set contains the group permissions for members in a group.

3. The third set contains the permissions for everyone else i.e., the general public.

Every file or directory can be given three permissions called read, write and execute.

1. Read permission allows the user to read a particular file only.

2. Write permission allows the user to write the content into the file.

3. Execute permission allows the user to execute if any programmable files are present.

4. Without these permissions the user will be unable to access his files in the system.

5. The above three permissions can be used in combinations. However these permissions can

be changed.

6. The user has the capacity to change these permissions for the files and the directories, so


39

that the other users will be unable to read, write or execute their files.

7. Since the super user is the root user he can access all the files and directories of the users

even if the permissions are not there.

8. A super user has also the ability to change the permission for the user.

How to Find:

Right-click on any file/folder ↓

Click on Properties ↓

Click on Permissions

MD5 Sum Hash value

1. MD5[Message digest algorithm 5] is a widely used cryptographic Hash Function that

produces a 128-bit(16 byte) hash value.

2. MD5 is widely used in security – related applications and is also frequently used to check

the integrity of files.

3. It has been widely used in the software world to provide some assurance that a transferred

file has arrived intact.

4. The MD5 value of file is considered to be a highly reliable fingerprint that can be used to

verify the integrity of the file's contents.

5. If as little as a single bit value in the file is modified, the MD5 value for the file will

completely change.

6. Forgery of a file in a way that causes MD5 to generate the same result as that for the

original file is considered to be extremely difficult.

Why to use:1. Every file created at a particular point of time will have some hash value. If the said file is

transferred to another, while so, there is a possibility of meddling it by a third person

[hackers etc.,].

2. In such cases when the third person makes any slight modification in the content of the file

the hash value for that file will be changed resembling that it is not the original file that the

person has sent.


40

3. So with the help of this software we would be able to detect if any modifications are done

to the file at the time of transferring.

Where to Find:Right-click on the File\Folder

↓ Click on Script ↓ Click on Show MD5 Sum


41

DATA RECOVERY TOOLS

There are two data recovery tools in our Ubuntu linux version : PhotoRec

and Foremost.

Out of these two ‘Photo Rec’ is fast and gives segregated files and foremost

recovers all the files as a whole.

PhotoRec

You need to be ROOT to run PhotoRec. For that you need to log out and

type “root” and the root password is “linux”.

To recover files from hard disk, USB key, Smart Card, CD-ROM, DVD, etc

we can use this data recovery tool.

The following are the steps for using this tool:

Run PhotoRec from dash home

Disk selection


42

Available media are listed. If we insert a pen drive it will also be displayed.

Use up/down arrow keys to select the disk that holds the lost files. Press

Enter to proceed.

Source partition selection

We can select whole disk also or we can select a particular media like the pen

drive ( the name will be displayed). Press enter.

Selection of files to recover and File system type


43

Once a partition has been selected and validated with Search, PhotoRec needs

to know how the data blocks are allocated. Unless it is an ext2/ext3/ext4 fileb

system, choose Other. Normally we choose Other. Then press enter. Now

the following screen appears:


44

PhotoRec can search files from the whole partition (useful if the file system

is corrupted) or

from the unallocated space only (available for ext2/ext3/ext4,

FAT12/FAT16/FAT32 and NTFS). With this option only deleted files are

recovered.


45

We select ‘free’ if the data in the media was not modified or not accessed for some days.

We select ‘whole’ if the data in the media was modified and it was again mounted after a month or so.

NOTE: only when the data is not overwritten the data recovery would be effective

Select where recovered files should be written


46


47

Choose the directory where the recovered files should be written. To get the

drive list use the arrow keys to select .., press the Enter key - repeat until you

can select the drive of your choice. Validate with Yes when you get the

expected destination.

File system from external disk may be available in a /media, /mnt or

/run/media sub-directory.

Partitions from external disk are usually mounted in /Volumes. Recovery is

completed

When the recovery is complete, a summary is displayed. The destination

folder will be displayed. The recovered files will not have the same name and

we need to sort out those files by seeing their properties.

NOTE: If you interrupt the recovery, the next time PhotoRec is restarted you


48

will be asked to resume the recovery.

CD/DVD BURNING(Writing)

TO CREATE A CD OR DVD

open the Dash → search for Brasero Disc Burner → open Brasero

There are five burning options. You need to Create a new project. There

are 3 types of projects available: Audio Project, Data Project, and Video

Project. Make your selection based on your requirements.

1. You can add or remove files to a project by clicking green “+” button or

red “-” button respectively.

2. To add files to the list, on clicking '+', the “Select Files” window opens.

There you can navigate and select the file you want to add, and then

click the 'Add' button.

3. To remove files, click the file in the list and click '-'. To remove all the

files in the list click on the Broom shaped button.

4. To start an audio project - click

5. Project → New Project → New Audio Project → navigate and

select files

6. To start a Data project - click

7. Project → New Project → New Data Project → navigate and

select files

8. If you want to add a folder → click 'Folder', then enter the name

of the folder.


49

9. To start a Video project

10. Project → New Project → New Video Project → navigate

and select files

11. In the drop down window at the bottom of the main “Brasero”

window, make sure that you have selected the disc where you want to

burn the files. Then click 'Burn'.

12. → “Properties of ...” window appears.

13. You can specify the burning speed in the Burning speed drop

down. To burn your project directly to the disc, select the 'Burn the

image directly without saving it to disc' option.

Erasing the data from a disk:

If you are using a disc that has RW written on it and you have used it

before, then you can erase it so that it can be reused.

This will erase all of the data currently on the disc.

To erase a disc, open the Tools menu, then select Blank.

The “Disc Blanking” window will be open. In the 'Select a disc' drop

down choose the disc that you would like to erase.

Once the disc is erased, you will see the disc was successfully blanked.

Click 'Close' to finish.

Disc copy:

1. You can copy a disc by clicking


50

Project → New Project → Disc copy.

This opens the “Copy CD/DVD” window.

2. If you have two CD/DVD drives you can copy a disc from one to the

other, the disc that you want to copy to must be in the CD-RW/DVD-

RW drive.

3. If you have only one drive you will need to make an image and then

burn it to a disc.

4. In the 'Select disc to copy' drop-down choose the disc to copy.

5. In the 'Select a disc to write to' drop-down either choose image file or

the disc that you want to copy to.

Image file:

1. You can change where the image file is saved by clicking Properties.

This shows the “Location for Image File”. You can edit the name of the

file in the Name: text field.

2. The default save location is your home folder, you can change this by

clicking '+' next to Browse for other folders.

3. Once you have chosen where you want to save the photo or image, click

Close.

4. Back in the “Copy CD/DVD” window click Create Image. Brasero will

open the “Creating Image” and will display the job progress.

5. When the process is complete, click Close.


51

Burn image:

• To burn an image, click

Project → New Project → Burn Image.

“Image Burning Setup” window opens.

Click 'Click here to select a disc image' and the “Select Disc Image”

window will appear.

Navigate your way to the image you wish to burn, click on it, and then

click Open. In 'Select a disc to write to' menu, click on the disc to

which you’d like to write, then click 'Create Image'.

Basic tips to use a Libre Office efficiently:

Use of Space bar vs. Tab

The space bar will give a single space and a tab space will give eight

spaces with one press. The respective keys can be found on the keyboard.

Paragraph Spacing

If the user wants to put the spacing between the paragraphs, he has

to select those two paragraphs and set the space. The last line of the above

paragraph and the first line of the next paragraph has to be selected and

then go to Format → Paragraph → Indents & Spacing. In indents & spacing

tab we have to select the spacing i.e. the spacing above the paragraph and

below the paragraph.

(This option can also be invoked from right click of the mouse panel →

Paragraph.)


52

Page Breaks

In many documents (for example, a multi-page report), you may want

the text to flow from one page to the next as you add or delete

information. Writer does this automatically, unless you override the text

flow using one of the techniques described earlier.

If you do want a page break in a particular place, for example, to put a

heading at the top of a new page, here is how to do it:

1) Position the cursor at the point you want to start the next page.

Select Insert → Manual Break.

2) In the Type section, Page break is preselected, and Style is set at

[None].

3) Click OK to position the paragraph at the start of the next page.

You can also insert a page break as follows;

a) Position the cursor in the paragraph you want to put at the start of

the next page.

Right-click and choose Paragraph in the pop-up menu.

b) On the Text Flow page of the Paragraph dialog box, in the Breaks

section, select Insert. Do not select With Page Style.

c) Click OK to position the paragraph at the start of the next page.

Left/Right/Center Justify

The tool for formatting the alignment of the text is so important. There

are four types of formatting options in libre office. They are Left, Right,

Center alignment along with option of Justify. The following picture shows

us the position of text with various options.


53

When using justified text, the last line is by default aligned to the left;

however, if so desired, you can also align the last line to the center of the

paragraph area or justify it so that spaces are inserted between the

words in order to fill the whole line. If you select the Expand single word

option, then whenever the last line of a justified paragraph consists of a

single word, this word is stretched by inserting spaces between

characters so that it occupies the full length of the line.

These options are controlled in the Alignment page of the Paragraph

dialog box, reached by choosing Format > Paragraph from the menu

bar.


54

Insert & Overwrite Mode

Switching between insert and overwrite mode

In insert mode, any text after the cursor position moves forward to

make room for the text you type in overwrite mode, text after the cursor

position is replaced by the text you type. The current mode is displayed on

the Status Bar. The shape of the cursor does not change.

With the keyboard, press Insert to toggle between overwrite mode and

insert mode. With the mouse, click in the area on the Status Bar that

indicates the current mode in order to switch to the other mode.

Page Settings in the Document and the Printer

generally we will be using the print command to print a particular file

but when we see the print preview it will be fine but when we actually print

the document the settings will be changed. This will be happening when we

don't keep the page settings and the page settings in the printer options as

same. So always keep the same page settings for the document and the

page settings in printer as one and same.

Paragraph Numbering (Simple and Outline(Sub level))

If you create a nested list using the buttons on this tool bar, all the

levels of the list (up to 10) apply the same numbering (or bullet).

However, in many circumstances you will want to use a combination

of numbering formats and bullets when creating nested lists.

When creating nested lists, one option is to enter all the list

paragraphs first and

apply the levels afterwards.


55

You can use keyboard shortcuts to move paragraphs up or down the

outline levels.

Place the cursor at the beginning of the numbered paragraph and

press:

Tab Down a level

Shift+Tab Up a level

To insert a tab stop at the beginning of a numbered paragraph (that is,

after the number but before the text), press Ctrl+Tab.

Example: configuring a nested list

We will use a numbering style to produce the following effect:

1. Level-1 list item

A. Level-2 list item

i. Level-3 list item

a) Level-4 list item

On the

Numbering Style dialog box, go to the Outline page, where you will find that

one style matches our requirements. Click once on that style.

To


56

make the indentation at each level greater or less than the default, change

it on the

Position page. Select the level, then make any changes in the

indentation, spacing, or

numbering alignment.

Repeat for each level as required, then click OK.

Note :With outline numbering you can define different bullet styles for

the different levels

of a bullet list. Use the Bullets tab of the Bullets and Numbering dialog

box (not

shown) to select the basic style. Return to the Options tab to customize

the bullet

for each indent level. Here you can set bullets to any character. See the

Graphics

tab for more bullets.

Using Right Click Options

The right click options in libre office writer are kind of help topics in

writer. Where ever you click the right click in the window, it gives you the

list of available options for that window. If you select some text and click

the right click on the mouse panel, it gives you the list of available

commands. The same commands can also be invoked from the menu panel

on the top.


57

Saving a Document: Save (Ctrl S), Save As, Saving with Password, File Type

Password protection

Writer provides two levels of document protection: read-protect (file

cannot be viewed without a password) and write-protect (file can be

viewed in read-only mode but cannot be changed without a password).

Thus you can make the content available for reading by a selected group of

people and for reading and editing by a different group. This behavior is

compatible with Microsoft Word file protection.

1) Use File > Save As when saving the document. (You can also use File >

Save the first

time you save a new document.)

2) On the Save As dialog box, select the Save with password option, and

then click Save.

3) The Set Password dialog box opens.

Here you have several choices:

• To read-protect the document, type a password in the two fields at the

top of the dialog

box.

• To write-protect the document, click the More Options button and select

the Open file


58

read-only check box.

• To write-protect the document but allow selected people to edit it, select

the Open file

read-only check box and type a password in the two boxes at the bottom

of the dialog

box.

4) Click OK to save the file. If either pair of passwords do not match, you

receive an error

message. Close the message box to return to the Set Password dialog

box and enter the

password again.

Note: LibreOffice uses a very strong encryption mechanism that makes it

almost

impossible to recover the contents of a document if you lose the

password.

Changing the password for a document

When a document is password-protected, you can change the password

while the document is open. Choose File → Properties → General and click

the Change Password button.

Undo & Redo: Undo (Ctrl + Z), Redo(Ctrl + Y)The undo command will be used most of the time by the users when ever

we want to roll back the even just occurred. The redo command will be used

when we rolled back once and we want to restore the previous undo

command. The key board short cut for undo is Ctrl+Z and for redo is Ctrl +

Y.

The same command can be accessed from the menu bar as follows:


59

Edit → Undo; Edit → Redo

Finding & Replacing Text: Edit → Find (Ctrl + F)This command is very useful when ever we want to replace certain word

with a particular word. To activate the window goto Edit → Find & Replace or

else the same can also be activated with the help of the keyboard short cut

i.e. Ctrl + H

Only to find a certain word goto Edit → Find or else press Ctrl + F.

Character Formatting: Format → Character Once you click this command the following window will be popped out.

There are various options like Font, Font Effects, Position, Hyperlink,

Background.

Here in Font tab the font properties can be set out. In Font Effects tab the

effects can be set for the fonts i.e. word.

In Position tab the position of font can be set out like “normal”, “Super

Script”, “Sub-Script”, etc. The rotation/scaling spacing also can be set in

this tab.

In Hyperlink tab the word or a letter can be attributed with a Hyperlink to

a document or a web page.

In background tab the back ground color can be set out.

Note :The same window can be popped up from right-click context menu

select 'Character'


60

Paragraph Formatting: From this command we can manage the indents & spacing, alignment,

text flow, outline numbering, tabs, drop cabs and borders. There are various

options for each of the tab which can be used basing on the specific

requirement.

This option can be invoked in two ways as follows.

Format → Paragraph (Indents & Spacing, Alignment,

Text Flow, Outline & Numbering, Tabs, Borders)

Right Click → Paragraph.

Export as PDF: Unlike other office suits, the libre office provides us a very useful tool

which directly allow us to export a word document into PDF document.

We can set out the options for exporting as PDF document.

This can be done as follows:

File → Export as PDF

Export as PDF button from the tool bar(Quick PDF)

Using Bullets and Numbering for Paragraphs: Symbols and Graphics as Bullets, Simple Numbering and Outline Numbering

This portion is already discussed at 1(g).

Page Numbering: If we want to put the page numbers this option can be invoked. Generally

we will be inserting the page number in the Header or footer. So first we

have to insert the header or footer and then with in it we have to insert the

page number.


61

To insert the page number the following path can be used.

Insert → Header or Footer

Insert → Field → Page Number.

Note: Header and Footer can also be inserted by choosing 'Page' option

from the right-

click context menu (Page → Header/Page → Footer)

Backup and Auto Saving

Automatic Saving Methods:

This option is very much useful when ever we don't save the document

and the file is lost due to forced shutdown of system like power failure or

system hangup.

If this option is checked then the system will be saving the document in

regular intervals depending on the time set out by us.

To activate this option the following steps can be followed.

Automatic Save Options (Saving Auto recovery Information): Tools →

Options →

Load/Save → General → Save Auto Recovery information every ......

minutes.

Here we can define the time interval in which we can direct the system to

save the document automatically.

If the libre office is quit force fully then when we open the libre writer next

time, it will ask whether to recover the document which was not saved. We

have to click on the button called “Start Recovery”. The system will recover

the document for us.

Creating Backup Copy of File:

This tool is useful when the main copy of document is lost or corrupted.


62

Generally the backup file will not be created in the system but if we select

the option, then the system will create a backup copy. The option can be

checked from the following path.

Format → Paragraph – Indents & Spacing, Alignment,

Text Flow, Outline & Numbering, Tabs, Borders OR Right Click →

Paragraph.

The backup file will be saved in the system once we select this option.

The Path of Backup Copy can be viewed from the following link: Tools →

Options →

OpenOffice.org → Paths → Backups)

Miscellaneous:

Viewing/Checking Non printing Characters button from the tool bar

When ever we copy some text from the Internet or from any other source,

then generally we observe that there will be lot of gaps in the text which

will be creating obstacles in formatting that paragraph. We will not be in a

position to identify where the gaps are. In this situation the non-printing

character will be a very useful tool for us which will show us the gaps with

in the paragraph. Once we press the button of non-printing character we

will be able to see the symbols which shows us the gaps using which we

can format the paragraph easily.

The Non-printing characters can be seen by clicking on the icon from the

standard tool bar. The non-printing character icon will appear like

Zooming through Ctrl + Scroll button

Generally for zooming the window we will either be trying from view →

zoom or from the standard menu bar. But in Ubuntu operating system and

the libre office in particular, the zooming option can be exercised by


63

pressing the Ctrl button and using the scroll from the mouse panel. By

holding the Ctrl button if we scroll down, the screen will be zoomed in and if

we scroll up the screen will be zoomed out.

Font Colour and Background Colour (Highlighting) from Toolbar

The font color and background can be controlled from the format →

character. The same can also be controlled from the tool item in the stand

tool bar on the top.

Using Format Paintbrush

If we want to change the font characteristics by way of changing the

color, size, background, style etc., can be done by the character menu and

if we want to put the same characteristics to other text we have to

remember all the said attributes and set it to the other text. If we want to

repeat this for many word or characters it will be a cumbersome task.

Instead of doing it by remembering each and every attribute of the word,

we can manage the same with the help format paint brush tool.

This tool appears like this in the tool bar

This tool is also useful for applying paragraph styles: When drafting a

document, the most used style is the paragraph style. LibreOffice offers two

quick alternatives to the Styles and Formatting window to apply this

category of style: the Apply Style list and the Format Paintbrush icon.

Using the Apply Style list: When a paragraph style is in use in a

document, the style name appears on the Apply Style list near the left end

of the formatting bar, to the right of the Styles and Formatting icon.

Using the Format PaintbrushYou can use the format paintbrush to apply a certain paragraph style to

another paragraph or to a group of paragraphs. Start by placing the cursor

inside the paragraph you want to copy. Be sure that you do not have the


64

cursor in a word with other than the default character style or that

character style will be copied and pasted to the selected word in the new

paragraph too.

To format a single paragraph:

3.1. Click the Format Paintbrush icon

3.2. The cursor changes into an ink bottle.

Now click the paragraph to which you want to apply the copied style.

3.3. The paragraph is formatted and the cursor then returns to normal

in the standard tool bar.

To format more than one paragraph:

1. Double-click the Format Paintbrush icon.

2. The cursor changes shape. Now click each of the paragraphs to

which you want to apply the copied style.

3. The paragraphs are formatted. Click the Format Paintbrush icon

once more.

4. The cursor then returns to normal.

Insert Special Characters/SymbolsChoose Insert → Special Characters to open the Special Characters

dialog. Scroll down until you find the en-dash (U+2013) and em-dash

(U+2014) characters. Select one of them and click OK.


65

Working with TablesTables are a useful way to organize and present large amounts of

information, for example:

• Technical, financial, or statistical reports.

• Product catalogs showing descriptions, prices, characteristics, and

photographs of

products.

• Bills or invoices.

• Lists of names with address, age, profession, and other information.

Tables can often be used as an alternative to spreadsheets to organize

materials. A well-designed table can help readers understand better what

you are saying. While you would normally use tables for text or numbers,

you could put other objects, such as pictures, in cells.

Tables can also be used as a page-layout tool to position text in areas of a

document instead of using several Tab characters. Another, perhaps better

example would be in headers and footers to support independent

positioning of different elements, such as page number, document title etc.

Creating a table

Before you insert a table into a document, it helps to have an idea of the

visual result you want to obtain as well as an estimate of the number of

rows and columns required. Every parameter can be changed at a later

stage; however, thinking ahead can save a large amount of time as

changes to fully formatted tables often require a significant effort.

Inserting a new table

To insert a new table, position the cursor where you want the table to


66

appear, then use any of the following methods to open the Insert Table

dialog box:

• From the main menu, choose Insert → Table.

• From the main menu, choose Table → Insert → Table.

• Press Ctrl+F12.

• From the Standard toolbar, click the Table icon

In the Table dialog box, you can specify the properties for the new table.

Under Name, you can enter a different name from the Libre Office -

generated default for the table.

This might come in handy when using the Navigator to quickly jump to a

table.

Under Size, specify the initial number of columns and rows for the new

table. You can change the size of the table later, if necessary.

Under

Options,

set up the

initial

table

characteristics. Selecting the options in this section of the dialog box

produces the following results:

• Heading — Defines the first row(s) in the table as headings. The default

Table Heading

paragraph style is applied to the heading rows and thus makes the text

centered, bold, and

italic. You can edit the LibreOffice-predefined Table Heading paragraph

style in the Styles


67

and Formatting window to change these default settings. When splitting a

table into two

tables, the Heading row(s) can be copied in the second table.

• Repeat heading — Repeats the heading row(s) of the table at the top

of subsequent

pages if the table spans more than one page.

The first ... rows —Specifies the number of rows to be repeated. Default is

1.

• Don’t split table — Prevents the table from spanning more than one

page. This can be

useful if the table starts near the end of a page, and would look better if it

were completely

located on the following page. If the table becomes longer than would fit

on one page, you will need to either deselect this option or manually split

the table.

• Border — Surrounds each cell of the table with a border. This border

can be modified or

deleted later. The AutoFormat button opens a dialog box from which you

can select one of the many predefined table layouts. After making your

choices, click OK. Writer creates a table as wide as the text area (from the

left page margin to the right page margin), with all columns the same

width and all rows the same height. You can then adjust the columns and

rows later to suit your needs.

Using AutoCorrect to create a table

You can also create a table by typing a series of hyphens (-) or tabs

separated by plus signs. Use the plus signs to indicate column dividers,

while hyphens and tabs are used to indicate the width of a column.


68

For example, this character sequence:

+-----------------+---------------+------+

creates a table like this:

Note :This function can be disabled or enabled in Tools → AutoCorrect

Options. On the

Options tab, deselect or select Create table.

Create a table from formatted text

You can create a table from plain text by using the Table → Convert →

Text to Table menu item. The text to be converted must contain characters

to indicate column separators. Paragraph marks indicate an end of a table

row.

To convert text to a table, start by editing the text to ensure the column

separator character is in place where you want it. Select the text you want

to convert and choose Table → Convert → Text to Table to open the dialog

box shown in Figure below

In the Separate text at part of the dialog box, select from the three

fixed symbols, or the user selectable character of Other, the symbol

chosen to separate the columns of text. This could be a tab, a semicolon,

or (Other: comma) if you are importing a CSV file. The other options in this


69

dialog box are the same as those in the dialog box used to insert a table

shown in above figure

Example

In this example we will convert the following text into a table.

Row 1 Column 1; Row 1 Column 2; Row 1 Column 3

Row 2 Column 1; Row 2 Column 2; Row 2 Column 3

In this case, the separator between elements is a semicolon. By selecting

the text and applying the conversion, we obtain the following result.

Row 1 Column 1 Row 1 Column 2 Row 1 Column 3

Row 2 Column 1 Row 2 Column 2 Row 2 Column 3Note that, unlike when creating a table with other mechanisms, the

conversion from text to table preserves the paragraph style and character

style applied to the original text.

You can also use the Convert menu to perform the opposite operation;

that is, to transform a table into plain text. This may be useful when you

want to export the table contents into a different program.

To transform a table into text, place the cursor anywhere in the table,

choose Table → Convert → Table to Text in the main menu, pick the

preferred row separator, and click OK to finish.

Resizing and positioning the table

Using the default settings, any newly created table will occupy the

entire width of the text area.

This is sometimes what you want, or you may prefer a smaller table.

To quickly resize a table, first move the mouse to either the left or right

edge. When the cursor changes shape into a double arrow, drag the border


70

to the new position. This operation only changes the size of the first or last

column; it does not change the alignment of the table on the page.

If you need more precise control over the size and position of the table

on the page, open the Table Format dialog box by choosing Table → Table

Properties or by right-clicking anywhere in the table and choosing Table

from the pop-up menu. Select the Table page of the dialog box.

On this

page you

can set

the

alignment of the table, choosing among the following options:

2. Automatic: the default setting for a table.

3. Left: aligns the table with the left margin.

4. Right: aligns the table with the right margin.

5. From Left: lets you specify under Spacing exactly how far from the left

margin the table is placed.

6. Center: aligns the table in the middle between the left and right

margins. If the table width is greater than the margin, the table will

extend outside of the margins.

7. Manual: lets you specify the distances from both left and right margins

under Spacing.

Selecting an alignment option other than Automatic activates the Width

field in the Properties section, where you can enter the desired size of the

table. Select Relative to see the width as percentage of the text area.


71

Merging and splitting cells

To merge a cell or group of cells into one cell:

1) Select the cells to merge.

2) Right-click and choose Cell > Merge on the pop-up menu, or choose

Table → Merge Cells from the main menu. Any content of the cells appears

in the merged cell.

To merge a single cell into an adjacent cell, you can also place the cursor in

the cell (origin), press Alt+Delete, release, then hold down Ctrl, and then

press the left or the right arrow key. Any contents in the origin cell are lost.

To split a cell into multiple cells:

1) Position the cursor inside the cell.

2) Right-click and choose Cell → Split on the pop-up menu, or choose Table

> Split Cells

from the main menu.

3) Select how to split the cell. A cell can be split either horizontally (create

more rows) or

vertically (create more columns), and you can specify the total number of

cells to create.

To split a single cell, you can also place the cursor in an adjacent cell, press

Alt+Ins, release, then hold down Ctrl, and then press the left or the right

arrow key to split the cell to the left/right. It is generally a good rule to

merge and split cells after completing other layout formatting. This is

because some operations such as deleting a column or a row may produce

a result difficult to predict when applied to a table with merged or split cells.


72

Automatic formatting of tables

Using AutoFormat, you can apply an elaborate format to your table with just

a few clicks.

AutoFormat is somewhat similar to paragraph styles and will enable you to

obtain consistent

looking tables across your document. You can also create your own table

formats and save them as another AutoFormat option.

To apply an AutoFormat, place the cursor anywhere in the table and choose

Table → AutoFormat.

Select from the list on the left the Format most suitable for your table and

click OK to apply it. Clicking the More button opens another section of the

dialog box where you can rename the selected table format scheme as well

as decide which parts of the predefined formatting you want to apply to

your table. You can selectively apply the number format, the font, the

alignment, the border, or the pattern.

Deleting a table

To delete a table:

1) Click anywhere in the table.

2) Choose Table → Delete → Table from the main menu.

Or:


73

1) Select from the end of the paragraph before the table to the start of the

paragraph after the table.

2. Press the Delete key or the Backspace key.

Working with Document in Track Changes Mode:

This tool is very useful if some body wants to keep a watch on the

changes to his document. This tool can be used to record the

changes in the document and also to see the changes. The libre

office also has a facility of comparing two documents with which

we can know the exact difference between the two documents.

The libre office also has the feature of merging two files and

make one file. The above mentioned options can be utilized with

the help of below mentioned navigation and tips.

i. To compare two different version of a file, go to Document.

Edit → Compare

ii. To begin/end tracking (recording) changes, choose Edit → Changes →

Record.

iii. To show or hide the display of changes, click Edit → Changes → Show.

iv. To accept or reject recorded changes, either Right-click (context) menu

(choose Accept Change or Reject Change) or use Accept or Reject

Changes dialog box (Edit → Changes → Accept or Reject).

v. To merge the documents containing the recorded changes, open one

copy then click Edit → Changes → Merge Document and select and insert

another copy of the document to be merged with the first.


74

Convert table

a) Convert text to table.

b) Convert table to text.

1. Converting between table and text

2. Writer makes it easy for you to convert from a table to text (that

is, replace a table with its data) or vice versa.

3. To convert plain text data into a table, select the data and then

select Table > Convert > Text to Table from the main menu bar.

4. The Convert Text to Table dialog box allows you to create a table.

5. You must select the field delimiter (tab, paragraph marker,

comma, or other printing or non-printing character) that Writer

should use to divide data into different cells.

6) To convert from a table to plain text, select the table and then

select Table > Convert > Table to Text.

7) The data in the table is converted to plain text with the field

delimiter of your choice.

8) A space can function as a field delimiter.

Sorting data in a table

1. Just as in a spreadsheet, Writer allows data in a table to be

sorted.

2. Up to three levels of sorting can be specified (for example, sort

first by age, then by name within each age).

3. To sort data in a table:


http://www.linuxtopia.org/online_books/office_guides/openoffice_writer_user_guide/openoffice_guide_Converting_between_table_and_text.html

75

4. Select the table (or part of the table) to be sorted.

5. From the menu bar, select Table > Sort.

6. In the Sort dialog box:

7. Decide whether you want to sort in the direction of rows or

columns. Sorting by rows is the default, which sorts down the

page (a list of data in a column will be sorted).

8. Select up to three keys to sort on, in the correct order.

9. For each key, select which column or row to sort on, whether the

sort is Numeric or Alphanumeric and whether it is Ascending or

Descending.

10. Click OK to perform the sort.

Auto Text

Auto text is useful in our day to day works on desktop on bench and even

while preparing the documents.

For fixed proforma like hostile witnesses, medical witnesses, motor vehicle

inspector depositions, ex-parte evidence depositions, calendars and for many

such depositions we can create a proforma and for quick and easy access use

auto text.

The following are the steps for using auto text:-

Open LibreOffice Writer.

Type the entire text.

Select the text which we want to insert into auto text.

Example:- Type the entire deposition of a hostile witness starting from the


76

nomenclature of the court till the seal of the court at the end of deposition

with all corrections.

• Then go to edit auto text (short cut is Ctrl.+F3)

• On the auto text dialog box chose a place where you want to save the

auto text, for example my auto text.

• Click the auto text button and click ‘new’ and precaution is that never

click new (text only).

• Then give a name to the text which you selected. For example if we

select a hostile witness text then we can give the name as hostile.

• Then select a short cut for the text. Examples:- for hostile witness we

can have short cut as “h”, for Motor vehicle Inspector deposition as

“MVI”. For Investigating Officer deposition as “IO”.

• Then click ‘close’ button in the auto text dialog box.

• Then if we want the auto text to appear on the LibreOffice Writer, at the


77

cursor portion, type the short cut and press F3. 8. Now you can get the

auto text which you can edit by making additions or deletions

depending on the case. For example: Type “h” and press F3 to get a

hostile witness deposition.

NOTE:- In initial days we need to remember the short cuts to get the auto

text. We can also edit the auto text from edit option. Only sky is the limit for

our thoughts in the auto text.

FOR SMALL SHORT CUTS

We can use another application by selecting ‘Tools’ Auto correct options

and select English (USA).

Type the short cut in the “Replace” dialog box and type the full text in

“With” dialog box.

Then press new button and click Ok.

Example for short cut to “It is not to suggest that “ we can type “it i” in

“Replace” dialog box and type “It is not to suggest that “ in “with” dialog

box.

Then whenever we type “it i” and continue the typing it will be auto

corrected as to “It is not to suggest that “.

Similarly the same can be used for abbreviations like Cr.P.C., IPC., Govt.

NOTE:- If we choose a dictionary text as auto correct text it will lead to

confusion.

Therefore always choose a “Replace” text in such a way that it should not be

found in the Dictionary.


78

For example if we choose ‘it’ as auto correction for “it is not true to suggest

that “, when ever we type ‘it’ in the text for “it is not true to suggest that “

would appear.

If we select the replace text or short cut text as “it i”,certainly only when we

type “it i” it would be auto corrected as “it is not true to suggest that”.

NOTE:- Always choose the language English (USA) to enable auto correct option

Galleries

• In TOOLs menu, there is an option in submenu as “Gallery” If we click

that option, it Opens the Gallery, where we can select graphics and

sounds to insert into our document.

• We can display the contents of the Gallery as icons, or icons with titles

and path information.

• To zoom in or zoom out on a single object in the Gallery, we have

double-click the object, or select the object, and then press the

Spacebar.

• Themes are listed on the left side of the Gallery.

• Click a theme to view the objects associated with the theme.

• To insert a Gallery object, select the object, and then drag it into the

document.

Formatting Title Page

• To format the title page in the Menu Bar Go to Format- in the sub menu

Go to Title page and click it. You will find a dialogue box with


79

available options. Select the options and then click OK.

Auto correct Options

• To auto correct a particular word in a document, in the menu bar Go to

Tools menu, and in then sub menu you will find Auto correct options.

• You will options to find the word to be corrected and to replace the

same with appropriate word. You fill the said options and then click

OK.

• The word will be automatically corrected in then entire document.

• You will also find other options in the dialogue box and you can use

them according to your requirement.

Bookmarks

• Insert Bookmark Inserts a bookmark at the cursor position.

• You can then use the Navigator to quickly jump to the marked location

at a later time.

• To jump to a specific bookmark, press F5 to open the navigator.

• click the plus sign (+) next to the Bookmark entry, and then double-

click the bookmark.

• You can also right-click the Page Number field at the left end of the

Status Bar at the bottom of the document window, and then choose the

bookmark that you want to jump to.

• To activate this option, In the menu bar go to INSERT and in the sub menu

click Bookmark.


80

• Type the name of the bookmark that you want to create.

• To delete a bookmark, select it in the list, and then click Delete.

• You cannot use the following characters in a bookmark name: / \ @ :

* ? " ; , . #

To delete a bookmark, select the bookmark from the Insert Bookmark dialog

and click the Delete button. No confirmation dialog will follow.

Format - Character.

Character : Fonts and Font effects

If you want to change the font and font effects in the document:-

Select the text – Format – Character – Font.

You can select Font effects like font colour, font effects like lower case and

upper case and capitals, small capitals and title.

You can select font relief for the fonts like embossed or engraved.

You can select font effects like out line, shadow blinking for the fonts.

You can hide some text also and send it to others and if the other person

wants to know whether there is any hidden text, he has to select the entire

text and go to font effects tab and there if he finds hidden button applied,

then there is hidden text.

Font effects like over linking, strike through and under lining of the

text with colour and with different styles can be made.

The changes can be seen in the box below in the dialogue box.


81

Character – Position.

1. If you want to type super script or subscript in the text you can

use this tab. By default the button will be in normal position.

2. The distance of the super script and subscript can be adjusted

by raising and lowering.

3. Text can be rotated and scaled by using rotation buttons.

4. Space between letter can be expanded or condensed by using

spacing buttons.

Character – Hyperlink.

1. If you prepare a document and in that document if you mention

something and if you want the reader to go to another

document also you can give hyperlink.

2. Click browse and select the document in the URL.

3. If the reader puts the mouse at the hyperlinked portion, it will

ask the reader to click Ctrl+click and it will open the other

document.

4. We can put websites also as hyperlink.

Character – Background.

3. You can apply colour on the back ground of the text by using this

tab. This is useful for highlighting text in a document.

FORMAT – PARAGRAPH.

In this sub menu you can format the paragraph by applying indents

and spacing, alignment, text flow, outline numbering, tabs, drop caps

and borders.


82

Indents and spacing:-

1. Spacing can be given before and after text in the paragraph by

mentioning the required measurement.

2. Space can be adjusted by mentioning the measurement in the

first line of the paragraph.

3. If you click automatic the measurement will be as ‘0’.

4. Space can be applied before or after each paragraph by giving

measurements.

5. Line Spacing:- space in between each line can be applied with

different options like single, 1.5 line, double, proportional etc.

6) b) Format – Paragraph – Alignment:-

7) If you select different options in this tab the alignment will be

applied for the paragraph.

8) If you select justified you can adjust the last line of each

paragraph as left, center or right can be applied.

9) If you want to expand the single word in the last line of the

paragraph you should select expand single word.

10) Text to Text:-

11) In this option if your font in some part of the paragraph is

more than the rest of the paragraph you can select the position

from which the rest of the text should be I.e from the text where

font size is more :- High light the text with more font size – apply

options in the text to text alignment – OK.

Format – paragraph – text flow.

1. This option will be used for hyphenation in text documents.


83

2. Minimum number of characters can be decided before and after

the hyphen in beginning and end of the line.

3. Number of lines can also be hyphenated. Page breaks and

column breaks can be applied by giving options.

4. If insert is applied only the other options in the page break will be

highlighted.

5. Page styles can also be applied by this option.

Format – text flow - options.

In this option you can select the splitting of paragraphs i.e see that

the entire paragraph appear on the page without splitting.

EDIT – SELECTION MODE.

Selection of text is of two types.

Standard selection:-

In this type if you select the text all the lines will be selected and you

can start from one place and end of another place and in the middle

all the lines will be selected.

Blocked Area:-

Short cut is – Alt + Shift + F8.

In this mode you can select the text in the middle and selection will be

made in rectangles.

Creating Breaks

CONTROL + ENTER

is the short cut for manual page break.


84

It is also found in Insert menu – Manual break.

In manual break you find line break, column break and page break.In page break you can apply styles.

SHIFT + ENTER.

3) Line break without paragraph change i.e if you want to enter text

in the next line this command is used.

4) If paras are numbered and if simple enter is used it will be

changed as another paragraph.

FORMAT CHANGE CASE.

1. Case of the entire sentence or few words can be changed.

2. Highlight the required text and go to format – change case and

there apply the required.

3. In sentence case – the first letter of the selected characters to

upper case character.

4. In lower case selected character can be changed to lower case.

5. In upper case the selected characters can be changed to lower

case.

6. In capital every work the first character of every word can be

changed to upper case character.

7. In toggle case You can toggle the case of selected characters.

INSERT FRAME.

1. Insert - Frame:- In Frame option dialogue box containing

options are there.


85

2. Frame can be inserted any where in the document by applying

wrap.

3. Options like size, hyperlink, columns etc. can be given to the

frame.

4. Frame can be inserted in the margin and above header and

below footer also.

INSERT FOOT NOTE AND END NOTE.

Foot note

1. It is additional information found at the bottom of a page. It will

contain source of information about the text.

2. It will have a small number or letter following it and the

description is mentioned at the end of the page.

End note

It is like foot note but the difference is the additional information is

given at the end of the document instead of at the end of the page.


86

Configuration and customization of LibreOffice Writer ‘Libre’ literally means ‘Open’. It is also from open source, so that, we can customize or configure the LibreOffice as we like. A few examples are:

Customization:

Just go to “Tools” and click on “Customize....”,

you find a window. You see: 1) Menus, 2) keyboards, 3) tool bars and 4) events.

You can customize any one of these.

Menus:

1. Select the menu and sub menu that you want to edit.

2. Opens the “New Menu” dialog where you can enter the name of a new menu as

well as select the location for the menu.

3. Opens a sub menu with additional commands.

4. Then click “Move”. Opens the “Move Menu” dialog where you can specify the

location of the selected menu.

5. Then select “Rename”. Opens a dialog where you can change the name of the

selected menu.

6. Enter the name for the selected menu. You see a new menu in the menu bar

and you can customize commands to it.

Keyboard:

1. For this, you click on “keyboard”,

2. go to “shortcut keys”,

3. then select “Control+1”,

4. go to ”category”,

5. select “format”,

6. then select “Function” and select “Line spacing 1”,

7. then click “modify”.


87

8. You see “Control+1” in “Keys” and then,

9. click “OK”. You can customize shortcut keys in such a way.

Tool bars:

1. In general you view “standard toolbar” under the “Menu Bar”.

2. You can also customize it.

3. For this, you just click “toolbars”, select “standard” in “Toolbar” option,

4. then go to “Commands” and click on the option you wish.

5. It appears/disappears on the “standard toolbar”.

Events:

Click “Macro” button.1. In the Library list box, scroll down and open the "LibreOffice Macros" entry.

2. You see entries for "LibreOffice Macros", "My Macros", and the current

document. Open any one of them to see the supported scripting languages.

3. Open any scripting language entry to see the available scripts.

4. Select any script. A list of the script functions will appear in the Assigned Action

list box.

5. Select any function. Select to save in LibreOffice or current document.

6. This sets the scope of the new event assignment to be applicable in all of

LibreOffice or only in documents of the current module.

7. Select an event from the list and click OK.

Options:

to configure certain options in libreoffice writer, you can just do it by entering into

“tools” in menu bar and then “options”.

Load/Save:

1. If you want to have a backup copy, you just click on Left arrow of Load/Save.

2. You see, General, VBA Properties, Microsoft Office and HTML Compatibility.


88

3. Now, click on “General” and you see the Load and Save options.

4. If you want to have backup copy, just enable “always create backup copy”.

5. If you want to save the data automatically, you can simply enable “Save Auto

Recovery information every” and you reduce the time at your choice, for

example, to the minimum time of 1 minute.

6. To see the backup copy, you click on left arrow of Libre Office, select paths,

then, you find “/home/ubuntu/.config/libreoffice/3/user/backup.

7. Then, go to Home, go to view, click on “Show Hidden Files”.

8. You see number of folders. Then open “.config” folder, then “LibreOffice” folder,

then “3” folder, then “User” folder and then “backup” folder.

9. You find backup copy in “.bak.” format with the same file name.

10. Just you select it, right click on it and select “Rename”.

11.You just rename “.bak” as “.odt” and then open it. You find the back up.

Language Settings:

1. Sometimes you may not find Auto Spell Check in your Libre Office Writer.

2. For that, you just click on left arrow of “Language Settings”,

3. then, click on “Languages”.

4. You see the User Interface Language as “English (USA)” as default language.

5. Then you select locale setting “English (India)”.

6. Then default currency “INR English (India). ₹

7. Then, for Western, select “ABC English (USA)” and just click OK.

8. So, that, you configure the language settings including local languages.


89

Extension Manager :

1. It provides a way to install applications like “add-ons” in the web browsers.

2. We can download some applications and install them.

3. To configure it, go to “Tools” in toolbar and select “extension manager”.

4. You find an application in the name of “Read Text 0.7.28”.

5. You can also observe the icon relating to the application in toolbar.

Read Selection

1. Select some text and click on the icon of “Read selection”.

2. It reads the text. Similar applications, you can download and install in the

extension manager.

Networking Concepts

We can connect the system with Internet through three modes. They are:

1. Wired Connection

2. Wireless Connection

3. Mobile Broadband

The icon on the top is the indicator for networking. The icon appears as shown

here. This icon will be available on the top most panel on the screen. Once

we click on this icon we can notice the available wired and wireless networks of

which we have to pick one with which we want to connect. Here one has to verify

whether the wifi button on the top of keyboard on the laptop is turned on. If the

wifi button is turned off we can not see the wireless networks available. As soon

as we turn on the wifi button, the wireless networks available with in the range

will appear in the icon once we click it.


90

If we have moblile broadband (Data Card), insert it in the USB port available in the

laptop. Once we insert the data card in the USB port, we will notice the data card

related modem device on the list of available networks in the networks icon. If we

click on that network it will ask for configuration. This is one time activity. We have

to configure it with the user name and password. Once we configure, next time

when ever we put the data card in the USB port it will show the network in the

networking icon and once we click on that, it will connect to the Internet.

Once we connect the system to the Internet through one of the above mentioned

methods, the icon will change to one of the forms as shown here.


91

FIREFOX WEB-BROWSER TIPS & TECHNIQUES


92

1. To Print a webpage as a PDF: Go to File → Print & select PDF as printer..

2. To view the web page as fullscreen: Go to View → Full Screen (or use F11).

3. Refresh view of the current browser window: View → Reload or F5

4. Zoom in and Zoom Out: 'Ctrl' & '+' and 'Ctrl' & '-' OR Ctrl + Scroll

5. Using Tabs in browser: Ctrl + T, Ctrl + F4, Ctrl + Tab, Edit → Preferences →

Tabs.

6. To access history of web browser: Go to History (or History → Show All

History) or Ctrl + H or Ctrl + Shift + H

7. To clear recent history: Go to Tools → Clear Recent History.

8. To clear username & passwords: Edit → Preference → Security → Saved

Passwords.

9. To view the files downloaded using the web browser: Tools → Downloads

10. Switching between Offline and Online Mode: File → Work Offline


93

11. Using the official indianjudiciary.gov.in email account

12. Using Quick SMS from mail.gov.in

13. Useful Websites Links in Judges Library Link of SCI website

14. Bookmark a site: In Mozilla, from Bookmarks → Bookmark this Page (or Ctrl

+ D). These booksmarks can be organized and exported/imported from

Bookmarks → Organize Bookmarks (Ctrl + Shift + O).

15. Popup windows: To block or unblock popup windows, go to Edit →

Preferences and in the Firefox Preferences go to Content tab & Enable

'Block up Pop Up Windows'

16. Add-ons (extensions) in the web browser:

(a) To add extra specific utilities to the web browser, go to Tools → Add-ons

(b) Print Edit Add-on Utility: To selectively print the content of a webpage.


94

GOOGLE SEARCH TIPS & TECHNIQUES


95

1.

Phrase search (""): By putting double quotes around a set of words, you

are telling Google to consider the exact words in that exact order without

any change e.g. searching for exact phrase of [ "culpable homicide not

amounting to murder" ]

2. Search single word exactly as is (""): By putting double quotes around a

single word, you are telling Google to match that word precisely as you

typed it; and not to employ any synonym automatically e.g. [user ”manual”]

to search 'user manual' and not 'user guide' etc..

3. Search within a specific website (site:): For example, the query [

supreme court site:www.india.gov.in ] will return pages about Supreme

Court but only from www.india.gov.in.

4. Search a specific type of file (filetype:): For example, the query [india

filetype:pdf] will return pdf pages containing the information about India

available over various websites

5. Terms you want to exclude (-): Attaching a minus sign immediately before

a word indicates that you do not want pages that contain this word to

appear in your results. The minus sign should appear immediately before


96

the word and should not be preceded with a space.

6. Fill in the blanks (*): If you include * within a query, it tells Google to try to

treat the star as a placeholder for any unknown term(s) and then find the

best matches.

7. The OR operator: Google's default behavior is to consider all the words in

a search. If you want to specifically allow either one of several words, you

can use the OR operator (note that you have to type 'OR' in ALL CAPS).

8. The AND Operator: To get the results wherein all the words separated with AND are

present.

9. Search for Keywords with Similar Meaning (Synonym): Instead of

searching for only the given word, using ~ before the keyword you can

instruct Google to search for webpages with the exact given word or the

words which has same meaning. [for e.g. the search for ~tutorial would also

return results for guide, manual, reference etc].

10. Fine Tuning Google Search Results with Google Search Left/Top Pane

Options of Content (Web, Images, News etc.), Location, Time etc.


97

Manupatra User Guide(This Guide is taken from the website of Manupatra)

GETTING STARTED

LOGGING ON

• Go to www.manupatra.com and click Enter • Enter your Sign In and Password and click on Go

IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS REGARDING PASSWORD

• We request you to keep your password Confidential and not share it with anyone. Sharing of password violates clause no 3.5 of Terms and Conditions.

• Passwords are compulsorily required to be changed by the user every 60 days. • In case you face any issue regarding password change, kindly contact at

[email protected].

MY HOME PAGE

• The landing page is the subscribers Personalized Home Page. • Click on the My Home icon to come back to this home page at any time


98

The Left Frame contains the Table of Content [TOC], which lists the Databases. Headings may be collapsed or expanded individually by clicking on the + and - icons. The main text/document appears in the Right Frame.

Show TOC / Hide TOC: Toggle button displays or hides the Table of Content [TOC]

• Show TOC displays the table of content. • Hide TOC collapses the table of content. To have more space for reading the

document hide the TOC.

Manu Search - Word and phrase search interface provides flexibility of Simple, Boolean and Proximity Search.

Legal Search - Field Search interface allows you to search for Judgments on Appellant /Respondent/ Judge Name ; Date of decision ;Subject, Citation; Act & Section and search in case note

Act Search Allows you to search in Bare Acts database only

Results Shows you the list of last search results. If once you click on any search interface the last search results cannot be viewed.

Doc Takes you to the last document viewed

Search History Shows the list of last 20 searches done by you. Select from the list and view the search results without typing your query again.

Session List is valid only for the duration of current session. Add documents to session list for further action of Email, Print and Save. Once you sign off the session list ceases to exist.

My Saved Docs View the saved documents. Can be saved in different folders. Password security can be enabled on selective folders.

My Notepad Create notes for different documents and add to your list for future viewing

Sign Off - To sign off from site always use the Sign Off button.


99

SEARCH METHODS

Selection of Database

• By default the search is done on 'All docs'. • If you wish to restrict your search to any database/s , check the box next to

relevant database/s. • 'All docs' button cannot be unchecked. But if you select a database/s the search

will be done on selected database/s. • Matches the words in your search with the words contained in the database. • It does not search for exact matches only. If you check the 'Synonym' box, it

automatically searches for synonyms or alternate spellings • Does not search for very common words (eg. of, to, the). • Is not case sensitive. (It searches for either upper case or lower-case letters.) • Every search box supports “terms and connectors” functionality. • For AND and OR select from the drop down menu. If you enter words without

using connectors or selecting And Or, Manupatra will try and look for documents that match all the words and will display them and if none is found, it will look for documents that match any of the keywords. This is 'Auto' default option.

Field Search

The case laws In Manupatra are divided into fields. Each field contains a specific type of information (e.g., Appellant/Respondent name, Judges name, Equivalent Citation, Subject, Sub Subject). You may restrict a search to one or more fields. Adding a field restriction to your search is useful when searching for specific cases by name, and for searching for documents from a specific year, judge or court.

Search Tips

Following tips can be used for the search:

• Identify the issue or subject to be researched. • Choose words that might appear in the documents you wish to retrieve. • Check the synonym box to ensure that words with similar meanings are also

picked up • You may do a search in 'All docs' or select a database(s) where you would like to

search.

Search Type Description Example


100

Normal Query

Specify one or more keywords separated by space. First, Search will look for documents matching all the keywords that you have specified and give you the most relevant results at the top. If none is found, it will look for documents matching any of the keywords and will still give you the best ranked results at the top.

board of directors voting rights

Phrase Query

Specify one or more words enclosed in double quotation mark to search for the exact phrase. (NOTE: Without the double quotes, Search will look for the keywords anywhere in the document in any order.)

“agreement in writing”

ANDing / ORing

There is no need to input "AND" or "OR" between keyword. Search will automatically take care of all these thing. First, Search will try and look for documents that match all the words and will display them and if none is found, it will look for documents that match any of the keywords.

board of directors voting rights

Negative Keyword (Exclusion)

To exclude documents that contain specific keyword, specify the negative keyword with a ‘-‘ sign. This will exclude documents from the result that contain that keyword

“child custody”-divorce child custody -divorce

Punctuation [] { } ^ + - , Omit all punctuation in your searches by replacing them with spaces to give you specific result

Spell Checking

In case of wrong spellings in your keywords, Search will try and suggest you the best matching word and the suggestion will be presented as a link with corrected spellings. Click on this link to show you results on the suggested query

Wildcards If you are sure about the complete spelling of a keyword that you are looking for then we can also make use of wildcards. Valid wildcard characters are ‘*’ Matches any characters, any number of times ‘?’ Matches any single character

*city will match city, capacity, complexity, specificity.. Prov* will match province, provides, provisions, proved… ‘?’ will match word, ward..


101

*nand? will match Nanda, Nandy, Kesavananda, Gokulananda, Nityananda

Unordered Proximity (Operator ‘/’)

To find words within a specified distance of each other you can use the Proximity operator. For instance, to find documents with 'corporate', 'tax' and 'law' within 5 words of each other you can use the Proximity Operator.

"corporate tax law"/5

Ordered Proximity (Operator ‘@’)

To find words within a specified distance of each other occurring in the same order, as specified in your query, you can use the Ordered Proximity operator. For instance, to find documents with 'corporate', 'tax' and 'law' within 5 words of each other and in the same order as specified, you can use the Ordered Proximity Operator.

" corporate tax law "@5

Contextual Search – Para

If you wish to match only those documents in which all the keywords specified in your query appear within the same paragraph, you can use the Contextual Search within Paragraph.

"corporate tax law"/p

Contextual Search – Sentence

If you wish to match only those documents in which all the keywords specified in your query appear within the same Sentence, you can use the Contextual Search within Sentence.

"corporate tax law"/s

Contextual Search - Quote

If you wish to match only those documents in which all the keywords specified in your query appear within a Quotation, you can use the Contextual Search within Quotation.

"corporate tax law"/q


102

THANK YOU
