Top 10 Ubuntu tips

Nick Peers reveals the answers to some of the web’s most-searched questions about Ubuntu to deliver 10 unmissable tips.

- Nick Peers

Whether you’re just starting out with Ubuntu or are looking to fill some gaps in your essential knowledge bank, you’ve come to the right place. Read on to discover 10 tips that will give you a solid foundation in using Linux on your PC.

Back up your data

Data loss isn’t something that happens to other people – it can strike without warning even if you’re not tinkering with the kernel. Thankfully, Ubuntu has a built-in back-up application that you’ll have been prompted to set up when you first logged in to your new installation. If you skipped it, type backup into the App Launcher’s search tool to launch the Backups tool.

It’s all very simple and straightforward: before clicking ‘Back Up Now’, check the ‘Folders to save’ and ‘Folders to ignore’ sections to see what gets backed up – basically the contents of your Home folder minus Downloads and the Rubbish Bin. Use the + and – buttons to add or remove folders from here.

Use the ‘Storage Location’ to choose a back-up destination, which can be a connected online drive (Google Drive by default), network folder or local folder – which ideally means an external USB drive. In addition, make sure to flick the ‘Automatic backup’ switch to on under Scheduling to create a daily or weekly schedule. Once done, return to the Overview section and click the ‘Back up Now…’. Click Install when prompted to install python3-pydrive and your files will be protected going forward.

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