How to Transfer Files From Mac to Ubuntu
For users who need to share large or multiple files between Ubuntu and OS X on a regular basis, a cloud-based service such as Dropbox or Amazon.com's Cloud Drive may be the best solution. Dropbox has a multiplatform desktop application as well as file management on its website, while Amazon.com's Cloud Drive handles all file management in your browser. You can also transfer files using an external hard drive or USB drive that uses a format that both operating systems recognize.
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Instructions
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Dropbox
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Create a Dropbox account if you do not have one already. Dropbox offers a free account with 2GB of storage space, but for a monthly fee you can upgrade for more space. The Dropbox desktop application is multiplatform and can run on both OS X and Ubuntu.
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Download the Dropbox application onto your Mac computer. Files can be uploaded to your storage space on dropbox.com if you are unable to install programs on your Mac.
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Copy files from your hard drive to your Dropbox folder, located on your menu bar. If you're using the Dropbox website, click the "Upload" button and select the file that you want to store.
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Download the Dropbox application onto your Ubuntu computer if you are able to do so. This will create a "Dropbox" folder in your home directory, which you can use to access all files in your Dropbox. If the computer running Ubuntu is not yours, log in at dropbox.com. Select the file that you want to download, click the "More" option, and click "Download File."
Amazon Cloud Drive
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Log in to the Amazon Cloud Drive at amazon.com/clouddrive. Amazon.com offers 5GB of free storage to any user with an Amazon account, although you can purchase additional space for a monthly or yearly fee.
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Click "Upload Files" in the upper left corner of the page. Choose a directory for your files and select the files that you want to share to other computers. You cannot upload individual files larger than 2GB.
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Open the Cloud Drive on your Ubuntu computer using the same Amazon.com login credentials.
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Select the file that you want to download to Ubuntu and click the "Download" button. As of 2011 Cloud Drive does not support downloading multiple files at once.
Formatted USB drive
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Insert your Universal Serial Bus (USB) drive into your Mac. Back up any important data on your drive; formatting the drive will erase all files.
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Go to "Applications" > "Utilities" and open Disk Utility to format and manage your USB hard drive or thumb drive. Select your USB drive and click "Partition."
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Choose a name for your partition, and select a file system from the "Format" drop down menu. FAT32 is an older file system that can be read and written in both Linux and OS X, and even Windows, although files sizes are limited to 4GB. Ext2 is an older file system used by Linux -- currently on Ext4 -- that can handle files larger than 4GB and can be managed in both OS X and Linux. Ubuntu can read the default Mac file system -- HFS+ -- but it cannot write to journaled partitions.
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Specify the size of your partition. If you want it to fill your USB drive, set the partition to the same size as your drive. You can also add multiple partitions to your drive, using different file systems, if you prefer. Click "Apply" and then "Partition" in the warning window.
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Copy the files that you want to share onto your external drive. Once the copy is complete, safely eject it from your Mac.
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Insert the drive into the other computer and copy the files from your external drive to your Ubuntu computer.
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Tips & Warnings
Dropbox offers a public sharing folder for situations when you need to share files with another computer to which you do not have access. Simply copy the file or folder to your Public folder in Dropbox and copy the public link.
Both OS X and Ubuntu use a tool called "Disk Utility" to handle disk formatting and management.
You can disable journaling on your external disk, but keep in mind that journaling helps protect your file system from damage.
References
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