Ubuntu Hacks : Tips & Tools for Exploring, Using, and Tuning Linux (Hacks)

The Debian System: Concepts and Techniques

Linux

Beginning Ubuntu Linux: From Novice to Professional

Format: Paperback
Author: Keir Thomas
ReleaseDate: 15 March, 2006
Publisher: Apress
Rating:

Save your time and money
Aunt Betty will find the author assumptions and lack of step by step instructions fustrating, while the professional will find the lack of substance and gloss comparable with that of a Windows help file. This book has been promoted for the Novice or Professional yet caters to neither. In either case the reader with be both disappointed and unrewarded with their efforts only to be demanding a refund from Amazon. .

Very useful for beginners
What I was looking for is something to give me a good base knowledge of linux. I was nervous that this book would be too high level because I am a professional programmer, and am pretty technical. I have used linux in the past but my knowledge was spotty becuase I never read a book on it.

Some of the chapters in this book I did skip because they explain how to use certain software, which for me wasn't useful, but i can see its worth to someone switching from windows and wants to learn to use openOffice as well as MS office.

This book also had some more advanced topics in it and I feel this information made the book worth it for me. I feel it did a good job in giving me a good base knowledge of linux.

Though, as of june 1st, 2006, the included CD in the book will not be the latest Ubuntu release. Ubuntu is always free, however, and can be downloaded from their site.

Great introduction to Ubuntu and the programs that come with it
A desktop focused product, it comes with all the most commonly used software including a full Office Suite (including a database and slideshow product), web browser, instant messaging, audio player, movie player, CD/DVD burner, photo editor, and of course various games, screen savers, and utilities. Ubuntu Linux is a Debian based distribution that aims to be particularly user friendly and does an excellent job at it.

The book has a good section on getting things up and running correctly that covers all the most common problems that you might encounter during an install. Generally my experience has been that there are few, if any problems installing Ubuntu. For those who are not satisfied with just booting up and running an Internet browser or writing a letter but want to get into the nuts and bolts of the system the author has included information on the BASH Shell. Using it you can get directly into the file system or interact with other aspects of the system in detail.

While this is an introduction to Ubuntu and the various programs that come with it, whole books are available from this publisher and many others on most of the programs included with Ubuntu. So, while this book gives you what you need to get up and running and do all the most common tasks, if you really want to take advantage of the power of some of the programs you can pick up one of several good books on the subject as well as utilize the online support community. Beginning Ubuntu Linux: From Novice to Professional is highly recommended to anyone interested in this desktop alternative.