Linux Server Hacks, Volume Two : Tips & Tools for Connecting, Monitoring, and Troubleshooting (Hacks)

Linux Multimedia Hacks (Hacks)

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

Linux Server Hacks

The Debian System: Concepts and Techniques

Linux

Linux Annoyances for Geeks

Format: Paperback
Author: Michael Jang
ReleaseDate: 05 April, 2006
Publisher: O'Reilly Media
Rating:

Very nicely done...
. Let's face it.. as much as we'd like Linux to be an oft-chosen alternative to Microsoft Windows outside of IT environments, the fact remains that you still need to be a geek to get everything to work "just right". Michael Jang has written a very nice book to help both you and the users you support overcome the Linux annoyances with his book Linux Annoyances For Geeks.

Contents:
Configuring a Desktop Environment; Configuring User Workstations; Optimizing Internet Applications; Setting Up Local Applications; Installation Annoyances; Basic Start Configuration; Kernel Itches and Other Configuration Annoyances; System Maintenance; Servicing Servers; User Management; Administration Tips; Index

In some ways, this feels a bit like one of O'Reilly's Recipe books. Each chapter has a series of "problems" (in this case, annoyances) that are dissected and resolved based on the author's knowledge and advice. The writing is very person-to-person, with problems like "My CD/DVD Is Locked", My Hard Drive Is Too Slow", and "I Can't Boot Because of a Kernel Panic". You get the feeling that the author is talking *to* you, not *at* you. As a result, some problems that could be very intimidating (like kernel panics) are treated in a calm and rational manner. The information is also not restricted to a single distribution. He covers solutions in the major distros, like Debian, SUSE, Fedora, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. And the solutions for desktop issues in most cases cover both KDE and Gnome. You should be able to find *something* in here that relates to your particular setup. . .

Like many books that try to cover a range of issues or scenarios, your impression of the book is going to be dictated by whether he covered the annoyance(s) that bother you the most. But even just getting two or three really good answers can make the book extremely valuable to you. Overall, I thought this was one of the best troubleshooting Linux books I've seen, and one that should be given serious consideration if you regularly work with Linux.

Essential Linux Desktop Resource
Linux lovers (and there are so many out there) are always looking for new ways to tweak their system or doing things more efficiently (being one of the best operating systems out in the world, can you blame them?), this book truly is for geeks and geeks out there will REJOICE at this text!!!

Chapters Covered:

01. I really like this book not just for the great content contained within, but for the laid back, enjoyable writing style. Desktop Environment Configuration
02. Configuring User Workstations
03. Optimizing Internet Applications
04. Local Application Setup
05. Installation Issues
06. Basic Start Configuration
07. Kernel & Configuration Annoyances
08. System Maintenance
09. Working With Servers
10. User Management
11. Tips For Administrators

Even if you are an experienced Linux user, you owe it to yourself to take a look at this great guide. Chock full of over 450 pages of material, this book is not just a technical reference, its enjoyable to read as well!

Pick this baby up, I am quite certain you will not be disappointed.

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED.

A Book Soon To Fall Apart From Overuse
The audience for this book is the experienced Linux user, but the reader doesn't have to be an advanced Linux user (though, it helps). This book makes a handy quick refference for Linux setup and customization. As someone who's been using Linux for 7 years, there are some things explained in this book that are new to me, some things that I can do blindfolded, and some that I remember, but need to refresh when I actually need to do them.

This book explains how to do such things as customizing the GUI and the user's ability to modify it, setting up removable media to mount/unmount automaticly (or not for a server), switching from/sharing with Windows, making backups, emergency system recovery, kernel customization, and a whole bunch of other things that it would fill an entire book (this one) to list them all. There's also information on setting up Linux servers, laptops and network devices (routers and firewalls).

This book generally asumes that the the main installation work has been done, and focuses more on post-installation customization and emergency recovery. For example, it doesn't explain how to install GNOME and KDE, but it does explain how to customize them. It also doesn't assume that the user is using a specific distribution, but it does focus more on Red Hat/Fedora, Debian, and SUSE, as these distributions are the ones best suited for a bussiness office.

If you are the administrator for a bussiness office using Linux, this book is a must-have. If you are a hobbyist, this book is still reccomended. I personally have made refference to it to solve an annoyance already, and I've only had it for 3 days.