Product: 0321159985

Review
I’ve been interested in running a Linux desktop lately, and I’ve looked at a number of books to help me get there. The problem is that you either get a good book on installing Linux, or you get a book that delves into the guts of Linux. But what if you just want to learn how to do day-to-day activities (like create documents, spreadsheets, listen to music, etc.)? If that’s your situation, this is your book.
The author does a good job in explaining what Linux is and the installation process for the different distributions, like Red Hat, Mandrake, and SuSE. Following his instructions, you should be able to get a Linux desktop running with little effort. While not an in-depth install manual, the typical user should have enough detail to accomplish the job. From there, you will get acquainted with the different commonly used tools in a Linux distribution like Konqueror, Kmail, GIMP, and OpenOffice. It’s this information that will help you make the transition from being competent in a Windows environment to being competent on your new Linux desktop.
For those who want to get beyond the user desktop experience, you will find plenty of references to how the Linux shell operates and how you can use the command line utilities to experience the full power of Linux. It’s enough to allow you to do useful tasks without bogging you down in too much detail.
The book also includes a Knoppix Linux CD in the back. This CD allows you to run a Linux system on your computer without installing anything. While somewhat slow (since it runs from the CD) and limited (can’t easily save your work), it does give you the chance to experience Linux with no commitment.
Do keep in mind that this book is not meant to be a complete reference book for Linux. If you want to become an expert on shell scripting, you’ll want something more than this. But if you’re looking for the tool to help you cross over from Windows to Linux, you’ll like the level of coverage.
Conclusion
This is the best book I’ve read so far that talks about how to install and run Linux as a typical user. It also covers all the applications you will want to run on a regular basis. Truly a very good book.
Rating: 5
0321159985
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