Linux

by Jon Hall, João E.N. Tortello (Tradutor)

Geared to casual users who want to install Linux on a personal machine--in other words, hobbyists--Linux for Dummies walks the reader through installing, configuring, tuning, and using each version of Linux. While the book includes a useful comparison of various Linux distributions, the companion CD-ROM holds Red Hat Linux 5.0 and the book uses that distribution in its examples.

This clearly written text begins by helping you prepare your system for Linux, going so far as to recommend you get it a special hard disk. The authors then show you how to install the system--including the mechanics of selecting file systems and setting up hardware--and then help you log on for the first time.

Next, Linux for Dummies explains elementary commands, including those used to traverse directories and to copy and move files. The book then explores storage issues, detailing how to install and configure a new hard drive in excellent detail. Shells, such as bash and X Windows, get cursory coverage (but adequate, considering the purpose of the book). Linux for Dummies also includes information on certain applications (including vi and emacs) and a guide to tuning and customization that sadly lacks much about shell programming. Internet services, including WAIS, FTP, and Gopher, get their due, but the Apache Web server gets slighted. Overall, this is the best user-lever Linux guide available.

Genres: Nonfiction

406 pages, Paperback

First published January 1, 1999

Reviews

[Trisha Roberson · Rating 3 out of 5]

Practical approach to installing and using linux

[Lucretia · Rating 3 out of 5]

A good introduction but overlabours the basics such as sending email.
I suppose the 'dummies' in the title really does fit though, and if you're looking for an easy in to get started in Linux this will do nicely.

[Anthony Faber · Rating 5 out of 5]

Good, but too elementary for my purposes.