Linux Bible 2010 Edition: Boot Up to Ubuntu, Fedora, KNOPPIX, Debian, openSUSE, and 13 Other Distributions Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)It seems like a lot of the Linux books out there right now pick a single distribution and teach you that one. Wiley's Linux Bible (2005 Edition) by Christopher Negus takes a different approach that may be valuable to you.
Chapter List:
Part 1 - Linux First Steps: Starting With Linux; Running Commands from the Shell; Getting into the Desktop
Part 2 - Running The Show: Learning Basic Administration; Getting on the Internet; Securing Linux
Part 3 - Choosing and Installing a Linux Distribution: Installing Linux; Running Fedora Core and Red Hat Enterprise Linux; Running Debian GNU/Linux; Running SUSE Linux; Running KNOPPIX; Running Yellow Dog Linux; Running Gentoo Linux; Running Slackware Linux; Running Linspire; Running Mandrakelinux; Running a Linux Firewall/Router; Running Bootable Linux Distribution
Part 4 - Running Applications: Paying Music and Video; Working with Words and Images; E-Mailing and Web Browsing; Gaming Alone and Online
Part 5 - Running Servers: Running a Linux, Apache, MySQL, and PHP (LAMP) Server; Running a Mail Server; Running a Print Server; Running a File Server
Part 6 - Programming in Linux: Programming Environments and Interfaces; Programming Tools and Utilities
Appendix A: Media; Appendix B: Entering the Linux Community; Index
The main difference I see in this book is the lack of focus on a particular distribution. The different chapters (with the exception of Part 3) are all designed to teach you the basics of Linux apart from any flavor. This allows you to learn core skills that can transfer between whatever distribution you might be using at any given time. Part 3 gives a short coverage of each major distribution available on the market. If you're wondering about the pros and cons of each, this section of the book will help you decide where you want to start your specific distribution-specific learning.
Like all Bible titles, this is pretty big (800+ pages). While there's a lot of useful information, I don't know that I'd recommend this to be your *only* Linux book. 200+ pages deal with the distribution information, which leaves considerably less room for core Linux information. The other chapters cover the gamut of Linux software (server, desktop, productivity, internet, games, etc.), so there's not a lot in in-depth coverage on any one particular area. I'd probably position this as a very good entry level book to teach the reader about Linux and help them decide what distribution to pick. From there, I'd pick a book specific to my distribution of choice and continue my learning.
If your the right audience and in the right situation, this book will work well for you...

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The definitive guide to the basics of one of the most popular operating systems in the world
Whether you're a first-time Linux user or you're migrating from another operating system, this book is an ideal introductory guide for getting comfortable with the building-block nature of Linux. Written by bestselling author Christopher Negus, this guide is packed with in-depth descriptions on the basics of Linux desktops, servers, and programming tools and gets you up to speed on all the new and exciting features of the newest version: Linux 2010. Negus walks you through transitioning from Windows or Mac and helps you find the Linux distribution that best meets your needs.
You'll explore more than 18 Linux distributions, including the latest versions of Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, OpenSUSE, Slackware, Knoppix, Gentoo, Mandriva, SLAX, and more. Plus, you'll discover how to set up secure, fully functioning Linux server systems and get up-to-date installation advice.
Topics Covered:
Getting off the Ground with Linux
Running a Linux Desktop
Learning System Administration Skills
Setting Up Linux Servers
Choosing and Installing Different Linux Distributions
Programming in Linux

Linux Bible 2010 Edition walks you through the details of the various Linux distributions and updates you on the latest networking, desktop, and server enhancements.
Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

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Getting & Managing Your First 1,000 Clients In Web Hosting Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Since this is a new product on the market, I'm still working my way through it. These are my initial thoughts, which I will revise later:
The book does a phenomenal job of covering the scope of what someone new entering the hosting business would need to know. There's a lot of practical knowledge in these chapters: scripts, day-to-day operational procedures, marketing, and more. The author also has developed software that could be invaluable for the new host to use (not included with this book).
I've been in the hosting industry for 10 years and I still feel there are some items that are of value to me. Things that fall by the wayside such as local marketing in favor of online marketing.
That being said, I hope the author takes the time to address the two shortcomings of the book. First, I think the biggest hurdle of someone entering this highly saturated market is finding their niche. The author covers this in the book, however I think a future version of the book would benefit from this being expanded upon.
Secondly, it's obvious that the author's first language is not English. The book could really use a good editor to proofread. I think it unfairly undermines the effectiveness of the author, when it's clear he is a subject matter expert in the field.
I'm currently mentoring someone new to the industry and plan to use this book as a reference. I will update this review with the outcome of that effort.
Robert
[...]


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The guides brought to you in this book are gained by series of my own failures by doing things the wrong way. I hope by going through this guide book, you won't have to go through the same failures which I have experienced.By the end of this book, you should have all the necessary knowledge and hopefully passion to go and get your first 1,000 clients and to manage them, all by yourself.

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Red Hat Fedora Core 6 Unleashed Review

Average Reviews:

(More customer reviews)Lucky. I use this word in the following sense. If you are using an earlier version of Red Hat Fedora, like perhaps Core 5, then you already will be familiar with many sections of the book. It stands as a pretty complete description of Core 6. The differential with Core 5 is relatively small. Since Core 5 was itself fairly mature and stable.
But what if you are completely new to any linux? Then, if you want to install and learn it, you might as well start with the latest major release, which is covered by the book, at this time of writing. Plus, given the now typical time intervals between major releases of Fedora, Core 6 is likely to remain heavily in use for 2007 and most of 2008. This is the optimal frame of the book.
The book strongly promotes Core 6, and starts off with this remark: "This book provides all the information you need to get up and running with Fedora". Very true. I also certainly recommend you use linux. But there is an ironic counterpoint to that quote, which may be appreciated by some. You do not need all the information in the book in order to start installing and using linux, even if you are completely new to it. The key section on installing linux, be it from the enclosed DVD or downloaded from the web, is thankfully brief. Much effort has been expended in making this as painless as possible, and the brevity of the section attests to this.
Then, when running Core 6, either as a sysadmin or as a user, you can more or less skim various germane sections of the book. Without having to go through most of the narrative. For something like a home computer or a small network of computers, this approach should be adequate. Lessens the formidable length of the book.

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Red Hat® Fedora™ Core 6 Unleashed presents comprehensive coverage of Fedora Core 6, the popular Linux distribution developed by the Red Hat-sponsored Fedora Project.This book provides detailed information on installing, using, and administering Fedora. You'll learn how to set up a desktop workstation or a high-powered server, and you'll find complete details on Yum, Fedora's easy-to-use desktop and productivity software. Red Hat® Fedora™ Core 6 Unleashed covers a wide range of topics from using the software you need every day for work, such as the OpenOffice.org productivity suite and the Firefox web browser, to configuring your Linux desktop to run smoothly using multiple printers, shell scripts, and more. For the hardcore Linux enthusiast, there is complete coverage of the X Window system, Linux programming (including Mono), web server administration, and network administration.Install and configure Red Hat's Fedora Core 6 Linux distributionManage Linux services and usersRun a printer server with CUPSConnect to a local network and the InternetSet up and administer a web server with ApacheSecure your machine and your network from intrudersRebuild and install a new Linux kernelLearn shell scriptingRun other operating systems on Fedora with XenShare files with Windows users using SambaGet productive with OpenOffice.orgPlay games on LinuxUse Linux multimedia programsUse a database with FedoraSet up a firewallWatch television on your computerSet up a DNS serverAndrew Hudson is a regular freelance contributor to Linux Format magazine, the UK's largest Linux magazine. His particular area of expertise is Fedora Core and the Red Hat Enterprise platform.Paul Hudson is a professional developer and full-time journalist for Future Publishing. His articles have appeared in Mac Format, PC Answers, PC Format, PC Plus, and Linux Format.DVD includesThe full Fedora Core 6 binary distribution, packed with the complete Fedora Core packagesThe complete OpenOffice.org office suiteHundreds of additional programs and utilitiesRegister your book at www.samspublishing.com/register for access to exclusive bonus content and other resources.Category:Operating Systems/LinuxCovers:Fedora Core 6 Linux DistributionUser Level:Intermediate—Advancedwww.samspublishing.com$49.99 USA / $61.99 CAN / £35.99 Net UK (inc. of VAT)

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