Linux for the Rest of Us 163
Linux for the Rest of Us | |
author | Mark Rais |
pages | 108 |
publisher | Eagle Nest Press |
rating | 8 |
reviewer | alvinc |
ISBN | 0972679006 |
summary | A gentle introduction to Linux.; may have some relevant tips for experienced users but should be invaluable to novices. |
The author uses many anecdotes and personal experiences which give the instruction a real-world feel and which also gives it a human element. I enjoyed the occasional tongue-in-cheek humor as well.
The book is very concise, written in a quick guide format, which I found more user-friendly than some of the larger, intimidating tomes available on the subject. The 108 pages are densely packed with information with step-by-step instructions on installing, formatting hard drives for dual boot use, using the bundled graphics and text editors, and configuring a Linux machine for use as a server. It includes essential elements in a quick reference format in the manner I would draw up my own cheat sheets.
I think the book would also make a great gift for new users. Its small size encourages browsing by people who may be hesitant about taking the plunge into Linux. It is a practical way for Linux fans to encourage others to try Linux.
There are a few shortcomings, but these are the exception rather than the rule. Initially I was a little dismayed that the author did not spend more time on the desktop environment and describing some more features of KDE/Gnome etc. I would have also liked for the author to help guide beginners with tips for other useful programs such as Evolution.
One of the strongest aspects of this book, aside from overtly doing new Linux users a huge favor by helping them along the tricky steps, is that the author includes a healthy dose of real-world experiences.
And real-world experiences are indeed included, as I slowly realized that although the author, Rais, was both very gentle and down to earth in tone and writing, his experiences with Linux and technology are significant. His subtle remarks throughout the book about how he helped set up Linux servers with colleagues almost hides the point that some of these servers were involved in serving content to staging servers for some high profile sites, including Netscape.com and aol.com.
I would have enjoyed some further anecdotes about the author's own experiences. He includes a number of useful tips from his experience, but as I read the section "Stories from the Field" I felt like the author probably had a lot more to share and only for sake of brevity did not include more.
Rais maintains a very helpful and encouraging tone, which is rare among users as experienced as he is. The author obviously knows Linux well and still walks the reader through the subject matter much as a mentor would.
The book is also a substantive reference of sorts, enabling easy lookup of critical line commands or troubleshooting errors. It's limited in scope in some areas, and few Linux experts would pick this up as a reference, but as a tool to encourage hesitant new users, it is beneficial.
Linux for the Rest of Us is convenient, easy to read, and inexpensive. Also, note that all proceeds (after tax and print costs) are to be donated to charity.
You can purchase Linux For the Rest of Us from bn.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page.
What about "Linux For Dummies"? (Score:2)
Re:What about "Linux For Dummies"? (Score:1)
Re:What about "Linux For Dummies"? (Score:2)
Lin
sarcasm (Score:2)
Re:What about "Linux For Dummies"? (Score:1)
Anot
What about option e) Go to your local LUG meeting (Score:1)
People talk about newbies getting told to RTFM, but I've found that
Re:What about option e) Go to your local LUG meeti (Score:2)
I've gone onto numerous linux news groups and in the first few lines of my post have told whomever would help that I used the man, read the manual, even googled the useage and found no help and then went on to talk about what the problem is and STILL got "RTFM" and useless things like "man samba."
It have been my experience that those who want to sincerely help are being drowned out by the yahoos. It's a sig
Re:What about "Linux For Dummies"? (Score:3, Informative)
Best to just give them a few CDs you burnt along with the book.
Re:What about "Linux For Dummies"? (Score:1)
Charity eh? (Score:1, Funny)
It is nice that they are supporting Mandrake.
*ducks*
Re:Charity eh? (Score:1)
Distro-centrism? (Score:2)
Yes, that is good.
It sounds like the book isn't too centered around a single distro. That was the single most annoying thing with certain books, back when I was a n00b: books that only dealt with one distro, usually RedHat. Since details are what cause problems when you don't know what you are doing, the subtle differences between Debian and RH made some books (that I had already purchased) useless as time went by.
Running Linux was a good exception to this
Fun?! (-2 Flamebait) (Score:5, Interesting)
When people ask me about Linux I tell them it's a great default OS for most of their work. It can be very easy.
"Well, I can play games on it like windows, right?"
"Yes, there are a few games available for it," I reply. "You can also play some Windows games under Wine, which is software that emulates parts of Windows."
"Is that easy?"
Uhm...
Re:Fun?! (-2 Flamebait) (Score:2)
Oddly enough, I installed a linux machine for my fiancee (so she could put her website there and work on it remotely). Oddly enough, she uses it almost exclusively to play mahjong or puzzle bobble while her windows machine burns cds.
Linux runs most games that most people play (solitaire) and generally comes 'out of the box' with many more.
Re:Fun?! (-2 Flamebait) (Score:2)
Isn't it rule of thumb to leave a windows machien alone while burning cd's, so the burner doesnt' suffer buffer overruns?
So couldn't she be doing needle point while it burns?
Re:Fun?! (-2 Flamebait) (Score:2)
Re:Fun?! (-2 Flamebait) (Score:1)
Re:Fun?! (-2 Flamebait) (Score:2)
"Linux... it's better than watching tv, needlepoint.. or taking a poop."
Re:Fun?! (-2 Flamebait) (Score:1)
[the difference being that she knows the procedure to do things, and the format of conventions, but does not understand the inner workings of things really, and thus does not generally understand the implications of many things, or the possibilities.]
Linux games (Score:1)
reclaim the windows machine for the good side :) (Score:1)
There are some really nice burning programs
timothy
Re:reclaim the windows machine for the good side : (Score:1)
Re:reclaim the windows machine for the good side : (Score:1)
Suggestion: If your machine has a USB port, and you have (or know anyone who has and would be willing to lend to you) an external CD burner, that's a pretty painless way to try it out.
I don't know what distro you're using or what apps you have installed on the linux machine you mention, but I find that gnometoaster does a good job, an
Re:Fun?! (-2 Flamebait) (Score:2)
This isn't all yes or all no, but I would bet that the bulk of people use them for games most of the time. Linux will not be a widespread consumer phenomenon as a desktop item (IMHO only) without broad game support and shelf space for said games at retailers.
Maybe an idea would be a linux-based game console which would let you run games on the box and on linu
ps2 linuxkit (Score:1)
Playstation has a linuxkit [linuxplay.com] for the ps2. It's not made for a big audience, just for a few nerds, but it is a step in the right direction. Maybe it will be somewhat more popular if Europeans are able to connect their playstation to the internet [playstation.com] too.
I&N
Re:Fun?! (-2 Flamebait) (Score:2)
What we _really_ need, is to revamp the KDE/GNOME games collection around network based multiplayer, using ZeroConf and/or internet servers. The most popular game ever is Minesweeper (well, i don't know that, but who will argue it with me ;) - just imagine how much of a killer app multiplayer Minesweeper or FreeCell would be :)
Good to see... (Score:2)
Re:Good to see... (Score:1)
Re:Good to see... (Score:2)
Or for free :) (Score:3, Informative)
NewToLinux [newtolinux.org.uk] - with excellent tutorials that guide you through the basics step by step
JustLinux [justlinux.com] - with forums to ask all those annoying questions, and again not get insulted
Though buying a book is usually also a good idea, especially for when you can't access the web ;)
Don't bother with JustLinux (Score:1)
Re:Or for free :) (Score:2)
Re:Or for free :) (Score:2)
Re:Or for free :) (Score:2)
I also know how to solve most of my problems by myself without needing to ask anyone for help. And I highly recommend that others learn how to do this as well. That's what the internet is here for. A search engine is a tool that can be used to find information about anything you need to learn about. When talking about computers you should be able to find all the info you would ever need.
sigh (Score:2, Insightful)
The problem is 1) that someone should need a book to work an OS means it isn't for 'the rest of us' (you know what I mean), most people don't want to have to learn anythi
Re:sigh (Score:2)
Search for Widnows books on BN [barnesandnoble.com] We found 12,767 titles
Search for Linux books on BN [barnesandnoble.com] We found 839 titles
Hmm, that's funny. How come there are so many more books for learning windows on the market than there are for Linux? By your own definition, you souldn't be using Windows either. Care to search for Mac books? Maybe you shouldn't be using a computer at all?
Re:sigh (Score:2)
The 3rd book in the Windows category was Kaplan GRE 2003 with CD-ROM--Windows only. Being that "Windows" is more common than "Linux," my bet is that you will always see more Windows titles with a simple search like that.
Having a lot of books isn't a problem. Books are effiecient ways to compartmentalize and pass on knowledge. The more books on the subject, the more potential knowledge that exists out there. So if we readjusted your simple search figure and found that Linux had more books...
Re:sigh (Score:2)
Using Linux is not very difficult; however it is very DIFFERENT from Windows.
I'm so tired of this comment (OT but worth it) (Score:2)
I am so tired of people posting this. While it may have been true in the past, it is certainly not true now. Lots of things that are pro-Linux/pro-GNU get modded down and lots of things that are not pro-Linux/pro-GNU get modded up. Your post serves as a fine example.
Re:I'm so tired of this comment (OT but worth it) (Score:2)
I agree. The best suggestion I've seen for dealing with this is for Slashdot to have a new moderation category: (-1, Asked for it).
TheF
I strongly disagree (Score:2)
Now, don't g
Who are "the rest of us"?... (Score:3, Funny)
Congrats! A book just for you!
Re:Who are "the rest of us"?... (Score:3, Funny)
Re:Who are "the rest of us"?... (Score:2)
D'oh, you missed my favourite titles:
Great book (Score:2)
It only costs $11 from Amazon [amazon.com].
If you have someone who is realizing Windows is WONDERFUL (sarcasm intended..duh), give them this book and the latest distro of choice (mandrake/redhat for ease of use). Help someone else be released from the borg [microsoft.com].
Re:Great book (Score:2)
Followed by an explanation of why they can't use all of the applications they are used to
Re:Great book (Score:1)
Re:Great book (Score:2)
Perhaps I'll add this to my library. (Score:1)
I'm currently reading "running Linux" and "learning GNU Emacs." Both are fine for what I need, so far. To me, Linux is a hobby, but one I would like to be decently versed in.
In terms of books (not man pages, please), what would be a nex
Re:Perhaps I'll add this to my library. (Score:1)
Author: Evi Nemeth, Garth Snyder, Trent R. Hein
Copyright 2002, 924 pp.
Paper format
ISBN 0-13-008466-2
It does a great job of giving you insite into mail, security, and file/print servers, as well as helping to understand what being a SysAdmin is all about, which can't hurt.
Re:Perhaps I'll add this to my library. (Score:1)
Re:Perhaps I'll add this to my library. (Score:1)
For me, I've found that while books can be helpful, there is no substitue for experience. The more you use linux OSs, the better you understand them.
My favorite site for linux is http://www.linuxgazette.com/ - plenty of information there for everyone from novice desktop user to application server administrator.
Re:Perhaps I'll add this to my library. (Score:1)
Perhaps because the "intermediate" or "slightly beyond newbie" group is metastable, either you pick it up enough with the first book to where you can understand the guru books enough to continue learning or you stay as what in Esperanto we
arrogance gets you nowhere (Score:2, Informative)
Re:arrogance gets you nowhere (Score:1)
Instant networking: No problem, just type "fish://server" into Konq and you got secure networking without installation.
You also can handle windows faster and more efficient, for example Alt+Right Mousebutton will resize a window by dragging near the border, Alt+Left MB will let you grab a window everywhere.
On top you get remote desktop abilities,
Less KDE/Gnome, more terminal! (Score:5, Insightful)
I've been using RH8 almost exclusively since I first installed it on my notebook six months ago, and I'm of the opinion that Gnome and KDE should be no problem at all for the new user who's even mildly technically inclined.
On the other hand, I sure as hell could have used some clear, concise info on basic command line stuff, as well as a basic introduction to common multimedia tools. Most of the n00b guides seem to spend half the book on installation, a few chapters jumping around the terminal (usually with not-immediately-clear examples), then the remainder on the desktops and the totally frickin obvious apps. I mean, if I couln't figure out how to use Netscape on my own, a new OS is probably a bit outta my league, innit?
Thank god for linuxnewbie.org....
Re:Less KDE/Gnome, more terminal! (Score:2)
Re:Less KDE/Gnome, more terminal! (Score:1)
That said, there's absolutely nothing that pisses me off about a Linux book as much as a chunk of it being dedicated to WMs and Desktops.
I have a stack of books from the RH5-RH6 era, and the better ones (mostly focused on shells, entry-level developing, etc) are still incredibly useful now. However, the one or two books released more recently with big KDE 2.0 sections and such are so completely out-of-date an
Re:Less KDE/Gnome, more terminal! (Score:1)
I've had luck with Unix Shell Programming, by Lowell Jay Arthur (Wiley, 1990). It's got a pretty good intro to the various tools in addition to the meat on scripting. Oddly enough, it was the only book in the library on the topic, and I've been able to renew it for the past six months. I guess people are getting scared off by the publication date.
Thanks for the tip, Telex.
I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:2)
I give credit where credit is due and while this might be a great book for beginners, I don't see the point in learning an OS if you are never going to run any sort of server off of it.
And before you start doggin' on windows security issues - let me specify that this post is ENTIRELY aimed at personal users. The person who wants to play any game, browse the web, and
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:2)
1 - I can't afford Windows
2 - I largely agree with the Free Software philosophy, and so prefer using software that has been built by and for a community
3 - I boycott all Microsoft goods because of Microsoft's lazy security policies and their domineering monopoly-grabbing ways, not to mention Paladium and their adoption of anything that will give them the lead in the market (usually a
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:2)
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:2)
For the end user, Windows just works, and works well for the most part. Linux is getting to that point, but all of that is tangental to why Linux is being advocated for beginners.
Most computer users think that a PC comes with Windows, period, full stop - which further entrenches the Wintel hedgeonomy. If beginners start on Linux, they'll know that there's a choice, and will (in the end) be able to run any OS they sit in front
OS Choice Irrelevant To Most Users (Score:2)
For those folks -- representing the vast majority of computer users -- the choice of an OS is essentially irrelevant. Its purpose is to run, use the conventions you expect, and not break. An appropriate analogy is the transmission of your car. Odds are you don't care at all about that transmission. you just want it to work as you expect and not break.
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:2)
Actually, for the vast majority of home users that list is one item shorter. Playing computer games might be an integral part of your "home computing experience" but it's certainly not for most other people (in general, I know this isnt' true for this audience).
For some silly reason, some people think that it's nice to have more than one product that can do the other two things on that list - go figure. Certainly no one is going
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:1)
Ironically, double-clicking is the worst usability nightmare - introduced by Apple because of lack of mouse-buttons, then later copied by Microsoft.
I agree that Linux is not a very good gaming platform - because there are not many games, not because of any usability issues.
If you are not a gamer, KDE/Linux is much better and more efficient to work with than the primitive Windows GUI.
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:2)
Actually, W2K can handle at *least* a saturated T1. We'll see soon how much more it can handle
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:2)
Followed by: I don't have to worry about configuring my video card to run the right resolution and refresh rate becuase windows is so supported all I have to do is right click my desktop and change a couple slider bars.
Doesn't sound like a single-click to me...
Seriously though, are there really any Windows games left that require you to set the resolution before they work? Can't they either set it themselves, or (gasp!) work in the current resolution?
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:1)
BTW, XFree really should give more help for figuring out Modelines. When you pick a resolution and refresh rate in Windows, it's the same as adding a Modeline in XFree, but the other parameters
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:2)
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:1)
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:1)
A lot of computers users don't play games. But yeah, there are a lot of things that are simply better/easier in Windows. Things like file-sharing apps (Kazaa), CD-writing software, interfacing with USB devices (cameras, mp3 players, etc). I know some people who went from knowing nothing about computers and hating them, to being to
Re:I'm not trying to dog on linux here but (Score:1)
Linus is faster, more stable, prettier, and easier to use.
OS if you are never going to run any sort of server off of it
Did you learn windows. I think so since it's not instinct. Plus linux is a better disktop.
All I have to do is double click a link to get my game to work.... what do YOU have to do? =/
Assuming it runs under linux, all i have to do to install it
Is "The Rest of Us" Trademarked? (Score:2)
how to play the flute (Score:1)
they go over in great detail on how to partition the HD, networking, file rights, the concept of root etc.
but no real-life trouble that the newbie (like me) will run into like:
1. what to do when you hosed your Xfree86 config file when trying to install the nvidia drivers.
2. what the hell is glibc, and how do you upgrade it!
actually..I fo
Tech support I don't mind giving (Score:2)
"Not Currently Available" from BN.com (Score:2)
Per BN.com: "A new copy is not available from Barnes & Noble.com at this time. A used copy may be available from our network of book dealers."
You can however buy it from Amazon [amazon.com].
What no one here has mentioned, and what doesn't appear in the reviews is whether or not it comes with a Distro on CD-ROM. I'm assuming from the low price that it doesn't, which is a shame, as it would seem the perfect vehicle for distributing a copy of DemoLinux [demolinux.org] or Knop [knoppix.org]
Re:"Not Currently Available" from BN.com (Score:1)
I agree vehemently. Knoppix and the likes are an excellent way of introducing ppl to Linux. Just pop in in the cd and boot into an impressive desktop. Lots of apps, lots of games. No install, no fear of destroying data and broken windows. This has convinced my mom into trying it in her own time. After a few weeks she asked me to install linu
Linux is fun? (Score:1)
I gave her a Windows XP. She use it to download pictures from digicam and to organize them. I get some peace of mind and have my sanity preserved. Perhaps this can be called fun.
Linux is great for many purposes
Re:Linux is fun? (Score:2)
Since learning is a part of the Linux fun, it's not the best OS to install if you need to get something done immediately. However, if you want things to work smoothly in a long term, then it might be worth investing the t
Not yet, you can't (Score:1)
I'm going to check this out (Score:1)
Linux is easier than you think. Here's a chapter on "FTP", which is what the computer people use to "download" Linux. Downloading is where you get things from the internet. Once you have the CD, the auto-installer does the rest. Good luck!
Now, what
A good book for the WinNT people (Score:2)
(Gives me something useful to learn while I'm waiting to be employed again...)
How about a book for non-root users? (Score:1)
Why does a user need to know how to install software, when they can and should ask their sysadmin to do that?
The best book I could locate, only had about 40% of the material geared toward functions that did not require root access. That's a lot of pages to
Re:"Linux for the Rest of Us" on Slashdot? (Score:2)
Re:"Linux for the Rest of Us" on Slashdot? (Score:2)
There's life outside of slashdot? (Score:1)
To quote Jon Stewart : " hhhhhwwwwaaaahh? "
Re:"Linux for the Rest of Us" on Slashdot? (Score:3, Insightful)
I doubt Slashdot readers are the "Rest of Us". I would think Slashdotters might buy this book and give it to those poor souls who don't like Windows but don't know how to run anything else.
Re:"Linux for the Rest of Us" on Slashdot? (Score:1)
Re:"Linux for the Rest of Us" on Slashdot? (Score:1)
bpfinn you must be a subscriber, no?
And something very odd just appeared... "It's been -23 seconds since you last successfully posted a comment" when I tried to submit this! It detected that I posted something in the future and prevented me from posting right now. Neat.
Re:"Linux for the Rest of Us" on Slashdot? (Score:2)
Last time surveyed, most Slashdotters were on Windows. I'm still on Windows. I could certainly use a good introductory Linux book.
I think that was his point. Don't gripe every time someone points out you're incapable of installing Linux. It's ok, just admit it. We all know it's true anyway.
Re:"Linux for the Rest of Us" on Slashdot? (Score:1)
I've read
In college, I became familiar with the campus' HP/UX machine, and started learning the ropes of an OS other than ProDOS, DOS, Win, or MacO
Re:"Linux for the Rest of Us" on Slashdot? (Score:1)
I have an old box (12MHz originally upgraded to a 200MHz) that I want to turn into my webserver/samba server. I have all the hardware, my RH 8, and an introduction into linux, however I really want to know how to do stuff. I prefer books as they are usually are put together better than online tutorials. I've been looking for a book (no bigger than my keyboard please
Re:Hi, I'm a big fat troll! (Score:2)
I went slightly differently... (Score:1)
Re:"Linux for the Rest of Us" on Slashdot? (Score:1)
Re:Who is the "REST" of us?! (Score:2)
While I haven't read this particular book myself, I think books like this are important. They take a new user and hold his or her hand, so to speak. They tell the new user, "hey, you aren't going to understand this right now
Re:Who is the "REST" of us?! (Score:2)
Re:Who is the "REST" of us?! (Score:2)
Don't say "they c
Re:Who is the "REST" of us?! (Score:2)
1) The entire world whole uses Windows, makes money, produces things, and participates in a capitalist commercial society.
2) Filthy stinky hippies who enjoy using some shitty alternative operating system who think they're sticking it to "the man" but really they're just fucking themselves since they can't get any work done. They spend more time editing obscure cfg files and it's a good thing, since they sure as fuck aren't running any apps. Other than the few bullshit ones writt