Linux Bible: Boot Up to Ubuntu, Fedora, KNOPPIX, Debian, OpenSUSE, and 11 Other Distributions [With CDROMWith Dvdrom]

Linux may well be the successor to Windows. Its design, based on Unix (a multi-user, multi-task operating system), was from its start multi-tasking and multi-user. Windows was built on DOS, a single user, single-tasking operating system, which was evolved slightly from the CP/M operating system created by the small company Digital Research. Windows began as a paste-up on DOS. (Digital Research had a GUI operating system before Windows, on which using Ventura Publisher, I wrote two illustrated engineering textbooks. Linux has, by now, almost too many variations. That is to be expected, since in the open software movement anyone can attempt to build a better mousetrap on the shoulders of those who have gone before. (He just can't make by treating it as a trade secret!) In the Linux Bibble the buyer receives a DVD and a CD, which together contain seven different Linux systems. What's more, some of them can be run on your Windows PC directly from the optical drive without ever writing to your hard disk. Although program fetching is a bit slower than when from a hard disk, since your memory is used to store data, operation is still quick. The major alternative to using "the Bible" to explore using Linux is to download gigbytes of system loads and write them to your own CD or DVD. In that case you also must go back to the 'net for help that you can locate more quickly in the pages of "the Bible". It's well worth its cost and saves a great deal of time (or money, if you choose to buy individual distributions and their documentation. I have tested Linux three times in past years, going a long way back. Each time, something I really needed was not easily available, for example connection to the Internet. In this case, using a PC that was hard-wired to my router, connection to the Internet was automatic. Linux has come a long way, thanks to thousands of volunteers. This time I will join the bandwagon. It doesn't mean I will stop using Windows, but I plan to use Linux for most web activity. Since I already used Mozilla Firefox and Thunderbird under Windows, and use Open Office in Windows for text, spreadsheets and other office tasks, I plan to move everything I can to Linux while still retaining current Windows.

This book makes a great companion for "UNIX Essentials and UNIX Core" DVD course! It is nicely written, pleasure to read and easy to follow. It is one of these books that were carefully edited and the examples work correctly. As I mentioned I have coupled it with the DVD and these two make very efficient couple! I also appreciate the style of the writing, open not mentoring, very nice.

While the Linux world develops by the day, and new advances and Kernels are constantly being updated, this book remains a helpful and near essential tool for a beginning Linux user. From the absolute basics to a moderately advanced approach, this book offers a huge amount of tips as to which direction to approach Linux. I would suggest that anyone reading this book actually download and install the most recent distributions rather than installing the outdated ones on the disks. The author definitely has a strong presence throughout the book, giving a tone of guidance necessary to those new to the operating system. Though this book is excellent in it's own respect, never rely solely upon it, and stock up on Linux books. This book seems to wax over the command line, among other small facets of Linux that need to be explored in greater detail, so I would Suggest Linux in a Nutshell, or any of the other fantastic O'Reilly books as a companion to this book Content: 4/5 Exploration: 5/5 Writing: 5/5 Completeness: 5/5 Overall: 5/5

Very informative, to the point material. Perfect for the novice or intermediate user. All that is left to the user is to pick the perfect Linux distribution. Try linux cds http://www.systemdisc.com

I've listed some of the ways that the Linux Bible helps people have a good first experience with Linux or with a Linux distribution that's new to them. If this stuff sounds cool to you, you should consider buying the book. The Linux Bible includes a DVD that boots to a live Linux (called KNOPPIX), where you can test that Linux works BEFORE you touch your hard disk. If it does, you can reboot and install Red Hat's Fedora Linux from the same DVD. If you only have a CD drive, the book also includes a CD with a small, bootable Linux and a Debian Linux installer. (Six other Linux distributions are included as well.) If you only have one computer and it's dedicated to Windows, you can resize your hard disk to allow Linux to coexist with it. Linux Bible tells you how to resize Windows partitions and gives you tools for doing it. Because security is critical to any computer connected to the Internet, Linux Bible describes how to set up firewalls, watch incoming ports (with Portsentry), scan incoming mail, and monitor log files. Linux Bible describes how to connect to the Internet, do email and Web browsing, play music and video, and write documents. It also introduces how to set up Web, mail, print, and file servers. Any introductory Linux book you buy should have a good tutorial on the shell and at least an overview of major administration tools (such as YaST and system-config tools). Linux Bible has those things. Because Linux is represented by several Linux distributions, Linux Bible describes how those distributions are different, communities surrounding them, and where you can go to get help (forums, mailing lists, etc.) for each of them. -- Chris Negus Author: Linux Bible