Linux in Easy Steps

This is not a highly technical reference book, or the end-all Linux Bible. It is a nice, easy introduction to Linux. The lessons are arranged in quick bite-size pieces that are easy to swallow. Walks you through a familiarization tour of Ubuntu Linux. Just what I needed for a first experience in a New World.

As a university instructor, I was looking for a simple introduction to Linux for possible classroom use. Mike McGrath's Linux in Easy Steps is the best book I have found to address these needs. It is not perfect, but it is quite good. The book includes 10 chapters: 1. Getting started. 2. Exploring the desktop. 3. Touring the filesystem. 4. Running office applications. 5. Running media applications. 6. Command the shell. 7. Handling files in the shell. 8. Performing shell operations. 9. Networking with the shell. 10 Command references. This book has the double advantage of introducing the reader to both Ubuntu, one of the most popular Linux distributions, and to Linux command lines. The style is clear and practical with a lot of steps and visuals. Chapters 1-5 cover Ubuntu and GUI applications. Chapters 6-10 cover Linux commands. It is a short book (192 pages), and sometimes I wish that the author would spend more time explaining specific terms (e.g., swap partition, logical partition). In addition, I would have hoped that he explains how to install fonts on page 63, use Skype as an example on page 84, and use Windows Media streaming on page 89. But, on balance, the author focuses primarily on what a new Ubuntu/Linux user needs to know to use the OS. The "Hot tip" and "Don't forget" items in the margins provide valuable additional information (e.g., what is the ext3 file system). The chapter about the Linux file system clearly explains with nice Windows parallels the different Linux directories. I have not seen a better explanation than McGrath's in my other Linux books. The description of the sudo command is outstanding for new Linux users. Even though this book is an introduction, McGrath goes into some detail about command lines. Things like printing from the shell, evaluating expressions, and scripting for the shell are included in the book. Chapter 10 recaps all the commands discussed in the book. Overall, this is an excellent and inexpensive book for Ubuntu/Linux beginners.