Red Hat Linux 8 for Dummies [With CDROM]

I'm a complete novice with Linux, I just wanted a way to run a single program that runs in the Linux environment, and learn a little bit about Linux in the process. This book did that for me. It helped me determine how to get my system ready for the install, and then the install worked fantastic, including finding all my hardware automicallly and configuring the ethernet connection to my cable modem automatically.

This book helped me got my wifi card going. I had an easier time than I thought.

This book is a bargain. ...It comes with cd's you can use to install Linux, saving you ridiculous amounts of time trying to download the OS from redhat.I'm running Windows Xp and have some knowledge about Windows NT/2000/Xp as well as Partition Magic.In all honesty, I feel the book drops the ball when it comes to setting up a "dual boot" system, at least with some pre-existing NTFS partitions (for Windows). The jury is still out for those intending to devote the entire hard drive to this Linux installation (or for those Windows 98 users using only FAT or FAT32 partitions).But for those NT/2000/Xp users (me included) who have NTFS partitions they'd like to keep, and extra "unallocated" space on their hard drive (4GB in my case) they're wanting to put Linux on, I say:Be prepared for the possibility of a frustrating experience that ultimately fails. Wanting dual boot on a system with NTFS partitions? The book says FIPS won't work with NTFS but doesn't give much (if any) workaround. I tried adding partitions manually and was frustrated for some time. Finally after the entire OS was installed, I tried booting with my bootable floppy and the OS would not boot.Fortunately Windows Xp was MORE than happy to greet me as soon as I removed the floppy and a key on the keyboard.Next, I will probably try installing Linux on a hard drive with nothing else on it. I anticipate things will be fine.