Running Linux: A Distribution-Neutral Guide for Servers and Desktops

Running Linux covers everything from the history and philosophy of Linux to installation and running applications on Linux. After the introduction, the first few chapters cover the different versions of Linux and how to install it on different hardware platforms. This is very helpful to anyone who has never installed Linux. The step-by-step tutorial to setup and configure Linux is very detailed and explains many of the common problems that could be encountered. The setup and configuration sections are generic to cover all versions of Linux, but differences of diverse vendors are covered when it varies from the generic tutorial.A short introduction to UNIX commands and concepts is provided for users who have never used a Unix based operating system. This section applies to not just Linux, but any Unix based operating system. Common applications that are installed are each given a small tutorial. The applications covered are vi, EMACS, GIMP, etc. Linux programming tools are also each covered in a short tutorial section on several tools.The last sections of the book cover Linux administration. Setting up new users and file premissions are discussed. Also, networking aspects of Linux and covered in various chapters about TCP/IP and e-mail. This book is a comprehensive book covering all aspects of Linux and should be required reading for anyone new to Linux.

I own the 3rd edition of this book and liked it so much that I ordered the 4th edition as soon as it came out. If you are interested in learning how to become a power linux user, this is the book for you. The book does a nice job teaching you the fundamentals of linux and system administration. And the best thing about the book is that it is distrobution independant. Unlike other linux guides that are focused toward a single distrobution this one covers the core of linux. What you learn here you can use regardless of what distro you run. The book also has some nice sections on programming tools that are availble on linux and how to use them efficiently. For example it goes into how to use CVS, and how to create linux libraries for your programs, and much more. It also does a good job covering how to set up and use basic unix/linux services like ssh, apache, and email to name just a few. And it has a great section on how to compile your own kernel, which is often a stumbling block to newbies. In order to get the fullest advantage of linux performance you must know how to compile kernels. This is really one of few truely great books on linux. It it well written, and explained in a clear and concise manner. After you have finished reading it you will find yourself picking this book up again and again as a handy reference. I recommend this book as the first linux book to read to everyone i meet that expresses interest in Linux and is new to it.

Caveat: this book is not intended for use by those who are afraid of the command-line and of probing deep into their OS to configure things manually, but then again, that is what Linux is all about- getting under the hood! For those with no previous knowledge of Linux but with a desire to really understand and be able to optimize your OS based on your needs, this book is for you. While this book gives a passing nod to the X-Windows GUI interface, it spends most of its time on the command line, wherein the real power lies. From installing the LILO boot loader to recompiling the kernel, this book will guide the reader step by step, taking very little for granted. While the book assumes no previous knowledge of Linux, it does have a steep learning curve, and the subsequent payoff is huge. This is in particular the best first step for newbies to take to prepare to use Linux's extensive, powerful (and free!) development tools (C, C++, Python, Lisp, Perl, Java etc.). My only complaints are the scanty coverage of PPP configuration and configuration files (such as .bashrc and .bash_profile). This book otherwise superlative.

This was the first Linux book that I bought, which I found to be useful, but often a little too advanced. I therefore ended up buying several other books (Linux Secrets and Red Hat 5.2 Unleashed - these contained a lot of immediately practical info I needed). However, now that I've been using Linux for a while I find myself continually coming back to Running Linux for additional info often not found in other books. People complain about it being out of date and not having a CDROM. These are the resons this book is so good - it doesn't deal with all the distribution specific issues - these can be found in the documentation that comes with your distribution. Instead it supplies a plethora of information on a wide range of Linux topics that don't chage much over time. In addition, Matt Welsh is perhaps the best technical writer I've come across.