The Joy of Linux the Joy of Linux

"The Joy of Linux" will have a different feel for the reader depending on their relationship to the "OpenSource", Linux or Unix communities and whether or not they are believers or yet to be infected with the JOY. If one does not know anything about: the Free Software Foundation; the OpenSource initiative; who Linus Torvald is; some distinction between the Unix and Linux communities, then you are a "Newbie" and this book will help you understand the arena you are preparing to launch yourself into. This is a book I wish I had read before I made my first post to a list server where people (some were kind and helpful) shredded my requests for help; apparently, because I broke some unknowable protocol. At that point, I didn't know what a FAQ (frequently asked question) was or how to find one. If you find this book early enough in your explorations, it may save you from some embarrassing "flame" responses to your inquiries. If you don't know what a "flame" is, find a friend who does or search the internet. When you make it to the last chapter, "The Linux Sutra: Resources", if you find nothing to increase your knowledge or whet your appetite, then you must be a Nerd, Geek, or Guru. In which case, I hope you enjoyed it as entertainment and perhaps agree that this book is worth passing on to someone who does not yet understand the Linux Community/Movement. The Joy one can experience in seeing how Linux works no matter what a person's experience level is when they start their journey is limited only by ones tenacity and determination. This text is a good starting point. However, I should point out this text is NOT: a tutorial; installation guide; or, extended reference manual. The authors make a point of some differences in closed-source (MicroSoft and other companies that protect and hide their code from users) and open-source (Linux and the GNU(GNU's not Unix) Project of the Free Software Foundation, and others which allow the user to examine and alter the source). They further show an understanding that using closed-source may be necessary or desirable for many people, but that should not hinder ones use of, or JOY in experiencing, the open-source products and community. Find the JOY.

Here is a book that the author has patterened somewhat after the book entitled, "The Joy of Sex." It is a definite reader that gives insight into who made who. The last time I read a computer novel of this magnitude was entitled, "The Mac Bathroom Reader" that delved into the many emails between Microsoft and Apple. This book is very enjoyable to read. The web site is down which is a bitter disappointment. The authors have a writing style very close to Toni Morrison's style, a nice touch in a computer world.

This is a bit different from most books about Linux, and other books about the open source movement. You won't learn much about using or administering Linux, but will get a feel for (parts of) the culture of Linux and get introduced to some of the communities in the open source movement.It's fun to read, although the extended metaphor (think other book named "The Joy of ... A Gourmet Guide to ....") gets a bit tired after a couple of hundred pages.It's not a balanced book: it concentrates on the common characture "Linux guru" and there are other types of people using Linux now, but does suceed in capturing the fun, excitment and "cool" of Linux.

If you've read many technical books you've probably gotten used to the rather dry monotone sounding books that walk you through fifteen different dialogs, or a long series of command lines that make you wonder how you're supposed to remember how to do that again when the book isn't in front of you... you'll appreciate the lighthearted approach to the history of Linux and the outlook on where it's going.The cartoons aren't bad either.