Book Review - Beginning Ubuntu Linux - From Novice to Professional by Keir Thomas
Category Book Reviews
It seems that Ubuntu Linux has made the leap from "just another distro" to "distro of choice" as opposed to Fedora. Since I haven't done anything with Ubuntu yet, I decided to get started with a review of the book Beginning Ubuntu Linux: From Novice to Professional by Keir Thomas. While I'm not sure it caters completely to the professional, I think it does a good job of getting a computer-savvy person up to speed on what they can expect from running a Linux distribution (in this case, Ubuntu).
Contents:
Part 1 - Introducing the World of Linux: Welcome!; A History and Politics Lesson; The Realities of Running Linux
Part 2 - Installing Ubuntu: Preinstallation Steps; Installing Ubuntu; Solving Installation Problems
Part 3 - The No-Nonsense Getting Started Guide: Booting Ubuntu for the First Time; Getting Everything Up and Running; How to Secure Your Computer; Personalizing Ubuntu - Getting Everything Just Right; Ubuntu Replacements for Window Programs; Managing Your Files;
Part 4 - The Shell and Beyond: Introducing the BASH Shell; Understanding Linux Files and Users; Working with Text Files; Taking Control of the System; Cool Shell Tricks
Part 5 - Multimedia: Digital Music; Movies and Multimedia; Image Editing
Part 6 - Office Tasks: Making the Move to OpenOffice.org; OpenOffice.org Overview; In Depth - Writer; In Depth - Calc; In Depth - Impress; In Depth - Base; In Depth - Evolution; Running Microsoft Office Under Ubuntu
Part 7 - Keeping Your System Running: Installing Software; Managing Users; Optimizing Your System; Backing Up Data; Scheduling Tasks; Accessing Computers Remotely
Appendixes - Glossary of Linux Terms; BASH Command Index; Getting Further Help; Other Versions of Ubuntu; Index
Thomas starts off the book by explaining the background of Linux, as well as how to get Ubuntu installed on your computer. Parts 1 through 4 deal pretty directly with Ubuntu and core pieces of the operating system, and that's the part of the book that will help most computer-savvy users get a feel for what's involved in running Ubuntu. It's not at the Grandma level, which means that you won't feel like it's a huge waste of time if you already know your way around your Windows system. Parts 5 and 6 are not so much Ubuntu as they are chapters on core software that replace the often-used Windows programs for most people. Many of these software packages have whole books written just about them, so don't expect a definitive guide to every feature they offer. But it will help you to see what's out there in terms of Windows replacements. Part 7 gets back more into the Ubuntu-specific realm of how to make sure your system is running to its peak performance.
I see this book at being targeted best for either a Linux newbie or someone sampling Linux distros to see which one appeals to them. If you are a long-time Linux user looking to switch to Ubuntu, I think you'll find too much of this book covering material you already know. If you want a book that gets into the arcane details of Ubuntu, then this isn't the book you'd want to get. However, if you're in the proper audience, you'll benefit from this book. I know I plan on firing up my VMWare software and loading up Ubuntu based on what I read here...
It seems that Ubuntu Linux has made the leap from "just another distro" to "distro of choice" as opposed to Fedora. Since I haven't done anything with Ubuntu yet, I decided to get started with a review of the book Beginning Ubuntu Linux: From Novice to Professional by Keir Thomas. While I'm not sure it caters completely to the professional, I think it does a good job of getting a computer-savvy person up to speed on what they can expect from running a Linux distribution (in this case, Ubuntu).
Contents:
Part 1 - Introducing the World of Linux: Welcome!; A History and Politics Lesson; The Realities of Running Linux
Part 2 - Installing Ubuntu: Preinstallation Steps; Installing Ubuntu; Solving Installation Problems
Part 3 - The No-Nonsense Getting Started Guide: Booting Ubuntu for the First Time; Getting Everything Up and Running; How to Secure Your Computer; Personalizing Ubuntu - Getting Everything Just Right; Ubuntu Replacements for Window Programs; Managing Your Files;
Part 4 - The Shell and Beyond: Introducing the BASH Shell; Understanding Linux Files and Users; Working with Text Files; Taking Control of the System; Cool Shell Tricks
Part 5 - Multimedia: Digital Music; Movies and Multimedia; Image Editing
Part 6 - Office Tasks: Making the Move to OpenOffice.org; OpenOffice.org Overview; In Depth - Writer; In Depth - Calc; In Depth - Impress; In Depth - Base; In Depth - Evolution; Running Microsoft Office Under Ubuntu
Part 7 - Keeping Your System Running: Installing Software; Managing Users; Optimizing Your System; Backing Up Data; Scheduling Tasks; Accessing Computers Remotely
Appendixes - Glossary of Linux Terms; BASH Command Index; Getting Further Help; Other Versions of Ubuntu; Index
Thomas starts off the book by explaining the background of Linux, as well as how to get Ubuntu installed on your computer. Parts 1 through 4 deal pretty directly with Ubuntu and core pieces of the operating system, and that's the part of the book that will help most computer-savvy users get a feel for what's involved in running Ubuntu. It's not at the Grandma level, which means that you won't feel like it's a huge waste of time if you already know your way around your Windows system. Parts 5 and 6 are not so much Ubuntu as they are chapters on core software that replace the often-used Windows programs for most people. Many of these software packages have whole books written just about them, so don't expect a definitive guide to every feature they offer. But it will help you to see what's out there in terms of Windows replacements. Part 7 gets back more into the Ubuntu-specific realm of how to make sure your system is running to its peak performance.
I see this book at being targeted best for either a Linux newbie or someone sampling Linux distros to see which one appeals to them. If you are a long-time Linux user looking to switch to Ubuntu, I think you'll find too much of this book covering material you already know. If you want a book that gets into the arcane details of Ubuntu, then this isn't the book you'd want to get. However, if you're in the proper audience, you'll benefit from this book. I know I plan on firing up my VMWare software and loading up Ubuntu based on what I read here...
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I have to admit, I like 'brewing my own' though...
Posted by Ray "The Lion King" Bilyk At 08:07:16 On 26/09/2006 | - Website - |
How are you?? I stumbled upon your website and its great!! Okay so, this is my deal...I have an amazingly brilliant-hacker-tech-geek of a boyfriend, that just has the brain to work on computers...and he's all self taught!! Am I bragging...haha...I am!! Joking!! Anyways, I am trying to find him the perfect book, I don't know much about computer and all that so I was wondering if you had any suggestions. All I know is he can troubleshoot, repair, hack and he likes Linux...sooo if you can please help a sista' out!!
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Posted by Marina At 17:23:47 On 03/04/2012 | - Website - |