Linux For Dummies - Softcover

LeBlanc, Dee-Ann; Hoag, Melanie; Blomquist, Evan

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0764507443 ISBN 13: 9780764507441

Publisher: For Dummies, 2000

Synopsis

The day has finally arrived for you enter the users’ paradise of open source computing. Now, you will no longer be a slave to proprietary source code as you take the bold leap into the brave new world of Linux.  It all starts with this book.

Want to start using Linux but aren’t sure where to begin? This friendly guide walks you through Linux fundamentals and offers tons of savvy tips on how to make Linux work for you. In no time, you’ll:

• Get a handle on Linux and open source computing
• Install, configure, customize, and fine-tune Red Hat 7 on your PC
• Use dozens of cool Linux tools, editors, utilities, and applications
• Connect to the Internet
• Customize GNOME interface
• Get up to speed on Linux networking basics

Written in plain English for users of every level of experience, Linux For Dummies, 3rd Edition defines the terms and shows you all the ins and outs you need to master in order to build a smoothly functioning Linux system. Topics covered include:

• Understanding where Linux comes from and what it can do for you
• Installing and configuring the Linux operating system
• Working with a Linux system to manage files, add devices, or add and configure software
• Networking a Linux system for LAN use and Internet access
• Customizing, tuning, and optimizing your Linux system
• Managing Linux system security and resources

On the bonus CD-ROM you’ll find:

• Red Hat Linux 7
• GNOME and KDE desktops
• Netscape Communicator
• Apache Web server
• Networking tools
• Internet applications
• Text editor
• Graphics software
• Unix utilities

The time has come to join the open source revolution with Linux For Dummies, 3rd Edition.

About this title

Review

Geared to casual users who want to install Linux on a personal machine--in other words, hobbyists--Linux for Dummies walks the reader through installing, configuring, tuning, and using each version of Linux. While the book includes a useful comparison of various Linux distributions, the companion CD-ROM holds Red Hat Linux 5.0 and the book uses that distribution in its examples.

This clearly written text begins by helping you prepare your system for Linux, going so far as to recommend you get it a special hard disk. The authors then show you how to install the system--including the mechanics of selecting file systems and setting up hardware--and then help you log on for the first time.

Next, Linux for Dummies explains elementary commands, including those used to traverse directories and to copy and move files. The book then explores storage issues, detailing how to install and configure a new hard drive in excellent detail. Shells, such as bash and X Windows, get cursory coverage (but adequate, considering the purpose of the book). Linux for Dummies also includes information on certain applications (including vi and emacs) and a guide to tuning and customization that sadly lacks much about shell programming. Internet services, including WAIS, FTP, and Gopher, get their due, but the Apache Web server gets slighted. Overall, this is the best user-lever Linux guide available.

From the Author

Please note the fact that the reviews associated with this book are from the first edition, on. You'll have to look at the base of each review to see what edition the reviews actually reply to. You'll find that many apply to the first and second edition of this book. For the third edition, the author team was replaced, and the book was rewritten from the bottom up using reader feedback to help guide the new version. From there, we updated for the fourth edition by using the third edition's reader feedback. At the time I (the author, Dee-Ann LeBlanc) wrote this, there were in fact no reviews posted about the fourth edition. Posting reviews or emailing the author is a great way to help us know what you want to see in the next edition, so please let me encourage you to do either! --Dee-Ann LeBlanc

About this edition

• Publisher: For Dummies
• Publication date: 2000
• ISBN 10: 0764507443
• ISBN 13: 9780764507441
• Binding: Paperback
• Edition number: 3
• Number of pages: 432