Using Linux: Special Edition

Updated from the previous best-selling edition, this complete reference features increased coverage of installation, software, and the Internet. It goes beyond a simple tutorial reference and shows how to extend Linux. -Features extensive information on getting connected to the Internet with Linux's built-in communications tools -Shows how to create your own Web pages and your own Web site -Two CD-ROMs contain Slackware 3.0, a complete version of the 32-bit Linux operating system, source code, and add-on tools and utilities, PLUS, the complete version of the Linux operating system from Red Hat

The biggest appeal of this book is its companion software with three separate versions of Linux on CD-ROM--Red Hat Linux 4.1, Slackware Linux 3.1, and Caldera Open Linux Lite 1.1. You'll be able to try out all three versions without going through the trouble of downloading (though these are old versions of each flavor).

The text focuses on Red Hat Linux, though it's similar to the other two versions on the CD-ROM and you can easily transfer lessons to the others. The authors begin by explaining how to install Linux and how to configure it properly for your hardware environment. Then, they talk about key commands--file management and the like--before spilling the beans on how to run programs.

The information on how to get DOS and Windows programs to run under Linux with dosemu and other jury-rigs is notable. There's even a list of programs (popular and less so) that have been made to run under Linux; each entry comes complete with the e-mail address of a person who claims to have done it.

From there, the book moves on to explain X Windows, time-sharing servers, vi, Internet tools, and the mechanics of using Linux as an Internet server (though there are other whole books that cover the subject in more depth). Overall, this book distinguishes itself by showing you how to do unusual things with Linux. Get this book if you want to see your new operating system do some unusual tricks.