Customer Reviews

Apache Server for Dummies

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(6)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(2)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

Congratulations, Ken Coar! We're ready for the next edition. If every Dummies-series book were written like this, we wouldn't need O'Reilly titles...Seriously, this book is a really first-rate introduction that will get most of us who operate in the Unix/Linux space where we need to be. It's not Windows oriented at all which is just fine since Apache belongs to Unix, right? Friendly advice: Use the Apache Server Bible by Kabir if you must deploy on Windows. But better yet, dump NT and go with a stable OS for a stable, scalable web server.

As of April 1999, this book seems to be the only printed resource which explains the inner-workings of Apache to the true beginner. I spent hours at a local bookstore trying to compare this book to the two other Apache books, O'Reilly's "Apache Difinitive Guide" and IDG's "Apache Server Bible." Granted, I have not fully read the latter two books, but, from intense scrutinization, the "Dummy" book seems to go out of its way to explain concepts that are assumed to be known in the O'reilly and IDG offerings. I recommend familiarizing yourself with Linux and installing it on your machine (don't be afraid - Linux can co-exist with Windows on your HD) before reading this book, as this book focuses on a UNIX-type OS. This is NOT a five-star candidate, someone (like WROX) needs to step up and offer a masterpeice on the best, most popular web server in the world. Until then, start here, and move on to the "Apache Server Bible" for a good reference.

This book brings out the ease with which Apache server can be implemented in any setting. It is a great book for beginners. The examples are clear and the text is well written with good step-by-step action. Although we implemented Apache on a Linux (RedHat 6x) in a learning environment (Intranet setting) already consisting of NT, Unix, and Novell servers, this book provided the filler and substance that the on-line Apache documentation couldn't so that we turned up the server before deadline. Our students and instructors now use Apache 1.3.6 to more fully teach web design, web server mechanics, and other web topics better and more fully thanks to the start we got with this book. For instance, the Bare-Bones HTTPD.CONF file (page 72) works and is the foundation for more developed and advanced topics. I recommend this book to beginners, lab technicians who are charged with making the Server work, and those who need a really good overview of the esoteric commands in Apache.

Open source projects are hot right now and for good reason. At this point in time, the only two serious adversaries that Microsoft appears to have are the United States Department of Justice and Linux, the open source operating system. With those lights shining so bright, it is easy to miss another major open source project, the Apache server. According to the latest survey, slightly over 60% of sites are currently using it. Given this market share, obtaining some knowledge about Apache is clearly a good career move.
I am generally impressed by the "for Dummies" series. When you need to learn the basics of a new area literally overnight, (perhaps overhour is more appropriate), there is rarely something better available. However, these books generally have a weakness, in that after the first pass, there is no need for the book, as it is of little value as a reference. While that criticism can also be leveled against this book, it must be muted. Although no one would seriously claim that the book could serve as a major reference, it does have value as a quick check of the more routine questions.
While I concede that my knowledge of Apache was weak, that does not change the fact that I learned more from this book than I have from any of the other books in this series. Ken Coar is excellent at explaining the basics of how Apache operates and how the Apache network keeps things moving forward. Each of the basic tasks that a webmaster would be expected to do are outlined and sample configuration files are listed where appropriate. With beta versions of both Linux/Unix and Windows 95/NT on the CD, you also have the opportunity to peek under the hood and see what makes it so popular. The only major negative is that the material is somewhat dated.
With a market share in excess of 60% and growing, Apache is reaching the levels normally reserved for monopolies. Which brings up an interesting legal question. Can an open source group be considered a monopoly?

If you would otherwise be put off by the "For Dummies" title, don't be. Ken is a long time member of the Apache Group. This book is written in such a way that it's useful for both the novice and the experienced Web site administrator. The first Apache book I read offered nothing I hadn't picked up in the comments in the configuration files. A few years later, I read Ken's book. "Apache Server For Dummies" offered lot's of new information. The book is organized in such a way that each topic is presented in sections of increasing complexity. If you've found what you need, you can stop. If you want more, you can keep on reading within each topic.

This is the only apache book I have been reading, so I can't compare it to others. Its organized realy well. All though this is a dummys book, I would strongly suggest learning the basic commands for unix or linux, the basics of the emacs editor, and how the linux operating system is organized before getting involved with apache. Learning the above really shouldn't take that long or much money. If you buy packaged linux distro, it will come with a manual to help you learn how the os works and the commands that you will need.

Mandrake 7.1 and Caldera OpenLinux are available here in the software store, both a very good choice, it will get you up and running quickly and easily. This book is easy to understand and it gets you excited about becoming a web master. Highly recommended. END

This book is a good book for exactly that, beginners, and even if you downloaded the apache software and read some of the on-line docs, you might be missing out on some things that you never even knew about, this is because it's hard to find a source on the internet that explains everything about a subject you want to read about in one concentracted place, instead it's spread all-over...

So even if you have some experiance, I would recommend this book and then get a better one later, more advanced.

Raymond....

Well, considering Apache was written for UNIX/Linux, I would give this book my recommendation.

For those wanting to run the Win32 port of Apache, look for a Win32 specific book! There is at least one listed on Amazon ;o)

Assumes, and rightly so, that the reader is a newbie ... but doesn't cover enough information. Also, far too much assumption about the user being a Windows user when most Apache distributions are run on *nix boxes.

An older book at a nice price, but still contains all the basice info for working with the Apache web server.