Customer Reviews

Beginning Ubuntu Linux

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Having been a "Newbie" to the Ubuntu world up to a year ago, making use of this book was a revelation, as it is easily readable and allows for a very shallow learning curve with this operating system and its associated sets of applications. I also own the 4th edition (Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Fourth Edition) of this book and this latest round adds more details to items like Networking, mobile wireless communications and other pieces of the software that really make it easy for someone to install and operate very well Ubuntu 10.04. I especially enjoyed the history lesson at the beginning of the book, and the quirky but candid reasoning behind the rise of open-license software and Ubuntu in general. Linux is a much more hands-on operating system and the writers make a very good effort in listing many resources that one can tap into to adapt, improve and generally tweak Ubuntu 10.04 to look, feel and operate as one would like. Especially helpful was the Appendix A, where a large number of "BASH" commands are listed and explained, a must for any Linux user to be able to come to grip with using the "Terminal" window. To this end I also purchased the book - "Ubuntu Linux Toolbox"Ubuntu Linux Toolbox: 1000+ Commands for Ubuntu and Debian Power Users
as an incredible addition to this starter guide, as a wide set of commands make any installation, adjustment or simply playing with the OS a snap. I would recommend the fifth edition of "Beginning Ubuntu Linux" for anyone jumping into the exciting and "free" world of this operating system

"Beginning Ubuntu Linux Fifth Edition" is a comprehensive, well written, easy to read book useful both for learning Ubuntu and for future reference. Throughout the book comparisons to similar activities in Windows are presented making the transition to Ubuntu easier.

Part One consists of two chapters. The first chapter gives you a good understanding of just what Ubuntu really is, and explains why it is a better operating system than Windows. Chapter Two presents a concise, accurate, history of the evolution of UNIX, Linux, Ubuntu Linux, and MSDos and Windows. It is implied, and in my opinion correctly so, that UNIX and its offspring are and always have been superior to MSDos and Windows. The popularity of MSDos and Windows is the result of shrewd marketing and legal maneuvering.

Part Two discusses Ubuntu installation. The instructions are clear, concise, and easy to follow. However, the disk that came with the book was defective and would not boot. I had to download Ubuntu 10.10 from the Ubuntu website. Also, I did not find the installation to be as easy as the book would have me believe. My desktop loading problem was not covered in Chapter 5, "Solving Installation Problems". The desktop loaded correctly right after installation, but only partially loaded during subsequent re-boots and locked up when I tried to install a printer.

Part Three, "The No-Nonsense Getting Started Guide", is just that. It covers all of the basics clearly and concisely. However, nowhere did I find how to make my Ubuntu computer join my Windows Workgroup home network.

Part Four, "Working and Playing with Ubuntu" provides most of the information necessary to take advantage of Ubuntu's potential in everyday use.

Part Five, "Keeping Your System Running", covers the basics of system administration.

Of the four appendices, I found Appendix A, "Introducing the BASH Shell", to be the most helpful. It is an excellent reference when using the command-line to truly control the system. Although not necessary for the everyday use of Ubuntu, more advanced users will want to use the command-line at least occasionally.

Overall, this is the best Introductory Ubuntu book I have found.

I'm actually writing this review on my newly installed Ubuntu system ...

And I can't be happier. Linux? Really? I asked myself that question. I must say I was pleasantly surprised by Ubuntu's latest release. I used the version supplied on the book's CD and everything worked "out of the box."

No hiccups, no missing drivers. Of course, your mileage might vary, depending on your hardware. My experience has shown wireless network cards can be a pain. But lo and behold ... there's an entire section on how to get your hardware working ... even with using Windows-based drivers. In fact, there is an entire chapter dedicated to "Solving Installation Problems" which was just the kind of encouragement I needed. I'm not afraid to jump in to things, but I didn't want the hassle either. I also appreciated Chapter 3's Pre-Installation Steps. Are you concerned about saving your existing data? The no-nonsense approach here will help you get prepared the right way. The authors even included a table listing the most common files you'll probably try to save, where to find them, and how to back them up. Fantastic!

But the book isn't all about just getting Ubuntu running. It'll help you on your way to becoming a Linux power-user too. Part 3 will hep you get everything tweaked just the way you like it, followed by a detailed section on how to do all the things you did on that other operating system. At this point, I think I may have already forgotten its name. But what about all my games?!? Never fear, the section on using Wine to install and run your old OS's applications will help you out.

Hint: check out Wine's extensive online database of applications that it is known to support if your Windoze app is a deal breaker. I was surprised to find a few apps I needed that I thought hardly anyone else uses, much less on Linux.

You can find this in the part I'm still absorbing at the moment. Part 5, Keeping Your System Running. It's not titled that because your system won't stay running. Linux's reliability is world-renown. I have geek friends at work that are in a constant competition to see whose Linux computer has run longer without a reboot. Their record is currently 429 days. Can your OS do that? Even my wife's Mac can't. Nuff said. Getting back on track, this section is ultimately what you'll really need to free you from the world of that other OS. It's where you'll learn all about managing users, file permissions, optimizing your system, backing up data and more. Not a necessary read to get started, but things that you'll want to know down the road.

All in all , the authors did a superb job of getting the beginning user ready to embark on a fantastic journey. If you're even thinking about moving to Linux, get this book!

I truly appreciate these authors who spent such a enourmous time to prepare for the book. Without this comprehensieve document, I would have been lost in the computer software, in which open-system has its weakness. Thanks again.

I purchased the 4th edition Of beginning Ubuntu Linux with Jaunty Jackalope Ubuntu 9.04 Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Fourth Edition. I was sent the 5th edition of the book to review.. The Ubuntu OS ( operating system) is being changed on a regular time frame, therefore my rating and review hopefully reflect this fact. The rating I give this book is 5 stars, and why?
I like the layout of the current edition, to me it is better organized, and a clearer index. A example of this clearer index is the entry antivirus.
In the 4th edition entry is ( note the periods . are used for spacing)
.....antivirus protection 183.
This only brings you to beginning of Chapter 9 ' How to Secure Your Computer' .
In the 5th edition the entry is
......antivirus protection
..........ClamAV program, 175
..........Ubuntu, 147
.....antivirus protection, Ubuntu
..........adding virus scanning scanning to Ubuntu 175-179
Here page 147 is Chapter 8 'How to Secure Your Computer'.
Page 175 is the antivirus scanning program 'ClamAV'.

Second this book covers just about everything one needs to begin using Ubuntu. I say this as a person who has installed and is using Ubuntu. I also use Mint 9 KDE desktop edition..
Ubuntu has two parts, the kernel and the included software. The book gets one started using the included software, except for one program, and that is Grub 2 , which is the boot loader. This is understandable because Grub2 is new and updated with Ubuntu 10.04, but here is a helpful document link
[...].
In the review part, I only cover the problems I encountered, when installing, and understanding Ubuntu 10.04 version.
Chapter 1 Introduction the Linux, Debian, Ubuntu.
Linux is the kernel that communicates with the computer's processor and hardware keyboard, mouse, and monitor, in text mode only. Graphics are handled by the X server.
The Operating System adds software programs, and, graphic (X server), error handling, integration between software programs and the kernel. The software programs included in Ubuntu, have been tested by the Ubuntu team members, and are working correctly. However if you install other software, which there is a lot of free available software, this can, but not always lead to Ubuntu not functioning correctly.

My Ten Reasons to try Ubuntu Linux, not found on page 3 in the book.
1. You like the idea of user produced software, and not limited company produced software, which may or may not work.
2. Software is open source, meaning you can see the code, this may make sense only as you understand more about how GPL software is produced.
3. Do not want to spend money continually for every software upgrade, which you see little benefit from, example MS (Microsoft) Office. I have used OpenOffice.org for the last 10 years, and I have upgraded, but seen no improvement of the parts of the software I use since the last 3 years or so.
4. Do not want to spend money on hardware, to run MSVista, but have a capable operating system. Operating systems are becoming like cell phones, a lot more features, with no time to use them.
5. Multi-booting, running a number of operating systems on one computer. I run Windows XP on my first hard disk, and Ubuntu 10.04 and Mint Kubuntu on 2nd harddisk. Grub2 bootloader is the program which loads and control this feature, and why one must read the document if using this feature.
6. Different desktops GNOME with it's native programs, and KDE with its native programs, yes for free, and no the programs are not the same, basically the different desktops add different user software programs
7. Like a self selecting system of software producing. None of this software remains in development unless people find it useful.
8. Do not want your kid on your part of the computer, all users have passwords, but one must remember your password.
9. XP windows can crash but will not destroy your Ubuntu system on a dual boot system.
10. KDE desktop (Mint Kubuntu) offers a lot of artistic choice, compared to GNOME. One can add a lot of coloration to the desktop and has some of the top rated programs, as determined by Linux users.

The book is in six parts as follows
1. Introducing the World of Linux.
2. Installing Ubuntu.
3. The No-Nonsense Getting Started Guide.
4. Working and Playing with Ubuntu.
5. Keeping Your System Running.
6. Appendixes.

Part 1 chapters One and Two give one and overview of why I should use Ubuntu. And explains GNU project, and the GPL (General Public License). Meaning of Gnu [noun] large African antelope having horns on it's head, which I believe is the GNU project mascot image. Why one should stop using MS Windows, and start using GNU/Linux operating system.

Here is my short help section on choosing a GNU/Linux operating system like Ubuntu 10.04 GNOME -or- Mint 9 KDE -or- one of the other GNU/Linux choices. The differences between the different GNU/Linux OS can be determined by reading information at the operating system site web page, and finding out which desktop it uses..One can find the different GNU/Linux OS by using a search engine, or go to this website distributions watch, [...]. In the book go to page 19 Table 2.1 Linux Distributions, gives a brief description of the other operating systems.
Note, GNOME and KDE are not the only ones., and basically the differences Desktop determined the software that comes with the operating system.
Some terms from the glossary that one should be familiar with goto appendix B p553 Glossary of Linux Terms, read the following terms
GNU on page 560,
GNU/Linux, GNU Project, GNU Public License, GPL all on page 561.
On page 564 Linux
Linux Foundation page 565
Open Source, OpenOffice.org, page566.

Part 2 chapters 3 to 5. Installing Ubuntu.
Chapter 3 'Pre-installation. Steps', a very Important chapter to read and understand do not take this chapter for granted. The biggest favor one can do for them selves is to install a second hard drive. The hard drives are cheap compared to one's time, frustration, and easy of use, windows dose not like bring moved by other operating systems.
My personal experience is installing Windows XP on hard drive 1 -or- master drive, and my second drive I silt in almost half. I always make the drives different sizes so I can tell them apart. Example 300 GB drive would be divide in part one 125 GB for Ubuntu 10.04, 175 GB Mint 9 KDE. Why because I can easily change OS choices, and copy my work from one partition to the other, and now install the new operating system on the partition of the operating system I no longer want to use. I also point out that GNU/Linux OS operates on extended partition no need to make primary only the first drive needs to do that.

Chapter 4 Installing Ubuntu, and Chapter 5 Solving Installing Problems.
My personal biggest problem with installing was older computer's and CD ROM. The CD ROM has to be alone and the second master. However I solved this problems by using a USB DVD, as long as the BIOS lets you boot from here, you can set the option in the BIOS.

My personal experience with installing Ubuntu is on a second hard drive, which requires manual partitioning, which long term I feel is the best solution. Partitioning is not a big problem, and there is no need to panic, ... well elevated heart yes, but no to the level of panic. The only drive to change is sdb, thats b and not sda. Drive sda1 is where Windows OS is, and one does not touch this drive, only sdb.
Now it is time to partition drive sdb only two setups are requires 1. A root mount point, and 2 A swap partition. What is swap goto page 570 glossary term swap, and then read on page 49 Determine Windows Partition Size, continue reading pages 50 to 53 as refresher on what is being done. The only mount point one needs is / , yes only that angled line, I know that it is only that /, but yes only and angled line. Goto page 54 figure 4-11 shows you that angled line on a single drive setup, on drive sda (/dev/sda), one uses sdb instead of sda.
If you have a proprietary system like Dell, HP, or Gateway you need to call, -or- check there web site installing a second hard drive on your system, and that you can boot from a CD -or DVD drive, which every you may have.
On my system, which I built, I divided it approximately in half. Note make sure one does not make the partitions the same size, and different from your windows partition as well on hard drive sda1, this way all partition are easy to identify. One can determine your swap partition size goto page 50 table 4-1. I used 4,096 Mb thats megabytes, and that is about ½ gigabyte.

Here is a print out of my system setup:
Disk /dev/sda: 120.0 GB, 120034123776 bytes
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sda1 * 1 14593 117218241 7 HPFS/NTFS [ partition for Windows XP ]

Disk /dev/sdb: 250.1 GB, 250059350016 bytes
Device Boot Start End Blocks Id System
/dev/sdb1 1 16168 129869428+ 83 Linux [ partition for Ubuntu 10.04 ]
/dev/sdb2 16169 30401 114326209+ 5 Extended
/dev/sdb5 29650 30401 6040408+ 82 Linux swap / Solaris
/dev/sdb6 16169 29649 108284928 83 Linux [ partition for Mint 9 KDE ]

One should note that the swap partition is used by both Linux installs, and notice the numbering system is not in order one may think. To increase your understanding read starting at Working with Disks and Volumes page 228, and stopping at Accessing Network files on page 232. Also Appendix D creating a bootable CD or DVD from ISO images on page 590. Note make sure one reads about Grub2, which is the bootloader software which controls which operating system will boot from the menu.


In part 3, Chapter 6 Booting Ubuntu for the First Time the only two notes I will add.
1.About Grub 2
2.Virtual Desktops
Grub 2 is a section that has been not covered in detail in the book, and with good reason because it has just been changed and been updated, and is not covered in great detail in the book.

But there are current articles on Grub 2 at these web sites.
1. [...]2.[...]3. [...] If one is going to use multi-booting, then making a rescue disk is a must, and here is how. Use these commands in the terminal window to make the rescue disk. Check out page 521 'Getting Started with the Shell' for detail on the terminal window, which is really a BASH shell program, which is a text only program, X-server or graphics.
grub-mkrescue --output=rescue.iso /boot/grub
grub-mkrescue, is the command
--output=rescue.iso, is file name in this example 'rescue.iso'
/boot/grub, this is the location of grub2 files.

The rescue.iso will be written to your home directory, and now you must burn the image to CD. Follow the instructions on page 590, and if you use Brasero (part of the Ubuntu software) make sure you use Burn image.
Make sure that your system BIOS is set to search the DVD or CD drive, before the hard drive, for a bootable disk, which is the one you just made. So place the disk in the DVD or CD drive, and reboot the computer. At the 'grub>' prompt enter the following commands, adjust for where you installed Ubuntu.

1. grub>linux (hd1,1)/vmlinuz root=/dev/sdb1 (where is the kernal located, and what is the root device)
2. grub>initrd (hd1,1)/initrd.img (where is the interrupter image located)
3. grub>boot ( now that both images are loaded into memory, you need to tell grub2 to go ahead and boot the system)

Now my Ubuntu system will load from the disk, now you can reinstall Grub2 after MSWindows XP writes over the top of it by using the following commands in the terminal window. Check out page 521 'Getting Started with the Shell' for detail on the terminal window.

sudo update-grub ( this command updates Grub2 for any changes on your system )
sudo grub-setup /dev/sda ( this command sets up Grub2 on the bootable hard disk that the BIOS is looking for to start your system )

The big alternative is to leave Microsoft Windows XP as your start up operating system, and using the rescue disk when you want to start Ubuntu. Now here is a real life example of what happen to me. I had a virus on my Microsoft Windows XP system, and so I logged into Ubuntu and copied all my files onto my Ubuntu file system that were important to me. After that I booted from my Window XP disk and reinstalled after formatting the Window XP disk space to remove the virus, and one can do this if you want to refresh Windows XP.

Second Virtual Desktops are not the same as a virtual box. A Virtual Desktop allows you to have many programs running at the same time with out one over lapping the other program. One can have up to four identical desktops, and a program started in one desktop does not appear in the other desktop. Example: one is writing a document. Now one has it opened full screen and wants to go to the Internet to research some information about a topic. There is no need to loose your place. Just goto to desktop two by using desktop switcher (page 90 to 92) and one can start Firefox on the new desktop, and look up your information. Most home users will only use two desktops, but you can have 4 if you want.
A virtual box (page 30) allows you to run one operating system inside of another one. The example on page 30 one uses Ubuntu in Windows, by using a piece of software which functions like Ubuntu is accessing the hardware directly, which it is not is is going through the software. It is like Ubuntu Windows on your Windows desktop.

In Chapter Seven Getting Everything Up and Running. I have one big note to add. The Ubuntu contains no proprietary drivers, and the reason is licensing agreements which do not allow for free distributions of the software. However to get around this problem the Software Manager downloads the proprietary drivers and as part of the install, one agrees to licensing for the proprietary driver. Read page 97 for more details.
Now my point to add here is proprietary video and sound driver/codec as in the case of nViada graphics card have to be installed and activated to obtain full use of the graphics card. Is covered int the book on page 134 toward bottom of page sentence starting with " Follow these instructions to activate the proprietary graphics driver: " .

Chapter 8 How to Secure Your Computer, the only additional point that I will high lite are the following Ubuntu OS uses a combined password. The same password is used for your normal user account, and for root account (see page 149) for more details.
The only time one is logged in as root users is when you are requesting a Administrative task -or- Root user task like installing more software. What is the Root password, well that is the same password as the first account password when you installed the system. This is a safety system to prevent you the user from rendering your system non-functional by being logged in as root all the time. Root access is only granted as needed and removed after the task is finished.
Two added notes one is that in the terminal window root access is granted by using sudo (then the command) and hit enter and it will ask for the root password, which is the account password. One can adjust root access see Chapter 21 page 443 for all the details.

There are three different programs for handling software.
1.Update Manager which updates Ubuntu operating system software, and some other software supported by Ubuntu team. Page 431 Automatically managing software updates for details.

2.Then there is the Ubuntu Software Center, which is where one finds more software to install. See chapter 20 page 416 for details.

3.Synaptic Package Manager, which list ever package on your system in and the packages available from the Ubuntu repository. See page 433 for details " The Synaptic Package Manager in Depth

Well that is it, and I hope this real life experience helps , to you newbies.
End of Article.
--Christopher

This comprehensive introduction to the Ubuntu Linux Distribution recognizes that users from the MS Windows and Macintosh Camp will be making their first steps into the powerful Linux Operating System with trepidation. Yet this introduction which does guide the Newbie into a worry-free installation and early use of Linux also recognizes that the user must administer their own system on a variety of hardware environments, and that they seek competence in full use of this powerful operating system in a way that goes beyond graphical baby steps. While the neophyte is led through installation and use of common utilities in a manner that would allow them to have the ease of use of MS Windows and Mac OS X operating environments, the tools they need to get arcane hardware operating in this environment (including Wireless Networking and Printer Installation) are provided in sufficient quantity and quality. Recognizing that many Ubuntu users will eventually seek to go beyond GUI applications like Open Office and GIMP, this comprehensive introduction to Ubuntu Linux provides an introduction to the Bourne-Again Shell (BASH) and a full chapter (chapter 12) on plain (ASCII/UNICODE) text editors and command line text manipulation.

I would highly recommend this gentle yet comprehensive introduction to the most popular and easy to use Linux Distribution for the new user who needs hand-holding at the start, but seeks eventual competence to administer and obtain the most benefit from this powerful operating system.

Ira Laefsky, MSE/MBA
IT Consultant and Researcher formerly on the Senior Staff of Arthur D. Little and Digital Equipment Corporation

This book aims at the beginner who wants to use Ubuntu Linux as the Operating System on their desktop.

It provides basic to intermediate things to get started using Ubuntu such as Ubuntu installation, E-mail setting, firewall setting, antivirus setting, backup, software installation, schedulling task, and so on. All of them are explained using plain language. For beginners, these are the good starting point to migrate to Ubuntu.

Of course, the authors try to be as general as possible. Therefore, when it comes to installing hardware like printer, they do not explain how to install it manually if thing goes wrong. For example, I had to browse the Internet to install my printer, download the driver, extract it, execute particular commands and finally able to print. However, the installation of scanner went pretty well.

So if you want to migrate to Ubuntu Linux from any Operating System or you are desperate with your old Operating System and want to try an Operating System which is free but reliable, this book is for you.

I'm new to Ubuntu/Linux and looked all over local libraries for a good reference book.
I finally found an earlier version of this fifth ed. Even the Ubuntu web page didn't link to a good source.
I have had courses in Linux but pure Linux is not for non-geeks. This book will get you going very
quickly.
If your sick and tired of MS xxx and are a bit on the nerdy side this will be the best you and
find to get you going.
It comes with a DVD for 10.04 but it seemed to be scratched and I used a download to get going
from the Ubuntu web site.

This book provides an interesting overview of Ubuntu but lacks useful details. For most actions they write about applets and menus, but nothing if the applet doesn't work as expected or the menu comes up differently. For the big applications like Open Office the treatment is shallow. When there are specific instructions there is little information on what is actually happening or has been accomplished. And, command references are incomplete. It's a six hundred page book and far less than a hundred will be useful to me.

This is really for beginning beginners. The problem is, K/Ubuntu is a very powerful operayting system and the tips in this book are rudimentary, aimed at, say, dummies who can barely make Windows work. Online guides like Ubuntuguide.org and Kubuntuguide.info have free eBooks that are several hundred pages with far more useful information. Give this one a miss.