Beginning Ubuntu Linux, Third Edition (Beginning from Novice to Professional) (Paperback)

by Keir Thomas (Author), Jaime Sicam (Author)
Key Phrases: synaptic package manager, simple backup, home folder, Microsoft Office, Device Manager, Sound Juicer (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Beginning Ubuntu Linux, the award–winning and best–selling Ubuntu book for beginners, is now in its third edition, presenting readers with an up–to–the–minute introduction to the world of Linux and the open source community. A detailed overview of Ubuntu’s installation and configuration process encourages you to take the plunge and switch to Linux, and from there you’ll learn how to wield total control over your newly installed operating system. Guided through the most commonly desired tasks such as printer configuration, listening to audio CDs and MP3s, watching movies, performing office and Internet–related tasks, as well as general system maintenance matters, authors Keir Thomas and Jaime Sicam will soon have you using and enjoying Ubuntu Linux and never looking back.

You’ll also find a series of comprehensive tutorials on Linux internals and the command–line prompt—essential for any Linux user—along with special sections on optimization, security, and system maintenance that will broaden your knowledge to professional level.

The complete Ubuntu Linux distribution is included free on the DVD inside the book. Simply insert the DVD and follow the instructions in the book to install Ubuntu Linux!

• The ultimate guide to Ubuntu, the hottest Linux distribution on the planet
• Avoids introductions to esoteric Linux topics that are commonly found in other books and focuses on everyday tasks for everyday users: printer and file sharing configuration, office document management, listening to MP3s, watching movies, and much more
• Includes a DVD containing not only the complete Ubuntu version, but also versions of Ubuntu’s sister projects, including Edubuntu, Kubuntu, and Xubuntu

What you’ll learn

• Use Ubuntu as a daily desktop replacement.
• Complete all manner of office tasks, such as creating Microsoft Office–compatible documents and spreadsheets, using e–mail, and managing contacts.
• Listen to MP3s and CDs, and watch movies using user–friendly Linux desktop applications.
• Configure Ubuntu’s printer– and file–sharing features to share resources seamlessly with other computers on your network.
• Become a proficient user of the Linux command line.

Who is this book for?

Beginning Linux users seeking to explore the popular Ubuntu distribution

About the Apress Beginning Series

The Beginning series from Apress is the right choice to get the information you need to land that crucial entry–level job. These books will teach you a standard and important technology from the ground up because they are explicitly designed to take you from “novice to professional.” You’ll start your journey by seeing what you need to know—but without needless theory and filler. You’ll build your skill set by learning how to put together real–world projects step by step. So whether your goal is your next career challenge or a new learning opportunity, the Beginning series from Apress will take you there—it is your trusted guide through unfamiliar territory!

About the Author

Keir Thomas is an award-winning author who has written several best-selling beginning-level Linux titles for Apress. A former computer magazine editor, he has been writing about computers, operating systems, and software for a decade. He has also edited many computing titles.

Keir currently works as a full-time author and has written four books for Apress. He lives on the side of a mountain in England, and his hobbies include hiking and playing musical instruments.

Jaime Sicam occasionally works as an IT instructor and consultant. Prior to his hiatus from working full time, he indulged himself as one of the system administrators in the engineering team of Defender Technologies Group. Jaime takes pride in being part of DOST-ASTI (Advanced Science and Technology Institute) on Bayanihan Linux. His team advocated the use of open source software for the computing needs of government agencies, schools, and small and medium–size enterprises in the Philippines. He enjoys technology, road trips, and keeping up–to–date on news of the Utah Jazz.

Product Details

• Paperback: 768 pages
• Publisher: Apress; 3 Pap/Cdr edition (June 24, 2008)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1590599918
• ISBN-13: 978-1590599914
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 6.9 x 1.6 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.8 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.4 out of 5 stars See all reviews (10 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #16,295 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

38 of 38 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Linux Beginners Are Well Served by this Book, August 28, 2008

By	J_Onyx "I never let my schooling interfere wi... (Ann Arbor, Michigan) - See all my reviews

I've owned and used the first two editions of "Beginning Ubuntu Linux". Third Edition. All three are thick books that contain considerable useful information. All you need to quickly get up and running with Ubuntu. Along with the "Linux Bible", it is the best introduction & transition tool into the Linux world.

No book is perfect. Both books contain some wordy sections but readers will come with different experiences and knowledge areas. So, I am reluctant to say which pages should be deleted. I came to "Ubuntu Linux" from years of experience with Windows 3.1 to XP and a solid knowledge of PC hardware & external components. There are about 100 pages I didn't need but I suspect there are other people who need some, part of, or all of those 100 pages.

I find the background information invaluable, even though I already knew much of it.
Here and there I obtained information and explanations that enhanced my already extensive understanding of PC hardware and what Operating Systems do.

The author does an excellent job of explaining the important differences between Windows and Linux. He begins with a discussion of the important differences between Windows and Linux file structures, which significantly speeds readers understanding of how to use Linux. Simply telling us that Linux treats everything as a file, including external components, hard drives, digital cameras, printers, etc., saves the beginner a lot of headache.

I highly recommend "Beginning Ubuntu" for new comers to Linux and for those who have some knowledge and experience. If you are completely new to Linux, I recommend you also consider buying "Linux Bible" as well.

If you jump into using Linux having first consulted both books, you are extremely likely to stick with Linux long enough to learn why so many people love Linux and would never consider moving back to Windows. Countless people, fed up with Windows, try Linux and very quickly return to Windows because they could not find a "C" prompt. The basic early section of "Beginning" will insure you are not one of these people.

I seriously doubt you will toss out Ubunbu Linux & Linux in general if you have "Beginning Ubuntu Linux". Instead, you will preservere long enough to learn the beauties of Linux computing..

Especially delightful is the built in security, the absence of huge security programs that rob ram memory and processor resources (slow down you PC) and waste your time keeping you from doing things you wish to do, absence of a goofy Registry that is responsible for most Windows crashes (another big time waster and expense).
Gone will be time wasting hard drive defrag sessions, as Linux design doesn't allow file fragmentation.

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Ubuntu Newbie, November 2, 2008

By	William Holden "BigBossMan" (Galt, CA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I was looking for a reference book that I could read without having to spend hours at the computer surfing the Web. Linux has progressed to the point where minimal command line interaction is necessary and installation has now become an easy task. I've been a PC user since the late 70's and have primarily learned by reading books and manuals. This book was exactly what I was looking for as a starting point for learning to use Ubuntu. I found it a plus that the book contains a DVD with all the Ubuntu distributions which saved me time from having to download them. All in all I would rate this book a good read/reference.

6 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book to replace windows base tasks, August 17, 2008

By	A. Adamou (nj, usa) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

A lot of people are switching from windows to Ubuntu and this is the perfect book to get you started. It covers all programs / tools a beginner should know about Ubuntu and linux from bash scripting to multimedia programs; it also covers extensively all the aspects of Ubuntu.