Customer Reviews

Caldera OpenLinux For Dummies

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This is the best book I've read for beginning Linux users. I've read Sams Teach Yourself Linux in 24 Hours, Special Edition Using Caldera 2nd edition, and Linux for Dummies 2nd edition among others. Although this book is written for the Caldera OpenLinux 2.3 distribution, it's helpful for any Windows user migrating to any distribution of Linux. Chapter 3, Discovering What's in Your System, is particularly helpful in getting ready for installing any Linux distribution. It tells you what you need to know about your system and where to find it in any flavor of Windows. Caldera OpenLinux is directed towards those migrating from the Windows environment. Because OpenLinux boots directly into the KDE Desktop that's the first subject covered after installing the program. Many of the other books don't do this. Next, the authors tell you about the command line and how to reach it. They tell you how to reach the command line! (I'm repeating this point on purpose.) This is the key to Linux. If you can't get to the command line, you can't take advantage of all the power of Linux. This is the only book I've read that tells you explicitly and in the right place how to reach the command line. This is very important for beginners who don't have anyone to help them. The book provides everything you need to start using Linux, including a CD with the free version of OpenLinux 2.3. (OpenLinux 2.4 has been released but it comes in different distributions.) Major sections include Introducing OpenLinux, Installing OpenLinux, Using OpenLinux, Maintaining Your System, Going Online and the Part of Tens. Like all Dummies books, this is an introduction not an all-inclusive reference. This book is worth owning, not just borrowing. Please remember that this is a book for Linux beginners. If you have lots of experience with other Linux distributions, this isn't the book for you. I recommend Special Edition Using Caldera 2nd edition for intermediate and expert users.