How to Use Linux [Paperback]

Bill Ball (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: February 1, 1999 | Series: How to Use.

How to Use Linux shows people that Linux can be used productively, that it is a viable alternative operating system for home and office computers, and that is does have the applications and environment to support productive activities. It will show that Linux is "not just for nerds or computer geeks," and that it has a LOT to offer. The book focuses on those graphic elements and important tasks available during an X Windows session. It demonstrates how to use the default X11 window manager as well as how to perform critical actions using selected graphic X11 tools.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

How to Use Linux shows people that Linux can be used productively, that it is a viable alternative operating system for home and office computers, and that is does have the applications and environment to support productive activities. It will show that Linux is "not just for nerds or computer geeks," and that it has a LOT to offer. The book focuses on those graphic elements and important tasks available during an X Windows session. It demonstrates how to use the default X11 window manager as well as how to perform critical actions using selected graphic X11 tools.

About the Author

Bill Ball is a technical writer, editor, and magazine journalist, and has been working with computers for the past 20 years. He first started working with Linux, starting with kernel version .99, after moving from BSD4.3 Machten for the Apple Macintosh. He has also published Linux PPP network connection guides for local ISP's in Northern Virginia. He has taught desktop publishing, served as an Apple Federal Support Coordinator, and was once a bulletin board system operator. He is the author of two other highly successful Linux books: Sams Teach Yourself Linux in 24 Hours and Using Linux.

Product Details

• Paperback: 300 pages
• Publisher: Sams (February 1, 1999)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0672315459
• ISBN-13: 978-0672315459
• Product Dimensions: 10 x 7.6 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,787,211 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good for those of you trying to weane yourself from Windows., May 17, 2000

By 

Jon Leslie "Jon" (Lilburn, GA USA) - See all my reviews

This review is from: How to Use Linux (Paperback)

This is not a very bad book but it is extremely outdated. Caldera v2.3 is the newest version and as the reviewer below stated...download that version to use.

I find this a nice guide for those of you that would like to try Linux for the first time and are either wanting to get away from Windows products or are even trying out a OS for the first time ever.

It is a visual guide as stated, in color, yet the newer Caldera will allow you to skip all the X terminal and command line prompt garbage in the first few chapters, so you can jump straight to KDE pretty much.

Caldera is not the most popular distro of Linux available, but it is a nice start for the beginner and this book will tell you enough to give you a working knowledge of the GUI functions it has using the KDE interface.

...Even still, this a decent price for a starter kit.

Not that great...but definitely serviceable.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Very Good Introduction to Linux, March 29, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Use Linux (Paperback)

If you want Linux to work like Windows, and you are interested in apps, and you are not a C++ code guru, this is a great book for you (and me.) This book goes step by step and made install and configuration a snap! I was up and running in an hour.

The only drawback is that there is not much troubleshooting info. The author assumes everything works right. (I cannot get my PS/2 mouse to work in KDE/XWindows. I had to go online, on a different PC obviously, to usenet to find potential solutions.)

I would definitely recommend this book to "mere mortal" first time Linux users!

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Book -Easy to Read and Use, March 26, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: How to Use Linux (Paperback)

Great book for Linux novices. Easy to follow with lots of illustrations. I'm excited about getting a chance to use this new operating system that I have been reading so much about in the media. Not only are the illustrations helpful on their own, but they also complemented the accompany CDRom.