Customer Reviews

Linux Annoyances for Geeks: Getting the Most Flexible System in the World Just the Way You Want It

5 star:		(7)
4 star:		(1)
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2 star:		(1)
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This book makes a handy quick refference for Linux setup and customization. The audience for this book is the experienced Linux user, but the reader doesn't have to be an advanced Linux user (though, it helps). As someone who's been using Linux for 7 years, there are some things explained in this book that are new to me, some things that I can do blindfolded, and some that I remember, but need to refresh when I actually need to do them.

This book explains how to do such things as customizing the GUI and the user's ability to modify it, setting up removable media to mount/unmount automaticly (or not for a server), switching from/sharing with Windows, making backups, emergency system recovery, kernel customization, and a whole bunch of other things that it would fill an entire book (this one) to list them all. There's also information on setting up Linux servers, laptops and network devices (routers and firewalls).

This book generally asumes that the the main installation work has been done, and focuses more on post-installation customization and emergency recovery. For example, it doesn't explain how to install GNOME and KDE, but it does explain how to customize them. It also doesn't assume that the user is using a specific distribution, but it does focus more on Red Hat/Fedora, Debian, and SUSE, as these distributions are the ones best suited for a bussiness office.

If you are the administrator for a bussiness office using Linux, this book is a must-have. If you are a hobbyist, this book is still reccomended. I personally have made refference to it to solve an annoyance already, and I've only had it for 3 days.

Prior to reading this book, I was a little skeptical at how much it could help me as I feel very comfortable working with Linux. This book however hit on many issue that I have, and continue to encounter, while administering and using linux boxes (many of which I didn't even realize). Not only does Michael discuss the problems, but he identifies the solution, and provides clear instructions on how to implement the solution. I am definitely adding this book as one of my reference guides on my desk.

This is another book that implies it's for power users, yet most of what's in here can be found in any garden variety book on how to run Linux. Only part of this book is aimed at "geeks".

The promotional text on the back cover implies that it's aimed at sysadmins. And while *some* of it is, most of it is stuff that a system administrator would already be familiar with.

Much of what's in this book is the same stuff aimed at beginning to intermediate Linux desktop users. It's not for real "geeks" or sysadmins by any means.

If only the truly useful stuff for sysadmins/geeks were included, the book would be 1/3 it's size.

It's not that it's a bad book; it's just not marketed well at all and has a very misleading title.

I found it a complete waste of money. It's hard to find books for "intermediate to advanced" users. I figured this would be one of them. It's not.

I was quite disappointed.

This book isn't for a beginners but for those who already have experience with linux. I consider myself a moderate geek. Although the book doesn't explain everything in detail, it does have good references to other links that go into detail. For examples it explains how to install kerberos, but doesn't go into much detail on the hows or whys. I like the fact that it's not a bible!!!. It's pretty up to date on distros, SuSE 9.3-10, Debain Sarge, Fedora/RHEL 4. I consider this book a wrapping of all the google and forum anwsers I have been looking for. Overall I enjoyed the book.

Let's face it... as much as we'd like Linux to be an oft-chosen alternative to Microsoft Windows outside of IT environments, the fact remains that you still need to be a geek to get everything to work "just right". Michael Jang has written a very nice book to help both you and the users you support overcome the Linux annoyances with his book Linux Annoyances For Geeks.

Contents:
Configuring a Desktop Environment; Configuring User Workstations; Optimizing Internet Applications; Setting Up Local Applications; Installation Annoyances; Basic Start Configuration; Kernel Itches and Other Configuration Annoyances; System Maintenance; Servicing Servers; User Management; Administration Tips; Index

In some ways, this feels a bit like one of O'Reilly's Recipe books. Each chapter has a series of "problems" (in this case, annoyances) that are dissected and resolved based on the author's knowledge and advice. The writing is very person-to-person, with problems like "My CD/DVD Is Locked", My Hard Drive Is Too Slow", and "I Can't Boot Because of a Kernel Panic". You get the feeling that the author is talking *to* you, not *at* you. As a result, some problems that could be very intimidating (like kernel panics) are treated in a calm and rational manner. The information is also not restricted to a single distribution. He covers solutions in the major distros, like Debian, SUSE, Fedora, and Red Hat Enterprise Linux. And the solutions for desktop issues in most cases cover both KDE and Gnome. You should be able to find *something* in here that relates to your particular setup...

Like many books that try to cover a range of issues or scenarios, your impression of the book is going to be dictated by whether he covered the annoyance(s) that bother you the most. But even just getting two or three really good answers can make the book extremely valuable to you. Overall, I thought this was one of the best troubleshooting Linux books I've seen, and one that should be given serious consideration if you regularly work with Linux.

Linux is a great operating system but like every other one it has some annoyances that may crop up from time to time. The purpose of this book is to help the reader to get Linux to work the way they want it to without getting annoyed in the process. As such the target audience is the Linux power user and system administrators.

Some of the areas covered include configuring GNOME applications in KDE and configuring KDE applications in GNOME, X Window configuration, working with CDs and DVDs, configuring sound, converting from Outlook, interfacing with various Instant Messaging programs, working with Microsoft Office documents, multimedia, hardware issues, startup problems, system maintenance, CUPS printing, using Samba, and various administrative tasks. One of the really great features of the book is that the author provides the details of how to make the changes in each of the most common distributions including Red Hat, SUSE, and Debian. So you know right away how to do it in the particular distribution you are working with. This is one of the things that really sets this book apart from others in this category and makes it one of the best choices possible.

Linux Annoyances for Geeks is an excellent book that details step-by-step how to work through the annoyances and get the results you want. With easy to follow the steps and the correct results every time it is a highly recommended resource.

I really like this book not just for the great content contained within, but for the laid back, enjoyable writing style. Linux lovers (and there are so many out there) are always looking for new ways to tweak their system or doing things more efficiently (being one of the best operating systems out in the world, can you blame them?), this book truly is for geeks and geeks out there will REJOICE at this text!!!

Chapters Covered:

01. Desktop Environment Configuration
02. Configuring User Workstations
03. Optimizing Internet Applications
04. Local Application Setup
05. Installation Issues
06. Basic Start Configuration
07. Kernel & Configuration Annoyances
08. System Maintenance
09. Working With Servers
10. User Management
11. Tips For Administrators

Even if you are an experienced Linux user, you owe it to yourself to take a look at this great guide. Chock full of over 450 pages of material, this book is not just a technical reference, its enjoyable to read as well!

Pick this baby up, I am quite certain you will not be disappointed.

***** HIGHLY RECOMMENDED

The book is a valuable reference text that may help to identify and repair many problems on the desktop or server. Linux professionals responsible for the operation and maintenance of desktop computers and servers will benefit most from the wide range of solutions provided for common problems. Semi-geeky Linux users may enjoy an informative look under the hood of Linux, even if they have low expectations of making the repairs themselves. Non-geeks, who just want to use Linux, are best off with Linux for Non-Geeks by Rickford Grant, published by No Starch Press, affiliated with O'Reilly.

Are you annoyed from time to time that you can't find the right hardware; or can't configure a server; or are supporting less experienced users? If you are, then this book is for you. Author Michael Jang, has done an outstanding job of writing a cool book that addresses many of the more common complaints faced by the experienced Linux user.

Jang, begins by providing you solutions for some of the everyday annoyances. Then, the author gives some tips for the less experienced users. Next, the author shows you how to make Internet access as convenient and simple as possible for regular users. He also provides solutions for the geek who needs to set up regular users with access to popular tools, such as PDF files, MP3 players, and Windows-based applications. The author continues by showing the geek how to make choices in hardware, distributions, and systems that are appropriate for his or her users. Then, he shows the geek how to optimize Linux, solve some annoying boot issues, and address some basic security concerns. Next, the author focuses primarily on those kernal-related tasks that make most Linux users look to the geek for help. He then focuses on a variety of annoyances related to keeping your systems running smoothly and up-to-date. The author continues by showing you how to select and configure servers to solve a variety of problems, with a higher degree of security. Then, he focuses on annoyances created by and associated with the presence of different kinds of users in an organization. Finally, the author provides solutions for a wide variety of other annoyances related to system administration.

This most excellent book shows you how to get a stubborn wireless card to work under Linux. Perhaps more importantly, it reveals little-known sources for wireless drivers and information.