Linux: The Complete Reference [Paperback]

Richard Petersen (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0078824613 | ISBN-13: 978-0078824616 | Publication Date: December 19, 1997 | Edition: 2nd

This is a guide to Linux, the UNIX-variant operating system. The book is revised to address important changes to Linux, including: growth in the number of desktops and windows managers, new X-Windows chapters, and new programming tools and utilities. The CD-ROM contains a free full version of OpenLinux Lite by Caldera, the leading vendor of Linux software. Created in 1991, Linux is a UNIX clone, free of any commercially copyrighted software, developed for Intel-based PCs. The operating system was designed to bring UNIX power and flexibility to PCs and mainframes. Linux has grown to become a popular OS choice for PC workstations. Due to the corporate world's tendency to not "admit" running mission-critical applications on any "free" operating systems, the exact number of Linux users cannot be confirmed. However, estimates and acknowledgements of use from some major corporations, have placed the installed base of Linux between three-to-five million. It has even been suggested by industry experts to be as high as nine million. Well-known corporations on Linux's "open" list includes NASA, Disney, Lockheed Martin and General Electric. The industry is openly betting on Linux to have an impact in the next decade's transformation into using the Network Computing Architecture. Many are also saying that the OS will give Microsoft's flag-ship, Windows NT, still some competition in the years to come. Richard Petersen is the author of "Introductory C: Pointers, Functions, and files.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Absolutely everything you need to know abut Linux! With its multi-tasking capabilities, TCP/IP support, e-mail clients, and graphical X-Windows system, Linux is the Network Operating System of choice for thousands of PC users and PC-based businesses worldwide. Thoroughly revised and updated, this second edition of the best-selling Linux: The Complete Reference is the most complete source of Linux information available. From detailed instructions on installing Caldera's OpenLinux to troubleshooting references, Linux: The Complete Reference is your one-stop guide for realizing the full power and flexibility of this popular and often complicated-UNIX clone. Renowned author Richard Petersen captures Linux in one comprehensive volume featuring: complete, up-to-date instructions on every Linux task-from obtaining, installing, and configuring Linux on standalone PCs and networks to configuring Internet servers (Ftp, Web, Gopher, and Wais); new chapters on window managers and desktops with interfaces similar to Windows 95, Next, and OpenLook (Fvwm, fvwm95, Xview, AfterStep, LessTif, and Looking Glass); easy to use X-windows and ISP setup tools (XF86Setup and ExPPP); and TeX typesetting with LaTeX and Ghostscript; unprecedented coverage of the BASH and TCSH shells, Internet tools, file management, and systems administration; time and money-saving CD-ROM featuring a free, full-featured version of OpenLinux by Caldera, the leading vendor of Linux software, including a full set of easily installed Linux software applications for graphics, communications, publishing, editing, and even games.

Product Details

• Paperback: 1059 pages
• Publisher: Mcgraw-Hill Osborne Media; 2nd edition (December 19, 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0078824613
• ISBN-13: 978-0078824616
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 7.4 x 2.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 4.1 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #631,781 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent introduction to all aspects of Linux, April 22, 1999

By 

Dave Greco ([e-mail]) (Gainesville, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linux: The Complete Reference (Paperback)

This review refers to the Second Edition. This book solved many problems I have had that others (including Running Linux) could not solve. It is very well written, there are very few errors, and it covers many topics from configuring X windows to networking to programming tools to TeX. I like this book much better than Matt Welsh's Running Linux. As far as others comments on the Caldera CD-ROM, did you really buy this book for the free Linux distribution on the CD? You can always download everything on that CD or buy it for $1.99 from several sources

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A good source for beginner's., December 2, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Linux: The Complete Reference (Paperback)

This review refers to the Second Edition. This title sets the beginner off to a good basic understanding of how to set-up and use Linux. It gets you familiar with basic commands and functions, and discusses most of the programs available on the enclosed CD-ROM (Redhat version).

If you just want to get familiar with Linux, run some of the programs, games and edit some files, this book will suit you fine. Just make sure that your hardware is supported (printing, sound, etc) especially printers. For a more technical discussion, check out "Running Linux" by Matt Welsh. "Running Linux" is actually an excellent compliment to this title. It discusses important issues, such as directory and file locations, mounting filesystems, rebuilding the boot manager, rebuilding the kernel, and some relevent system administration issues.

If you should still feel the need to delve further into Linux. Some of O'Reilly's other Linux related titles are definitly worth a look, each addresses a specific area of Linux

1 of 1 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars A satisfactory Linux starter guide, April 6, 1999

By A Customer

This review is from: Linux: The Complete Reference (Paperback)

This review refers to the Second Edition. I've bought this book mainly for the Caldera Open Linux. Thought Caldera OpenLinux isn't shiny, and the release is pretty old (8 Jan. 1998) its a way to start. The book itself is organized in a satisfactory fashion and contains some good information about most of the casual stuff any Linux user may have to go through. If you want to get more in depth of specific topics about Linux, look elsewhere. This book does not include any information of value for the more knowledgeable Linux user/pro