Customer Reviews

Linux: The Complete Reference

5 star:		(9)
4 star:		(0)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

This may well be Richard Petersen's best Linux Reference book to date as it is well written and appeals to the novice as well as the system administrator. This doesn't mean that someone with no Linux experience is going to get that dream system without putting forth some effort, but it does mean that if you have had exposure to Linux this book is for you.

Moving from one operating system to another is no easy task, but neither is compiling the kernel. Petersen makes the transition easier by thoughtfully including step-by-step instructions. He also includes a myriad of screenshots to help configure the first system, or the first firewall, and he didn't forget seasoned users.

The advanced user will not feel neglected for this manual includes kernel and compiler information, libraries and programming tools, as well as hundreds of command lines and options, debuggers, and scripts plus tips and tricks to keep your system running smoothly. Petersen includes comprehensive and detailed information on security and encryption, networks and Internet servers, as well as pointers to many helpful WWW sites.

Linux is a true work in progress. Changes can occur weekly and sometimes even hourly. New distributions, new programs and new ideas emerge almost as rapidly. Petersen wisely chose to add even more detailed information for the most popular distros: Red Hat, Linux, SuSE and Caldera. And although Red Hat 7.0 and Caldera eDesktop 2.4, are the only distributions included on CD, first time users should be comfortable with Red Hat's windows manager GUI interface, and themes which change the look and feel of the desktop much like "skins" change the look and feel of Winamp.

Even though I am not a seasoned Linux user I am very comfortable with Petersen's latest edition - more so than with his previous work. I find it to be resourceful, comprehensive and user friendly. I particularly like the improved layout in this edition which includes more screenshots and better defined explanations. My only mildly disagreeable comment is that he didn't include my favorite distribution.

If a stable and reliable system is in your future then this is the one reference book that you absolutely cannot be without. I give it two thumbs up.

This book is very easily read and informative about the versions of Linux out there all the way to RH 7.1. I recommend it strongly simply because its the best Linux book out there. It helped me configure a Linux server when I knew nothing about Linux when I started this book.

This book contains information not only about the client services, but also the servers as well. It is written in easy to understand language, yet it covers the basics, as well as the advanced linux commands, concepts, and configurations. What's even better is that it has 2 full version linux CDs(which has the server functions) included, so you don't have to spend more money on buying the operating system. If you are going to get only 1 book for linux then this is the one to get.

As a newbie, I needed a little supplement to the various (excelent) HOWTO's for Linux, just so I had one central place to look up and find descriptions and gain an overview. For this purpose, the book is wonderful. There might be a little bit too many screendumps and the command line argument tables take up a fair ammount of pages too, but it IS a reference book and that still leaves about 600-700 pages or so, to pure text documentation. Aside from the fact, that the book is gigantic (1200 pages and solid as a brick) to carry in my schoolbag to and from school, I love this book.

This is a huge book (1200) pages yet is well organised and truly a 'reference' work. It is clearly written and I have used it over and over to increase my use/knowledge of Linux. The sections on SAMBA and APACHE enabled me to get these up, running and customised in no time and the introductory chapter on TCL/TK programming soon had me producing natty little GUIs to control these services as well as other applications. Converting Microsoft fonts for use in my Linux programs was a breeze after dipping into this tome. Great fun. This book would be outstanding value for money even without the two CD ROMs (Full Versions of Red Hat 7.1 and Caldera Openlinux.) Buy it. Use it. Enjoy !!

If you've been interested in using Linux for desktop applications and don't know where to start, this is a great place to do just that. Covers nearly every topic imaginable, comes with 2 different Linux distributions (versions), and has a relatively low price for a book of this size. Highly recommended.

This book is chuck full of learning and reference material. Each chapter is independent. I like that you can select a chapter and understand it without needing to have read any others. This is a good book choice to learn Linux Administration. The subject matter goes deep enough in most topics that it is worthy of reference shelf space.

Execelent book on linux. Solid integration of Gnome and KDE throughout the entire book. Strong organization and a lot of helpful Internet links, compliments online resources. Kept answering my questions.

This an COmplete Ref. to Redhat Linux are the best I have found in a single book.

the book contains virtually nothing that is not available free on the internet; and the internet is organized; the book has no significant table of contents and no significant index; the publisher and author should be ashamed of charging 31 dollars for a book that contains virtually nothing but HOWTO'S; other peoples work: HOWTO'S; yes, the same exactly as you can find on virtually any linux site on the internet; the HOWTO's are thrown together in total disarray; they are made useless since there is no organization and no way you can look up anything;