Customer Reviews

Linux Desktop Pocket Guide (Pocket Reference)

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I recently received a review copy of Linux Desktop Pocket Guide by David Brickner. This is one of those books that you may like or hate depending on what you're looking for...

Contents: Distributions; Logging In; GNOME; KDE; Applications; Add, Remove, and Update Programs; Configuration; Laptops; Running Commands and Editing Text; Index

Since this is a "pocket guide", I don't expect there to be a lot of conversational writing and screen prints. Normally you get core reference material that you can find and use quickly. The Linux Desktop Pocket Guide seems to be somewhat of a departure from that pattern. There's still no screen prints, which is fine. But I can't tell what level of reader would benefit most from this book. The distribution chapter has a nice short comparison between a number of distro choices, but seems to be a bit light in order for newbies to make decisions (or experts to learn anything new). GNOME and KDE are quick references to the basic desktop tool, and it will help the new Linux user to learn the basic keystrokes and components. The Applications chapter is a high-level sweep through some of the basic choices of software for things like media manipulation and office productivity software. Add/Remove finally starts to show the pattern of other pocket guides, by recapping the command line choices possible for installing programs on the different distros. Configuration and Laptops can help the reader get things like mice and sound cards running, but if you run into problems, there's not a lot of additional troubleshooting stuff here. Finally, the Running Commands appendix is just a short two or three page chapter on how the command line works.

In my opinion, I'd try and look at this book first before buying it. I'm just not sure if there's a single audience that this would appeal to without exception...

This is basically a small format pocket reference to five of the most common desktop distributions of Linux. The distributions covered are Fedora, Gentoo, Mandriva, SUSE, and Ubuntu. The author covers the basics of navigating the GNOME and KDE desktop environments and the applications that come with each of the distributions. Deviating from the normal layout of such texts it is organized by the type of application instead of by the Linux distribution. As a result if you want to work with the web browser you go to that section where the author discuses the web browsers Firefox and Konquerer. These are the two that are included because each of the distributions has either one or the other.

The section on how to add, remove, and update programs is particularly good as it discusses the various techniques including how to add a package that it not part of your distribution. Here the author not only discusses the various package managers included with the distribution but also how to go the long way around and work with rpms. This is not an extensive technical reference to any of the Linux distributions discussed but it is a good first resource for common questions and a good introduction to all of them. Linux Desktop Pocket Guide is recommended for the average Linux user and a must have guide for others who need to know the differences between various distribution.

While the book was helpful in understanding the difference between some Linux distros it wasn't all that helpful since it is a bit dated compared to the latest versions of the distros it covers.

I wanted a small Up To Date inexpensive handbook for my customers to get an introduction to Linux without going to deep for beginners.
I would recommend it for that purpose.
Heavier books are needed for intermediate and advanced programmers and system admins.

The Linux Desktop Pocket Guide is a valuable resource for new users to the Linux world. Almost everyone has heard of Linux and recognizes it as the "next big thing". However, many people are taken aback at the shear number of Linux distributions. The advantage of Windows is that there is only one company to go to and that provides some simplicity. With Linux, there is no one-stop shopping, and each distribution has different strengths and weaknesses. This book helps the novice user to navigate the most popular distributions to decide which will work best for them.

The book compares Fedora, Gentoo, Mandriva, SUSE, and Ubuntu with a focus on their desktop environments. This book has some value for system administrators, particularly new ones, but will make the biggest impact to the casual home-user to the beginner power-user.

It covers a wide range of desktop issues including Gnome/KDE support, application support, updating the OS, configuration for hardware support, and probably most usefully laptop support. Laptops have traditionally been less than friendly with laptops and this book helps navigate the big issues making Linux a viable option for laptops.

It is a little thick as pocket guides go but that's more of a factor of the breadth of material covered. Like many of the O'Reilly books, it is concise and easy-to-read. It is accessible to the unsophisticated user and presents information in manageable chunks. For those looking to get a handle on Linux and making it work for them, this book is a great resource.

This book is easy to read but is also very basic concerning its information. If one is interested in technical assistance in order to solve problems with Linux, it probably isn't much help. It is more oriented towards an understanding of how the OS works.

The Linux Desktop Pocket Guide has helped me to to have a better understanding Linux.

Are you using one or more of the following Linux distributions: Fedora, Gentoo, Mandriva, Novell SUSE, and the desk-top-focused Debian derivative Ubuntu? If you are, then this book is for you! Author David Brickner, has written an outstanding mini guide to help you get the most out of your Linux experience.

Brickner, begins with a valuable introduction to the Linux distributions. Then, he devotes a whole chapter to logging in. The author continues by looking GNOME. In addition, he discusses the KDI desktop. The author also presents at least two application programs for each program type. Then, the author shows you the basics of using each of the preferred package managers of each distribution. Next, he discusses how to configure some types of hardware with regards to Linux. Finally, he presents you with a grounding in the basics of what is needed and how the pieces fit together.

After reading this excellent book, you'll learn all about the graphical programs and desktop environments that run on top of Linux. This book doesn't shy away from difficult topics in Linux; instead, it jumps right in and tells you what you need to know about laptop power management, configuring your graphics card, and setting up sound and networking.