Customer Reviews

Linux For Dummies, 6th Edition

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Once you've made the decision to give Linux a try, you face a tough second decision... which distribution do I use? To help you out, you should get a copy of Dee-Ann LeBlanc's Linux For Dummies (6th Edition). There's some good information in there to help you choose...

Chapter List:
Part 1 - Getting Your Feet Wet: Getting Acquainted With Linux; Prepping Your Computer for Linux; Installing Fedora Core; Installing Other Linux Distributions; Booting and Stopping Linux; Checking Out Those Desktops; Configuring Linux
Part 2 - Internet Now!: Connecting to the Internet; Using the Internet
Part 3 - Getting Up to Speed with Linux: Manipulating Files and Directories; Checking Out the Linux Filesystem; Adding Software to Linux; A Secure Linux Box Is a Happy Linux Box; Working without the GUI; Gettin' Gooey with the GUIs
Part 4 - Getting Things Done: Putting the X in Text; Word-Processing and More with OpenOffice.org; Multimedia Wow!; Windows-Only Media Formats and Programs
Part 5 - The Part of Tens: Ten Troubleshooting Tips; Ten Cool Uses for Knoppix
Part 6 - Appendixes: Common Linux Commands; About the DVD-ROM

There are obviously a large number of books you can buy that deal with Linux. But before you get too far down the road, you need to figure out which distribution is right for you. The main thing I really like about Dee-Ann's book is that she relates the basics of Linux back to the top six distributions: Fedora Core, SuSE, Knoppix, Linspire, Xandros, and Mandrake. So if you're learning about how the Linux file system works and can be navigated, you'll see that done in all six Linux flavors. Want to know how to install Linux? Once again, you see instructions and tips on all six. Most Linux books pick a single distribution and focus exclusively on that. While that's not bad at all, it may mean that you choose a type of Linux that may not be the best choice given your situation. This book can help you understand the fundamentals before making that commitment. There's even a DVD included that contains the install files for Fedora Core 3, Knoppix 3.6, Linspire 4.5, Mandrake 10.1, SuSE 9.2, and Xandros 2.5. You don't even have to go searching for the latest ISO downloads! You've got it all right here.

Like all Dummies titles, this is written in a very conversational, non-threatening way. It's a perfect "first step" for anyone wanting to join the Linux movement but isn't quite sure where to start. Once you've gone through the book, picked a distribution, and installed it, you'll be ready to push on and start learning even more about Linux. But at least by then, you'll have narrowed down your choice of books based on the distribution you chose.
Good book, and definitely recommended for people looking to get started...

This book is well written and useful as a first book on Linux or UNIX in general. Many subjects have been covered with much attention to the details and overall impression of the book is very positive.
I also found it to be useful to pair this book and Linux and UNIX for a beginner training suite, 4DVDs + 2CDs includes 4 Unix Academy Certifications ed.2008 as they contribute very well to one another. It gives you ability to discover whole workflow as you read. Don't be fooled by the title of the book, despite it is for "dummies" it goes throughly over many subjects.
I can say it is a decent and friendly book.

Im a high school student and I was taking a A+ certification class and learned about all the faults and problems occuring with windows. I heard about linux but never understood it. I learned that linux is FREE! Well most versions and that viruses and spy/ad ware dont exsist in Linux. I thought who wouldnt want to have Linux. After buying this book and doing more research I found that Linux is so much better and they make it so you can do everything plus more in Linux than you can in Windows. I started reading this book and was a little bored at first because I had learned much of the basics in my A+ class but in the later chapters I found myself stopping every 5 minutes to try the new learned things out in Linux. I'ver almost finished the book and I just bought Linux Programming for Dummies to get more in depth knowledge on Linux. Linux is the future. More and more people swiitch from windows everyday. I still use windows for minor things but Linux goes above and beyond windows capabilities. So get this book and learn all the great things you can do with a better Operating System. Also check out www.distrowatch.com to learn about all the different linux distrobutions and which one will fit you best. Good Luck

Like all the other Dummies series, the Linux for dummies is another great way to learn Linux. With this book you don't need to have a geek live with you to use and understand the powerful and useful computer enviroment. I have used Linux for several years and the book taught me a few things I didn't know about Linux.

If you are new to Linux like me and would like to learn Linux in a week then this book is a must have along with "Linux Pocket Guide".

LeBlanc made learning Linux easy. The intructions and tips in this book are clear, concise, and very easy to learn. I actually have fun reading it too! After a week of getting my hands dirty with a Linux (Red Hat Fedora) box, I am starting to appreciate Linux more and more.

The book is in excellent shape. Book description was excellent I am totally satisfied with all aspects of the transaction. Linux For Dummies, 6th Edition

Rambles a bit and the material is dated as well. Also it covers five or six different Linux floavors but none in depth. Would have been better if it had been more narrow with better depth.

Includes a DVD with OS for Linux. Only the last few sections deal directly with Linux commands and only briefly. Most of this book deals with installation issues of different Linux OSs.

I have a working knowledge of a lot of what's covered in this book. The presentation is fairly elementary even for a novice. The level of expertise this book targets would be very hard to learn from just a book. They are better off spending $20 for a pizza anad a six-pack and finding a friend w/ a free afternoon to walk them through explaining and installing Linux. This book is likely to be either too technical or not provide enough information.

On the plus side it comes with a copy of Fedora Core and Knoppix but...

...who's idea was it to cover Linspire instead of Debian. Wait for the next edition which will likely cover Ubuntu, which is likely to become the new Linux standard.