Linux For Dummies, 7th Edition [Paperback]

Dee-Ann LeBlanc (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 30, 2006 | ISBN-10: 0471752827 | ISBN-13: 978-0471752820 | Edition: 7

Thinking about switching to Linux but find the prospect too daunting? Many people think it takes years of practice to become a Linux user. Actually, only takes a few tries to become fluent in the system and take advantage of all of its capabilities!

Linux For Dummies, 7^th Edition shows you the ins and outs that you need to master in order to build a smoothly functioning Linux system—and gives you the know-how and confidence to use it. This easy-to-read guide walks you through installation, using tools, securing systems, and more. Providing a general overview of the program as well as basic instructions, you’ll have the tools you need to:

• Install and configure Linux
• Connect to the internet
• Browse the Web with Firefox
• Manipulate files and directories
• Understand and use the Linux filesystem
• Download and install software to Linux
• Choose a secure password
• Work without the GUI
• View and edit text files
• Take full advantage of OpenOffice.org
• Control and use your multimedia

Packed with troubleshooting tips and steps for recovering data with Knoppix, along with a bonus DVD that includes full Fedora Core and Knoppix distributions and ISO images of Linspire, Five-O, SUSE Xandros, ad Mandriva, Linux For Dummies, 7^th Edition is the authoritative reference to this classic system!

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Use the DVD to sample Linux without installing

Pick a flavor and see what this stable, economical operating system can do!

If you've ever wondered whether the Linux penguin knew something you should know, here's where to find out. This plain-English guide walks you through installing Linux, using the desktop and tools like OpenOffice.org, securing your system, and more. You even get to check out seven different Linux flavors and pick the one you like best.

Discover how to

• Prepare your computer and install Linux
• Choose and set up software
• Connect to the Internet
• Explore Skype® phone service
• Use the GNOME and KDE desktops
• Work with multimedia tools

About the Author

Dee-Ann LeBlanc, RHCE (Red Hat Certified Engineer), is a writer, course developer, journalist, and trainer who specializes in Linux. While these various professions may sound scattered, they in fact reinforce one another by allowing her to see what people are doing with Linux in the real world and where they need help. She is the Linux Games editor for the Linux Journal, the Desktop editor for LinuxToday.com, and is the author of numerous books on Linux and other computer topics. Dee-Ann has also been a regular contributor to Computer Power User magazine for two years, writing this publication’s Linux content.
When Dee-Ann isn’t teaching, developing course materials, writing technical nonfiction or fantasy fiction, interviewing interesting people, chatting about Linux online or at conferences, or trying in one way or another to save the world, she hikes with her dogs and experiments on her husband Rob with new recipes. See the latest that Dee-Ann’s up to and join her readers’ mailing list at www.Dee-AnnLeBlanc.com and http://dee-ann.blog-city.com/. Contact Dee-Ann at [e-mail].

Product Details

• Paperback: 422 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 7 edition (May 30, 2006)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0471752827
• ISBN-13: 978-0471752820
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.6 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #721,824 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

26 of 27 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 7 Distributions, including Ubuntu, July 8, 2006

By 

John Matlock "Gunny" (Winnemucca, NV) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Linux For Dummies, 7th Edition (Paperback)

I know, I know! I should have at least tried Linux by now. But I hadn't. Then I found this book. Among all of the books on Linux at the book store, this one said, here's seven different distributions of Linux that you can install. Furthermore, in Chapter 4 it had 35 pages describing the different distributions. Why, for instance, would I want to install Xandros, Mandriva or SuSE instead of the Fedora (Red Hat) core. (Although I did find it a little strange that Debian wasn't discussed. But with 300+ distributions to choose from you have to cut it off somewhere.)

Although this is a 'For Dummies' book, it isn't for the complete 'Dummy.' You should have some idea about setting your BIOS to boot from DVD, some idea about what particians are (or use an old PC and dedicate it to Linux - recommended) and so on.

Finally this book is primarily concerned with the operating system itself. Linux comes with tons of applications programs. If you want to learn about Open Office or other packages, that's a different book. But in learning about the operating system, not bad at all.

9 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars I will never get this time back, August 8, 2007

By 

Geoffry Brown (Union City, CA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Linux For Dummies, 7th Edition (Paperback)

This book is terrible and makes no sense. Yes it is written in plain english and is easy to understand, but it tells you very little actually about linux. It spends time evangelizing about open systems, it spends time telling you about how to install linux from 7 different distributions. Ok the discussions of the 7 distributions were valuable for 1 chapter, maybe 2, but that was enough. It doesn't help you learn linux to have the instructions with 7 different nuances. Just say that there are these different distributions and why, then just work with the commonalities of Linux. Of the 400 pages of this book, maybe 100 were valuable.

2 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars helpful book, January 15, 2008

By 

M. Hanson (Helena, MT USA) - See all my reviews
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Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Linux For Dummies, 7th Edition (Paperback)

This book has been a great reference for me, I didn't know anything about Linux before and now I am much better at it.