Linux for Non-Geeks: A Hands-On, Project-Based, Take-It-Slow Guidebook [Paperback]

Rickford Grant (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: March 1, 2004

This book is for any home user who has switched or is thinking of switching to Linux. Based on Red Hat's Fedora Core, Linux for Non-Geeks avoids geeky subjects like server and network setup and concentrates on the subjects of interest to the average home user: Installation, the Internet, playing CDs and audio files, desktop customization, games, downloading software and fonts, USB storage devices, printing, and more. Readers with only basic experience with Windows or another Linux distribution will learn how to do everything on their Linux machine that they are used to doing with Windows. Includes a complete installation of Fedora Linux on two CDs.

Editorial Reviews

Review

"Author Rickford Grant, an impressive explainer, delivers well-written and clear guidance." -- Chicago Tribune, May 8, 2004

"By the time you've finished reading, you'll feel confident with Linux." -- Linux Online, May 11, 2004

"Definitely worth your time. Will teach newbies how to feel confident and comfortable as they explore Linux." -- Computerworld, November 29, 2004 http://www.computerworld.com/softwaretopics/os/linux/story/0,10801,97834,00.html

"Linux for Non-Geeks is clear, to the point, and does an impressive job of avoiding geek-speak. Highly recommended." -- Linux Advocate, July 2004

"Linux for Non-Geeks is the perfect start for virtually anybody wanting to give Linux a try." -- SearchSA.com.au, July 2004

"Linux for Non-Geeks is without a doubt the best introductory Linux book currently on the market" -- Kickstartnews.com, July 2004

"Nicely balanced information for a new Linux user, an on again/off again Linux user or for the switcher." -- Slashdot, June 2004

"a good, solid book." -- UnixReview.com, June 2004

"a success in explaining the topic in a focused and understandable way, with humor and style." -- HostingResolve.com, May 2004

"highly recommended ... once you have read it, all the basic day-to-day tasks in Linux will be second nature" -- SA Computer Magazine, September 2004

About the Author

Rickford Grant is the author of Linux for Non-Geeks and Linux Made Easy. He has been an operating system maniac for more than 20 years, from his early days with an Atari XL600 to his current Linux machines.

Product Details

• Paperback: 320 pages
• Publisher: No Starch Press; 1st edition (March 1, 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1593270348
• ISBN-13: 978-1593270346
• Product Dimensions: 9.4 x 6.8 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.2 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (25 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,002,423 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

78 of 81 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Linux book, December 6, 2004

By 

stranger2himself (Down Here) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linux for Non-Geeks: A Hands-On, Project-Based, Take-It-Slow Guidebook (Paperback)

I have only hands-on education in computers, no formal training. I have become fascinated with them over the years of using Win 98, ME, and XP. About 2 years ago I wanted to get into Linux. I bought the RedHat Linux 8 Bible and got it installed on my computer. It went OK, but I could never, ever, ever, . . . , I mean never, get connected to the Internet. Since the net is a large part of the fun, I was left with a RedHat 8 OS that I didn't know how to use. After months of trying, I gave up & went back to XP.

Just got this book a couple of weeks ago, and compared about 6 different Linux books in the bookstore. This one is the clear winner if you want to "migrate" from Win to Linux.

Well written and well organized, the book goes into more detail than the others on actually performing many required tasks in setting up and running the Fedora Core 1, successor to RedHat 9.

Within 24 hours of purchase I was surfing the net, playing games, listening to music, etc. Most importantly, the author assumes that you know nothing about Linux and nothing about what's under the hood of your machine, regardless of your current OS. I realized last night that I actually now know how to download & install tar.gz files, not to mention RPM's. I'm having a tremendous amount of fun staying away from M'soft, all thanks to this book.

Having first-hand experience with several "fatter" Linux books, this is definitely the one I would recommend to those who have no programming/sys admin background.

38 of 39 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great book for discovering Linux!!!, September 6, 2004

By 

Christopher Ireland (Sacramento, CA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

Amazon Verified Purchase

This review is from: Linux for Non-Geeks: A Hands-On, Project-Based, Take-It-Slow Guidebook (Paperback)

I've bought several different Linux distributions in book/CD combos over the years. They all installed more or less automatically (which was great) but then I was left with wondering what to do with my new system. It was confusing--not knowing what the included programs did or how to find and install new ones, how to navigate the file system or configure hardware--that kind of stuff. I have several Microsoft certifications and know my way quite well around the Microsoft OS, but Linux was always too weird and didn't explain itself too well. I decided to try this one out based on the feedback here. I'm really glad I did.
The book proceeds in project format, from the installation and configuring the system to installing hardware and software and using the system. The tips along the way are great. Some of this information I might have discovered on my own maybe a year from now, but that's only if I made it that far without getting discouraged. And I was sort of worried that it might be too basic for my skillset. It wasn't. The book is easy to read, the information is relevant, and the projects are fun to do. And the information for installing RPM's, APT's, and tarball packages makes it well worth it all.
The only qualm I could possibly have is that it includes Fedora Core 1. Core 2 is out and Core 3 is in beta--but that's because the Fedora Project is all about frequent releases. I upgraded to Core 2 and continued on with the projects just fine.
I love my new system too. It looks awesome and it performs great and it's fun to discover new stuff to do with it. I'm not scared of Linux anymore.

22 of 22 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Great Place to Start with Linux, June 15, 2006

By 

Walker In The Woods (Missouri, USA) - See all my reviews

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This review is from: Linux for Non-Geeks: A Hands-On, Project-Based, Take-It-Slow Guidebook (Paperback)

If you want to learn to use Linux for your desktop computer but are not intested in indepth technical jargon then this is the book for you. It is written in simple, easy to understand "non-geek" English so that the average computer user can understand what is going on. Anyone should be up and running Linux in a short time. And by running Linux I mean doing all the things you want to do on the computer. This book focuses on teaching the average home user how to do the things you want to do like customizing your desktop and icons, surfing the net, playing your CD's and mp3's, downloading and installing games and software (all for free), and much more. Even after using Linux for a few years I still use this book for reference if I need to look something up.

I would like to say one thing. I bought this book right after it was released in 2004. Since then Linux has come a long way. This book comes with Fedora Core 1 and Fedora Core is now up to release 5 (at the time of this writing). Now there is really no reason to feel like you have to have the newest release because there are lots of people still running 1 (or older versions) but if you are running a newer computer with new hardware there might be a chance that Fedora Core 1 will not have drivers for the newest stuff. I say this not to discourage anyone from buying this book, but rather to let people know that if the CD this book comes with does not work with your computer you did not waste your money. Your next best option would be to find the newest release of Fedora by either free download or buying it cheaply somewhere online. This may well solve your problem and if not check out the many forums for Linux as people are always willing to help and are very friendly. This book is still great and I highly recommend it, but it would be really nice if a new updated edition would be released.

Edit 2/6/07: I felt the need to edit this review. Everything I have said still stands, but this book along with the software it walks you through is dated. Fedora Core 1 is no longer supported. I said that it would be really nice if a new updated edition would be released and it looks like there has been, though as another book. I have not read this new book but it might be a better place to start since it uses more up to date software. The book is called Ubuntu Linux for Non-Geeks by the same author. I would advice you to look into it before purchasing this book.