Linux Power Tools [Paperback]

Roderick Smith (Author)

Book Description

ISBN-10: 0782142265 | ISBN-13: 978-0782142266 | Publication Date: June 25, 2003 | Edition: 1

Step-by-Step Instructions Show You How to Supercharge Your Linux System
Wondering if it's possible to work more efficiently in the X Window System, or squeeze more oomph from your existing hardware? Or perhaps you're searching for a way to improve your web browser's performance, or want to know how to choose the best mail server for your needs. If you've mastered the basics and are itching to go beyond, Linux Power Tools can take you there. Spanning a broad range of topics (from ALSA to zombies), Linux Power Tools covers the top five Linux distributions (Debian, Mandrake, Red Hat, Slackware, and SuSE). Using his easy-to-follow style, Linux expert Rod Smith shares his secrets for creating the optimum Linux system, from top to bottom.
Coverage includes:
* Optimizing Hardware
* Creating the Perfect GUI Environment
* Using Digital Image Tools
* Fine-tuning the X Window System
* Doing Real Work in Text Mode
* Using Multiple Operating Systems
* Managing Packages Efficiently
* Optimizing Your Filesystem
* Improving Network Performance
* Preventing and Detecting Intrusions
* Getting the Most From Your Web Server
* Blocking That Obnoxious Spam Mail

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

Step-by-Step Instructions Show You How to Supercharge Your LinuxSystem

Wondering if it's possible to work more efficiently in the XWindow System, or squeeze more oomph from your existing hardware? Orperhaps you're searching for a way to improve your web browser's performance, orwant to know how to choose the best mail server for your needs. If you'vemastered the basics and are itching to go beyond, Linux Power Tools cantake you there. Spanning a broad range of topics (from ALSA to zombies), LinuxPower Tools covers the top five Linux distributions (Debian, Mandrake, RedHat, Slackware, and SuSE). Using his easy-to-follow style, Linux expert Rod Smithshares his secrets for creating the optimum Linux system, from top tobottom.

Coverage includes:

• OptimizingHardware
• Creating the Perfect GUI Environment
• Using Digital ImageTools
• Fine-tuning the X Window System
• Doing Real Work in TextMode
• Using Multiple Operating Systems
• Managing PackagesEfficiently
• Optimizing Your Filesystem
• Improving NetworkPerformance
• Preventing and Detecting Intrusions
• Getting the Most From Your Web Server
• Blocking That Obnoxious Spam Mail

About the Author

Roderick W. Smith is an experienced Linux administrator and author or co-author of several other Linux books, including Linux System Administration, Linux Samba Server Administration, and Linux+ Study Guide.

Product Details

• Paperback: 656 pages
• Publisher: Sybex; 1 edition (June 25, 2003)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0782142265
• ISBN-13: 978-0782142266
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #1,677,277 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

20 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Key tools for every day use, August 8, 2003

By 

karl - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linux Power Tools (Paperback)

There are an awful lot of books on the market that talk about Open Source operating systems, explaining them in all of their technical glory. But once you get past the excitement of all that, you have to face the fact that you've got a computer in front of you, and you have to do something with it. That is where Linux Power Tools comes in: it is the users' guide for *using* computers -- everything from configuring desktops to setting up your sound system (and MP3 players)to security systems to SAMBA (working with windows). It is well-written and clear, and a great point-of-departure for folks who want to make Linux a productive part of their daily lives.

12 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars For the experienced novice who is ready for more., May 29, 2004

By 

Henry E. Alubowicz (Lafayette, CA USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Linux Power Tools (Paperback)

"Linux Power Tools" is NOT like "Unix Power Tools" published by O'Reilly. If you were expecting the same, you'll
be disappointed. Otherwise this is a good general Linux book, which takes it up a notch. To quote the author,
Rodrick W. Smith in his intro, "This book is written for experienced Linux or Unix users who want to take their
general knowledge of Linux to the next level." The author does a good job on focusing on this target and still
keeping the book to around 600 pages.

Author covers the five Linux distros; Mandrake, Red Hat, SuSE, Debian and Slackware on the Intel 32-bit platform.
If you are a Linux novice who wants to move up from Linux intro books and/or plan to use the five covered Linux
distros, then this is a good book for you. If you're focusing on one single specific Linux distro, you might be
better off settling on another book covering just that distribution.

If you've plenty of Unix/Linux experience you may want to thumb through this book before deciding to buy it.

Don't expect any subject to be covered real deep. Author covers the defaults, the easy setups, and the common
setups. Many of the chapters (topics) are books unto themselves. The author starts many of his chapters with
this same caveat. If you need more depth on a specific subject, the author references some URIs (URLs) and
some other titles to consult.

Rodrick W. Smith, has written a number of other good books ("Linux Hardware Book" & "The Multi-Boot Configuration
Handbook"). This one is also well written. I especially like the opinions he's expresses on various applications
and releases. I wish he would have included more. Examples are good. More examples would have been nice.
But I suspect it was another trade-off in keeping the number of pages down. Personally I found the info on USB,
scanners, audio and kernel hacking to be useful to me.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The 2nd linux book you should read, February 15, 2004

By 

D. Hunter "dhunter21" (San Diego, CA United States) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Linux Power Tools (Paperback)

I've noticed that there is a glut of ultra beginner linux books on the market... books that teach basic linux commands, explain what shells are, lead you through installations... this is not quite one of those books. Mr. Smith's text dives a deeper into linux issues and tackles subjects such as security, kernel compiling, optimization, hardware configuration, and server setup, among other topics.
Being an uber-geek myself, the first thing I wanted to do with linux was compile a kernel. How cool is that? Its tough to find a good coverage of all the kernel options (even the help inside the kernal configs are spotty), but while the chapter on kernels is not complete, it is definately a nice survey.

My only major complaint with this book is in regards to the chapters on the UIs. They do not provide any more information other than enumerating different programs and window managers one can use on their system.

For those diving into Linux, this is definately a top pick. I'm sure experienced users may find some nuggets as well.