Linux for the Rest of Us 2nd Edition [Paperback]

Mark Rais (Author)

Product Details

• Paperback: 244 pages
• Publisher: Eagle Nest Press LLC; 2 edition (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0972679049
• ISBN-13: 978-0972679046
• Product Dimensions: 9 x 6.2 x 0.7 inches
• Shipping Weight: 13.8 ounces
• Average Customer Review: 5.0 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (2 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #4,709,166 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars 2nd Edition- not just an update but an entire rewrite!, October 10, 2004

By 

Eric Jennsen (Orlando, FL) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linux for the Rest of Us 2nd Edition (Paperback)

Being a Windows user who wanted to learn more about Linux, I read the reviews here and also on linux.com and ended up buying this book.

I must say I was very pleasantly surprised.

What Amazon does not make clear is that this book ($19.95 version) is acutally the updated 2ND EDITION. Apparently the author took to heart what the reviewers had stated about his first edition and boy does it result in success.

First, the author is genuine. Never does he talk down to the reader. This book goes out of its way not to be another "dummy" guide but instead an intelligent personal guide.

For instance in several cases, with unabashed honesty the author tells it like it is. He does not sugar coat some of Linux's weaknesses but pronounces them and then guides the reader around the problem easily. In the chapter titled From Windows to Linux, the author states, "the file hierarchy is perhaps the most cumbersome aspect of linux" and then goes on to clarify the differences and how to easily navigate this mess! That's from page 66.

Second, the author goes way out of his way to ensure that things he writes work on almost all of the newer flavors. For instance I was amazed to find specific step by step instructions for making basic network configuration changes in this book for Fedora users, Mandrake users, and SuSe users. Often the author also makes clear distinctions between how things will work under the Gnome or under the KDE desktops.

Third, this book covers it all! From a beginning user's standpoint I've never seen so much covered specifically to address a new user interest. 36 pages of details on getting Linux working on the internet. 24 pages on desktop interfaces, specific differences and similarities with Windows, and how Gnome and KDE work. Not a bit of extra fluff either. No extra fat 2 inch wide white space margins. This book is packed with information.

This book is complete.

Even more enjoyable, it also covers things NO ONE else would be willing to state openly about Linux. The author makes sure a new user isn't caught up in the baloney but instead can get their own personal setup working and working well.

I enjoyed this book and am amazed by how much the author got compressed in this 244 page guide.

THE BIGGEST BONUS OF ALL I found was that the author has a tone and a voice in this computer book that is unlike anything I've ever read in a technology manual. It's personable, pleasant, optimistic, and clear.

I enjoyed it and recommend it to any person who want to begin using Linux.

6 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Good book, especially for windows user needing help, October 16, 2004

By 

Armondo J "a.j." (Texas) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Linux for the Rest of Us 2nd Edition (Paperback)

I'm a Windows user too. I read the note and yes this product does refers to the second edition, not the first edition. This second edition book is very good for new users of Linux.

I was most interested in chapters under the desktop interfaces section, especially the one called From Windows to Linux. But had I stopped there I would have missed out a lot.

The section on installation seemed somewhat redundant since everyone of the linuxes comes with ample installation guides. That was until I read the instructions. The author is making points I don't read in other guides. He suggests how not to screw up your system when doing a dual boot, and is candid about how some things with windows and linux are uncompatible.

Mostly I enjoyed the fact that the author didn't assume I knew stuff. He helped me think through the steps instead of just shoving them in my face with an attitude.

I also agree with the other review here that the author has a very respectful tone. I enjoyed it and read some of the chapters several times because it was actually fun to read! Impossible prior to this for me to say about any other technical manual.

It's inexpensive for what you get out of it IF you are a linux beginner.

The bad part? This book is truly for beginning users. Once you get past the rudimentary stuff this book describes like getting linux setup and running on DSL, it becomes a very good reference but has passed along all of its knowledge. It am glad I got it, it helped me get started in a way I didn't expect... easily and with clarity.

This book served me well. I hope others will also find it serves them well too.