Customer Reviews

Linux System Administration: A User's Guide

5 star:		(11)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(1)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(0)

 

 

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Simply put, this book is probably one of the best choices for a new user to Linux who has computer experience, and possibly previous UNIX experience. I'm not sure how it would be as a beginner's book because I wasn't a beginner, but I think it would work well as a second book certainly. Even for a beginner, most of the important parts of Linux are focused on. The emphasis is on the basic areas that are important for the average user, or a small business system's administrator. Topics include the file systems, how to do backups, how to set-up hardware (including my personal bugaboo - printers), how to manage users, some good security information, how to use the various GUIs, how to automate tasks, how to get started with programming, etc. Areas like Apache, sendmail and nameservers are covered enough to get started with them, which is probably enough for the average user. One of the strengths is that the book points out ways to use the command prompt and then at least two other (usually) ways to do the same thing with the two most popular windowing systems Gnome and KDE. Another strength is that the book expects you to try things. A topic is introduced, some basic ways to do things are shown and then usually at least one or two more advanced topics, followed by encouragement to explore. There is no CD included, but numerous http links are given throughout.

This book is the one I open first when I have a question that needs answering and should be in most Linux bookshelves. It's easy to read, with some humor sprinkled throughout. The author assumes you're intelligent, which is greatly appreciated. Most of all, the book teaches ways for the home user or small business user to get the most out of their investment.

Ive been using pc's for about 8 years, building computers and fixing probs with windows, i just recently finished a client support course, and was feeling like something was missing still.

I found it, the lack of control a tech has over windows is extremely frustrating, this book (im now up to page 100) is absolutely magnificent its detailed, yet not boring, fun yet not amateur.

Id HIGHLY recomend it to anyone coming from windows , no matter how much linux knowledge you have.

Marcel Gagne has hit the mark with his user's guide for Linux. It is clearly a valuable tool for both beginners and experienced Linux users. All of the essentials for Linux System Administration are covered in plain language and his tips alone are worth the price of the book. One of the few Linux guide's I have seen that deals with interoperability between Microsoft Windows and Linux in an easy to understand manner. Many System Administrator's support both a Linux and Microsoft Windows environment and this book should be in their toolkit.

John Jackson
Director, I.T.
McCordick Glove & Safety Inc.

I can't say enough good things about the author's style or the content. Enough has been said already about the friendly tempo, so I'll let that rest.

The one thing I really wanted to mention, though, is the lack of quality binding in this book. I feel that if I spend this much money for a book, I'm probably going to want to use it as a reference for years to come. Unfortunately, this book has a minimal cover (after one day, the front and back covers had curled, and after picking it up only FIVE times, the back cover is splitting), and the paper is so thin, not only can I see through the pages, but the type shows through even with the pages laying flat! Terrible quality, Addison-Wesley should be absolutely ashamed of themselves...

I wouldn't bring this up, except for the fact that there is no disc included with the book, so no searchable PDF or HTML version is available for you to backup to.

Otherwise, buy this book. Just treat it carefully... :)

I think a somewhat more appropriate title for this book would be "A Beginner's Introduction to Linux". Basically, the book takes a sweeping overview of what you can do with Linux with a few short examples and references for more in-depth information. Indeed, he has some excellent tips and tricks, most of which are from his Magazine articles. But each subject is very short, with some being completely useless. For example, his section on Firewalls is about 4 pages long and talks about ipchains. This I can't understand. With the book being published so recent and the 2.4 kernels out for a while now, he doesn't even mention netfilter and iptables.
His sense of humour prevents the book from being a dry read but at times gets rather childish and annoying. In addition, it takes away from the professionalism of the book.
If I were a complete beginner, I would probably give this book 4 stars and If I were experienced, I would give it 2 stars. Thus, I settled on 3.

I bought this book mostly based on the reviews (...). I wanted a book that was broad, informative,and easy on the beginner and I got it. As a bonus it is also pretty entertaining, as Marcels' writing style is humorous and flavorful rather than the dry/info only style I see a lot in computer texts. It covers a lot of ground. The only reason I gave it 4 instead of 5 stars, is I thought it was a little light on many topics. As you can see from browsing through right here, many topics only get a page or two. On the other hand, that also means it covers a great many topics and gives enough to provide a basic understanding that will aid you in knowing which direction to go when you are through. Well worth the $$$.

Marcel Gagne's Linux System Administration A User's Guide is by far the best book on linux I have read. I have gone through a number of different books regarding linux, but this one I find myself refering back to over and over again. There is something in here for seasoned linux administrators and linux newbies alike. If you are looking for a one stop shop linux book this is it!! In the past I would have to refer to a number of different books to find what I needed, but this book has it all. Easy to read and understand. Top notch job - highly recommended!

Vince Scimeca
Senior IT Manager
Jupitermedia

If Linux and all the promise it holds for the world has not won you over yet, Marcel Gagne's clear and entertaining writing will.

His book, Linux System Administration: A User's Guide, starts with the basics ("What is Linux? Why Linux?") and within a few pages has you trying things you thought were part of the magical domain of "Linux gurus" : installation and disk partitions and swap files ..."and lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" -- Marcel enthusiastically pulls back the curtain and shows us the wizard at work, and invites us to try the tricks of the trade.

And the book is packed full: graphical desktops, internet firewalls, security against crackers, shell programming.
Especially handy is at the end of each of the 25 chapters is a list of Resources on the Web -- the end of each chapter is only the beginning.

But none of this would come off if it weren't Marcel's relaxed and inviting (and award-winning) writing style, which kept me reading -- and keyboarding -- well past my bedtime.

I've been using Linux off and on for about 8 years now so I am no newby. I bought this book used recently and I have to tell you that I've been impressed with it since day 1. The first chapter or so is a little boring for experienced users, getting Linux installed etc..., but still good information for those getting started. From there on out, there is a nugget for all of us on just about every page. The book is so well written, it contains detailed information about so many tasks but the writer keeps it from being too complex so it's always easy to understand. Even the most difficult tasks are made simple by the author. There is so much usable information in this book it's hard to describe. Don't let the 2001 publishing date scare you off. Things still work the same today as they did then for the most part. My book is a hard cover ex-library book so I have no complaints about the cover or binder. This is definitely a 5 star Linux book and should be on the shelves of every serious Linux user from beginner to guru.

I looked this book over very carefully at a local bookseller and it strikes me as one the best written books out of the many that exist, for helping linux users understanding the rather esoteric ways that linux works. It has practical hands-on quick explanations to learn the inner workings of linux that will help a linux user understand how to maintain, use, and solve problems with their linux machine. I plan on buying this book ASAP!