Customer Reviews

Linux: The Textbook

5 star:		(6)
4 star:		(1)
3 star:		(0)
2 star:		(1)
1 star:		(1)

 

 

Author: Computer Science/Math double major at Cameron University. Junior.

After reading four five-star reviews, I think I need to speak up. Our school used this book for a freshman-level Operating System Utilities class and I was not fully pleased. As far as positives go, I will give that this book is extremely comprehensive. Most important commands are explained and the more obscure commands and options are included in the back. Even though I disliked the book, I still keep it as a reference due to its scope. Issues regarding differences between different versions of Linux are not covered well, but that's really too much to cover in one book. Just make sure to get a book specific to your version in addition (or possible exclusion) of this one. I have Red Hat and fortunately most of the code in here is portable to Red Hat. Also Mandrake is included on the disk (at least in my version), which is the version the book is catered to. Maybe it's just bad luck but I found the version of Mandrake included to be quite buggy, but that's a separate rant.
The main reason I didn't like the book is the usual flaw in technical computer books: unclarity. The explanations are not well-written and are short of examples in some areas. Also, the explanations that are given tend to be just as dry and boring as unclear. In addition to the constant vagueness and unreadability, there isn't enough attention given onto the traditional privileges and restrictions of the typical user. The examples and explanations don't give the reader a good feel as to what they can do on a Linux system, unless they happen to have full root access. Given an experienced programmer knows there restrictions and they may vary, but the introductory Linux programmer is not clear on the kind of programming environment they will be working in.

Impressive book, well written, self explaining and covering almost all aspects required by the linux "not-so-expert", as I am. But:
One really important part is missing! Almost no discussion is provided on the user profile definition. How the user is related to the group, how can a user be part of several groups, etc...
Really, is a good book, but the writers suppose that everybody will use "root"? I hope not. To be useful for the IT Professional, a little more has to be spent on this area.

If you are willing to accept the good with the bad, then this text will work for you.

For some reason the authors find it necessary to explain utterly irrelevant topics such as basic computer hardware architecture. Not sure why, but I just skipped over those few sections.

Otherwise there are interesting sections to learn stuff about.

I have been using linux intermittently for about 3 or 4 years now, and was looking for a book that would take me from linux user to linux admin. Turns out this book is not the one, but still contains valuable information. I assumed, incorrectly, that a textbook's scope would be beyond just user.

EDIT: I have bumped up my rating of this book after really delving into the latter half of it. I still don't like how it begins, and don't think the structure of the book is appropriate for a user with no experience, but for the most part it is solidly written and is comprehensive on the subjects it covers.

EDIT: 12-26-2011 After thinking about this book some more, I have bumped it again to a 5 star. It seems other books don't sit down and comprehensively explain things like this one does.

in a word this book is at best confusing. it tries really hard to be a good book that combines the theory behind how everthing works and how to become a competent linux user. unfortunatly, i'm not sure what these guys were smoking when they wrote this ( maybe some ground up windows cd's, since they're so good at linux they didn't need to buy any more windows products) anyways I suspect that the writers are much bettr linux users then they are writers. If you buy this book and it works out for you, thats great but I think the odds are against you.

I have used and taught UNIX and LINUX for over a decade and this is arguably the bext LINUX textbook for entry- and intermediate-level users. The writing style is lucid and examples that work. For a change, this book contains shell scripts that actually work! One of the rare books that elegantly combines operating system concepts with LINUX examples. Simply a first-rate book. I give it two thumbs up and look forward to more books by the author team.

Book arrived in a like new condition. Not bad for a 10 year old book. Shipping was fast.

This is by far the best book I know on Linux. This is equally good for those who want to learn Linux on their own. I give it two thumbs up!

You don't even need to know much about computers. They assume nothing and you never get lost. It is a pleasure to read.
A bonus is that, if you like books, you will appreciate the quality of the printing and the material used.

I have read several books but this is the best..