Customer Reviews

Moving to Linux: Kiss the Blue Screen of Death Goodbye!

5 star:		(12)
4 star:		(4)
3 star:		(2)
2 star:		(3)
1 star:		(2)

 

 

Review
I've been interested in running a Linux desktop lately, and I've looked at a number of books to help me get there. The problem is that you either get a good book on installing Linux, or you get a book that delves into the guts of Linux. But what if you just want to learn how to do day-to-day activities (like create documents, spreadsheets, listen to music, etc.)? If that's your situation, this is your book.

The author does a good job in explaining what Linux is and the installation process for the different distributions, like Red Hat, Mandrake, and SuSE. Following his instructions, you should be able to get a Linux desktop running with little effort. While not an in-depth install manual, the typical user should have enough detail to accomplish the job. From there, you will get acquainted with the different commonly used tools in a Linux distribution like Konqueror, Kmail, GIMP, and OpenOffice. It's this information that will help you make the transition from being competent in a Windows environment to being competent on your new Linux desktop.

For those who want to get beyond the user desktop experience, you will find plenty of references to how the Linux shell operates and how you can use the command line utilities to experience the full power of Linux. It's enough to allow you to do useful tasks without bogging you down in too much detail.

The book also includes a Knoppix Linux CD in the back. This CD allows you to run a Linux system on your computer without installing anything. While somewhat slow (since it runs from the CD) and limited (can't easily save your work), it does give you the chance to experience Linux with no commitment.

Do keep in mind that this book is not meant to be a complete reference book for Linux. If you want to become an expert on shell scripting, you'll want something more than this. But if you're looking for the tool to help you cross over from Windows to Linux, you'll like the level of coverage.

Conclusion
This is the best book I've read so far that talks about how to install and run Linux as a typical user. It also covers all the applications you will want to run on a regular basis. Truly a very good book.

A book *like* this has been needed for a long time. I think this book does a decent job of explaining things in a way that Windows users can understand. However, I fear that Gagne's obvious slant toward certain applications will negatively affect a newbie's experience with linux, thus bruising any notion of Linux's proliferation on the desktop.

For (just one) example, Gagne pushes Konqueror pretty hard as an alternative web browser. Unfortunately, Konqueror, as supplied with Redhat 9 and Mandrake 9.1 (the two most popular desktop distributions in the US) is incapable of properly navigating some of the most used sites on the internet, like aol.com, parts of yahoo.com, cnn.com, and others.

I'm an advanced Linux user who has moved several windows users to Linux, successfully, and I think Gagne might do well to stick to a more 'best of breed' approach in future editions and put his personal favorites aside. I'd love a book like this to give to people, but this one just doesn't make me reach for the wallet.

It should be noted that I find this unfortunate, since I am otherwise a fan of Gagne's other books, and his regular magazine columns.

I've been running Linux myself for a number of years, and have been trying to encourage friends, colleauges and family to convert from Windows.

They are always worried about the complexity (or at least the feeling of complexity from using something different).

But now this book (coupled with the modern Linux distributions) provides all that even a nervous migrator needs.

I bought the book on the strength of the author's previous book and thoroughly enjoyed reading it. I've also recommended it to a number of people already.

If everyone wrote computer books in such a clear and enthusiastic way then more people would read them.

And it's probably the first time that I've found a long term use for a CD accompanying a book. I'm able to use this CD to boot up a Linux system wherever I go, without affecting the host computer at all. So I can use my familiar Linux tools anywhere to fetch email, browse the web or whatever. And the Knoppix distribution even looks beautiful ... even my Windows loving family were impressed !!!

Thoroughly recommended for all Linux users ... and a MUST BUY for all folks even remotely thinking of trying Linux.

The author has a very down-to-earth way of explaining the simplest way of switching to LINUX. I would recommend this book for the person who would like to try LINUX, but maybe feels slightly intimidated. It is very helpful and straightforward without to much command-line usage. Concentrates on how to accomplish things using a GUI interface. Excellent!

Are you tired of Windows crashing all of the time? You have to admit that "Blue Screen of Death" is annoying to say the least. Are you looking for an inexpensive way to do all the things you're doing with Windows? Well... this book explains how to do it.

This is the 'how-to' book for those interested in moving from Windows to Linux... and it's done in a simple, easy-to-read format. I'm sure that most could completely go from Windows to Linux in a few hours... the book is that easy to understand!

It also includes a Knoppix CD... which is the easiest way to see how Linux works, while still using Windows. I absolutely loved this... I was able to see what I was getting into... instead of jumping in without a clue, and messing something up!

This book is not for those that are familiar with Linux, though... it's written purely to explain how the Windows user can move to Linux without having issues, and what kind of programs exist in order to make the transition fairly seamless.

If you want to move to Linux, or you've even thought about it, this is definitely a must-read book... you'll be hooked. :)

I've tried Linux of several flavors over the years; Redhat, Mandrake, Caldera. But there was always some program for which I needed a MS operating system. Some difficulty or incompatability with my current machine and the Linux flavor of the day.

Yet each year I suffered the instability and lack of security of the poorly designed products from Redmond. The constant disregard for their customers, the way updates take more and more control of my machine, the insidious creep of this power-hungry corporation wore on me.

Now this book turns up and shows the way to an alternative which appears, finally, ready for novices such as myself. The included CD which loaded, and ran without a hitch on my *laptop*, was a revelation. I was able to play with Linux, trying manuevers while reading the book. What an excellent idea. What a great learning tool.

My hat's off to Mr. Gagne. And many thanks.

This was a very disappointing purchase. Gagne breezes through any areas where Linux is actually difficult, focussing instead on the stuff that any competent computer user will have no trouble using. I don't need to have my hand held by an expert to figure out OpenOffice. What I do need is a lot more detail about installing the OS and configuring my system.

Gagne claims "A modern Linux installation is easy... easier than Windows... you boot from your CD-ROM drive, click NEXT a few times and you are running Linux." This is true if absolutely everything goes exactly as expected. If anything goes wrong, however, you are left to your own devices to figure it out. In my case, the GRUB installation needed serious attention, neither my dial-up or highspeed modem were recognized by the OS... and there is nothing in this book to help solve my problems. Check out the help forums for any Linux distribution and you'll see that these sorts of things come up regularly.

I'm very frustrated with Gagne's approach - basically he tells us to follow the instructions on the screen, and if anything goes wrong check the internet for solutions. You don't need to buy a book to tell you that.

After having taken an entire semester course in Unix/Linux, I was left desiring to know more. Unfortunately the course never covered dual booting, installation, ect. The teacher just said buy a book with a copy of linux and left it at that. Well most books I have found were targetting computer science majors or people who have a deep understanding of programming. I never felt confident enough to mess with my windows setup. I just needed a simple shot at installing the linux os and get it up and running so i could start using some of the shell programming and other topics covered in my course. Well this book seriously helps me out. It is a simple approach to get you up and running with linux, the missing link for me. I am very happy to have found this book!!! It is a great intro into the world of linux which doesnt skip the installation and go straight into administrative tasks and shell programming....

if you are in a similar situation get this book and you it will help you get on your feet and running linux....

if you already can install linux you should go on to more advanced books.

I got the book since it's relatively recent and dealt with the SuSE9 linux distro. However, it was too general for me. It didn't help me deal with the failure of my monitor to display the GRUB loader for a dual boot, how to create a floppy-based version of GRUB loader, how to modify the menu to reflect a new software installation, how to test whether my SCSI devices were working, to mention only a few of the issues I faced installing SuSE.

Any experienced Windows user doesn't need this book but for the less experienced it will hopefully encourage experimentation with Linux.

This is the best book for a newbie to linux or someone who is teaching a newbie how to use linux. The author gives a great overview of linux, different distros, and the most commonly used programs. The book is written with humor and without insulting anyones intelligence. He coveres a broad range of topics and gives enough information without overwhelming the reader. References are made to where a person can go to a web site to read more info on the particular topic. Try the CD, its great.