Multitool Linux: Practical Uses for Open Source Software [Paperback]

Michael Schwarz (Author), Jeremy Anderson (Author), Peter Curtis (Author), Steven Murphy (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: May 7, 2002

This unique, practical resource delivers specific Linux-based open source solutions to dozens of today's most common computing and business challenges. Each modular chapter covers all you need to know to solve a specific set of problems -- with extensive examples, and detailed guidance on acquiring and running the Linux-based open source software you'll need. Multitool Linux begins by reviewing the skills and mindset you need to make the most of Linux and open source software. The authors present comprehensive coverage of Linux as a solution for networking problems, covering remote control applications, routing, virtual private networks, file and print services for Windows clients, email, Web services, and more. The book covers a wide range of Linux-based security solutions, including secure logins, file transfers, email security, and encryption. The book also includes a full section on multimedia, ranging from video production to CD burning, 3D graphics to image processing. Each chapter includes pointers to URLs with the latest versions of every open source package covered in the book. For all Linux users and developers who want to use Linux to solve a wider variety of problems.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

This resource-packed guide delivers pragmatic solutions for real-world Linux development needs—all using open-source software tools. Viewing Linux as a well-stocked toolbox, Multitool Linux shows programmers and sophisticated users how to create a wide variety of exciting and useful applications for business and entertainment, from speech synthesis and video production to network security.

The book begins with a general introduction to Linux and a look at working with its source code. A wide variety of programming projects—encompassing communications, privacy, music and audio, graphics, photography, and much more—are then explored in-depth. Each chapter is filled with examples, helpful screenshots, step-by-step tutorials, lists of open-source tools, and URLs for sites where those tools can be obtained for free.

Many of the tools discussed in the book will work not only with Linux, but with any flavor of UNIX—from FreeBSD up to expensive, proprietary versions of UNIX running on high-speed massively parallel hardware.

Multitool Linux shows you how to:

Control your computer remotely, from anywhere, at anytime, with any operating system

Run a whole network with one IP address

Communicate with Windows networks using Samba (SMB)

Extend Apache

Build a secure Webmail service supporting IMAP and SSL

Secure e-mail with GPG

Integrate your palm-connected organizer

Process images with GIMP and Imagemagick

And much more

If you want to learn how to install and operate Linux, look to other books and manuals. But if you have installed the software and are asking the question, "Now what?" Multitool Linux provides valuable and entertaining answers.

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About the Author

Michael Schwarz has worked as a UNIX system programmer for more than fifteen years and as a Linux programmer since its emergence. He started the SASi open source project, and has been a frequent contributor to Linux Journal.

Peter Curtis is a Web applications designer for HealthPartners, a Minnesota HMO, where he runs a combined Linux and Windows network. He has extensive experience as a UNIX, Perl, C/C++, and Java programmer.

Steven Murphy is a UNIX and Linux programmer for HealthPartners. He is also a professional musician who uses Linux in his various musical and video editing tasks.

Jeremy Anderson teaches UNIX classes at Hennepin Technical College. He has expertise in UNIX, Linux, Perl, C/C++, and Java programming.

0201734206AB04092002

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Product Details

• Paperback: 576 pages
• Publisher: Addison Wesley; 1st edition (May 7, 2002)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0201734206
• ISBN-13: 978-0201734201
• Product Dimensions: 9.3 x 7.4 x 1.4 inches
• Shipping Weight: 2.5 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #2,788,655 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars Linux (+ open source tools) as a swiss army knife, November 17, 2002

By 

Ray Y. Chow "Ray C" (Waltham, MA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Multitool Linux: Practical Uses for Open Source Software (Paperback)

Technically, Linux is the name for the operating system kernel at the heart of "Linux" distributions such as RedHat and Debian. When most people "use" Linux, they are in fact using the shell, the web server, or any other of the zillions of open source programs that (1) are available for, (2) are distributed with, or (3) can run atop the Linux kernel.

It used to be that there were only a few things you could do with a Linux box (namely run a Unix box as a web server) but the open source community has come a long way in providing (1) applications and (2) hardware support, so that you can now do a lot of things w/ your Linux box that used to only be doable on a Windoze box.

Schwarz et al have put together a smorgasbord of things you can do with your Linux box. These projects range from things you would tend to do on a Unix box (eg IP Masquerade, SSH, system security, even a chapter on writing Apache modules!) to stuff you would expect to need to do on a Windoze box (eg burning CDRs, syncing with Palm devices, and audio/MIDI/image/video processing).

The level of detail in the chapters (as well as the required level of Linux familiarity on the part of the reader) varies considerably -- a hazard of multiple authors and the breadth of the topics covered -- but each chapter starts off with a "Difficult-o-Meter" which more or less accurately states the level of Linux proficiency required.

That said, there are some real gems to be found in this book. There are some pretty hefty howto-like treatments in this book of topics such as system security, "undernets" (collaborative web sites), and setting up a web/IMAP/mail server.

There's a chapter on "Tools You Should Know", which lists the tools a typical Unix hacker should know: regular expressions, vi, dd, sed, diff, etc. Like some other parts of the book, this chapter doesn't give you a lot of information on these individual tools, but it brings them to your attention, so you at least know what to look for.

This book by itself won't turn a newbie into a Linux ninja after one reading, but it is a good overview of many different things that can be done with open source tools on a Linux box. I would highly encourage the prospective reader to take a look at the Table of Contents of this book. If you see a topic you're interested in, then this is a worthwhile book to buy. (I suspect that most folks running Linux at home at a beginner to intermediate level will find several bits of interest in this book.)

5 of 6 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A must-have for Linux users, August 24, 2002

By 

E. Jensen (St. Paul, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Multitool Linux: Practical Uses for Open Source Software (Paperback)

Are you a new Linux user, and want to learn more?

Are you an experienced Linux user, but are wondering what other interesting things you can do?

This book will teach you fun things. This book will teach you useful things. This book takes you on a tour you can't help but enjoy. At the end of the day, you'll find yourself not only entertained, but more knowledgeable about what you can do with Linux. It's probably more than you think!

This book helped me discover new interests and new possibilities, all in easy to read and entertaining prose. With that in mind, I'm giving this book the highest rating possible.

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars what exactly is linux good for?, May 1, 2005

By 

M. Fiereck "linux guru" (coon rapids, MN USA) - See all my reviews
(REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Multitool Linux: Practical Uses for Open Source Software (Paperback)

What is linux good for? That is the question that the authors of this book set about explaining. They tell you all of the wonderful things that you can make linux do with a little bit of effort. It could use a new edition but otherwise a very good read.

PS A station wagon packed with hard drives has more bandwidth in most instances than dsl or cable internet.