Customer Reviews

Linux, DOS and Windows. . . A How to build Yourself a 95/NT, 2000 Microsoft Active Directory Clone now with NDS Networking

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If Amazon's rating system would let me give a *negative* number of stars, I would. This book wasted my time.

Although this book's title includes "How to build Yourself a 95/NT, 2000 Microsoft Active Directory Clone", there is in fact almost no information in the book as to "how to" do this - only the most general information is given. (There is some useful-appearing information {I think} on installing NDS for NT, though the rest of this book is so sloppy, I wouldn't trust it without trying it.) The Linux installation information is sketchy at best, the information for the WINE (WINdows Emulator), a key component to build a "windows clone", is virtually non-existent, documenting a few programming calls only. This book is mostly an anti-microsoft screed, (which I am not against - I bought the book precisely because I'm looking for non-Microsoft options), but it's *not* in ANY sense a "How To" book.

The book includes coupons which will allegedly cause the author/publisher to send either 1 or 2 CDs (you figure it out - I can't). (Actually, it includes 2 such coupons, but one appears hopelessly out of date.)

Inside the back cover is a sticker that says in part: "The value of this book is in the software you get, instructions and help directions you will find on the CD's - NOT IN THE PAGES OF THIS BOOK." (emphasis added.) Boy, that's for sure.

This book has the appearance of being haphazardly assembled from various un-related sources with no proofreading at all. As an example, in one of the few actual technical tips, he discusses editting a file he repeatedly calls ".Xclients". Someone with a little HTML knowledge and Linux familiarity can tell he probably meant ".Xclients" - the "." looks like an HTML escape sequence for ".", so he took this from a web page somewhere with NO editting or proofreading. Many other cases of abrupt changes of subject, non-sequiturs, etc., are available.

Finally, the book physically fell apart while I was reading it through the first time.

I intend to send for the CD. When it arrives, I will install and test it and report back here on the results.

The bad:

This book is a waste of time if you are looking for technical information. It is inconsistent and is more or less a grab-all that jumps around talking a bit about Linux, Novell and the state of OS'es with a lot of MS bashing put in between. The binding is also of poor quality - I lost about 5 pages on my first (and probably only) read of the book. Oh, and it doesn't contain a CD.

If you enjoy reading incoherent MS bashing that is not supported properly by facts (he is right about some of his bashing but he forgot to include the facts, which are available), then this is a book for you.

The good:

He does include some interesting information about the history of the OS wars and about the state of Windows, Netware and Linux - which is unfortunately lost in the noise caused by the lack of structure in the book.

Kind of sad, really - a step by step book for installing Linux with NDS, Samba, Dosemu and WINE with proper background information about the technologies would be a killer.

If you want to learn Samba, go read John Blair's book "Samba: Integrating Unix and Windows." Dominic Baines is also working on a book, but I have not read that yet.

For general NDS information, check out Novell's excellent documentation. For NDS on Linux I have no idea.

There are a bunch of books about Linux, most of them too basic and sketchy to be of any help. I'd recommend "Unix Powertools" and "Unix for the Impatient" for the thorough basic information, and then a book about the distribution you are using.

First impressions where of a book prepared and bound by my old school print room with VERY basic print and page presentation. This I was always happy to overlook if the contained was able to carry it the rest of the way. The physical build quality is nothing short of appalling. I am currently holding it together as I read as the pages simply fall out as I turn the next page. I am actually considering sending it back for a replacement, as it will be near impossible to read again (If I actually feel the need). Well I felt it started out quite well although I felt it is was a little heavy side on the MS bashing. The content in places is good but then it laps into another MS bashing and deviates onto something else without finishing the current discussion. I am not sure if the books text was proofed before going to print as some of the grammar is a little on the weak side suggesting this was one hell of a hurried book.

I did enjoy some of the OS history discussions and other ideas the text offered but some of the points outlined coupled with the strong anti MS feeling appear to provide one mans opinion rather a wholly objective `factual' presentation.

I have installed Linux 6.0 several times and installed most of what is outlined in the book but I would have to say it `might' have helped me out. I think however that I have other much better resources (books and internet and my own notes) which I think I would find more helpful. The non-existent CD may have been helpful but as this is another post out - I don't think I'll worry. What I pity if I had waited 2 weeks for the book only to find out I needed to wait another 2 weeks for the CD's

It is clearly a hasterly prepared book and somewhat disjointed. The build quality is simply appalling. The content is good in places and hopelessly lost in others. Print quality is sub standard and formatting weak. This book is not on my `must have' list.

I am a Linux newbie, and have grown up in the Windows world, and I loved the content of this book. I was introduced in a very detailed way to the sordid world of O/S wars. I have only had the book for 12 hours and am halfway through it. The content is great, you get history and technical help in one. I am fairly new to the deeper heart of O/S's so Mr Burgess's repetition of the failings of the Microsoft O/S didn't bother me, but I am sure it would get tiresome to an seasoned UNIX/Linux person. His insight to the security failings of Microsoft Windows was very enlightening. He even includes hacker utils on his CD to illustrate how easily Microsoft Windows can be compromised, even NT. MY ONLY COMPLAINT WAS THE PHYSICAL CONSTRUCTION OF THE BOOK. IT HAS COME APART PAGE BY PAGE AS I READ IT. THE PRINT IS POOR AND THE PROOF READING WEAK. Mr Burgess please don't use the same publisher, they really screwed up the pleasure of buying your book. Even with that being said I would recomend this book to anyone is trying to bring Linux stability and Microsoft built applications on to the same platform. Just be prepared to find another way to bind the pages together. Mr Burgess's premis is that Microsoft applications are not going away so lets see how we can build a better platform for them to ride on. I can't wait to build mine.

Someday, someone will explain a better way than Microsoft's, but this is CERTAINLY not the one! The author cannot see beyond his anti-Microsoft bias well enough to see what he is proposing an anlternative to. He clearly has no viable understanding of what Microsoft has done and is doing. His recommendations are incomplete and loaded with half-truths. Save your money!