Linux For Dummies 8th Edition (Paperback)

~ Dee-Ann LeBlanc (Author), Richard K. Blum (Author)
Key Phrases: package manager, basic system administration, disk partitions, Microsoft Windows, Ten Steps, Getting Things Done (more...)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

• Focusing on Fedora Core 6, this accessible guide shows newcomers how to create a full-featured Linux desktop setup that's comparable to a Windows system
• Substantially revised and updated with new material on setting up a wireless home network, recycling an old Windows computer as a Linux home-networking server, running Linux on a laptop, editing digital photos, managing and playing audio and video, using open source productivity software, and more
• The DVD features the full Fedora Core installation and Fedora Core CD ISOs; there's also a coupon for readers who prefer to get Fedora Core on CD-ROM
• A companion Web site provides installation options and information on other popular Linux distributions, including SuSE, Mandriva, Linspire, Knoppix, and Ubuntu

Note: CD-ROM/DVD and other supplementary materials are not included as part of eBook file.

From the Back Cover

Everything you need to install, run, and optimize Linux on your desktop

Here's how to start using Linux, the popular and free operating system

Want to do the same tasks you can with Windows, except for free? Linux is the alternative open source operating system that's beloved by users in the know. This newly updated guide gives you just what you need to get started with Linux — plain-English explanations, savvy tips and advice, and, best of all, the full Fedora Core installation on DVD!

• Understand core Linux tasks

• Use OpenOffice.org for common functions

• Manage and play multimedia

• Make your Linux box more secure

• Use Linux and Windows together

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Product Details

• Paperback: 432 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 8 edition (July 30, 2007)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0470116498
• ISBN-13: 978-0470116494
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.4 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 1.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (5 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #60,425 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

7 of 7 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars good, but does't meet my expectations, September 13, 2007

By	Jonathan Allen - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

Well... I don't want to go in depth too much. The DVD is ok, but it only contains Fedora Core as the item description states. Fedora is ok, but it doesn't contain the mainstream programs such as Gparted (although there is a partitioner, when I became fed up with Linux the partitioner doesn't support NTFS). The reason I didn't keep Fedora is I couldn't get the resolution changed on my X1400 GPU. I was constantly running into snags but most were minor except the 1024x768 default res that I couldn't figure out how to get to 1280x800. Don't get me wrong, the book is very, very informative but the bundled software wasn't a great choice. There are other distros such as Ubuntu and PCLinuxOS that could've easily been given on multiple CD's.

Bottom line, if you are like me, and just wanted to learn more about linux than you know, this is it. But I also wanted to know more and actually have Linux for backup. Fedora isn't great, but if Windows goes blue on you and don't have time to reinstall, get you a 5gb partition and just use this for those quick days.

15 of 18 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Huge gaps in the subject coverage..., October 16, 2007

By	rmckim (Midwest US) - See all my reviews

I have 20 yrs experience with computers. I have installed other Linux variants successfully. After installing Fedora Linux per the instructions in this book - TWICE - with an fdisk inbetween installs, and following the instructions in this book, I was unable even to logon to the system - AND this book has NO LOGON TROUBLESHOOTING SECTION! Astounding. Fedora Linux (the flavor this book recommends) will prob always be Geek Linux. There are other Linux variants which are MUCH, MUCH more user friendly. This is the first DUMMIES book that I've found to be substandard. Great on opinions and generalizations, short on the details that really count.

9 of 12 people found the following review helpful:

1.0 out of 5 stars Missing Documentation, December 17, 2007

By	Daniel Johnson "Fisherman" (Dayton, MN.) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This book is almost solely devoted to Fedora. Not all Linux OS are the same. I was very disappointed with the contents of the book.