Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop (Paperback)

~ (Author), Sam Hiser (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Picking out the key elements of any operating system and it's desktop can radically improve ones productivity. That includes the highly regarded Java Desktop System, from Sun Microsystems. JDS represents the most modern of desktop systems that behaves pretty much the way a Windows or Mac user would expect, but with many more powerful features.

JDS, an unusually robust, well-integrated desktop system has turned out to be the first to fulfill the promise of mass adoption for open source. JDS brings Linux and other open source software up to a level of usability that makes them suitable for the enormous base of Personal Computer users including office workers, students, mobile and home users. Sun Microsystems has sold large quantities of JDS in the United States, Britain, China, and elsewhere.

This book is the ideal guide to JDS: it is clear and direct, but loaded with insights from authors who have spent time working with, supporting, and enhancing the system. Tom Adelstein is an award winning polymath system designer; Sam Hiser is a respected business consultant with an itch that led him to become the marketing project lead for OpenOffice.org. Both are advocates for open source and founders of the Open Government Interoperability Project, members of the Open Source Software Institute and contributors to the JDShelp.org project.

This book carefully covers such housekeeping chores as setting up networking, updates, and backups. It enters into great depth concerning the key productivity tools every user needs: email, web browsing, instant messaging, word processing, spreadsheets, and slide presentations.

A number of chapters and appendices concerning useful tools, including things you can add to your system, rounds out this remarkably useful book. It has plenty to offer the new user as well as the seasoned Linux professional.

About the Author

Tom Adelstein works as a technical analyst writer for a large international publishing company headquartered in Texas. He became a young author in 1985 and has written prolifically ever since. Tom's career began as a CPA and progressed into investment banking where he excelled by using computer technology to help his companies become industry leaders. In 1993, he decided to change careers and pursue information technology. He says he chose to follow his heart instead of his head.

Sam Hiser is Vice President & Director Business Affairs at the OpenDocument Foundation, Inc. He was advisor to the Commonwealth of Massachusetts Information Technology Division on its pilot of OpenDocument-ready software this year. Hiser also blogs at www.PlexNex.com.

Product Details

• Paperback: 352 pages
• Publisher: O'Reilly Media (September 2004)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0596007523
• ISBN-13: 978-0596007522
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7 x 1.1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.5 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.9 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (8 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,595,718 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars A course book with companion software, October 19, 2004

By	T.J.Hanssen (Norway) - See all my reviews

With background as a Unix user and system administrator in a small business, I have been looking more on Linux the latest year, and especial on using the JDS Linux. Though Sun's JDS user documentation has been available online on the web, a text book is something more. Therefore I was anxious when I started reading Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop by Tom Adelstein and Sam Hiser.

The book is excellent clear and direct written with the user in focus. Thanks to the authors insight and experience, even usual more difficult subjects like Internet and network setup are presented to the user with simplicity. But the user also learns to do real work in the Linux environment, as there are relative extensive introductions to the central Internet and office applications.

Also support staffs and Unix or Linux system administrators will derive advantage from learning the JDS GUI ways whenever possible. If I should suggest an extra wish for a second issue (knowing it was out of scope this time), it would therefore be to complete a chapter or two on local networking with typical client-server configurations. In small office and workgroups, one of the users often has to manage also the necessary system administration, and not unusual in a mixed Linux/Unix/Windows environment.

I was also impressed by the the JDS demo on the companion CD, how well it booted and started up with hardware autodetection. The only thing I had to change manually afterwards in the Yast2 configuration tool, was setting my keyboard to Norwegian layout. By help of this demo CD, which implements a nice variant of the JDS theme, it is really possible to explore JDS Linux live, even without installing the system on the disk. That is trying before buying.

My conclusion is therefore safe: Exploring JDS Linux Desktop is recommended for all with interest to learn and use the nice JDS, working environment and applications in a quick and easy way.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Wonderful Suprise, October 15, 2004

By	D. Southern (New Brunswick, Canada) - See all my reviews

This book attracted me as I'm a current JDS user, and I was completely taken by suprise by the actual depth of the book. Most technical books that one buys goes way beyond the scope of the average home user. Adelstein and Hiser use your basic building block approach to using JDS and a newcomer interested in linux can follow it right along with the enclosed bootable cd without the danger of making a mistake and wiping out the settings on one's computer. For the experienced user, such as myself, or someone wanting to learn, the chapter dealing with StarOffice will be something that will be referred to for years to come. This book is a "must have" for your linux library.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent book for both the technical and non-technical!, October 11, 2004

By	Keith Burgess (Easton, PA USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

I often find myself digging through the pages of technical books, prior to purchasing them, just to be sure they are readable. Most technical books assume a certain level of expertise, and as a result, become overly technical and hard to read. "Exploring the JDS Linux Desktop" is an excellent book that from the very first page, is well written and an easy read. If this is your first experience with Linux or your 10th, this is the book for you! Complete with screen shots, and a live CD of JDS, you will soon be on your way to enjoying the JDS experience. You will learn many aspects of the operating system including, Networking, office productivity, and system management.

Hats off to the authors for writing this fabulous book which has found a permanent place in my collection.