UNIX for Dummies (Paperback)

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Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review

The title of this book invites comment. "Some things weren't meant for dummies and Unix is one of them," you might say. Wrong! Levine and Young take advantage of the Dummies format's strength with command-line operating systems. They flatten the learning curve and have even the greenest beginner doing useful work with Unix in mere hours.

Once you get past a couple of pointless chapters about offering pizza to Unix experts in exchange for help, you'll find conceptual explanations of files, directories, permissions, and redirection. Command explanations take a hybrid form; they mix "type this verbatim" statements with tables showing switches and parameters.

Much of Unix for Dummies is task-oriented. You'll find a whole chapter on printing, for example, that covers the commands you'll need to know to format and print a document on the right printer. Other chapters cover file searches, software installation, and X Windows navigation. The book also provides cursory coverage of four text editors--ED, vi, Emacs, and pico--but you learn little more than how to enter and save text in each.

Levine and Young include an eminently useful "DOS-to-Unix Rosetta Stone" that immediately tells you, for example, that the approximate Unix equivalent of DOS's copy is cp. DOS experts who are new transplants to a Unix environment will appreciate this translation guide. The authors wrap up with a wealth of basic troubleshooting information and a command reference.

This book, along with its companion, More Unix for Dummies, is the perfect choice for those who have no knowledge of Unix and need to learn it quickly. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

Product Description

UNIX has been evolving feverishly for close to 30 years, sort of like bacteria in a cesspool – only not as attractive. As a result, many different varieties of UNIX have existed along the way. Although they all share numerous characteristics, they differ just enough that even experienced users are tripped up by the differences between versions.

If you’re like most UNIX users, a zealot stopped at your desk, connected your terminal or workstation, gave you five minutes of incomprehensible advice, demonstrated a few bizarre games (like roaches that hide behind the work on your screen), and disappeared. Now you’re on your own.

Don’t worry. UNIX For Dummies, 4th Edition, cuts through all the technojargon lurking in the UNIX command jungle to deliver clear instructions just how and when you need them. This indispensable reference includes sections on

Typing commands

Copying, renaming, and deleting files

Printing files

Finding where your file went

Using the Internet from UNIX

Connecting and communicating with people on other computers

Discover how to get your UNIX system's attention, persuade it that you are allowed to use it, and even accomplish something useful as you find out how to

Choose the right flavor of UNIX for you

Set up and operate UNIX terminals

Manage files, directories, and printing

Use the Common Desktop Environment and other window systems

Browse the Web, send and receive e-mail, and read Usenet newsgroups

Deal with all the major versions of UNIX, including Berkeley UNIX, Solaris, and SunOS

Troubleshoot and solve common problems

The expert writing team of John Levin and Margaret Levin Young also give you a look at the latest developments with Linux, the wildly popular, completely free version of UNIX – all in a single volume designed to put you in command with a computer system that can be tamed.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 476 pages
• Publisher: For Dummies; 4th edition (September 9, 1998)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0764504193
• ISBN-13: 978-0764504198
• Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 0.9 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.7 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (33 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #446,056 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

22 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars This book serves its purpose, December 30, 2000

By A Customer

I see people bashing this book for not transforming someone, who knows nothing about UNIX (a "dummy"), into a UNIX Guru. Sheish I mean come on. ONE BOOK cant do that no matter what the reviews say. This book serves its purpose to aquaint a "dummy" to a new opperating system, UNIX. I don't recall this book claiming that it will turn the reader into an internet WHIZ this is a book about UNIX and thats what you will learn about. If you want to learn about the internet go buy a book on it! This book will teach you about the history of UNIX(an important thing to know whether you realize it or not) and about how to get your feet wet in the operating system. This book again is for "DUMMIES" NOT system administrators. If you know nothing about UNIX get this book. If you want to be a GURU or system administrater plan on buying a couple more books such as the UNIX Bible etc.

18 of 20 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Absolutely fabulous, September 28, 1999

By A Customer

I've been working on IBM mainframe systems for several years, and had to start working on UNIX. I got a copy of this book, and have never regretted it! Well layed out, informative, and genuinely useful. I still refer to it regularly, and colleagues 'borrow' it on a daily basis. The best work related book I've ever bought!

14 of 15 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars An very good introduction to using Unix., April 9, 1999

By A Customer

This book does not go into detail into Unix at all, and for that it has earned criticism shared by many of the Dummy books. Still, for those going into Unix from scratch, this is clearly one of the best choices available.