UNIX for Dummies by John R. Levine  (28)  $14.95

LINUX for Dummies Quick Reference by Phil Hughes  (6)

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Amazon.com
Geared to casual users who want to install Linux on a personal machine--in other words, hobbyists--Linux for Dummies walks the reader through installing, configuring, tuning, and using each version of Linux. While the book includes a useful comparison of various Linux distributions, the companion CD-ROM holds Red Hat Linux 5.0 and the book uses that distribution in its examples.

This clearly written text begins by helping you prepare your system for Linux, going so far as to recommend you get it a special hard disk. The authors then show you how to install the system--including the mechanics of selecting file systems and setting up hardware--and then help you log on for the first time.

Next, Linux for Dummies explains elementary commands, including those used to traverse directories and to copy and move files. The book then explores storage issues, detailing how to install and configure a new hard drive in excellent detail. Shells, such as bash and X Windows, get cursory coverage (but adequate, considering the purpose of the book). Linux for Dummies also includes information on certain applications (including vi and emacs) and a guide to tuning and customization that sadly lacks much about shell programming. Internet services, including WAIS, FTP, and Gopher, get their due, but the Apache Web server gets slighted. Overall, this is the best user-lever Linux guide available. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

From Library Journal
The Linux operating system has grown out of a free Unix-compatible kernel written by Linus Torvalds. Free means the user is free to run, copy, distribute, study, change, sell, and improve the software as long as the source code is always included in the next release, which means that those who follow are able to do the same. Since Linux is multitasking and processing, it supports multiple users doing multiple actions. And because Linux is designed for running on cheap, slightly out-of-date hardware, Linux has proven valuable to libraries of all sizes who can not afford constant, costly upgrade fees for new software. If you are interested in exploring Linux, these three books serve as a great combined-use package. The Sobell book is voluminous?it includes his original book from last year, A Practical Guide to Linux (LJ 9/1/97), along with a copy of Caldera OpenLinux Lite and much more on the CD-ROMs. The IDG books will be invaluable late-night resources in those magical moments when things go wrong. For a really nice introduction to Linux in libraries, check out On the Cheap: Linux at and consider subscribing to linux4lib, a majordomo discussion list at .
Copyright 1998 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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First Sentence:
Welcome to the world of Linux! Read the first page Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
format file listing, sue users, dee users, custom boot disk, new swap partition, old configuration file, installation boot disk, installation floppy disk, bonus appendixes, default runlevel, swap area, swap space, root user, command prompt, display manager, new kernel, workstation installation, boot prompt, icon panel, kernel module, video hardware, insert mode, system reboots, software modem, existing operating system Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Red Hat Linux, Netscape Communicator, Disk Druid, Hide Help, Control Center, System Log Viewer, Control Panel, System Info, Window System, Bonus Appendix, Midnight Commander, Dell Ultrascan, General Public License, Theme Selector, Internet Service Provider, Windows Explorer, Breaking Linux Out of Its Shell, Domain Name System, Filesystem Type, Internet Protocol, Microsoft Windows,