Filled with almost useless screen shots of freeware applications running under Linux and highlighted URLs that lead to Linux-related sites, Discover Linux leaves the reader wondering what happened to the meaty information that these pages ought to contain. Oualline goes into some detail about important commands and outlines the steps to follow in order to accomplish key tasks, but it's not enough.
The best part of Discover Linux is the beginning, which contains a guide to installing the operating system and configuring it for your purposes. The book also has a good discussion of backup procedures and of how to get help from Linux's online resources. The back of the book includes a minimalist command reference and the Discover series' characteristic "Visual Index," which explains how to use graphical interface elements. The companion CD-ROM includes Red Hat Linux 4.2, a newly obsolete version of Linux that this and other books are still distributing.
Product Description
If you think Linux is just Charlie Brown's blanket-toting pal, you're missing out on a phenomenally popular free version of the industry-standard UNIX operating system. Now, with Discover Linux, you get not only a complete Linux tutorial and reference, but also the software itself on an accompanying bonus CD-ROM.
In Discover Linux, Unix guru Steve Oualline shows you how to install Linux on your PC, either as your only operating system or as a partition separate from an MS-DOS partition. He shows you in detail how to get your Linux configuration right the first time, whatever your hardware setup. Plus, Discover Linux covers all the essential Linux topics, including:
Using the variety of games -- including multiplayer network games -- that come with Linux Putting Linux to work in your office, where it can serve as a robust, flexible server Taking advantage of Linux's great programming and multimedia tools Fine-tuning Linux for optimal performance Plus, Discover Linux comes complete with a bonus CD-ROM containing valuable software and resources such as:
The Red Hat 4.2 distribution of Linux Apache and other World Wide Web server software for Windows 95 and Novell networks The GNU C++ compiler along with other programming tools Sun's Java Development Kit (JDK) Firewall utilities Multimedia authoring applications And, like all the titles in our Discover series, Discover Linux features the 6-Point Advantage:
Color Tear-Out Card -- Key information and shortcuts that get you up to speed fast Discovery Center -- Quick summaries of the chapters' major points collected at the back of the book Real-Life Vignettes -- Winning stories on how real people use technology to improve their lives Visual Index -- Convenient picture maps direct you to the features you're looking for Web Path -- Handy references to feature- or topic-related Web sites Bonus Section -- Added-value tips and timesaving techniques at the end of each chapter
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