Special Edition Using Linux (Paperback)

by Jack, Jr. Tackett (Author), David Gunter (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Amazon.com Review
The biggest appeal of this book is its companion software with three separate versions of Linux on CD-ROM--Red Hat Linux 4.1, Slackware Linux 3.1, and Caldera Open Linux Lite 1.1. You'll be able to try out all three versions without going through the trouble of downloading (though these are old versions of each flavor).

The text focuses on Red Hat Linux, though it's similar to the other two versions on the CD-ROM and you can easily transfer lessons to the others. The authors begin by explaining how to install Linux and how to configure it properly for your hardware environment. Then, they talk about key commands--file management and the like--before spilling the beans on how to run programs.

The information on how to get DOS and Windows programs to run under Linux with dosemu and other jury-rigs is notable. There's even a list of programs (popular and less so) that have been made to run under Linux; each entry comes complete with the e-mail address of a person who claims to have done it.

From there, the book moves on to explain X Windows, time-sharing servers, vi, Internet tools, and the mechanics of using Linux as an Internet server (though there are other whole books that cover the subject in more depth). Overall, this book distinguishes itself by showing you how to do unusual things with Linux. Get this book if you want to see your new operating system do some unusual tricks.

From Library Journal
Caldera OpenLinux 2.2 has received rave reviews for ease of installation. This hefty manual includes Open Linux 2.2 along with Bootmagic and Partition magic for installing multiple operating systems on the same hard drive. While Linux is still not like using a Mac or even Windows98, patrons who enjoy diddling with software will find this helpful.
Copyright 1999 Reed Business Information, Inc. --This text refers to an out of print or unavailable edition of this title.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 810 pages
• Publisher: Que Pub; 3rd edition (April 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 078971132X
• ISBN-13: 978-0789711328
• Product Dimensions: 9.5 x 7.5 x 2 inches
• Shipping Weight: 3.2 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 3.0 out of 5 stars See all reviews (44 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #3,786,054 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

10 of 10 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent reference for beginner and expert alike!, October 26, 1999

By	S. Watkins "swatkins01" (Fairbanks, AK USA) - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

This review is from: Special Edition Using Caldera OpenLinux (Paperback)

Very informative book. I have not yet tried some of the more advanced features like setting up a web server, mail server, ftp, etc., but this book makes getting up and running and performing basic functions a cinch! Book includes ver. 2.2 on CD, but I bought ver 2.3 to work with. Can't tell much difference on the surface. Installed perfectly the first time and detected ALL of my hardware properly and installed drivers right the first time--still waiting on a MS product that will do this. This version is unique in that it has a full-featured Novell Netware client, the setup of which the book explains very well.

8 of 8 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Excellent Linux Resource, October 25, 1999

By	James Long ([e-mail]) (Lexington, KY) - See all my reviews

This review is from: Special Edition Using Caldera OpenLinux (Paperback)

I am not sure why others have had problems with this book. This is by far the best Linux distro. book I have used. I went from nothing to a Linux firewall, and web server in one weekend. This book covers all the major aspects of administration in an easy to understand direct way.

The LIZARD install tool is great and autodetects a lot of hardware. Just remember that Linux, by definition, has a larger learning curve than Windows and you are guaranteed to have to edit some text config. files to make it work just like you want it to.

During my second week of use I was able to recompile my kernel and set up modules to do just what I wanted. This book walked me step-by-step through the whole thing

Some of the mentioned gripes could be solved by using other install methods, rather than trying to install from Windows (this is the most likely to fail method). Try the boot disk or boot from the floppy.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Great technical reference, But, December 4, 1998

By A Customer

This review is from: Special Edition Using Linux (Paperback)

I purchased this book per a recommendation and was extremely excited, after reading the cursory synopsis of the book. Upon receipt of the book I first looked at the CD's and found no mention of the Slackware Distribution, Only Redhat's and Caldera's, along with the Star Office. Now perhaps the Slackware distribution is included somewhere on the CD's but it is not immediately evident and will undoubtably lead to confusion. My initial foray into the contents started well, and I was pleased with the explanations of Linux, it history and use. Unfortunately, this is stopping point for, in my estimation, any attempt by the authors at making the subject matter the least bit interesting. It is in the 2nd chapter that the subject matter, while extremely important and manditory reading, as it is dealing with the set up and installation process, becomes painfully dry, an effort to read and definately not for the beginner or casual user. In the 3rd chapter much of the second chapter dealing with set up and installation is repeated verbatum, and again is technically difficult to read. At this point I should say that while not a total computer techniphobe, I do have 10 years of experience with computers, beginning in the days of DOS and continuing into the Windows amd Macintosh families of operating systems. I also over the years have accumulated a certain degree of experience with both hardware and software so I am what I would consider a fairly advanced computer user. I am currently starting into the 4th chapter and will attempt to get some understanding of the Linux OS. I would not however recommend this book to anyone just starting out with Linux, but would only recommend it to those whom already have linux up and running and require a reference book to fall back on. Great for the advanced user , but not for the beginner on thier initiation into Linux. I myself will probably purchase a much more user friendly reference to begin my experience with Linux.