The No B.S. Guide to Linux (Paperback)

by Bob Rankin (Author)

Editorial Reviews

Review
A readable, thorough and, at times, entertaining introduction to Linux -- Linux Journal, August 1998

Rankin condenses the elements of Linux use in the eye-pleasing, plain-talking format typical of the 'No B.S.' series -- ComputerUser, July 1998

The No B.S. Guide to Linux is an excellent, humorous, and effective primer for any user -- Sys Admin Magazine, July 1998

Product Description
This medium-sized, competitively priced guide provides all the information new users need without burying them in history lessons and technical details. The question-and-answer format of this guide lets readers troubleshoot problems, discover task bar tricks and shortcuts, and make the transition to a new system as smooth as possible. 50 b&w illus.

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Product Details

• Paperback: 335 pages
• Publisher: No Starch Press (June 1997)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 1886411042
• ISBN-13: 978-1886411043
• Product Dimensions: 9.2 x 7.2 x 1 inches
• Shipping Weight: 1.6 pounds
• Average Customer Review: 4.7 out of 5 stars See all reviews (7 customer reviews)
• Amazon.com Sales Rank: #1,122,708 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars The almost-perfect "first guide.", December 31, 1999

By	Steven F. Killen (Baltimore, Maryland) - See all my reviews

I picked up the book when I was still flailing around with Red Hat 5.2 and its user's manual, having little idea of the basic concepts involved with Linux. It was a veritable lifesaver. Not only is it accessible to a vast majority of readers in its writing style, it provides all the basic concepts needed to become familiar with Linux in relatively short order. One great example is its introduction of the tar command...when I went to newsgroups for help, I always got the 'man tar' response, i.e., no response at all. The tar manpage is a good example of too much information, and all I wanted to do was unpack a file! The book gave a few examples of the most commonly-used options for tar, and good combinations for each. It got me up on my feet and running in less than 4 days. One of the disadvantages to the book is that it comes with a distribution called "LinuxPro." The default kernel they use is 1.3.10, I think...youch! The other packages are similarly older. However, the documentation gives a decent "tab-A-into-slot-B" coverage for compiling a new kernel; it even includes the sources for 2.0.27. That was my first kernel compile. Overall, this book is the best choice for a beginning Linux user, providing a thorough introduction without all the "fluff," exactly as advertised. I hope to be able to review his new "No-BS guide to Red Hat 6" soon as well.

3 of 3 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars One of the Best Linux Books I have read!!!, March 21, 1999

By A Customer

This book is one of the best Linux books I have read. Everything is written for the beginner. I have been using Linux for 14 months and I wish I had this book when I started out. If there is anything bad about this book, it is that it comes with Linux Pro 4.1. I recomend you go to linuxmall.com or linux.org and buy a copy of Mandrake Linux 5.3 or Red Hat Linux 5.2. Overall, A GREAT FIRST LINUX BOOK!!!!!!

2 of 2 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Nice, clearly written Linux guide, November 2, 1998

By	Dave Taylor (Boulder, CO USA) - See all my reviews

I have lots of books on Unix and Bob's guide to Linux is one of the few that I turn to frequently. Recommended for people considering to move to the best free Unix on the planet!