Join Amazon Prime and ship Two-Day for free and Overnight for $3.99. Already a member? Sign in.

Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 Bible and over 300,000 other books are available for Amazon Kindle � Amazon�s new wireless reading device. Learn more

Quantity:

More Buying Choices

48 used & new from $4.00

Have one to sell? Sell yours here

Share with Friends

Share your own customer images

Search inside this book

Start reading Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 Bible on your Kindle in under a minute. Don�t have a Kindle? Get yours here.

Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 Bible (Paperback)

by Benjamin Mako Hill (Author), David B. Harris (Author), Jaldhar Vyas (Author)
Key Phrases: debconf questions, minimum discussion period, lpd printing service, Joe Bob, Debian Fan, Control Center (more...)

3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

List Price:	$39.99
Price:	$26.39 & this item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
You Save:	$13.60 (34%)
	o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o o

Upgrade this book for $7.99 more, and you can read, search, and annotate every page online. See details

In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com. Gift-wrap available.

Only 2 left in stock--order soon (more on the way).

Want it delivered Tuesday, July 21? Choose One-Day Shipping at checkout. Details

26 new from $4.96 22 used from $4.00

Also Available in:	List Price:	Our Price:	Other Offers:
Kindle Edition (Kindle Book)		$23.75

Frequently Bought Together

Price For All Three: $86.42

Some of these items ship sooner than the others. Show details

This item: Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 Bible by Benjamin Mako Hill
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
The Debian System: Concepts and Techniques by Martin Krafft
Usually ships within 7 to 12 days.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details
The Linux Cookbook, Second Edition by Michael Stutz
In Stock.
Ships from and sold by Amazon.com.
This item ships for FREE with Super Saver Shipping. Details

Customers Who Bought This Item Also Bought

Learning Debian Gnu/Linux

by Bill McCarty

3.7 out of 5 stars (17)

The Linux Cookbook, Second Edition

by Michael Stutz

4.2 out of 5 stars (24) $30.36

Ubuntu Linux Toolbox: 1000+ Commands for Ubuntu and Debian Power Users

by Christopher Negus

4.6 out of 5 stars (14) $16.49

A Practical Guide to Linux(R) Commands, Editors, and Shell Programming

by Mark G. Sobell

4.6 out of 5 stars (50) $31.49

Linux Bible, 2008 Edition: Boot up to Ubuntu, Fedora, KNOPPIX, Debian, openSUSE, and 11 Other Distributions

by Christopher Negus

4.2 out of 5 stars (22) $31.49

› Explore similar items

Editorial Reviews

Product Description

Comprehensive, beginning-to-advanced coverage of Debian GNU/Linux, which boasts an estimated installed base of 1.75 million servers and a year-to-year growth rate of 25 percent
Debian GNU/Linux is free, supported by HP, and is often cited as the most stable and reliable Linux distribution-which makes it a great alternative for users put off by Red Hat's pricey Enterprise Linux and unsupported Fedora
Written by an active and widely recognized member of the Debian community and featuring a foreword by the Debian Project Leader
Features the basic distribution on one CD-ROM as well as a mini disk that allows users to explore Debian GNU/Linux without actually installing it

From the Back Cover
If Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 can do it, you can do it too ...

Debian is a complex project, but this comprehensive reference will guide you through the process of setting up, using, and administering a Debian GNU/Linux system. This book teaches you the commands, configuration setups, and best practices to use Debian productively on the desktop, Internet, and intranet servers. You'll learn about the thousands of software packages available for Debian, and how to create your own packages and make them available for other Debian users.

Inside, you'll find complete coverage of Debian GNU/Linux 3.1

Understand the features that make Debian unique among Linux distributions
Install Debian, use the shell and filesystem, and install and manage software packages
Understand basic Debian system administration including managing user access, performing backups, and securing your system
Run Debian using the KDE and GNOME desktop environments
Configure graphics and sound, play games, and handle Internet, desktop publishing, and multimedia applications
Provide Internet services on a home or corporate network, including e-mail, FTP, and Web servers
Set up an intranet and manage file, print, and database services
Use a Secure Shell connection to access your Debian system remotely
Use the Debian platform for software development and understand Debian policy, the New Maintainer process, and packaging fundamentals

See all Editorial Reviews

Product Details

Paperback: 672 pages
Publisher: Wiley (August 12, 2005)
Language: English
ISBN-10: 0764576445
ISBN-13: 978-0764576447
Product Dimensions: 9.1 x 7.3 x 1.6 inches
Shipping Weight: 2.3 pounds (View shipping rates and policies)

Average Customer Review: 3.3 out of 5 stars See all reviews (13 customer reviews)

Amazon.com Sales Rank: #149,436 in Books (See Bestsellers in Books)

Would you like to update product info or give feedback on images?

Inside This Book (learn more)

Key Phrases - Statistically Improbable Phrases (SIPs): (learn more)
debconf questions, minimum discussion period, lpd printing service, reverse zone file, user testuser, apt archive, shell usage, package maintainer, sound server, debian package, anonymous uploads, child servers, distributed filesystems, mbox format, filesystem object, configuration file format, command substitution, global address book, configuration directives, using aptitude, package relationships, default configuration file, package repositories, conf file, child panel

Key Phrases - Capitalized Phrases (CAPs): (learn more)
Joe Bob, Debian Fan, Control Center, Debian Installer, Domain Name System, Kurt Wall, Frozen Bubble, New Maintainer, Reading Package Lists, Red Hat, Option Description, Apache Web, General Public License, Test Folder, Bob Jones, Debian's Apache, Done Building Dependency Tree Reading, File Edit Settings Help, Internet Printing Protocol, Linus Torvalds, Microsoft Windows, Mozilla Firefox, System Monitor, Microsoft Word, Mon Jun

New!
Books on Related Topics | Concordance | Text Stats

Citations (learn more)

This book cites 2 books:

Source Code by Walnut Creek CD-ROM in Back Matter
Linux Filesystems by William Von Hagen on page 436

Books on Related Topics (learn more)

Fedora 5 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 4 Bible by Christopher Negus

Discusses:

Linux Administration by Wale Soyinka

Discusses:

Linux Bible, 2005 Edition by Christopher Negus

Discusses:

Linux�Bible by Christopher Negus

Discusses:

What Do Customers Ultimately Buy After Viewing This Item?

	66% buy the item featured on this page: Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 Bible 3.3 out of 5 stars (13) $26.39
	16% buy The Debian System: Concepts and Techniques 4.3 out of 5 stars (19) $29.67
	7% buy The Linux Cookbook, Second Edition 4.2 out of 5 stars (24) $30.36
	6% buy A Practical Guide to Linux(R) Commands, Editors, and Shell Programming 4.6 out of 5 stars (50) $31.49

Explore similar items

Tags Customers Associate with This Product

(What's this?)

Click on a tag to find related items, discussions, and people.

debian(4)

linux(4)

operating systems(3)

computer book(2)

ubuntu(2)

book(1)

computer science(1)

gnu(1)

open source(1)

See all 11 tags...

Help others find this product — tag it for Amazon search

No one has tagged this product for Amazon search yet. Why not be the first to suggest a search for which it should appear?

Sell a Digital Version of This Book in the Kindle Store

If you are a publisher or author and hold the digital rights to a book, you can sell a digital version of it in our Kindle Store. Learn more

Customer Reviews

13 Reviews

5 star:		(4)
4 star:		(2)
3 star:		(4)
2 star:		(0)
1 star:		(3)

Average Customer Review

3.3 out of 5 stars (13 customer reviews)

Share your thoughts with other customers:

Create your own review

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

23 of 23 people found the following review helpful:

4.0 out of 5 stars A good book for those new to Linux, January 20, 2006

By	Richard Bejtlich "TaoSecurity.com" (Metro Washington, DC) - See all my reviews (TOP 500 REVIEWER) (REAL NAME)

Debian GNU/Linux 3.1 Bible (DGL3B) is a good book if your expectations match its content. This can be difficult when the cover bears this somewhat misleading quote by Debian founder Ian Murdock: "This book contains everything you need to know to get the most out of Debian, from installing it to tapping into its vast repositories of software." That quote should have been applied to Martin Krafft's book "The Debian System," which I read right after DGL3B. Those new to Linux will like DGL3B, but those experienced in Linux but new to Debian should read Krafft's book instead.

Why is DGL3B a Linux beginner's book? Consider the installation recommendation given on p 25 that says "all files in one partition is the best choice." This is really not the "best choice" for anyone in my opinion. If you're new to Linux and you just want to get an operational system, then following this recommendation is acceptable. I found the installation instructions in chapter 2 to be weak. It spent far too little time on the peculiarities of Debian installation, which is very different from the slicker GUIs seen in Red Hat or other distributions.

Beyond the installation chapter, DGL3B covers all of the topics one would expect to see in a book for new Linux or Unix users. Ch 3 describes using a command line shell and the Linux filesystem. Ch 4 covers software management. Ch 5 discusses basic system administration while ch 6 gives advice on performing backups. I thought the explanation of std in, std out, and std err on p 67 was helpful. The backup section introduced me to rdiff-backup, which I now use on FreeBSD. With the conclusion of Part I, readers will not see truly Debian-centric material again until Part V.

Ch 7 begins Part II, with 6 chapters on Linux as a desktop. Topics include graphics, sound, desktop environments, Web browsers, mail clients, publishing software, multimedia apps, and games. Almost all of this material could have appeared in any Linux or Unix book. Since I don't run Linux or fancy desktops, I learned of a few apps that had passed under my radar like Epiphany, Boa, and Vsftpd.

Ch 13 begins Part III, with 6 chapters in Linux as a server. Topics include security, email/Web/FTP/DNS servers, and remote access. The discussion of SSH forwarding taught me a trick about reverse tunnels.

Ch 19 started Part IV, with 6 chapters on Intranet services. Again, these could be applied to any Linux environment. DHCP, NFS, Samba, OpenLDAP, IMAP, POP, CUPS, PostgreSQL, and MySQL make appearances.

Part V finishes the book, with 3 chapters on the Debian community, building packages, and the Debian archives. I welcomed this material as it was more Debian-centric than the previous 18 chapters.

Your opinion of DGL3B depends heavily on what you want to learn from reading the book. If you're new to Linux and want more of an overview of doing common tasks on a non-Windows platform like Debian, then DGL3B is for you. If you're an experienced Linux or Unix user who wants to learn deeper insights into Debian, I recommend Krafft's book.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

17 of 17 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars Good introduction. Sometimes too brief., September 29, 2005

By	Daniel R. (Spain) - See all my reviews

I had already installed Debian 3.1 on my home PC's, and had several years background using Linux / Debian, at a medium user/administrator level. However, all my knowledge from Linux came from scattered on-line manual and pieces. Thus, I purchased this book to have a printed, consistent reference, specially for Debian Sarge (3.1).

The pros:

- The book gives you a general overview of what you can do with Debian 3.1.
- The most useful chapters for the newcomer are at the beginning of the book (bash, debian package system).
- It is not hard to read (I am a Spanish speaking user).

The cons:

- I expected a deeper insight into the Debian/GNU Linux system itself: there is no reference to runlevels, treatment of processes and process management is almost missing, and the same about other common themes such as filesystem handling (mount, fstab), and other important Linux commands. Of course, no mention about installing Windows and Debian on the same computer (e.g. using GRUB loader).
- I found the book is sometimes more a catalog of Debian's bundled applications than a coherent description of Debian for the beginner user. Many times it ends redirecting the reader to the corresponding application's documentation if you want to use that application.
- According to previous points, the explanation about some applications/tools - e.g. Apache web server - tries to cover the essential aspects but is too weak...
- On the other hand, it curiously assumes sometimes you have a background about the subject discussed (in contrast to the beginner approach in other parts of the book).

My opinion:

You must have a minimal background on computers, and a bit on Linux. It is neither a "manual-for-dumb-beginners" book nor a reference for intermediate users. I think the authors could have dropped many chapters about setting up things as DNS servers, Apache or things like that (if you want to include that, do it more complete).

They could have provided more solid foundation about the core of the Debian System, so after reading the book you had become an intermediate user for your daily tasks. In fact, if you want to seriously set up database or web servers you will have to buy/download the specific books/manuals - you want it or not.

Anyway, you can buy it. One more piece of information you will get on Debian.

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

23 of 25 people found the following review helpful:

3.0 out of 5 stars An OK book, could have had better focus, August 25, 2005

By	Jagadeesh K. Venugopal - See all my reviews (REAL NAME)

From reading the first five chapters, I have mixed opinions of the book. On the "good" part, a Debian book that gives a high level overview of everything is welcome, because the documentation sometimes loses the forest for the trees. A Debian book is also a good investment because of the system's stability. if Woody is any indication, this book should be current for the next quarter of a decade.

On the "could have been better" side, this book suffers from a certain lack of focus -- is it aimed towards the rank beginner in Linux (in some chapters, it is assumed that the reader is a rank beginner). Or is it aimed towards an intermediate reader? (witness the more complex discussions of APT). While the discussions of apt were involved, they were not IMHO as good as the freely available APT-HOWTO. Any discussion of APT should have been _preceded_ by a discussion of the structure of a Debian repository.

The main author himself admits that he came into the book at a late stage to pick up the pieces and put it together. He has explicitly admitted what is implicitly recognizable -- the book has been put together by multiple people at different points in time.

Finally there are two CDs in the back of the book -- one a minimal Sarge install, and the other a Knoppix CD. The reader would have been better served by one DVD of a full Sarge install. After all, Knoppix is not really based on Sarge, which is the topic of this book.

A better strategy for Linux authors will be to separate their Linux writing into two separate kinds of books -- one kind of book discusses only distribution-specific detail (such as apt and friends). Another kind of book discusses only general Linux programs that are common across distributions (e.g. using ls, vi, etc).

Comment Comment | Permalink | Was this review helpful to you? Yes No (Report this)

Share your thoughts with other customers: Create your own review

› See all 13 customer reviews...

Most Recent Customer Reviews

5.0 out of 5 stars Informative
This is a good book to have when u want to learn about Debian linux.

Published 22 months ago by Andrea A. Gallega

3.0 out of 5 stars A Practical Guide for Beginer
It basically introduces you to a lot of the topics, gives you an example, but does not cover much details. For instance, it tells you what LDAP is and how to get/install it. Read more

Published on January 9, 2007 by Nguyen Dao

1.0 out of 5 stars There has to be something better than this!
I was looking for a reference 'Bible' and this was a total disappointment. There isn't even a list of commands in this book! Read more

Published on December 2, 2006 by C. Martinez

1.0 out of 5 stars A quick glaze over some good topics - but
I think a book costing this much money should provide in-depth coverage of the topics. This looks like a rush job to me and very sophomoric. Read more

Published on August 20, 2006 by S. Thomas Adelstein

5.0 out of 5 stars Good "bible" for beginners and those who wish to solve most common problems easily
This book is definitly not intended for professionals, and definition of "bible" is questionable when book deals with big things such as Debian. Read more

Published on March 19, 2006 by Bruno Batarelo

4.0 out of 5 stars A good start
I liked this book, it is easy to look up what you want, and it is nicely divided to setup a desktop PC, a Internet server and a intranet server. Read more

Published on October 23, 2005 by Bard With Fosse

1.0 out of 5 stars another bad linux book
a very bad linux book which takes its place in a very bad library. few subjects have had as many books written about them as linux, and, sadly, one would be hard pressed to find... Read more

Published on October 17, 2005 by Clayton D. Strand

3.0 out of 5 stars Could be better
Does not go into detail about the ALSA sound system, and how to get sound cards configured. I know that my sound card is compatible becaused it works with Knoppix Linux, (which is... Read more

Published on October 2, 2005 by Daniel J. Burejsza

5.0 out of 5 stars A Good Book!
A Very good book for Debian GNU/Linux starters. This book can serve a guide for who want to jump into Debian world. Read more

Published on September 23, 2005 by Kartik

5.0 out of 5 stars Great place to start
A new user of Linux, especially Debian (which doesn't necessarily cater to the needs of new users), might easily feel swamped by the enormous amount of information one is faced... Read more

Published on August 27, 2005 by Tutorus Maximus

› See all 13 customer reviews...

.jsOffDisplayBlock { display: block; } .jsOffDisplayInline { display: inline; } .jsOffVisibility { visibility: visible; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayNoneBlock { display: block; } .jsOnDisplayNoneInline { display: inline; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; } .jsOnDisplayBlock { display: none; } .jsOnDisplayInline { display: none; } .jsOnVisibility { visibility: hidden; }