Running Linux - 3rd Edition

ISBN 1-56592-469-X   Price £23.50 UK
Matt Welsh,  Matthias Dalheimer and Lar Kaufman
16 Chapters, 8 Appendices, Bibliography and Index in 703 pages
 

Chapter List

1  Introduction to Linux
2  Preparing to Install Linux
3  Installation and Initial Configuration
4  Basic Unix Commands and Concepts
5  Essential System Management
6  Managing Filesystems, Swap, and Devices
7  Upgrading the Software and the Kernel
8  Other Administrative Tasks
9  Editors, Text Tools, Graphics and Printing
10  Installing the X Window System
11  Customising your X Environment
12  Windows Compatibility and Samba
13  Programming Languages
14  Tools for Programmers
15  TCP/IP and PPP
16  The World Wide Web and Electronic Mail
 

Appendix A
  Sources of Linux Information
Appendix B
  The Gnome Project
Appendix C
  Installing Linux on Digital/Compaq
  Alpha Systems
Appendix D
  LINUX:PPC  Installing Linux
  on PowerPC Computers
Appendix E
  Installing Linux/M68K on Motorola
  68000-series Systems
Appendix F
  Installing Linux on Sun Sparc Systems
Appendix G
  Lilo Boot Options
Appendix H
  Zmodem File Transfer

    Running Linux is a book about the general aspects of running Linux on any computer.  Unlike some of the other books of this sort there is good advice to be had from this publication which actually works.  If you want more than just a guide to system administration and you want some info about some little known Linux apps as well then this book will help you.
 

Review

    There are many books about general issues to do with Linux.  This particular one is definitely one of the better ones.  There is the traditional O'Reilly feel about the book which is not like some of the other publishers books which are perhaps 1000 to 2000 pages long with lots of gaps and no real sense or meaning to them.  The preface says it all with a brief introduction to why people like Linux followed by a note on the organisation of the book.  There is an introduction to the features of the operating system.  I haven't seen this in any other Linux volume.

After the initial introduction there several chapters which give good examples of system administration and a general overview of what to do next.  X configuration gets a whole chapter to itself and a brief description of two window managers follow on.   The book finishes off with some introductory ideas about programming languages.

The first and second editions were very good examples of how a generally useful book about Linux systems should be written.  The third edition is just as good and also includes some info about different Linux distributions and what to do with them.  If you want a good quality book to introduce yourself to more advanced ideas then do go ahead and buy this book.
 

Review by Richard Ibbotson