The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Linux Resources - For the bookshelf Major Keary |
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There is a wealth of literature about Linux, but fast-moving developments on a
number of distribution fronts may overtake particular texts. O'Reilly and
Associates was the first to publish Linux titles-and was, indeed, the first
publisher of books on UNIX. The first text they marketed was UNIX in a Nutshell,
which is now in its third edition. The UNIX-Linux connection should be kept in
mind when looking for Linux resources; much of the UNIX literature is pertinent.
UNIX Power Tools
This is a case in point, the third, and much expanded, edition of which has just
been released. Part of its larger girth can be attributed to the inclusion of
Linux-specific information. I cannot think of any other computer title that
resembles UNIX Power Tools; in the preface there are some headings: A Book for
Browsing, Like an Almanac, Like a News Magazine, and Like a Hypertext Database.
All of those things are true. One can open it anywhere and just start reading;
it is an almanac in the sense of "an annual handbook containing information of
general or specialist interest" [Conc. Oxford Dic.]; it is like a news magazine
because the items are short and sharp; and it does have the flavour of hypertext
because it uses links to other articles and sources of further information.
I am taken by icons that have special meanings: the image of a screw means, "be
careful with this feature or you might get screwed"; the image of a bomb
indicates a "cross reference to another article that explains the possible
trouble you might encounter using the tip or script in the current articles";
and a globe indicating that a script or program code can be downloaded from the
book's web site.
The present edition includes a chapter on access to UNIX from Windows, and which
"addresses the heterogenous nature of systems today". Samba, of course, is a
leading tool for the purpose and has its own literature as well as being
described here. The same goes for other programs, such as Perl, Python, and
vi -although the vi editor gets some forty-six pages of in-depth treatment.
Apart from being a huge compendium of specific information, there is a lot of
general narrative that provides overviews, background material, and
explanations-stuff that isn't readily found elsewhere. Unlike books in the
Nutshell series, entries in UNIX Power Tools are not terse.
A twenty-two page table of contents and seventy-nine page index make information
easy to find. Within the text cross references point the reader to other,
related information.
If you don't know UNIX or UNIX-related operating systems, and would like to get
a feel for how they work and what they do, this is a great place to browse. If
you use UNIX or Linux it is the most comprehensive resource available. A must
for libraries.
| Shelley Powers
et. al: UNIX Power
Tools 3/e ISBN 0-596-00330-7 Published by O'Reilly, 1116 pp., RRP $160.00 incl. GST |
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Running Linux
Now in its fourth edition, O'Reilly's Running Linux has established itself a
classic since first publication in 1995. This is a book that serves both novices
and experienced Linux users.
At the getting started level the introductory chapters provide a good overview
that extends to installation issues and installation-related problems. I was
particularly taken by the discussion of word processing vis-´-vis text
processing, with its tutorial-style coverage of applications and software tools
that are included with many Linux distributions.
A chapter, Basic UNIX Commands and Concepts, is an introduction that presents
Windows users with the essentials of the UNIX command line. Like UNIX, Linux has
a number of GUI solutions that provide a windows-like workspace, but along the
way it is necessary to be able to use commands from the prompt. The chapter is a
sound introduction and tutorial that covers the commands needed by new users.
Given the variety of Linux distributions it is to be expected that variations
will occur in installation and configuration procedures. In particular, the
location of common files can - and does - change from one distribution to
another. Vendors are developing a Filesystem Hierarchy Standard, which will make
living with Linux easier. Running Linux does not anticipate the standard and -
sensibly - discusses installation and configuration in a generic context. The
discussions on preparing for a Linux installation are thorough and interesting,
especially on hard disk partitioning issues.
System administration is something that even single-system users have to deal
with; for both novices and experienced users the chapter on system management
clearly explains what is involved and how essential tasks are executed.
The book goes far beyond the needs of novice Linux users, but it is sure to draw
them in to exploring technical aspects of Linux. As the book progresses, so does
the depth of technical information. However, the writing is remarkably clear and
even novices should not find themselves floundering. This is an essential
resource for any serious user of Linux, and should be among the resources of
anyone running a help desk or teaching other how to install and use Linux.
| Matt Welsh et al.: Running Linux 4/e ISBN 0-596-00272-6 Published by O'Reilly, 672 pp., RRP $105.00 incl. GST |
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Samba
The back cover of this title says, "Samba is a cross-platform triumph: it turns
UNIX or Linux into a file and print server for Microsoft network clients". Samba
is a bridge between UNIX/Linux systems and MS Windows, and it comes at the right
price: Samba is free software.
Using Samba is a guide to Samba administration and is intended for UNIX and
Linux administrators "who need to support Windows clients on their network, as
well as anyone who needs to access the resources of a Windows network
environment from a UNIX client". This title does not assume any more than a
familiarity with "basic UNIX system administration" and readers are not
expected to be networking experts or even know a great deal about Windows. In
the course of explaining the workings of Samba the book provides an insight into
Windows networking, and is worth reading by anyone with an interest in
WinNT-2000-XP networking internals.
The authors cover in considerable detail installation and configuration,
security issues, and compatibility issues. It is not for novices, but is a
professional-level text on matters that concern administrators and others who
require a solution to the integration of UNIX/Linux/Mac OS X systems with MS
Windows. Samba is the solution, and this title has "been officially adopted by
the Samba Team" and is under the GNU Free Documentation Licence. In short, the
content can be copied, distributed, and/or modified with minimal restriction.
O'Reilly is a strong supporter of the free software and free documentation
movements.
| Jay Ts, Robert Eckstein,and David Collier-Brown:
Using Samba ISBN 0-596-00256-4 Published by O'Reilly, 539 pp., RRP $95.00 incl. GST |
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Linux Network Administrator's Guide
Linux is highly regarded for its networking strengths and this book provides a
comprehensive resource for network administration in a Linux environment. It has
been written to satisfy the needs of beginners and professional administrators
alike. 'Beginner' does not mean a raw novice, but someone who has a modicum of
networking knowledge, but who is new to Linux.
There are two features worth mentioning: the content is available under the GNU
Free Documentation Licence in an online version; and the book contains an
extensive catalogue of other resources, both in print and online.
For anyone who is new to networking in general and TCP/IP networking in
particular, the introductory chapters are well worth reading. They are concise
and well-written.
Some of the chapter headings provide a picture of what the book covers:
configuring networking hardware; configuring serial hardware; configuring
TCP/IP; name service and resolver configuration; serial line IP; point-to-point
protocol; TCP/IP firewall; and network file system. Topics such as UUCP,
sendmail, news reader configuration, and electronic mail are also covered in
detail.
A group of appendices include an example network, and tabulated data on cable
configurations.
In the O'Reilly tradition an excellent example of technical communication at its
best.
| Kirch and Dawson: Linux
Network Administrator's
Guide 2/e ISBN 1-56592-400-2 Published by O'Reilly, 474 pp., RRP $105.00 incl. GST |
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The Linux Kernel
One of the strengths of UNIX and Linux is that the kernel can be updated without
buying and installing a whole new suite of software. This book provides a 'tour'
of the Linux kernel, written for those who are sufficiently curious to delve
into the kernel's internals. It is also an excellent resource for students of
computer science "who want to know more about the critical design issues in a
modern operating system".
It is not pitched at administrators or programmers, but should be on their
respective bookshelves as one of the significant texts on the subject; "it is
mostly for people who want to understand how things really work inside the
machine". Along the way there is a lot of background information that provides
interesting insights into why things were designed in a particular way.
There is a lot of code used to illustrate the text, but even if you don't want
to dwell on that the narrative is well written and shouldn't overwhelm general
readers.
| Daniel Bovet and Marco
Cesati: Understanding
the Linux Kernel 2/e ISBN 0-596-00213-0 Published by O'Reilly, RRP $115.00 incl. GST. |
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Reprinted from the May 2003 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC
User Group, Australia
