The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group Ubuntu Linux Resources Major Keary |
Beginning Ubuntu
The full title of this book is Beginning Ubuntu: From Novice to Professional. Novice means 'new to Linux', but not to computers; readers are expected to know about installing software, managing files, and other fundamentals of using an operating system. The author says, "This book is my answer to the need for a fundamental, authoritative, and down-to-earth guide to Linux, done in the context of one of the most popular flavours on Linux in existence today".
The book thoroughly covers the fundamental operations. It is authoritative: the author has edited several computer magazines including Linux User & Developer. The writing is clear, but not at the expense of technical integrity: there is no 'dumbing down' or glossing over the hard stuff. And the content is relevant to the needs of a desktop or workstation user.
Anyone who wants to learn Linux for use at a professional level should find this an excellent introductory guide and user manual. It is particularly suited to those who have been using MS Windows and need to "recreate under Linux all the stuff [they] used under Windows" and tells readers about Ubuntu programs that replace the common ones used under Windows. It also includes a discussion on connecting to remote Windows computers. Many Windows applications can be run under Linux using Wine, the use of which is explained.
This is a well conceived manual that covers the operating system up to the level that meets all the needs of desktop users. Command line operations are sometimes necessary on a desktop system and the author provides sufficient information to cover such situations; a useful appendix contains a bash command index. There is a thorough description of the BASH shell, which is the Ubuntu default.
As well as installation, configuration, how the file system works, and so on, the text contains a user manual for OpenOffice and instructions for using Ubuntu's multimedia features.
If you are looking for a formal manual and guide that will provide a sound base on which to build further levels of expertise, and which will serve as an ongoing reference, Beginning Ubuntu Linux is well worth examimining.
Available from local book shops, or from the distributor: http://woodslane.com.au.
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Keir Thomas: Beginning Ubuntu Linux ISBN 1-59059-627-7 Published by Apress, 573 pp. + CD, RRP $75.00 incl. GST |
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Ubuntu for Non-Geeks
The front cover of Ubuntu for Non-Geeks describes it as "A pain-free,
project-based, get-things-done guidebook", which is an apt description. Rickford
Grant is a skilled technical communicator and consummate educator who introduces
his readers to Ubuntu Linux by hands-on projects that have practical
application. The book is not a collection of simple step 1, step 2, ...
tutorials, but explains processes in a concise manner. There is no meandering
off into unnecessary patter, but it is a good read and lends itself to browsing.
The book does not pretend to be an encyclopaedic coverage of Ubuntu; nor is it a
bare-bones tutorial for new users. Ubuntu for Non-Geeks is an excellent
introduction for desktop users, contains some surprising gems of information,
and will serve many users as an ongoing reference tool. A chapter on the
terminal and command line is an excellent introduction, but to get any real
benefit the reader has to engage with the exercises, which are quite simple;
doing so will build a valuable level of confidence.
Something that I have not seen described in any other text is the Smart Common
Input Method (SCIM), a GNOME-based input method for Asian languages (SKIM is a KDEbased version). The information here is brief, but sufficient for readers to
understand how SCIM works, what files/tools are required, and where to find
them. Another discovery is FontForge, a Linux font editing/creation tool;
software of this kind is usually expensive — very expensive for the high-end
packages — and here you will find information about where to get a free program.
The object of the book is to "provide new users with some hands-on experience in
order to get them up, running, and comfortable with the Ubuntu distribution of
Linux". It is not intended to be a definitive text or complete reference, but is
well worth having as one's first book of Linux. In my opinion Ubuntu is the best
distro for newcomers, and Ubuntu for Non-Geeks is the best introduction. It
covers all the applications that most desktop users need: Internet connection,
email, browsing, office applications, copying, burning, and compiling CDs/DVDs,
multimedia, and important tasks such as housekeeping (file and disk handling,
archives, backups) and downloading/installing new software.
It is not a big book, which is an advantage: the Linux newbie is not at risk of
being lost in information-space. Of course, users who want to improve their
level of knowledge will need to turn to more advanced texts, but Ubuntu for
Non-Geeks provides a solid launching pad for further exploration.
The quality of the illustrations is remarkable; it is not often that one sees
such good clarity in images printed on non-glossy paper. Another feature worth
mentioning is the RepKover binding, which enables the book to lie flat at an
opening. A companion CD contains Ubuntu version 6 (Dapper Drake) with a full
range of applications. It also has Windows versions of several programs,
including GIMP.
Highly recommended. Bookshops should have Ubuntu for Non-Geeks in stock, or it
can be obtained from the Australian distributor at
http://www.woodslane.com.au.
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Rickford Grant: Ubuntu for Non-Geeks ISBN 1-59327-118-2 Published by No Starch Press, 334 pp. + CD, RRP $64.99 incl. GST |
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Ubuntu Linux Bible
Ubuntu Linux Bible is one of several recent titles covering Canonical's popular
Ubuntu distro. It is a large book — over 900 pages — and comes with a CD that
can be used as a 'live CD' to run Ubuntu without altering anything on an
existing system, or to install Ubuntu. The CD included with the book as sold in
Australia has an open source login client for the Telstra Bigpond Cable Network.
The book is in three main parts, the first of which occupies some two-thirds of
the total content and covers Ubuntu for desktop users. It caters for newbies
through to those who know something about Linux but are new to Ubuntu. This part
is not a hand-holding exercise for novices; readers should be computer literate
and have some familiarity with the command line. It is a well crafted
introduction and an ongoing manual for beginners through to intermediate-level
users. There is good background information and clear discussions of concepts, the way things are done in Linux,
installation issues, and command-line tools.
There are tutorials for the desktop applications and utilities installed by
default from the CD, such as Internet connection, email, web browser, OpenOffice,
Gimp, games, and multimedia tools. The tutorials also cover some software, such
as Scribus (a DTP application), that can be obtained and installed from one of
the Linux software repositories. Detailed instructions on how that is done are
provided. Readers are taken through to advanced topics, including networking and
file transfer and file sharing.
The other two parts are for system administrators and those who want to set up
servers using Ubuntu. Unlike Linspire, Ubuntu is a versatile operating system
that lends itself to use for software development and installation on
special-purpose systems, topics that are discussed in the book. The chapters ion
system administration include a detailed explanation of the startup and shutdown
processes, managing software (add, remove, update), managing users, backup and
file restoration, hardware issues (add hardware, attach peripherals), network
configuration and security, and wireless.
Configuring servers is another advanced topic; the part of the book that deals
with it is necessarily concise, but a useful overview of various configurations.
The CD contains Windows versions of AbiWord, GAIM (instant messenger software),
Gimp (open source Photoshop-like graphics application), FireFox, and
Thunderbird. These are useful for anyone who want to explore — especially
Gimp —
their use in a Windows environment.
A comprehensive and detailed resource; the text is well supported by screen
shots, and the writing is clear. Recommended as a library acquisition for its
breadth of coverage.
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William von Hagen: Ubuntu Linux Bible ISBN 0-470-03899-3 Published by Wiley, 904 pp. + CD, RRP $59.95 incl. GST |
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Ubuntu Hacks
A valuable addition to Ubuntu literature, Ubuntu Hacks shows how to do some fancy
things with what has become the most popular Linux distro for desktop users. The
lead author, Jonathon Oxer, is an Australian Linux expert.
This is not a simplified, hand-holding collection of solutions for novices. Even
though the early hacks don't assume any experience of Linux, readers are
expected to be computer literate, know their way around an operating system, and
be familiar with the command line. Ubuntu Hacks is a resource "for exploring,
using, and tuning Linux" (as suggested by the tuning fork illustration on the
book's cover); it is not an easy entry to learning Linux.
The hacks — there are 100 — are collected together in chapters that range from
Getting Started (installation, a brief guide to the command line, and using
applications) through topics such as desktop options, multimedia, Ubuntu on
laptops, package management, administration, and setting up an Ubuntu server.
Each hack is a concise, stand-alone item and many are supported by useful screen
shots, example command line input, and sources of further information. There is
a limit on just how much information can be provided in a hundred how-to's; this
collection of hacks is quite astounding in the breadth of topics that are
included and the depth of technical discussions. As one expects of an O'Reilly
title, the writing is clear without compromising the book's technical integrity,
and the content is well organised. Great value.
Bookshops should have Ubuntu Hacks in stock, or it can be obtained from the
Australian distributor at http://www.woodslane.com.au.
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Jonathon Oxer et al: Ubuntu Hacks ISBN 0-596-52720-9 Published by O'Reilly, 426 pp., RRP $55.00 incl. GST |
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Reprinted from the April 2007 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
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