Rating: 
Summary: Best Book on Understanding Linux 'behind the curtain'
Review: I looked this book over very carefully at a local bookseller and it strikes me as one the best written books out of the many that exist, for helping linux users understanding the rather esoteric ways that linux works. It has practical hands-on quick explanations to learn the inner workings of linux that will help a linux user understand how to maintain, use, and solve problems with their linux machine. I plan on buying this book ASAP!
Rating: 
Summary: A lot of a little
Review: I think a somewhat more appropriate title for this book would be "A Beginner's Introduction to Linux". Basically, the book takes a sweeping overview of what you can do with Linux with a few short examples and references for more in-depth information. Indeed, he has some excellent tips and tricks, most of which are from his Magazine articles. But each subject is very short, with some being completely useless. For example, his section on Firewalls is about 4 pages long and talks about ipchains. This I can't understand. With the book being published so recent and the 2.4 kernels out for a while now, he doesn't even mention netfilter and iptables.
His sense of humour prevents the book from being a dry read but at times gets rather childish and annoying. In addition, it takes away from the professionalism of the book.
If I were a complete beginner, I would probably give this book 4 stars and If I were experienced, I would give it 2 stars. Thus, I settled on 3.
Rating:
Summary: A lot of a little
Review: I think a somewhat more appropriate title for this book would be "A Beginner's Introduction to Linux". Basically, the book takes a sweeping overview of what you can do with Linux with a few short examples and references for more in-depth information. Indeed, he has some excellent tips and tricks, most of which are from his Magazine articles. But each subject is very short, with some being completely useless. For example, his section on Firewalls is about 4 pages long and talks about ipchains. This I can't understand. With the book being published so recent and the 2.4 kernels out for a while now, he doesn't even mention netfilter and iptables.
His sense of humour prevents the book from being a dry read but at times gets rather childish and annoying. In addition, it takes away from the professionalism of the book.
If I were a complete beginner, I would probably give this book 4 stars and If I were experienced, I would give it 2 stars. Thus, I settled on 3.
Rating:
Summary: Marcel Brings Linux to the Masses
Review: If Linux and all the promise it holds for the world has not won you over yet, Marcel Gagne's clear and entertaining writing will.His book, Linux System Administration: A User's Guide, starts with the basics ("What is Linux? Why Linux?") and within a few pages has you trying things you thought were part of the magical domain of "Linux gurus" : installation and disk partitions and swap files ..."and lions and tigers and bears, oh my!" -- Marcel enthusiastically pulls back the curtain and shows us the wizard at work, and invites us to try the tricks of the trade. And the book is packed full: graphical desktops, internet firewalls, security against crackers, shell programming.
Especially handy is at the end of each of the 25 chapters is a list of Resources on the Web -- the end of each chapter is only the beginning. But none of this would come off if it weren't Marcel's relaxed and inviting (and award-winning) writing style, which kept me reading -- and keyboarding -- well past my bedtime.
Rating:
Summary: Great for tech proficent linux newbies
Review: Ive been using pc's for about 8 years, building computers and fixing probs with windows, i just recently finished a client support course, and was feeling like something was missing still. I found it, the lack of control a tech has over windows is extremely frustrating, this book (im now up to page 100) is absolutely magnificent its detailed, yet not boring, fun yet not amateur. Id HIGHLY recomend it to anyone coming from windows , no matter how much linux knowledge you have.
Rating:
Summary: Outstanding Linux User's Guide
Review: Marcel Gagne has hit the mark with his user's guide for Linux. It is clearly a valuable tool for both beginners and experienced Linux users. All of the essentials for Linux System Administration are covered in plain language and his tips alone are worth the price of the book. One of the few Linux guide's I have seen that deals with interoperability between Microsoft Windows and Linux in an easy to understand manner. Many System Administrator's support both a Linux and Microsoft Windows environment and this book should be in their toolkit. John Jackson
Director, I.T.
McCordick Glove & Safety Inc.
Rating:
Summary: Top notch linux book for all!!
Review: Marcel Gagne's Linux System Administration A User's Guide is by far the best book on linux I have read. I have gone through a number of different books regarding linux, but this one I find myself refering back to over and over again. There is something in here for seasoned linux administrators and linux newbies alike. If you are looking for a one stop shop linux book this is it!! In the past I would have to refer to a number of different books to find what I needed, but this book has it all. Easy to read and understand. Top notch job - highly recommended! Vince Scimeca
Senior IT Manager
Jupitermedia
Rating:
Summary: Top notch linux book for all!!
Review: Marcel Gagne's Linux System Administration A User's Guide is by far the best book on linux I have read. I have gone through a number of different books regarding linux, but this one I find myself refering back to over and over again. There is something in here for seasoned linux administrators and linux newbies alike. If you are looking for a one stop shop linux book this is it!! In the past I would have to refer to a number of different books to find what I needed, but this book has it all. Easy to read and understand. Top notch job - highly recommended! Vince Scimeca
Senior IT Manager
Jupitermedia
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Readable
Review: Mr. Gagne exhibits a very easy reading style when explaining a subject as complex as Linux. The writing style is not too "techie" as to assume you possess extensive knowledge of the subject while at the same time doesn't treat you as if you're an idiot and know nothing - it stikes a very nice balance that makes for good reading. He actually makes what many would consider a dull subject interesting by injecting humor and variety. Mr. Gagne includes only pertinent information that is both practical and useful. He doesn't dwell on the theoretical or any side issues. In summary, I believe he achieves the goal of the book - to provide sufficient information to the reader in order for them to become an effective administrator of a Linux system.
Rating:
Summary: Extremely Readable
Review: Mr. Gagne exhibits a very easy reading style when explaining a subject as complex as Linux. The writing style is not too "techie" as to assume you possess extensive knowledge of the subject while at the same time doesn't treat you as if you're an idiot and know nothing - it stikes a very nice balance that makes for good reading. He actually makes what many would consider a dull subject interesting by injecting humor and variety. Mr. Gagne includes only pertinent information that is both practical and useful. He doesn't dwell on the theoretical or any side issues. In summary, I believe he achieves the goal of the book - to provide sufficient information to the reader in order for them to become an effective administrator of a Linux system.
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