LINUX Administration for Dummies

Rating:
Summary: This is what I've been looking for...
Review: For an administrator you can hold the GUI. To replace NT File/Print servers, I needed the basics on the superior Linux OS. I looked through dozens of "quick Linux" types. They all focussed on installation, GUI or StarOffice -- useless to an admin.

This book got right to the basics of what I really needed. No it doesn't give you GNOME or KDE. That's not what the title or preview implies.

Although this is a "For Dummies" and I'm a supposedly high and mighty MCSE, I'm keeping it in my cubicle even after I finish the last page.

Rating:
Summary: Not particularly helpful
Review: I would recommend this book to anyone who is familiar with networking and just needs to adapt to Linux or possibly vice versa, but not for someone who is trying to tackle both networking and Linux in the same leap. Virtually all my experience is with standalones operating in a Windows environment (95, 98, 2000, ME). I got the book to see about using Linux for my home LAN. I felt more like a dummy AFTER reading this book than before. It assumes a certain amount of knowledge about DNS, NFS and other things which -- if you don't have said knowledge -- tend to bring up more questions than the book answers. It's fun to read and informative, if you match the target audience demographic.

Rating:
Summary: For Linux Dummies, not Administration Dummies
Review: I would recommend this book to anyone who is familiar with networking and just needs to adapt to Linux or possibly vice versa, but not for someone who is trying to tackle both networking and Linux in the same leap. Virtually all my experience is with standalones operating in a Windows environment (95, 98, 2000, ME). I got the book to see about using Linux for my home LAN. I felt more like a dummy AFTER reading this book than before. It assumes a certain amount of knowledge about DNS, NFS and other things which -- if you don't have said knowledge -- tend to bring up more questions than the book answers. It's fun to read and informative, if you match the target audience demographic.

Rating:
Summary: Great Linux Primer
Review: Linux Administration for Dummies is a good primer for those that are new to linux. I found the book very informative while at the same time being fun to read. There are a few things that are dated such as the chapter on Y2K but overall it is a good read. If you want to learn the basics of linux fast this is the book.

Rating:
Summary: Great Linux Primer
Review: Linux Administration for Dummies is a good primer for those that are new to linux. I found the book very informative while at the same time being fun to read. There are a few things that are dated such as the chapter on Y2K but overall it is a good read. If you want to learn the basics of linux fast this is the book.

Rating:
Summary: Not particularly helpful
Review: Most of the "for Dummies" franchise books are designed for the neophyte, and so one has certain expectations. But this book is not written for someone who wants to begin administrating linux from scratch as, say, a pilot project to determine the value of the operating system. It may have some value for someone snatched out of the typing pool (do they still have those?) and chosen to administer an existing Linux network, but, in my situation, that is difficult to determine.

First, it doesn't explain how to do anything, really that would seem to have practical value today. As an example, once one has bought a book from a different source, and learned how to install Linux, what would be the first thing to do? Install the web server, perhaps? Or get it started? This book ignores that subject. It discusses the Netscape communicator and a fairly substantial piece of the book is dedicated to this, and discussing what a url is, and how to surf the www...all topics likely experienced by most of their readers, but nothing about setting up a web server. Then, to underline the significance of learning about servers to the reader, the author devotes several pages, including a chapter, to setting up NNTP clients and servers. Yep, that's right, it discusses in detail how to get 1980's technology today.

Save your money...

Rating:
Summary: Great for starting out in LINUX Administration
Review: The power of Linux is in the command line interface. Linux Administrators need to know this stuff. Bellomo's book is clearly written with excellent use of various fonts. The topics seem to leap from the pages in concise language. This is NOT a good book for advanced Linux or Unix users, but it's a great reference for those who want to quickly master the subject and have computer savy.

The index is listed in parts and chapters. A list of the major parts is listed below.

1. Linux at a Glance

2. Taking Charge or Your World

3. Administering Network Comunications

4. Administering Office Networks

5. Network File and Machine Sharing

6. Electronic Mail, News and Web Browsing

7. Nework Security

8. Linux Disaters and recover Techniques

9. The Part of Tens (10 utilites, 10 applications, and 10 web sites you should know)

10. Appendixes:

A. vi editor

B. CD ROM:

Software Included: Tripwire (network security), ACUA (alternate Interface), Diskcheck, Logwatch (mointors system logs), Mon (monitors systems performance), Linuxconf (helps configure linux box), WebMin (Webmaster utility to run a web server)

Rating:
Summary: Don't be a Dummy
Review: Very general like most of the Dummies books I have read. This covers the topics that are in most of the Linux books on the market, but doesn't go into the depth you need. If you buy this be aware it won't be the last Linux admin book that you will spend money on.