Mastering Linux

Rating:
Summary: Just for starting on Linux
Review: 'Mastering Linux' is intended for those people who have never worked in Linux and require superficial overview of the operating system to get started. After this the book has no use.

Just like other general book on Linux, the first 5 chapters deal with the introduction and installation. Chapter 6-12 solely discuss the desktop environment, which is very strange considering that using the command shell is more powerful. Even after these chapters, 75% of the remaining book gives the configuration using GUI! Graphical interface is ok but if you actually have to use Linux you are better off with the text mode.

Chapter 13-35 are concerned with setting up various servers (SMTP, Web, Database) on Linux and using various graphical utilities. Again why were they added to a general book on Linux, only the author knows.

The book has too much information (in 1000+) pages, resulting in no in-depth coverage of any topic (except the desktop environment!) There is only one small chapter on using bash and on chapter on system administration.

The only good thing about it is the Appendix for the shell commands.

The book is good for giving a newbie a start off and that is all. But again with too much importance given to the GUI. No one can master Linux using this book. Once you have installed the operating system, try buying some other book.

Rating:
Summary: Mastering Linux
Review: I've got half a dozen books on linux around the house, I've read documentation online, but this was the ONLY book I'd come across that gave me the information I needed to get started using Linux. Before I got this book, I'd installed linux a couple times, but about all I could do was change directories.

I use this book ALL THE TIME as a reference and I have recommended it to all my friends who are interested in Linux.

Rating:
Summary: Indispensible for getting you started
Review: If you're looking for a in-depth review of how to perform system administration via the Linux command line, then this definitely isn't the book for you...but that's not what it's intended for. For me, it was absolutely indispensible for getting you through the first few days as a Linux user. Installing, setting up, running X Windows, Samba, etc. It's one of those books that you never refer to again after you've read it because you're already past its knowledge level. But this book will at least get you to that point, easily and gracefully, which a lot of other books can't seem to do because they get you bogged down in the details before they walk you through how to install and operate the system. Buy this book to get you started (which is its purpose), then plan on buying a 2nd comprehensive Linux system administration book later after you're up and running. That's the perfect combination. Again, as a "get you started" book, this one was absolutely indispensible, but buy it knowing that you're going to need an industrial strength sysadmin book a few weeks later.

Rating:
Summary: An introduction only to Linux.
Review: This book is a long long introduction and only an introduction unfortunately. You won't be able to understand Linux well after reading this book. Some examples doesn't work. The author trying to cover everything and nothing in depth. However it might help you to make a first step(only) to the world of Linux.

Rating:
Summary: Awsome Eye opener into the wonder that is Linux!
Review: This is one of the few great books on linux I have ever seen. The auther does not just breeze over your head assuming you know certain things like most authors do, nor does he speak below you. Many books about linux just tell you to type commands, or do this or do that but dont tell you why you are doing it and principals behind it. This guy is a great teacher, and buy the time you are done reading this book, you will have a level of understanding of all aspects of linux, that you will feel confident enough to experiments on your own(and not get caught by the smallest snag) as well as move on to more advanced books and topics. I went from being able to do nearly nothing in Lunix, to feeling pretty confident using it. Thank You Mr. Danesh for opening up my eyes to the wounderful world of Linux!

Rating:
Summary: Excellent intro for DOS/Win experts moving to Linux
Review: To the increasing number of us who bought our systems with Linux and X already installed, this book is (intentionally) a wonderful intro to the underlying concepts and key programs of Linux. It is not meant to be the Ultimate One Source, but is an excellent overview of This Huge Thing Called Linux and lets you realize what areas exist so that you can follow up with more specialized works on specific areas of interest. I may never need to use Samba, but at least I understand what I need to know. I can focus on Perl or Bash, and appreciate what VMWare 1.0 can do for me. No single text can possibly serve all users. This work succeeds in providing a necessary overview for those new to the UNIX and OSL universe who may have considerable experience (RAM-disking my BAT files using environmental variables back on my 8086 in 1985 etc) in the Dark Side (Darth Bill etc). As most desktop computer users are now used to GUIs and not command prompts, it makes sense to start the discussion with Gnome, KDE and the other popular GUIs for Linux. Praise this book not for what it does not try to do, but rather for what it succeeds in doing: turning the Newbie into a user who knows what he needs to learn next. Well done!