Overview
Sobell, who has written other books on Linux, provides new and experienced programmers with a tutorial and reference for the software. Part I is a tutorial introducing basics of GNU/Linux. Part II covers more advanced topics, such as graphical user interfaces, networking, and text editors, plus the three major shells. Part III offers a detailed reference to some 85 GNU/Linux utilities. The accompanying CD-ROM contains Red Hat Linux version 8.0. Annotation ©2003 Book News, Inc., Portland, OREditorials
From Barnes & Noble
The Barnes & Noble ReviewWhen it comes to getting up-to-speed on Red Hat’s core capabilities, Mark Sobell’s A Practical Guide to Red Hat Linux 8 is tough to beat. Sobell draws on two full decades of experience writing about Unix and Linux, and it shows.
This is real meat-and-potatoes Linux -- from logging in to compressing and archiving files, setting access permissions to using the command line. Sobell also presents chapter-length introductions to both GNOME and KDE -- though you can tell his heart belongs to the command line.
Sobell’s especially strong on scripting (bash, TC, Z, and beyond). His detailed system administration coverage includes realistic information on security throughout (supplemented by a complete appendix on the subject). He also presents a detailed, example-rich reference to 85 of the most important GNU/Linux utilities. And while this isn’t a Red Hat certification guide, there are hundreds of exercises to help you make sure you can really do the stuff he’s teaching you. (What you won’t find here: guidance on configuring Apache or Samba, or much help with Red Hat’s slick bundled software -- such as Evolution and OpenOffice.org.)
There are now several excellent guides to Red Hat Linux 8, each with its own strengths. (We’ve especially liked Bill Ball’s Red Hat Linux 8 Unleashed and Richard Petersen’s Red Hat Linux 8: The Complete Reference, DVD Edition to name just two.) If you want a deep, “old-school” understanding of Linux, put this book on your shortlist alongside them. Bill Camarda
Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2000 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks For Dummies®, Second Edition.