FreeBSD

From Barnes & Noble

The Barnes & Noble Review
Maybe you’re already running FreeBSD. Maybe you’re experimenting with it, attracted by its reputation for rock-solid reliability and immense power (not to mention its price -- or lack thereof). Maybe your boss just told you: Go get Apache running on FreeBSD. You’re looking for a great FreeBSD book. We’ve got one.

Roderick Smith begins with some desperately needed context: what FreeBSD is, where it came from, how it’s similar to Linux and Unix, and what it’s suited for. Next, Smith walks through installation, which may involve unfamiliar steps (for example, using FIPS to shrink an existing partition).

After a quick look at basic text-mode commands and the GNOME graphical interface, Smith moves into system administration. You’ll check out your system’s configuration files, master important “information and manipulation” commands, and take control over startup, partitions, files, and accounts. Smith also illuminates the FreeBSD printing model, and shows how to set up GhostScript to print PostScript files on non-PostScript printers.

There are detailed chapters on installing software, configuring kernels, and managing X Window, plus an entire section on network and firewall configuration. Smith systematically walks through setting up FreeBSD file, mail, web, login, DHCP, DNS, time, and font servers. He also reviews FreeBSD software, from web browsers to OpenOffice.org. Smith doesn’t hesitate to mention problems -- for example, limitations imposed by FreeBSD’s relatively primitive font handling.

There’s extensive coverage of system maintenance -- automated and otherwise -- and a full chapter on security. The CD-ROM contains a working FreeBSD system -- as much as will fit on one disk. 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.

Library Journal

These three guides cover version 5.0 of the most popular flavor of BSD, the "other" open-source, UNIX-like OS. A useful, friendly, and thorough guide for novices to intermediate users, Complete FreeBSD addresses initial installation, from setting up domain name servers to building and debugging custom kernels. Discussion of configuration files that may need changing and instructions on upgrading are particularly clear and helpful; appendixes provide a bibliography and a discussion of the evolution of the OS; highly recommended. Unleashed includes more information on various applications and working with window managers to manipulate FreeBSD's graphical interface ("X"). A command and configuration file reference, hardware compatibility lists, troubleshooting information, and additional resources make up the appendix, while the CD-ROM contains FreeBSD 5.0, additional languages, utilities, and packages. Although more comprehensive coverage-wise, Unleashed is less clear in its directions. Still, useful cautions and tips do help guide newer users. Complete Reference features FreeBSD v.5.0, in addition to tools and utilities on CD-ROM. Notes and tips provide extra information, and its troubleshooting and maintenance sections are helpful for newer users. Each is appropriate for beginning to intermediate users and large libraries. Copyright 2003 Reed Business Information.