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Spring Into Linux Book Review |
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Written by David Thompson
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Tuesday, 29 January 2008 |
 Spring Into Linux by Janet Velade is a quick and in-depth look into the Linux operating system. If you are a little familiar with Linux, then Spring Into Linux will get you further along towards understanding not only the basics but moving your entire work process into a Linux environment. Once you grasp the power of the Linux operating system, you may never find your way back.
With the emergence and maturation of the Linux operating system, users are becoming more interested in this Windows alternative. While some folks are a little overwhelmed by learning a new OS, Spring Into Linux by Janet Velade can help ease the frustration and get you started in this new platform.
What is in the Book?
The book opens pretty slowly on the concepts of open source software. Chapter one talks about the basics of the open source movement, where Linux fits into this movement and what the GNU program is. Chapter two follows the early concepts of Linux and the versions distributions of the Linux operating system that’s currently available.
Just when you’ve read all about the birth of Linux, now’s the time to get into it. Chapter three begins your journey into the world of Linux by informing you about Linux’s requirements, compatibility issues, downloading Linux, ensuring your computer system is capable of running Linux and making space on your hard drive for your new operating system.
Chapter four is the most important chapter in the book and for good reason…it’s covers the installation on Linux. Being that it is the largest chapter in the book, you can bet that there’s plenty of very important pieces of information you should understand to ensure that your Linux installation goes as smoothly as possible.
Chapter five teaches you how to navigate through the Linux environment by pointing out the graphical user interface, GNOME, KDE, using the Linux command line and how to choose an interface. Now that you have successfully installed Linux, it’s time to learn how to use it. In chapter six, author Valade works her way through logging into the system, the Linux desktop layout, how to configure the desktop and making changes to your desktop’s appearance. Everyone has their own working preferences and this is where you learn to make Linux your own personal workspace.
Now we all remember typing in those DOS commands from way back when. Well Linux also has a command line that you can utilize too. In chapter seven, you learn how to enter commands, proper syntax, some of the more useful commands that you should be aware of and how to configure a terminal window. As we move along to chapter eight, Valade teaches you how to set up an account, add new accounts, set passwords and adding new groups. Learning how to manage files is just as important as the files themselves. In chapter nine, the author teaches you all about file management, file organization, examining files from the Linux Desktop as well as the command line. You also learn about file permissions such as changing permissions, managing owners and groups, the different file types, creating directories and files.
Starting from chapter ten through chapter nineteen, the book’s focus switches from the usage of the Linux operating system to the applications and programs. If you’ve made it this far, you should be itching to get into some mainstream usage. The last nine chapters offers walkthroughs and tips towards using Linux for word processing, spreadsheets, graphics (such as image editing program GIMP), setting up printing capabilities, accessing the internet, playing multimedia, setting up an email program, editing text files using vi. Chapter nineteen moves back into the technical side by demonstrating the use of shell scripts, if statements, for loops, infinite loops and more.
The Final Word
The Spring Into Linux book can be viewed as being a two-part book. The first part would be chapters one through chapter nine while part two would be chapters ten through nineteen. The first part deals primarily with the intro of the Linux operating system. Learn how to install, set up and configure your new operating system to your liking. There are a lot of technical references made throughout the first part of the book so you have to pay close attention.
Part two of the book is to help beginning Linux users get up to speed in using the various popular programs and applications available. Chapters ten through nineteen are each quite short in length but the author does a good job pointing out the most important aspects of each program or technology.
If you’re just trying to be adventurous and learn what Linux is all about, then this book is for you. There are plenty of pictures throughout to help guide you through the installation process and to help ensure that you’re using the operating system properly. Author Valade does a great job offering a number of tips throughout that you should highlight for later reference. When you want to add some Linux to your life, get Spring Into Linux.
About the Author
Janet Valade has 20 years experience in the computing field. Her background includes experience as a technical writer for several companies, as a Web designer/programmer for an engineering firm, and as a systems analyst in a university environment where, for over 10 years, she supervised the installation and operation of computing resources, designed and developed a state-wide data archive, provided technical support to faculty and staff, wrote numerous technical papers and documentation, and designed and presented seminars and workshops on a variety of technology topics.
Janet currently has two published books—PHP & MySQL for Dummies, Second Edition, and PHP 5 for Dummies. In addition, she has authored chapters for several Linux and Web development books.
About Addison-Wesley
You can learn more about Addison-Wesley’s series of professional books at the official website http://www.awprofessional.com.
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