Summaries and Customer Reviews are supplied by Amazon.com

Average Customer Rating:

Seriously misleading title

Customer Rating:

I bought this book for a colleague on the assumption that it would be a general introduction to Linux for beginners. Earlier reviews had erroneously suggested it was specific to the Suse distribution releases which would have been fine for us as that's what we usually use (with KDE desktop). Unfortunately, for our purposes, it turns out it is based on Ubuntu, this would not be a problem if it was made clear that this was the case and if it pointed out where it was being distribution or desktop environment specific. If you are just starting with a Linux based system and have already chosen/installed Ubuntu then this is a fine introduction. If you haven't decided on a distribution and/or desktop or have already chosen something else, then half of this book will be at best irrelevant or just plain confusing. The problem for beginners is that they will not know which half is relevant and which isn't. Regrettably it makes what is becoming a common assumption - that Linux=Ubuntu/Gnome, which is not the case and it is important to point out that one of the advantages of using Linux based systems is having a choice. Rename it "Ubuntu in easy steps", explain that Ubuntu uses the Gnome desktop and that there are other choices and it earns a 5* rating, as it is otherwise well written, clear and concise. Produce an equivalent version for Suse/Fedora/Mandriva etc focusing on KDE, Give it a truthful title and I'll have one of those thanks.

The best visual guide found

Customer Rating:

Highly visual, masses of screenshots, and how to do's. Each page is a "complete" how to topic, such as Partitioning the Disk, Making space to install Linux, and the different ways to install (reduce the windows partition or add a second Hard drive to the system). Standard issue like changing Screen resolution - but every page is covered in visual step by step diagrams. Too many Linux books are "wordy", and don't focus on the immediate hit and runs that you need to get started fast. At the end are shell scripting and an index of commands. Very concise, tight, colourful, easy. Logical and highly structured, in a visual manner. Easy to follow, easy to learn from.

Ideal first book on Linux	Customer Rating:
This book is very clearly written and logically laid out. The author has his targeted audience in mind throughout the book. It is not perfect but still gets 5 stars since I believe it achieves its objectives. This is an ideal first book on Linux permitting the reader to move on to the next stage.

good crossover book

Customer Rating:

I'd tried Linux in various forms on a few occasions, but given up in frustration. The problem was that I was too familiar with Windows, and Windows and Linux are just different. Probably the biggest issues I had were 'which program should I use instead of...(insert familiar Windows program name here)' What I needed was a book to help me cross over; to fill in the gaps in my knowledge. Now this book does take you through the very basics of installation and GUI setup, which I didn't need, but it also contains dozens of tips and explanations for how Linux works, and why, all set out in a very readable way; and I still use it for reference occasionally. The book gives suggestions for office programs, drawing packages, multimedia software etc. together with a quick tutorial on how to use each one. I might not agree with some of the software choices, but then without the book I wouldn't have been able to make any judgement! Now, when I want to learn anything new I find an 'In Easy Steps' book to get me started.

Simple, Clear and a Joy to Read

Customer Rating:

I'm one of those old-fashioned people who love the feel of a book in my hand; and this is a book you can either sit back and read, or lay on the table hands-on and get studying straight away. The pictures are very clear, and the wording is succinct and to-the-point. It is also spiced with nice touches, like an icon of a chilli-pepper for a "Hot Tip" and a Cobra rearing its head for a "Warning". Colourful and clear, it makes you want to develop your studies further. This book has a slant towards SuseLinux, but not exclusively so.