Linux Section

Running Linux, Matt Welsh and Lar Kaufman

Order (or just read more about) Running Linux-Second Edition

"Running Linux (Second Edition) " was published in 1996, and Linux has changed a lot since then. You don't (or shouldn't) need a lot of the excellent technical advice offered within, simply because Linux has evolved beyond the problems that made such advice necessary. Also, much of the advice that is still valid is old hat to folks familiar with other Unix versions such as SCO or Solaris. A person only familiar with Windows will get much more out of this than people already running a Unix OS.

A third edition has been announced. I'd recommend waiting for that before buying this book.

Yet, despite all this, I'll still recommend this to those starting to investigate Linux, even those with a good background in Unix.

In the first place, understanding the heritage of what Linux was just a few years ago can be very helpful if you do run into problems that the modern releases still can't quite handle. Beyond that, if you've been sheltered in one Unix version, such as SCO, a lot of the book truly will open your eyes. There is an excellent chapter on Linux printing, good coverage of what's necessary to compile new kernels and other software, and complete explanations of such concepts as loadable device driver modules that are often completely foreign to SCO users. There's a good section of configuring X86 (still often a weak area in Linux installs), including discussions at the hardware level. There's even a chapter on using the gdb debugger and coverage of Tex and Latex; whatever it is you will be doing with Linux, it is probably at least touched on here.

Of course, there are also lengthy sections devoted to subjects like file permissions and using vi or emacs; Unix savvy folk will have to skip by those sections, but still should find enough here to make the purchase worthwhile.

Comments?

More Articles by Tony Lawrence - Find me on Google+

Jump to Comments

Many of the products and books I review are things I purchased for my own use. Some were given to me specifically for the purpose of reviewing them. I resell or can earn commissions from the sale of some of these items. Links within these pages may be affiliate links that pay me for referring you to them. That's mostly insignificant amounts of money; whenever it is not I have made my relationship plain. I also may own stock in companies mentioned here. If you have any question, please do feel free to contact me.

Specific links that take you to pages that allow you to purchase the item I reviewed are very likely to pay me a commission. Many of the books I review were given to me by the publishers specifically for the purpose of writing a review. These gifts and referral fees do not affect my opinions; I often give bad reviews anyway.

We use Google third-party advertising companies to serve ads when you visit our website. These companies may use information (not including your name, address, email address, or telephone number) about your visits to this and other websites in order to provide advertisements about goods and services of interest to you. If you would like more information about this practice and to know your choices about not having this information used by these companies, click here.