By Matt Welsh, Matthias Kalle Dalheimer, Terry Dawson, Lar Kaufman
December 2002
Pages: 692
ISBN 10: 0-596-00272-6 |
ISBN 13: 9780596002725
(Average of 9 Customer Reviews)
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The fourth edition of Running Linux delves deeper into installation, configuring the windowing system, system administration, and networking. A solid foundation text for any Linux user, the book also includes additional resources for dealing with special requirements imposed by hardware, advanced applications, and emerging technologies. Whether you are using Linux on a home workstation or maintaining a network server, Running Linux will provide expert advice just when you need it.
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Book details
Fourth Edition: December 2002
ISBN: 0-596-00272-6
Pages: 692
Average Customer Reviews: (Based on 9 Reviews)
Featured customer reviews
Running Linux, 4th Edition, February 22 2005
Great book and a wealth of well laid out information. This book has saved me so much time and worry. I have used it for reference on other Linux forums to explain things more clearly to other novice users. As for hard going, true it jumps about erratically sometimes in chapters, however as with any publication you get used to this.
It is still pretty hard to beat as a guide to Linux, and should be in any Linux Users library.
E11Y11.
Running Linux, 4th Edition Review, September 28 2003
Running Linux covers everything from the history and philosophy of Linux to installation and
running applications on Linux. After the introduction, the first few chapters cover the different
versions of Linux and how to install it on different hardware platforms. This is very helpful to
anyone who has never installed Linux. The step-by-step tutorial to setup and configure Linux is very
detailed and explains many of the common problems that could be encountered. The setup and
configuration sections are generic to cover all versions of Linux, but differences of diverse vendors
are covered when it varies from the generic tutorial.
A short introduction to UNIX commands and concepts is provided for users who have never used a
Unix based operating system. This section applies to not just Linux, but any Unix based operating
system. Common applications that are installed are each given a small tutorial. The applications
covered are vi, EMACS, GIMP, etc. Linux programming tools are also each covered in a short tutorial
section on several tools.
The last sections of the book cover Linux administration. Setting up new users and file
premissions are discussed. Also, networking aspects of Linux and covered in various chapters about TCP/IP
and e-mail. This book is a comprehensive book covering all aspects of Linux and should be
required reading for anyone new to Linux.
Running Linux, 4th Edition Review, September 24 2003
This book the best computer book I have ever read. I can communicate with my Linux machines very well now. The samples work most of the time on the Red Hat distribution and the commnad is introduced in clear and concise manner.
But I have to complain one thing, since this book can really make people understanding Linux. You may attract by the advertisement at the last few chapter. I have to buy more books form this publisher and spend more time. At this time I already buy two more for O' Reilly. Overall, this is a great book and it makes me a satisfied customer.
Running Linux, 4th Edition Review, September 11 2003
Best book on Linux I've read. The only complaint I have: there is no info on CD burning under Linux. Next edition maybe?
Running Linux, 4th Edition Review, September 11 2003
Don't pick up this book if you want to learn about Linux. It is hard to read. It contains too much detail information for a beginner.
Running Linux, 4th Edition Review, July 19 2003
If you are new to Linux and just want a quick tutorial, this book probably not for you. But if you want to go from newbie to hacker, this book is AMAZING! I have learned so much, although it has been a lot of wading through some nitty-gritty. Well worth it, of course. I'm telling you, this book is like the ultimate source, and I believe the first few chapters are free online, if you want to take a look and gain some incredible knowledge. This book tells you a lot about installing (but might I recommend a local installfest where experienced users are, if you have the choice) and boot-up, as well as kernels, files, and available programs. LaTeX RULZ! "You'll be free, hackers!"
Running Linux, 4th Edition Review, June 06 2003
I filed through this book (which I had bought several weeks before) just to look up something and ended reading a few hours in it. It is written in an entertaining, smart style and it gives you the original GNU-/Linux feeling: change anything, experiment - computers are new, innovative, for those with free spirits and not commercialised "products".
The book dates back to 1996 and this can be felt on some passages. Maybe this is because I read the 3rd edition (from 1999, German translation) but I don't think that Linux is such a small outsider anymore than it reads in the book. I hope the 4th edition has changed that.
Running Linux, 4th Edition Review, January 03 2003
At first, I was very sceptical about the idea of buying a computer book when there are so much great tutorial online.
This book was the first computer book I bought - because many, many people recommended it to me - and it definitely changed my mind about it. This book gives you a much better understanding of tons of things, even if you aren't completely new to Linux (I had been using it for almost a year when I bougt the book). It goes into detail of all the important things *everyone* should know.
If you're looking for a general book about GNU/Linux, look no further: this one is perfect. You should really buy it, I'm 100% sure you won't be dissapointed - at all.
I recommend this book to lots of people who are having problems with GNU/Linux, because it's always useful: first you can simply read it, and it will learn you a lot; afterwards, it's very, very good as a reference manual when you need to quickly look something up (I had samba working in 5 (!) minutes by quickly opening the book on the samba part).
Well, it's certainly a Linux book *every* Linux user should have (yes, I'm completely serious about that). I can't really express what I think about this book, so I tried to do it as well as I could.
Ludootje
Running Linux, 4th Edition Review, December 02 2002
What I really enjoyed about this book was the way the material was presented. It almost prepares you to be able to piece together your own distribution. All the essential components and procedures are addressed in detail without depending on all the distribution-specific and GUI-oriented tools. In my opinion the authors maintain a clear target through the book by not being condescending to the user but at the same time give enough information that even a beginner can follow the presentation.
Since newer distributions of Linux have become easy to use, your average not-so-curious consumer might find this book to have too much information. For systems administrators and programmers, and even for users who feel the need to understand their system, this volume will definitely be worth have in your shelf or, even better, your desk!
Media reviews
"A classic guide upgrades to stay current and reflect changes without sacrificing its accessibility and mastery...the content is excellent for beginners and for those who have been at Linux for a while...Running Linux really is one of the ultimate Linux manuals."--Russell J.T. Dyer, Linux Journal, February 2003
"Now in its fourth edition, O'Reilly's Running Linux has established itself as a classic since first publication in 1995...This is an essential resource for any serious user of Linux, and should be among the resources of anyone running a help desk or teaching others how to install and use Linux."
--Major Keary, "PC Update," May 2003
Reviews From Previous Edition
"indispensible if you are just getting started."
--Charles Stross, Computer Shopper, Nov 2002
"This 730 page manual does an excellent job of making the rather complex world of Linux very understandable for an average user...the writing style is very conversational, making you feel as though you have a friend at your side guiding you through each step. 4 stars!"
--Mary Ann Panevska, Southeastern Wisconsin Windows User Group, August 2002
" 'excellent' "
--New Zealand PC World, Jan 2002
"While this book is written in a style that can be easily, and enjoyably, read from cover to cover, it also serves as a desktop reference. Whether you are using Linux on a home workstation or maintaining a network server, Running Linux provides an excellent resource that can be dipped into for expert advice just when you need it. No matter your level of experience, it deserves to be on your bookshelf."
--First Monday, June 2001
"The best distribution agnostic title is Matt Welch's readable Running Linux which every Linux user should own." --Steve Patient, amazon.co.uk
"Running Linux, by Matt Welsh and Lar Kaufman, is a gentle welcome to Linux that shows you around, points out some places where you may want to spend some time, and tells you where to find good detailed guides. Over time, Running Linux has become my first choice for broad questions. (Linux in a Nutshell is my choice for details like utility program options.)"
--Jeff Taylor, Dr Dobbs Electronic Review of Computer Books April 2001
"Amazon Best of 2000: Computer Networking"
"For beginners the best choice is the classic "Running Linux". There are other good starting guides, but this one does the best job of capturing the spirit of Linux while providing essential guidance."
--Gene Wilburn, Computer Paper, December 2000
"widely accepted as the book on Linux for the new generation-it has achieved international acclaim and survived the battering of the flame wars, which is saying something! It's an easy book to read that takes you through just about everything you need to know to get a broad overview of what Linux is and how it works."
--Rob Fenwick, PC Answers, Dec 2000
First Place, Linux Magazine's Editor's Choice Awards, 2000
"If you're a user that's fairly new to Linux, this book will help you get up to speed quickly. If you're a die-hard Linux fanatic, you'll love this book as a reference for those long nights when you can't quite remember the syntax to a command you last used five years ago. Buy it, read it, but be careful about loaning it out! My copy disappeared for a month."
--Linux Magazine, Dec 2000
"A good core for configuring and running a Linux system."
--Dr. John Joyce, Scientific Computing, Oct 2000
First place in the Linux Book category of the Linux Magazine Editor's Choice awards - September, 2000
"Back this book up with a good command reference (Linux in a Nutshell is solid), and you'll be well on your way to Linux mastery. "
--David Wall, Amazon.com
"You can't go wrong with this book. Whether you're a novice, or like me, have been kicking around in the Linux pool for awhile, you will find yourself referring to a passage or two on occasion for advice or just to refresh your memory on a solution to a tricky problem."
--SLUG reviews, May 2000
"This is the third edition of a deservedly popular book. It is as comprehensive a guide on the subject a you can expect to find. . .if you are looking for a comprehensive guide to setting up, running and maintaining a Linux-based system, it is hard to go wrong with this book. It will get the beginning user on the road to becoming a power Linux user and includes information that will prove useful long after system setup and configuration."
--Keith Schengili-Roberts, Computer Paper, April 2000
"I recommend the superb Running Linux, 3rd Ed., by Matt Welsh, Lar Kaufman and Matthias Dalheimer (O'Reilly & Assoc., 2000). These guys understand Linux backward and forward; theirs is one of many Linux titles but by far the best of them. I've done three Linux installations now, and I wouldn't have wanted to be without this book for any of them."
--Paul Gilster, Raleigh News Observer, April 17, 2000
