Is Running Linux sufficient?

[crashguru]

as far as physical paper bound manuals go, I only have Running Linux, which is great. I read at www.linuxnewbies.org (http://www.linuxnewbies.org) (by obvious mistake) about someone who needed Learning Debian to get it installed correctly. Can anyone give their opinion on wether Running Linux would be sufficient for a moderate newbie to install Debian? Redhat and Mandrake are just getting to easy.

[nalleberg]

I'd say no. Running Linux might very well be one of the best books on the subject, but Linux is to fast moving to be covered by any book.

If you intend to use Linux soley as a Workstation, I wouldn't think you'd need more then the books and maybe some man-pages.

However most people that choose to turn over to Linux still do so because they want to learn an OS, learn about computers both those reasons or a lot of other reasons - most of them tecnical in some kind of way.

For that you will need many man-pages, HOWTO-files and a little help from your new friends at the discussion groups.

The book, however is not a must. Youd' cope well without it. The book give you a easy way to look for solutions, come up with new ideas and is brilliant in giving you a general understanding of Linux - something man-pages and HOWTOS tend to be a bit on the tecnical side to do.

So my conclution would have to be:
You can mange better without the book, but using other accessible information, than with only the book (or any other single standing book for that matter).

The best naturally is to use all kind of info - the book(s) included.

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</nalle>

[ph34r]

The Debian book from O'Rieley's (sp?) is online for free. Why not just go and webwhack it? Adobe Acrobat does a nice job http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif

There are litterally thousands and thousands of "pages" worth of documentation available - much of it already on your drive (assuming Linux is installed). Also, don't forget www.linuxdoc.org (http://www.linuxdoc.org) and its collection of books, howtos, minihowtos, guides, etc.

[This message has been edited by ph34r (edited 25 January 2001).]

[ndogg]

ph34r, Good reason: it's really inconveniant to take a computer to bed (even if it is a laptop). Not only that, but printing out a book often costs more than just going out and buying it.

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Apples/Macintoshes can rot. BSD... sounds too much like LSD.
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Linux, the only one with the Penguin.


http://ndogg.n3.net

[This message has been edited by ndogg (edited 26 January 2001).]

[crashguru]

[QUOTE]Originally posted by ph34r:
[B]The Debian book from O'Rieley's (sp?) is online for free. Why not just go and webwhack it? Adobe Acrobat does a nice job http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ubb/smile.gif

I looked for this online book at O'Rielly, but I only found their paper versions. I did not find it online. Which book or where did you find Learning Debian online? Thanks

[demian]

Originally posted by crashguru:

I looked for this online book at O'Rielly, but I only found their paper versions. I did not find it online. Which book or where did you find Learning Debian online? Thanks

Here (http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/debian/chapter/index.html) you go...

[Ryeker]

I honestly have to say, anyone who wants to use Linux should get a book. I think that was the book I used to learn all the basics. I learned how to edit files, recompile kernels, etc. Yeah, it wasn't the latest information, but it showed me what UNIX was... Once I finished the book, installing RedHat was a breeze. When I wanted to expand my knowledge, that's when I started reading online HowTo's, man-pages, LNO, etc. I can't read screen print for too long, espcially in a book format. Having a book right there is a lot better. It's only like $20 too! Not that bad.

Oh, to answer the original topic, I will have to say, yes and no. Yes, I believe this book is all you will need to give you an understanding on how UNIX/Linux works. You will learn the critical first steps. But, Linux is a learning OS. You'll never stop looking for new ways to do things, screw things up, etc.

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ryeker@yahoo.com

Beauty is only skin deep... Attitude runs to the bone. -Dark Angel

[This message has been edited by Ryeker (edited 26 January 2001).]

[hndpaul]

I got two books to start with:

Running Linux
Linux Programming (White Papers)

I got the latter, while I was really new to Linux, to learn how the thing runs and why; I think it's important to understand something of the kernel, what it does, how it handles memory, interrupts etc., and the basic architecture of the file system. That helped me a lot. I then read and studied through "|Running Linux", and learned an awful lot about the system and its administration that way. For networking, I used the O'Reilly SAMBA book, and then got myself the huge SAMS book on Unix which covered things like scripts etc (I like books ;-)

Lately I have got Maximum Linux Security and Learning Debian GNU/Linux. Excellent books. You don't "need" them, but it really helps!

Anyway, I'd go for the printed versions so that you can use them alongside your installation fun/ administration fun etc., and really have a "guru" next to you at all times :-)

Paul, UK

[teeitup]

I keep "Linux in a nutshell" close by for a quick reference on commands and switches.

"Running Linux 3rd edition doesn't get used as much now.

I have bought numerous other books but they seldom get opened anymore.

As long as I have google for linux you don't need much else. I print out the articles that help me and keep them in a binder. This way when I decide to install again I have all of the gotchas/fixes in one place. I also print out important config files so I can refer back to them.

Google for linux: http://www.google.com/linux

Learning Debian by O'Reily online: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/debian/chapter/index.html

Have Fun,



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Don't take life to seriously, You'll never get out alive!
-Bugs Bunny-