Customer Reviews
Seriously misleading title - By: N. D. Livesey, 28 Aug 2008 
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 & if it pointed out where it was being distribution or desktop environment specific.
If you are just starting with a Linux based system & 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 & which isn't.
Regrettably it makes what is becoming a common assumption - that Linux=Ubuntu/Gnome, which is not the case & it is important to point out that one of the advantages of using Linux based systems is having a choice.
Rename it "Ubuntuin easy steps", explain that Ubuntu uses the Gnome desktop & that there are other choices & it earns a 5* rating, as it is otherwise well written, clear & concise.
Produce an equivalent version for Suse/Fedora/Mandriva etc focusing on KDE, Give it a truthful title & I'll have one of those thanks.
The best visual guide found - By: Satisfied at Last, 27 Aug 2008 
Highly visual, masses of screenshots, & how to do's.
Each page is a "complete" how to topic, such as Partitioning the Disk, Making space to install Linux, & 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 coveredin visual step by step diagrams.
Too many Linux books are "wordy", & don't focus on the immediate hit & runs that you need to get started fast.
At the end are shell scripting & an index of commands.
Very concise, tight, colourful, easy.
Logical & highly structured,in a visual manner.
Easy to follow, easy to learn from.
Ideal first book on Linux - By: B. Nicholls, 24 Jun 2008 This book is very clearly written & logically laid out. The author has his targeted audiencein 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 - By: John Mcclean, 01 May 2007 I'd tried Linuxin various forms on a few occasions, but given upin frustration. The problem was that I was too familiar with Windows, & Windows & 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 fillin the gapsin my knowledge.
Now this book does take you through the very basics of installation & GUI setup, which I didn't need, but it also contains dozens of tips & explanations for how Linux works, & why, all set outin a very readable way; & 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 - By: Andavane, 04 Apr 2007 I'm one of those old-fashioned people who love the feel of a bookin my hand; & this is a book you can either sit back & read, or lay on the table hands-on & get studying straight away. The pictures are very clear, & the wording is succinct & to-the-point.
It is also spiced with nice touches, like an icon of a chilli-pepper for a "Hot Tip" & a Cobra rearing its head for a "Warning".
Colourful & clear, it makes you want to develop your studies further.
This book has a slant towards SuseLinux, but not exclusively so.
