linux

Author: Computer Science/Math double major at Cameron University. Junior.

After reading four five-star reviews, I think I need to speak up. Our school used this book for a freshman-level Operating System Utilities class and I was not fully pleased. As far as positives go, I will give that this book is extremely comprehensive. Most important commands are explained and the more obscure commands and options are included in the back. Even though I disliked the book, I still keep it as a reference due to its scope. Issues regarding differences between different versions of Linux are not covered well, but that's really too much to cover in one book. Just make sure to get a book specific to your version in addition (or possible exclusion) of this one. I have Red Hat and fortunately most of the code in here is portable to Red Hat. Also Mandrake is included on the disk (at least in my version), which is the version the book is catered to. Maybe it's just bad luck but I found the version of Mandrake included to be quite buggy, but that's a separate rant.
The main reason I didn't like the book is the usual flaw in technical computer books: unclarity. The explanations are not well-written and are short of examples in some areas. Also, the explanations that are given tend to be just as dry and boring as unclear. In addition to the constant vagueness and unreadability, there isn't enough attention given onto the traditional privileges and restrictions of the typical user. The examples and explanations don't give the reader a good feel as to what they can do on a Linux system, unless they happen to have full root access. Given an experienced programmer knows there restrictions and they may vary, but the introductory Linux programmer is not clear on the kind of programming environment they will be working in.

You don't even need to know much about computers. They assume nothing and you never get lost. It is a pleasure to read.
A bonus is that, if you like books, you will appreciate the quality of the printing and the material used.

Impressive book, well written, self explaining and covering almost all aspects required by the linux "not-so-expert", as I am. But:
One really important part is missing! Almost no discussion is provided on the user profile definition. How the user is related to the group, how can a user be part of several groups, etc...
Really, is a good book, but the writers suppose that everybody will use "root"? I hope not. To be useful for the IT Professional, a little more has to be spent on this area.