Ubuntu Linux for Non-Geeks 245
Ravi writes "It is a fact that GNU/Linux has grown from a hackers operating system to be a viable alternative to any commercial proprietary operating system. And the plethora of books on Linux that are being published underlines the popularity of this OS. There are hundreds of flavors of Linux distributions — some of them more popular than the others. Ubuntu Linux is one such distribution which has caught the fancy of many Linux enthusiasts and which enjoys the number one position in the popularity rating chart." Read the rest of Ravi's review.
| Ubuntu Linux for non-geeks | |
| author | Rickford Grant |
| pages | 360 |
| publisher | No Starch Press |
| rating | 9 |
| reviewer | Ravi |
| ISBN | 1-59327-118-2 |
| summary | A very good book targeted at newbies for installing and configuring Ubuntu Linux |
I recently came across a very nice book titled "Ubuntu Linux for non-geeks" authored by Rickford Grant and published by No Starch Press. What attracted me to this book was the obvious title which makes no bones about the fact that this book is targeted at non-geeks.
The book is divided into 18 chapters and 3 appendices spanning over 300 pages. The author starts the narration by imparting a good understanding of the history of Linux and the relationship between Ubuntu and Linux. In this chapter, the author clears a few doubts arising in a lay person's mind about Linux such as the difference between a distribution and an OS, the hardware requirements for running Ubuntu and so on.
In the past, I have seen Linux books using well over 50 pages just to explain the installation process but Ubuntu is famed for its simple 6 step installation. The next chapter is a very short one which gives a good illustrated explanation of the steps needed to boot Ubuntu using the latest version of Ubuntu live CD (included with the book) and install the OS on the hard disk.
The third chapter explores many common features of the Gnome desktop which is the default desktop in Ubuntu. Here the readers are introduced to different aspects of the desktop from the panels, the menus, the applets to the steps for customizing.
One thing I really like about this book is the obvious way in which each task is split into separate chapters. For example, you have a chapter explaining the file and disk management , a chapter which explains how to set up the network and log on to the internet, another for setting up your printer and scanner, still another explaining different ways of downloading and installing software and so on.
I especially liked the 8th chapter titled "Getting to know the Linux terminal and command line", where the author introduces the shell and a number of command line tools to the readers. What I found really interesting was that at the end of the chapter, the author walks you through installing and configuring so you get to try out all the commands introduced earlier.
In the 11th chapter, the author explains how to make the fonts on the Ubuntu machine look prettier and the steps needed to install different kinds of additional fonts such as Microsoft true type fonts.
Ubuntu Linux bundles with it a rich set of applications which more than meets the need of an average home user. The 13th and 14th chapter introduces some of the most popular ones such as office suites, image viewers and so on.
The next three chapters deal exclusively in setting up and configuring audio and video in Ubuntu. Considering that some of the audio/video formats are patented, it is not possible to include support for them by default in Linux. Rather, it is up to the user to get these proprietary audio and video formats to work in Linux. And through these chapters, the author explains all that needs to be done to get all audio and video formats to work in Ubuntu.
The appendix also contain a section where the author gives a list of web resources where one can find more information related to Linux — more specifically Ubuntu Linux.
This very nice book on Ubuntu Linux is clearly targeted at the neophytes who wish to take their first steps in installing and using Ubuntu. The author explains in a step-by-step manner the solutions to the problems that one might face in installing, configuring and using Ubuntu Linux.
If you are a person who has installed and used Linux in the past, this book probably doesn't cover anything new to you. Having said that, it could be an ideal gift for your grandparents, parents or even friends who wish to learn to setup and use Linux. Another positive aspect of the book which attracted me was that the narration was surprisingly devoid of any slang. One of the common mistakes that authors make when writing a book targeted at newbies is treating them like idiots and introducing a lot of slang in the narration, but Rickford Grant has stayed clear of this and his language is clear and lucid.
Ravi Kumar is a Linux enthusiast who likes to share his thoughts on all things related to GNU/Linux through his blog All about Linux.
You can purchase Ubuntu Linux for non-geeks from bn.com. Slashdot welcomes readers' book reviews -- to see your own review here, read the book review guidelines, then visit the submission page
"for Non-Geeks" (Score:5, Interesting)
I've been waiting to say this for a long time:
My mother uses Ubuntu (6.06 Desktop) and she is not computer savvy at all!
Ubuntu books that don't focus on installation? (Score:4, Interesting)
I suspect my situation is not unique: I install Ubuntu for parents and other non-techies; no matter how good the book, they're not going to be able to install it themselves. Then I bugger off and leave them with it. What they need is a straightforward and thorough user guide for basic use of the system. (And I mean basic: things like "you can move windows by dragging the title bar", and "if your mouse has a scroll wheel, you can use it to scroll through a window").
Any recommendations?
Ubuntu Linux is ALREADY for Non-Geeks (Score:2, Interesting)
Now I don't see what the big deal about Ubuntu is.
I suppose the install is prettier since you load it up as a LiveCD and then run the installer program, but in the end you end up with less, imho. And the installer just runs more sluggish.
Dual-boot? (Score:2, Interesting)
Training wheels (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:Non-geeks will never finish it (Score:3, Interesting)
Re:for the record... (Score:2, Interesting)
I've tried most major distros over the years (must get round to Gentoo), my sister however used to work in DTP on a Mac before getting a PC at home.
Until recently she was using a Win2K machine to manage her new business from home, I introduced her to Ubuntu through gcompris, her family were out in our place for a meal, it was raining and her 5 year old was in need of entertainment, I sat him in front of gcompris and silence (apart from some really iritating music) descended, her fella was most impressed by the quality of the educational software and my sister was surprised by how easy Ubuntu is to use.
I called round to them, set up a dual boot, selected apropriate packages and now they are rarely in Windows.
Ubuntu/gnome offers a simple interface, Synaptic makes package management straightforward, I could carry on for a while but essentially Ubuntu is a beautiful distro to introduce people to Linux with, though perhaps less educational than Slackware back in the day!
Re:Huh? (Score:2, Interesting)
For a moment, i shall pretend i am my grandmother and you have just uttered this sentance to me.
i think she would have understood 4 words. and they are: from, on and run.
but she wants to check her email, look at gootube, play music and movies and use amsn.
do you really think we should discriminate against her because she doesn't speak our language?