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Special
Edition Using Caldera OpenLinux by Allan Smart, Erik
Ratcliffe, Tim Bird, David Bandel
Reviewed
by: Doug Reed, send
e-mail
Published
by: Que, go to
the web site
Requires: N/A
MSRP: US$39.95
For
those who have heard about Linux, are thinking
of using it, but don't know much about it, this
is a good place to start. The book covers every
topic conceivable about OpenLinux, especially topics
that are of great importance to network administrators
trying to incorporate OpenLinux on a server. The
book's authors either work for Caldera or are associated
with Caldera, so it follows that they know a great
deal about the subject matter. Despite being comprehensive
and including a wide variety of topics, the book
does not sink under its own weight and well written;
even Linux newbies should not get lost here.
The
enclosed CDROM includes the latest version of OpenLinux
as well as most (if not all) of the commercial
and freeware packages included when you buy OpenLinux
by itself. This is a full version of OpenLinux,
not the watered down version that Caldera has passed
out to book publishers in the past (Red Hat led
the way in this regard - how could Caldera afford
not to play along?). Given that the price for this
book is lower than the price of OpenLinux alone,
this is pretty much a no-brainer: buy the book!
Everything you need to know is here, including
a description of how to install OpenLinux. |
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The
book is broken down into six parts and four additional
appendices. In
the first part, the authors introduce you
to OpenLinux and describe how to install the operating system.
The second part, "Using OpenLinux" explains the
KDE desktop, how to customize the desktop to your needs,
and how to install/uninstall the various packages that you
can run on OpenLinux. This includes the basic applications
and utilities that are included on the CDROM (although surprisingly,
not the WordPerfect 8 included on the CDROM).
The
conclusion of the second part essentially ends the portion
of the
book for the "average" PC user.
Part 3 covers System Administration using OpenLinux, including
descriptions of the Linux file system, security, printing,
package management, and other system essentials. Essential
reading to get the most out of Linux, but beyond either the
capabilities or understanding of the average user. Part 4
covers Networking, including administration, setting up a
TCP/IP connection, connecting to an ISP, and setting up a
server (e-mail, web, and ftp are all covered). Part 4 also
covers firewalls, wrappers, and interacting with Netware
or Windows networks. Part 5 covers how to set up and run
OpenLinux as an X server. Finally, part 6 covers two topics
that don't fit into parts 1 through 5 -encryption and multimedia.
Special Edition: Using Caldera OpenLinux is a comprehensive
book about version 2.2 of OpenLinux, providing the reader
with a valuable reference and tutorial in getting started
using Linux. Linux is still primarily an operating system
for use as a network server, and the majority of the book
covers these topics. Businesses and network administrators
looking to 'make the switch' can easily find what they need
in this book; the average personal user will get more out
of the first part of the book. For average users your mileage
will vary - the first two parts of the book will be very
useful, the remainder will be useful only if you intend to
use your Linux system as part of a network (or a web server).
The enclosed CDROM with the full version of OpenLinux makes
it a real bargain - tutorial and operating system, all rolled
into one package. Books like this will go a long ways towards
building Linux's user base. Watch out, Microsoft!
Letters
to the Editor are welcome and occasionally abused in public.
Send e-mail to: whine@kickstartnews.com
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