Bill McCarty, a university professor who has taught Linux to hundreds of students, wrote a book specifically for those new users. McCarty's book, Learning Red Hat Linux (O'Reilly, $34.95) has just been released. Learning Red Hat Linux includes a CD-ROM that contains a fully-operational, complete version of Red Hat Linux, one of the most popular Linux distributions. This version of Red Hat Linux may be purchased as Official Red Hat Linux, along with technical support, for $69.00 (www.redhat.com). The book and the included CD-ROM, gives you everything you need to get started with one of the hottest operating systems around.
"At one time, one had to know a good bit about computers to get a Linux system up and running. But, that's much less true today. Essentially every modern operating system-including MS Windows-is based on Unix," says McCarty. "Writing, for those unfamiliar with Unix, involves helping the reader see that Unix lives inside MS Windows. That's what I've tried to do in this book: To build a bridge between the familiar world of MS Windows and the seemingly unfamiliar world of Unix."
5 things a Windows user should know before starting to use Linux by Bill McCarty, author of Learning Red Hat Linux (O'Reilly $ 34.95)
- How to make a backup of your system. Installing Linux is no more
risky than installing any other operating system. But-things happen.
Having a backup will reduce your stress level should something go
wrong.
- How to access Internet newsgroups or chat. These provide access to
help, if it turns out to be needed.
- What Linux software you want to run. Be sure to have it on hand so
you can install it right away. Many Linux packages are on the CD-ROM
that accompanies the book, but much more is available on the Internet.
- Where to install Linux. If you have available space, you can
install Linux to the same hard drive that holds Windows. But, you may
prefer to add a new hard drive to your system so that you have plenty
of space.
- What distribution of Linux to use. Red Hat, which is on the CD-ROM that accompanies the book (Learning Red Hat Linux), is the most popular distribution in the U.S. One of the key advantages of Red Hat is its ease of installation and administration, even for the beginner. However, other distributions-for example, Debian -have their advocates. It's somewhat difficult to switch a system from one distribution to another. So, it's best to install a distribution you're comfortable with at the outset.
Online Resources
- Chapter 3, Installing Linux
- More information about the book, including Table of Contents, index, author bio, author interview, and samples.
- Cover graphic in jpeg format
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Learning Red Hat
Linux
By Bill McCarty
1st Edition September 1999 (US)
1-56592-627-7, 394 pages, $34.95 ($US), Includes CD-ROM
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