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Test Driving Linux: From Windows to Linux in 60 Seconds
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by David Brickner
Sales Rank: 863140
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Discount: 24 %
List Price: $24.95
$18.96
At Amazon
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Paperback: 362 pages
Publisher: O'Reilly Media, Inc.; Pap/Cdr edition April 20, 2005
Language: English
ISBN-10: 059600754X
ISBN-13: 978-0596007546
Product Dimensions:
8.8 x 6 x 1.1 inches
Shipping Weight: 1 pounds
Book Description
For years, computer users have put up with the bugs, security holes, and viruses on Windows because they had no choice. Until recently, there has never been a good alternative to Windows. But now, Windows users can switch to Linux, the reliable, secure, and spyware free operating system. Linux is easy to use, runs on almost any PC, and enables you to perform all the tasks you can do with Windows. Getting to know Linux has never been easier, because now there's a way to test-drive Linux without changing, installing, or configuring a thing on your computer. It's called Test Driving Linux: From Windows to Linux in 60 Seconds. This latest release from O'Reilly comes with a Live CD called Move, that allows Windows users to try all the features of Mandrake Linux, a popular Linux distribution without the hassle of actually installing Linux. Users simply place the Move CD into their CD drive, boot from the disc, then watch an entire Mandrake system run on the fly from the CD-ROM. Test Driving Linux: From Windows to Linux in 60 Seconds is a detailed step-by-step guide to the Linux operating system and several popular open source programs. With this guide you can quickly learn how to use Linux to perform the tasks you do most: surf the web, send and receive email, instant message with friends, write letters, create spreadsheets, and even how to enhance your digital photos. Test Driving Linux: From Windows to Linux in 60 Seconds provides both home and business users with a hassle-free way to investigate this operating system before they purchase and install a complete Linux distribution.
About The Author
David Brickner is an editor of Linux and Open Source books at O'Reilly Media, Inc. Prior to that he worked as a Windows system administrator for eight years. He has used Linux servers since 1998, and run it as his full-time desktop for the past four years. David lives close to Boston, MA with his wife Claire and two well-behaved cats. He enjoys reading Fantasy and Science-Fiction books, eating his own pumpkin bread, and going to the movies with Claire. David wishes his hobbies were woodworking and camping, but he hasn't done enough of either for this to be true. David did not vote for Bush in any election.
Customer Reviews & Comments
There's always room for a decent Linux book that is focused on getting desktop users to switch over from Linux (especially if the risk is nonexistent). This book fits the bill... Test Driving Linux - From Windows To Linux In 60 Seconds by David Brickner. Chapter List: Getting Started; Surf The Web; File Management; Music And Videos; Play Games; Email, Organizers, and Instant Messaging; Edit Digital Image; Customize Your Desktop; A Free Office Suite; Manage Your Finances; The Command Line; Great Programs That Aren't On The CD; Pre-Switching Information; Solutions To Common Problems; Index Brickner has taken the Mandrake distribution and created a Knoppix-like CD distribution called the Move Live CD. This CD contains a KDE-style desktop Linux environment that can be booted from the CD without touching anything on the hard drive. It means you can test drive a Linux desktop environment without having to reformat your hard drive or destroy anything you're currently working on. Great news for the curious who want to understand what all the talk is about. The author also stays focused on *just* the Linux desktop environment. It'd be easy to try and write up information on Linux servers, command line stuff, shell scripts, etc. But that would dilute the focus. He stays on task and makes sure the book will appeal to the person who doesn't want to become an OS guru, but just wants to get work done using the type of tools they are already familiar with in the Window environment. I liked the selection of software that was covered. OpenOffice to replace Office, GIMP to replace any other image package like Paintshop Pro, and GnuCash to replace packages like Money and Quicken. And best of all, they're all free. He also spends a fair amount of time on Konqueror, which serves as a file explorer as well as a web browser. There's no reason you can't use other software like Firefox for web browsing, but he had to draw the line somewhere in order to fit everything onto a single CD. And remember... when you turn off the computer, the OS disappears. This is only to give you the flavor of what Linux is like on the desktop, so that you can make some more intelligent choices if and when you decide to switch. Very non-intimidating style of writing, and I'd feel comfortable recommending it to nearly anyone wanting to check out Linux... Except maybe my father... who has finally figured out where all the Windows stuff is at... Some dogs are best left sleeping... :-)
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Test Driving Linux: From Windows to Linux in 60 Seconds
List Price: $24.95
Discount: 24 %
Available from Amazon
Price: $18.96
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