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1 JohnMcPherson 1 !!!Linux for non-geeks (Based on Fedora)
2 Rick Grant<br>
3 No Starch Press<br>
4 20 Chapters 296 Pages with index<br>
5 (This book is [in the WLUG library|http://library.wlug.org.nz/show.pl?id=8].)
6
7 ----
8 Review done by Gun Caundle
9
10 !!Summary
11 Rickford Grant goes to a lot of bother to explain how to use Linux in a non threatening way
12 for inexperienced Linux users.
13 Although the author gets into some very technical stuff, that is the nature of Linux, not the
14 book. He does very well generally of de-geeking the technical stuff that needs to be covered
15 to make the reader a practical Linux user. Ideally for Linux newbies, not computer newbies.
16
17 Uses the Gnome GUI
18
19 !!Chapter 1 - What is Linux and its background?
20 This is well explained with no jargon but the reader needs to be an experienced computer user
21 to understand.
22
23 !!Chapter 2 - Installation
24 Clear step by step instructions with good screen shots to ensure you stay on track. However
25 there is nothing to get you back on track should some other event happen.
26
27 !!Chapter 3 - Desktop explained: Nautilus and Gnome
28 Again good screen shots on what Nautilus is and what it does. Has an explanation on using
29 Gnome, including a practical project.
30
31 !!Chapter 4 - Using Internet
32 Describes, different ways of connecting. Has some jargon/technical content for setting up a
33 modem. It couldn’t find my ext modem and no KPPP, the internet dialer present. It explains
34 how to use Mozilla web browser and Evolution email application and describes their features
35 including downloading, messaging and chat.
36
37 !!Chapter 5 - Customizing the desktop
38 This includes creating user accounts and a project which takes the reader through changing
39 wallpaper, Window borders, screensavers, sounds and themes.
40
41 !!Chapter 6 - Printing
42 Finding a printer happened exactly as explained with what to do if something doesn’t happen.
43 What Windows calls “Add a printer” Fedora calls it “Add a print queue” working in this area
44 is intuitive for a Windows user and this helped to print a test page as there was no ‘project’ to
45 take you through this aspect.
46
47 !!Chapter 7 - Working with data
48
49 Gives background information on storing data. Explains clearly that the floppy drive needs to
50 be mounted and how to do it. Then it explains the reading and writing process. The next
51 section on formatting a floppy would have been better before the section on reading and
52 writing. While the instructions were easy to follow when I got an error message “Error
53 formatting track #0” the text gave no mention of this. Reading data and audio CD’s happens
54 exactly as described and works through burning a CD.
55
56 !!Chapter 8 - RPM
57 Gives background and explanation on RPM’s including some geek speak but of no
58 consequence. The project was on downloading and installing RPM’s. While the instructions
59 are clear, the execution is beyond the inexperienced when it came to the dependencies.
60
61 !!Chapter 9 - The command line
62 The author goes out of his way to make the reader feel comfortable and encourages him/her
63 to at least try to work from the command line/terminal Window. Although some ‘geek
64 speak’ is used, it is made understandable to the non-geek with the use of analogues. A
65 practical example shows the reader what to use the terminal Window for and give examples
66 of non-geek friendly commands.
67 I got lost using the file manipulation commands but by clicking back to the folders window I
68 could see where I was. I found it much easier to create, move and remove folder in the
69 Window than from the command line. The project requires an internet download using the
70 command line. Although the chapter is well written and the terminal window exciting to use,
71 it is an arcane science. Having cut my teeth on Windows, this chapter didn’t convert me to
72 being a command line user.
73
74 !!Chapter 10 - Using APT to install RPM’s
75 Very geekish. Includes a project to download and install APT including using the command
76 line to download and install ‘Synaptic’ the graphical front end for APT. Another project
77 using Synaptic to download and install a music player (M Player).
78
79 !!Chapter 11 - Source code (for the adventurous)
80 Good explanation on what source code is and how it works with a project that takes the
81 reader to, install and compile source code in clear step by step instructions.
82
83
84
85 !!Chapter 12 - Accessing USB devices and Windows partitions
86 Locating the USB drive using the hardware browser was easily understood with a detailed
87 explanation on setting the USB drive up for use. For using the command line, previous
88 exercises in using the terminal Window gives the reader confidence in ‘mounting’ and
89 ‘unmounting’ the USB drive and worked exactly as described, including locating Windows
90 partitions.
91
92 !!Chapter 13 - Ripping Audio CDs
93 The author gives an excellent background on the evolution of audio files for computers. It
94 explains how to use the music copying applications ‘Grip’ and ‘Sound Juicer’. This chapter
95 gives information on anything to do with music using Fedora. Including ‘Rhythm box’,
96 ‘XMMS’ and ‘Real One’ players ‘Audacity’ for manipulating audio files.
97
98 __N.B.__ -
99 __The last seven chapters weren’t worked through using Fedora, as the previous chapters were, but summarized.__
100
101 !!Chapter 14 - Graphics
102 Describes how to create and view graphics including the bitmap applications, ‘Gimp’, ‘Linux
103 Photoshop’ and ‘TuxPaint’. ‘SodiPodi’ for vector graphics and ‘gthumb’ for viewing.
104 Includes a section on using digital cameras.
105
106 !!Chapter 15 - ‘Office’ Applications
107 Chapter concentrates mainly on ‘Open Office’ with good explanations on each feature.
108 Includes a project using ‘F-Prot’ for virus checking.
109
110 !!Chapter 16 - Fonts
111 It includes a project for installing TrueType fonts and creating fonts with fonts from a
112 Windows partition and customizing fonts.
113
114 !!Chapter 17 - Configuring languages
115 Describes how to set up and use Fedora in languages of your choice such as Korean.
116
117 !!Chapter 18 - Wireless networking
118 This describes how to set up a wireless network including hardware requirements.
119
120 !!Chapter 19 - Rounding off
121 This chapter is in four Sections.
122 * System Settings
123 * Using KDE GUI
124 * Keeping the system up to date
125 * Odds and Sods that didn’t fit elsewhere
126
127 !!Chapter 20 - Problem Solving
128 The author describes how to develop a pragmatic attitude for dealing with problems that can
129 (and will) arise from using Linux.
130 This chapter lists some common problems with their solutions.
131
132 ----
133 CategoryBookReview