Learning Red Hat Linux walks the reader through the process of installing, configuring, and using Red Hat Linux 6 and some of its most popular applications. Networking coverage includes essential local area network configuration, plus excellent coverage of Samba setup and the process of establishing a Point-to-Point Protocol (PPP) connection to the Internet. The book would be better with some information on setting up a local Domain Name Service (DNS) server to improve Internet connectivity, but what's here is commendable. The author includes basic coverage of the Apache Web server, plus sendmail and File Transfer Protocol (FTP).
Learning Red Hat Linux emphasizes the Linux command line for system management tasks, explaining all the vital low-level commands as well as configuration aids like linuxconf. Popular graphical applications are explored too, including ApplixWare, StarOffice, and the WordPerfect suite. Bill McCarty exhibits plenty of patience in his writing and organizational styles, assuming no knowledge of Unix on the part of his readers. This book includes lots of annotated tables that explain the features in various programs, and many sections have a procedural format that allows you to follow along on your own Linux machine. --David Wall
Topics covered: Red Hat Linux 6, preinstallation planning, essential command-line tools, X Windows, Gnome, the K Desktop Environment (KDE), and networking.
User review
for the uninitiated
If you are new linux or are thinking of building out a linux box then this is a decent place to start. The basics of unix style administration are explained about as plainly and simply as possible. One short coming of the book is the lengthy discussion of installation which admittedly used to be a harrowing experience 5 or so years ago (seemingly the main argument against the adoption of linux by microserfs), but in the hands of Red Hat has become nearly as painless a process as any windows install and therefore is not that necessary. The only other problem with this book is that the version of Red Hat is 8.0 (3rd edition) i believe and only has some middle variant of the 2.4 kernel (2.4.17 i think), this is not necessarily bad but the 2.6 kernel is out and Red Hat has a new approach to the desktop with its Fedora build. Only buy this if you are completely new to linux and want to learn the basics.
User review
Excellent how-to oriented, bare bolts book
Excellent O'Reilly how-to oriented book containing the bare
bolts on installing Red Hat 8 with lots of pointers to more
information on hardware compatibility, additional software
packages, etc. It is *not* an in depth tour of Linux, rather,
it's a `how to get started` oriented book for those familiar
with Windows (or other OSes) but not necessarily with
Linux.
Included freebie: The book bundles Red Hat 8 on two CDs,
so you'll have the media in hand to get started quickly.
Also has an appendix on boot loader issues (useful if, as
many of us will want to do, one needs to dual boot Linux
and some other OS).
BTW, be sure you purchase the latest, 3rd edition (just
out this month). Among other updates, it includes R.H. 8 CDs
and information instead of the previous edition's R.H. 7.2
media and info.
User review
Don't buy unless you want an expensive, basic install guide
This book is no different from RedHat installation manuals/information that can be read on the web for free. Horrid as a reference manual. Buy 'Running Linux' instead. ISBN 156592469X. Regret that I ever bought this book. In addition it is old (RedHat 7.2 and not 8.0).
User review
Looking for a shallow spot to wade into Linux?
This book is an excellent primer book for beginners jumping into Linux. More specifically, Red Hat Linux version 7.2 though they are currently working on 7.4 beta. The author presents the chapters logically beginning with step-by-step installation and leading into familiarizing you with the more useful applications available. I would have wished for a more thorough look into Samba and Apache but that may have been out of the target audience they were aiming for. There is information dealing with setting up networking, DHCP service and modem configuration. By the way, you might as well toss out your winmodem and obtain a hardware modem (external is the best) as the author does not mention the difficulty when trying to get one to work. You also get one full chapter dealing with shell commands which should wet anyone's appetite to learn more. Overall, not a bad book to begin with. Seasoned Linux professionals need not apply.
User review
Great Book
The first thing that impressed me was the way Learning Red Hat Linux was written. It read more like a novel then a technical manual/book, and I found myself excited to see what was on the next page. The book is a quick get-you-started guide that explains what you need to know then moves on and does not spend too much time dilly-dallying.
There were some things that were skimmed over, but the author pointed out web sites that went into more detail. The chapter on shell scripting was a great introduction. For novice Linux users it is a great way to get your fingertips wet with the powerful command line, and shell scripting. The book quickly explains how to set up samba, ftp, email, Apache and SSH, as well as an introduction to the RPM package manager.
Added bonus was the two Red Hat 7.2 CD's so I didn't have to download them.
Microsoft OS readers should NOT pickup up this book, it will make you want to format your OS and install Linux, it did for me!
