The Official Ubuntu Book

Ubuntu is a complete, free operating system that emphasizes community, support, and ease of use while refusing to compromise on speed, power, and flexibility. It's Linux for human beings--designed for everyone from computer novices to experts. Ubuntu is the most in-demand Linux distribution, and this official guide will get you up and running quickly.

Learn how to seamlessly install and customize Ubuntu for your home or small businesses. Its open source power can be used in schools, government, or by corporations, and is suitable for both desktop and server use. The Ubuntu community is built on the premise that software should be available free of charge, and that people should have the freedom to customize and alter their software in whatever way they see fit.

Written by leading Ubuntu community members, this is the only book that you need to become a savvy Ubuntu user.

Covers the latest version of Ubuntu--Ubuntu 6.06LTS Covers every standard desktop application from word processing, spreadsheets, Web browsing, e-mail, instant messaging, music, video, and, of course, games, all the way to software development, databases, and other server applications Includes real-world troubleshooting advice contributed by Ubuntu users from around the world Learn about the extended Ubuntu community, which includes translators; software developers; teachers; people who love to hand out CDs and help friends try free software; artists; people who write documentation, tips, and guides; accountants; and even a lawyer or two. Covers both Ubuntu and Kubuntu desktop systems Explains Ubuntu Server installation and basic administration, complete with advanced installer features like LVM and RAID

This book comes with a version of Ubuntu that can run right off the DVD, as well as the complete set of supported packages for Ubuntu, including Kubuntu. Try out Ubuntu on the DVD. If you want to keep it, install it directly from your desktop.

Community Contributors: James Stanger, Jorge O. Castro, Matthew East, Quim Gil, Dennis Kaarsemaker, David Bain, Alan Barnard, David Clayton, Manu Cornet, Scott Dier, Oskar J?ors, Jason LaPrade, Avinash Meetoo, Julien Rottenberg, Stephen Sandlin, David Symons, Paul van Genderen, Andrew Zajac

User review
Official Ubuntu Book
Good read. I may finish it someday. Get it for reference if you need documentation as I do.

User review
missing some basics
I have a Dell laptop on which I've installed Ubuntu. My internet provider uses `PPPoE`. I have had a lot of trouble setting up a `wired` internet connection (my Mac works great). This book provides very, very little assistance in that area. I think that an introductory book on home computers ought to provide a lot of assistance with issues such as this (i.e. various interfaces: to internet, to printer, to scanner, to camera, ,,.). I realize that there could be many factors involved which make it difficult for the authors to write a thorough `how to` book. If so, then they should at least point the reader to other resources. Otherwise, what is the purpose of an introductory book? At least this book is useful for the attached DVD (B&N edition).

I've found `How Linux Works` by Brian Ward to be much more useful.

User review
Disjointed but useful
If you are looking to learn about Ubuntu, then the official book would seem the obvious place to start. Ubuntu insiders (including founder Mark Shuttleworth) present a rich and readable history of their labors, as well as insight into the structure and philosophy of their wing of the GNU/Linux community. Also, as you would expect, the book contains a full OS distribution on disc.

Unfortunately, the 4th Edition has some significant flaws. Clearly written by committee, the authors shift from speaking to computer newbies in one paragraph to veteran sysadmins in the next, not always pausing to properly explain new material. Further, the layout of the book simply makes no sense: chapter 10 `introduces` Ubuntu variants which were each individually covered by chapters 8, 9, and 5 - yes, in that order!

Never the less, this book does its primary job quite well - chapters 2 through 4 provide one of the finest introductions to desktop GNU/Linux currently in print, backed up with a fairly thorough troubleshooting section and a decent command line primer. In short, it is a great book for new users to outgrow,,. and to those who prefer the reassurance of a printed manual, I recommend it.


User review
Linux Novice
This is a very good read. I have had this book for two days, and I have read halfway through it. IT are not typically very readable. I have not started to install Ubuntu at this time, but that will start in about a week.

User review
Good, for what it is
The Official Ubuntu Book is useful primarily as an introduction to and overview of the cultural phenomenon that is Ubuntu. From this perspective, I found chapter 1 `Introducing Ubuntu` the most useful and informative. Don't expect this 461-page book to be a comprehensive reference source (which one might assume from its size) -- it's not. As a reference work, it's useful mainly for those without any prior experience with Linux, and even there, I would recommend Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference, by Keir Thomas -- it's briefer, cheaper (free, if you get the PDF version), more informative, and better written.

That said, I don't regret purchasing The Official Ubuntu Book, which provides me with a new perspective on this very popular Linux distribution, as well as on how GNU/Linux distributions have evolved.