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(More customer reviews)Finding a single book that encompasses what you want to learn can be difficult. Most cover a few portions of a subject in depth and skim over (or omit) others. Other books will cover each topic at about the same level: high enough to give an impression of what can be done, but not with enough depth to do it without a lot of effort. Mark G. Sobell's "A Practical Guide to Ubuntu Linux" is a single volume that gives the reader enough information to effectively install, configure and run workstations and servers using Ubuntu Linux. He has come the closest I have seen to containing all of the necessary information without being too shallow. A DVD with the Gutsy Gibbon release of Ubuntu in a directly bootable form is included with the book.
With over two decades of experience related to Unix and Linux, Mark G. Sobell has authored almost two dozen books on the subject. I had previously read and reviewed his book "A Practical Guide to Red Hat Linux: Fedora Core and Red Hat Enterprise Linux (Second Edition)" and found it the highest quality book I had yet read on Linux. This, his latest book, bears many similarities to the other text, including its high quality. The overall structure is like that of a textbook, providing a summary and exercises at the end of each chapter, as well as copious cross-references.
"A Practical Guide to Ubuntu Linux" is broken up into five parts containing 27 chapters in all. Each of the chapters provides Jumpstart sections to help you install and configure each server quickly, and enough detail to handle the more common configuration changes. Part I uses two chapters to provide an overview of, and step-by-step instructions for, installing Linux. The step-by-step chapter goes into great detail on each step of the process, using both the graphical and textual installation paths. Part II provides higher-level information that shows newer Linux users what they can do. Part III uses another four chapters to dive deeper into the Bourne Again Shell (BASH), the GUIs, and networking. Starting with Part IV, Mark describes how to perform the more common configuration tasks. Using seven chapters and over 200 pages, Part IV provides a great deal of detail regarding system administration. The final section, Part V, uses nine chapters to go into depth on set up various servers and use their clients. OpenSSH, FTP, exim4 (for mail), NIS, NFS, Samba, DNS/BIND, the firewall (firestarter and iptables), and finally Apache.
Overall, "A Practical Guide to Ubuntu Linux" by Mark G. Sobell provides all of the information a beginner to intermediate user of Linux would need to be productive. The inclusion of the Live DVD of the Gutsy Gibbon release of Ubuntu makes it easy for the user to test-drive Linux without affecting his installed OS. I have no doubts that you will consider this book money well spent.
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A Practical Guide to Ubuntu Linux(R)A new edition of this title is available, ISBN-10: 0137003889 ISBN-13: 9780137003884Praise for A Practical Guide to Ubuntu Linux® "I am so impressed by how Mark Sobell can approach a complex topic in such an understandable manner. His command examples are especially useful in providing a novice (or even advanced) administrator with a cookbook on how to accomplish real-world tasks on Linux. He is truly an inspired technical writer!"–George Vish II, Senior Education Consultant, Hewlett-Packard Company"Overall, I think it's a great, comprehensive Ubuntu book that'll be a valuable resource for people of all technical levels."–John Dong, Ubuntu Forum Council Member, Backports Team Leader"The JumpStart sections really offer a quick way to get things up and running, allowing you to dig into the details of his books later."–Scott Mann, Aztek Networks"Ubuntu is gaining popularity at the rate alcohol did during prohibition, and it's great to see a well-known author write a book on the latest and greatest version. Not only does it contain Ubuntu-specific information, but it also touches on general computer-related topics, which will help the average computer user to better understand what's going on in the background. Great work, Mark!"–Daniel R. Arfsten, Pro/ENGINEER Drafter/Designer"I read a lot of Linux technical information every day, but I'm rarely impressed by tech books. I usually prefer online information sources instead. Mark Sobell's books are a notable exception. They're clearly written, technically accurate, comprehensive-and actually enjoyable to read."–Matthew Miller, Senior Systems Analyst/Administrator, BU Linux Project, Boston University Office, of Information Technology"I would so love to be able to use this book to teach a class about not just Ubuntu or Linux but about computers in general. It is thorough and well written with good illustrations that explain important concepts for computer usage."–Nathan Eckenrode, New York Local Community TeamPraise for Other Books by Mark Sobell"I currently own one of your books, A Practical Guide to Linux®. I believe this book is one of the most comprehensive and, as the title says, practical guides to Linux I have ever read. I consider myself a novice and I come back to this book over and over again."–Albert J. Nguyen"Thank you for writing a book to help me get away from Windows XP and to never touch Windows Vista. The book is great; I am learning a lot of new concepts and commands. Linux is definitely getting easier to use."–James Moritz"I have been wanting to make the jump to Linux but did not have the guts to do so-until I saw your familiarly titled A Practical Guide to Red Hat® Linux® at the bookstore. I picked up a copy and am eagerly looking forward to regaining my freedom."–Carmine Stoffo, Machine and Process Designer to pharmaceutical industry"I am currently reading A Practical Guide to Red Hat® Linux® and am finally understanding the true power of the command line. I am new to Linux and your book is a treasure." –Juan GonzalezThe Most Complete, Easy-to-Understand, and Useful Guide to Ubuntu Linux Desktops and ServersUbuntu Linux is a state-of-the-art operating system, and you need a book that's just as advanced. Along with being the most comprehensive reference to installing, configuring, and working with Ubuntu, A Practical Guide to Ubuntu Linux® also provides extensive server coverage you won't find in any other Ubuntu book.Best-selling author Mark Sobell begins by walking you through every feature and technique you need to know, from installing Ubuntu–using the DVD included with the book–to working with GNOME, Samba, exim4, Apache, DNS, NIS, firestarter, and iptables. Sobell's exceptionally clear explanations demystify everything from system security to Windows file/printer sharing.Sobell presents full chapters on using Ubuntu from the command line and GUI; thorough system administration and security guidance; and up-to-the-minute, step-by-step instructions for setting up networks and every major type of Internet server. Along the way, you'll learn both the "hows" and the "whys" of Ubuntu. Sobell knows every Linux nook and cranny: He's taught hundreds of thousands of readers and never forgets what it's like to be new to Linux. Whether you're a user, administrator, or programmer, this book gives you all you need–and more.Don't settle for yesterday's Ubuntu Linux book...get the ONLY book that meets today's challenges and tomorrow's!This book delivers…Deeper coverage of the command line and the GNOME GUI, including GUI customization Coverage of important Ubuntu topics, such as sudo and the new Upstart init daemon More practical coverage of file sharing with Samba, NFS, and FTP More detailed, usable coverage of Internet server configuration, including Apache, exim4, and DNS/BIND More state-of-the-art security techniques, including firewall setup using firestarter and iptables, as well as a full chapter on OpenSSH and an appendix on security Deeper coverage of "meat-and-potatoes" system and network administration tasks–from managing users to CUPS printing, configuring LANs to building a kernel A more practical introduction to writing bash shell scripts Complete instructions on how to keep your Linux system up-to-date using aptitude, Synaptic, and the Software Sources window And much more...including a 500+ term glossary, five detailed appendixes, and a comprehensive index to help you find what you need fastPrint book includes DVD! 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