Documentation?

[shafe1]

Well, I've just spent the better part of an hour reading the fire-fight that took place on this forum recently. All I can say is WOW.... what a trip!
Anyway, will agree that LINUX does take some getting used to. I'm still having problems and admittedly I haven't read alo otf the books that came with it. But that is because, as someone poinet out, the books that come with it (at least with Mandrake 7.0 complete) aren't very good. They are very generally worded, and sometimes do let out steps (as I pointed out on a different post).

So can anyone recommend a good book to by for a Linux-newbie (using mandrake 7.0)?
I know there's foru books on the third CD, but I have reading "E-books", talk about eye strain. I'd much rather have it in paperback (or hardback). I have seen the teach yoursel Manrake Linux in 24 hour (but it seemed to be basic stuff. I want a bookk that goes from the basic into recompiling your on kernel.
As a prior Unix administrator, I had some great books to back me up if I ran into trouble, as well as the internet.
Thanks for the assist.
And, to all the other Linux-newbies out there, Don't give up. We need an alternative (a big one ) to Microsofts answers to computing, and we won't get it if more people don't support it...

[copyright_1978]

I would advise you to go to http://www.linuxnewbie.org/ they have a wealth of information there.

[Statica]

Hi Shafe1:
Advanced Documentation on windoze is nonexistent becos there isnt anything in it to document I am of course thinking of bringing out something like posters/hardbound book covers .. for windoze .. you just wrap it around any old book that you have, and it makes it look like a windoze documentation .. of course the central theme would involve a picture of the keys CONTROL, ALT and DELETE.

Ok seriously though, Linux documentation on print is poor because of 2 reasons, in my opinion...
(a) Linux is such a seamless OS, its not exactly a network & sysadmin mystified OS like UNIX, the result is that the author doesnt quite seem to know whether to write an advanced level or a beginner's level. With UNIX, the author is guaranteed of the target audience's savvy.
(b) Development on Linux is so furious that it is virtually impossible to make any $ of a book that is going to deal with a stale build. Ok so some of us will realize that it doesnt matter, the theory will always be constant; but for the person who is pumped up on that caffiene they serve at bookstores these days [if that isnt a bad idea....], and browsing thru the Linux section comes across a book about RedHat 6.0, is sure going to keep looking for one that deals with RedHat 6.2. Hence net documentation seems to be the right approach. Again, if you were to do a generic search for a howto, there are so many people who dont take the time to update the documentation on server.

The trix to buy a good book on Linux [and to some extent UNIX] is to buy something that (a) doesnt deal with a particular version/build/distribution
(b) doesnt deal with the OS .. buying a book "Linux - Oh what a beautiful OS" would definitely not be as productive as buying a book that overkills a particular subject like say "The Power User's Guide to using Backspace"
& last, although this might not apply, if you are looking for networking/security, try finding something that doesnt even deal with Linux specifically, a BSD/Linux combo etc is the way to go.

My 2cents on the HowTo of Linux Book Buying..




PS: is your rodent working?


[This message has been edited by Ex-Static-Cling (edited 06-19-2000).]

[Statica]

Hey Shafe1:
Being a UNIX guru, you prolly have all the necessary tools, but UNIX teaches a wonderful skill that the windoze genre lacks, the trust in documentation and the affinity for books
There are a few that are good, I dont know how good the library system is where u are at, but before going to buy them, I'd suggest u try them out..
RHat Linux Bible - Negus
Rhat Admin.'s Guide - Kabir
Linux Firewalls - Hmmm ... cant remember who wrote it

What I do is when passing by the discount bins, I sometimes come up with some really detailed book about an old version of linux/security etc. I always pick it up, the principles are the same, and knowing the basics will always help you.

Use the internet wisely too, if you have started noticing, pretty much all search engines will give u loads of hits on Linux topics, shows you how well documented everything is.
www.linuxdoc.org

[shafe1]

Welcome Back Ex!!!!!!!
You had me scared there for a little bit. I thought maybe you decided to flee for good from what looked like a growing trend.... I'll sy No more other than I, for one, am glad that some such as yourself, So willing helps and shares their knowledge. It inspires me, with the little things I pick up to try to help where I feel I can. I hope you'll keep helping out on this site.
It'd be a terrible loss to this board if you went away.

[shafe1]

By the way Ex,
Thanks for the list I'll check 'em out.... And yeah I just those those paperbacks. I agree windows tends to not stress researching documentation (If you think the books you get with LINUX are bad [and I do] Just look at the books that came with win 95 and 98, they make "Windows for Idiots" look like the "Great Book of Knowledge" :-) ).
Thanks again!

[shafe1]

Rodent is still dead, EX! I just picked up a mitsumi PS2 mouse to get rid of the 3-button piece o'crap (god, I hated that thing).
Any way, My son's friend ran into a problem with his Windoze 95 machine and I've been toying with that (and our house). So, I haven't had a chance to try to setup the mouse again. By the way I also (finally) picked up an ISA Modem (after I get the mouse working I'm going to tackle that). It's a generic v.90 56k, but it shold do what I need it to.
See Ya around the board.
Shafe1