Sebastopol, CA--"At one time, one had to know a good bit about computers to get a Linux system up and running. But that's much less true today," says Bill McCarty, author of Learning Red Hat Linux (O'Reilly, US $34.95). "Essentially every modern operating system--including MS Windows--is based on Unix. Writing for those unfamiliar with Unix involves helping the reader see that Unix lives inside MS Windows. That's what I've tried to do in Learning Red Hat Linux: To build a bridge between the familiar world of MS Windows and the seemingly unfamiliar world of Unix."
The just-released second edition of McCarty's popular Learning Red Hat Linux is an excellent introduction to one of the most popular distributions of Linux in the U.S. Because the book is written specifically for the enclosed CDs, the reader needs nothing else to get started with his or her new Linux system. This is the book for first-time Linux users who want to learn how to use Red Hat Linux on their personal computer, or convert an existing system over to Linux.
McCarty draws on years of experience teaching CS and MIS students to create a clear, no-fluff guide for new Linux users. "If I had someone who'd never seen a computer before, I think I could teach that person to use Linux about as easily as, for example, Windows," he says.
What the critics said about the previous edition:
"A MUST have--no other option if you are doing Linux you need the book!"
--Ralph E. Wasmer, Jr., Great Inland Sea Computer User Group, July 2000"The author covers all the installation bases, from one of the best explanations of the DOS kludge called fdisk to excellent examples of how to get the necessary system information from the Windows 9x Control Panel...Finding out that Red Hat's installation and Bill McCarty's book can take the pain out of getting started in the Linux world is worth more than the price of the book (hey, it even includes the Red Hat installation CD-ROM, just think of the time and disk space you save not having to download the file)."
--Bryon Poehlman, Written Word Reviewer's Guild, October 2000"The book and disc have everything you need to get Linux up and running...this book does exactly what it sets out to do: get the Linux novice user up and running useful applications quickly. If you are in the market for a gentle introduction to Linux, Learning Red Hat Linux is well worth checking out."
--Keith Schengili-Roberts, Computer Paper, April 2000"...best in its category, especially helpful to newbies."
--Paul Andrews, Seattle Times, Sunday Nov 14, 1999"Any IT professional looking for a good working knowledge of Red Hat Linux and related terminology should buy this book."
--Shawn McNutt, IT Support News"For the geek on your gift list interested in taking her computer experience to a new level, Linux is where it's at. But it can be hard to get here, and this book/software package from legendary computer book publisher O'Reilly & Associates is a great way to start."
--John Fleck, Albuquerque Tribune, Dec 17, 1999"McCarty has compressed a beginner's guide to the operating system into 351 pages, leaving out the incomprehensibility that characterizes other Linux guides."
--Network News, Dec 15, 1999"...one of the more useful and user-friendly Linux books; it clearly explains procedures and provides the reader with the precise answers...this is one of the books that I reference frequently."
--Elizabeth Zinkann, Sys Admin, Feb 2000"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, amazon.com
Additional Resources:
Chapter 13, "Advanced Shell Usage and Shell Scripts" is available online
More information about the book, including Table of Contents, index, author bio, and samples
Learning Red Hat Linux,
2nd Edition
A Guide to Red Hat Linux for New Users
By Bill McCarty
0-596-00071-5, Order Number: 0715
368 pages, $34.95 (US) $52.95 (CA) (Includes CD-ROM)
order@oreilly.com
1-800-294-4747
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