"Most Linux development projects start exactly because someone has the crazy idea that they can make Linux do something new and wonderful-and usually, they succeed," says Welsh. "It seems likely that the popularity of Linux will continue to grow in two major areas: on the desktop, and on a large server. I also think that Linux will continue to become rooted in the many "niche" markets which the unstable and unwieldy operating systems coming out of Microsoft never manage to reach. Embedded systems, Internet terminals, firewalls and proxies, and large-scale clusters are just a few of the areas I have in mind. Because Linux is so open and flexible, it's much easier for people to adapt it to new application areas than something like Windows. And, from what I hear, Windows 2000 won't be able to do any of these things well either. So, Linux is going to be around for quite some time!"
His co-author, Matthias Kalle Dalheimer, agrees: "One place where I really see a high potential for Linux is embedded systems, i.e., computers that you don't see as computers, like the ones built into video recorders, cars, set-top boxes etc. Linux is really very adaptable to many tasks, including real-time processing. I think that Linux will be around in five years, only most people won't ever notice. Then I believe that Linux will move more into the mainstream. It will be regarded as a consumer product that you get preinstalled on your computer, if you so chose (other options might be Windows 200x and BeOS). This will take some of the magic away from Linux, but it will also help getting more software and more users, which in the end is good."
Running Linux, 3rd Edition explains everything you need to understand, install, and to start using the Linux operating system. It includes an installation tutorial, system maintenance tips, document development and programming tools, and guidelines for network, file, printer, and web site administration. New topics in the brand new third edition include KDE, Samba, PPP, and revised instructions for installation and configuration (especially for the Red Hat, SuSE and Debian distributions).
What critics said about the second edition of Running Linux:
"One of the best books on Linux, the UNIX-compatible operating system for personal computers. In the tradition of all O'Reilly books, Running Linux features clear, step-by-step instructions that always seem to provide just the right amount of information: covers everything you need in order to understand, install, and use the Linux operating system."-amazon.com June 1999
"Switching to Linux is like moving to a new city -- you don't know where things are, what they are called, or how to get there. In short, you don't know enough to ask the right questions, and probably have a job or some work you want to get done. Running Linux, by Matt Welsh and Lar Kaufman, is a gentle welcome to Linux that shows you around, points out some places where you may want to spend some time, and tells you where to find good detailed guides."-Jeff Taylor, Dr. Dobb's Electronic Review of Computer Books June 1999
"Welsh and Kaufman's book is invaluable for users who have progressed beyond a basic installation and want to learn how to use their Linux system....Welsh and Kaufman do an excellent job of making their book appeal to Linux users from novice to experienced level. However, the book would be most useful to intermediate-level users-those who have managed to get their system up and running and navigate around it with basic commands. For these users, Running Linux's detailed explanations and logical step-by-step tutorials are a great first step into the more advanced Unix world."-Borders.com July 1999
Appendix B, The GNOME Project, from Running Linux, 3rd Edition is available free online at: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/runux3/chapter/appb.html
For more information about the book, including index, Table of Contents, author bios, and a sample, see: http://www.oreilly.com/catalog/runux3/
Running Linux, 3rd
Edition
By Matt Welsh, Matthias Kalle Dalheimer & Lar Kaufman
3rd Edition August 1999
1-56592-469-X, 752 pages, $32.95 (US)
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