Beginning Ubuntu Linux by Author’s Name

This must have been a great book when it was first published. All technical books from the “Beginning …… ” series of the publisher Apress are simply great. Apress just has the knack to pick the world’s best authors for technical books. I ordered this book because of my preference for technical books from Apress and because it was cheap. When it arrived I saw why it was so inexpensive: It is badly out of date. It only covers Ubuntu up to release 9.04 and Ubuntu had some major upgrades since then, to get to release 12 where it is today. I was tempted to return it, but decided to keep it, because I am addicted to the good quality technical publications of Apress and it will undoubtedly serve some useful purpose. In future I will be more careful when ordering books on software to verify that they cover recent releases. I can only blame myself for this one!

First tried Ubuntu 6.xx, then 8.04 and now 9.10 and find I use it now more than Windows. But I have to explain Ubuntu to my grand children and answer their questions when they use my computer so I need some technical appreciation. This is it. The book is about 43 mm thick but it is easy to read, lets just hope it sinks in!

I find it useful, it gives a detailed instruction for doing anything and sticks to the graphic user interface when it can but also gives the same attention to detail if a command line operation is needed.

I’ve made notes of the parts that I use but I am also going to read it from cover to cover again. I ought to contribute to Ubuntu and I hope this will give me the confidence to offer my services.

This book provides an interesting overview of Ubuntu but lacks useful details. For most actions they write about applets and menus, but nothing if the applet doesn’t work as expected or the menu comes up differently. For the big applications like Open Office the treatment is shallow. When there are specific instructions there is little information on what is actually happening or has been accomplished. And, command references are incomplete. It’s a six hundred page book and far less than a hundred will be useful to me.

I read the reviews before ordering this book, and was glad to see that it did meet my needs as a Ubuntu Linux beginner looking for answers. I am glad that it focuses on Ubuntu Linux and deals with Windows as needed, versus ignoring it.

There are so many versions of Linux, that I am glad to have chosen Ubuntu soon after some false starts with other obsolete versions. Even though there are other Linux versions that might be useful due to smaller size or some other attribute, the thought and planning that went into providing a solid, reliable foundation is apparent with Ubuntu and this book helps get you up to speed and comfortable in using it.

You may not be an expert with all the capabilities of Unbuntu after reading this book, but you will probably be far more confident with Unbuntu Linux, than most people will ever be with Windows. I would consider it a must have for new Unbuntu Linux users and thankful it does not waste time delving into other versions of Linux.

An excellent introduction to a system I have been going to try for some time now but coud not find a suitable book, (for beginners.) Although it deals with version 10.04 the principles are the same and I was able to tackle a more upto date book on version 11.10, thanks to this book.
Well done!!

I truly appreciate these authors who spent such a enourmous time to prepare for the book. Without this comprehensieve document, I would have been lost in the computer software, in which open-system has its weakness. Thanks again.

I found this book easy to use to get me started with Linux. I now have a Laptop running Linux and as this is very old I am amazed at how fast it is.