Ubuntu Linux for Non-Geeks: A Pain-Free, Project-Based, Get-Things-Done Guidebook

reviewed by Wayne LeFevre

What They Say:

Ubuntu, the South African term that translates roughly as “humanity toward others,” is a low-cost alternative to Windows. Full of tips, tricks, and helpful pointers, Ubuntu Linux for Non-geeks is a hands–on, project based, take–it–slow guidebook intended for those interested in—but nervous about—switching to the Linux operating system. Step–by–step projects build upon earlier tutorial concepts, helping you absorb and apply what you’ve learned.

The Book

The book comes with the 6.06 distribution of Ubuntu in CD form, which is exactly what I was looking for, but didn’t want to go through the hassle of either burning it myself or ordering it online, though it is free. I won’t go into a summary of what each chapter is named, but I will tell you what this book will teach you and who it’s really for.

This book is for anyone with more than a passing fancy to try Linux. It’s for those of us that don’t want to jump on the Vista wagon, or maybe have been upgrading our computers and our license has suddenly opposed our new hardware, no matter if it’s a legal copy or not. I’ve had to call Bangladesh more than a few times to tell them I had upgraded my motherboard and processor, and need a new number.

The book is laid out not so much as a reference book, but more of a skill–building text. Taking you chapter by chapter, building your skills taking what you learned in the previous chapter and immersing yourself more and more into the Linux world. Although, if need be, the chapters are laid out logically and within on subject, for reference.

It starts you as any beginner would, what is Ubuntu, a distribution, history and what kind of machine you’ll need. It’s all in the eyes of Tux, the Linux mascot penguin. You become a “Penguista,” and like a fledgling penguin, you’ll learn to wade, dive, run, getting to know home, finding out how web feet can be an advantage. Making a nest, dressing up, dining, working, rocking out and even how to be a couch penguin and watch movies while at the same time defending the nest. They are all goo metaphors that are very apt to their subject.

Wading and diving you learn about the install, or not, as the case may be. With Linux, you can boot and play all right from the CD, without having to install to the hard-drive.

Getting used to home is getting used to your environment. Your desktop and what GNOME is. To have webbed feet is to know how to travel fast, in the right environment. Of course sometimes you’ll stumble. Sometimes hardware has problems with Linux, be it because it is old or just an odd manufacturer. Their solution? In the case of a network card, “get a new one!” You’ll learn the net uploading and downloading, how to install what you get, (dining,) Even try to experiment with a few command lines in the terminal.

The book takes you extensively through the programs most people will use the most. Mail, web-surfing, office solutions, artistic solution, music, movies, DVD and CD playback and copying. Even how to use your iPod. All in all, an excellent beginning tutorial on how to do most everything a normal computer user would want to do.

Small problems and summary

There where a few problems I had with it, of course. It explains extensively on how to get on the internet and set up network cards and software to do that. However, to do what I wanted? To become that file server machine feeding me songs to my other machines. Unfortunately, it skips over how to become part of a LAN! It skims over how to see your network a little, but as far as sharing itself with others? No. No help here.

This book, however, does exactly what it says. Takes a non-geek type of person, shows them how to install a new operating system and most of the programs they will ever need along with it. For that, I cannot fault it and will highly recommend it to any that fall in that category.

What I Say:

What a fantastic book! If you’ve ever been even remotely interested in Linux, do yourself a favor and pick this book up. It is truly, “A pain–free, project based, get–things–done guidebook.” It is a perfect beginners manual, that steps you towards more advanced undertaking, such as getting into the terminal.

I truly wanted to do this review on Ubuntu Linux for Non-Geeks. Ever since I switched to a Mac, Ive been also curious about how much I really need a MS machine in the house, so naturally, my curiosity lead to Linux. With the latest stable version Ubuntu, Dapper drake, I knew the time had come. Instead of taking away the family gaming machine, I had an old beige box in the basement, a P3 400MHz that I did not own a license for Windows anymore, passing that on to its successor long ago. I really wanted to receive the ultimate Geek wings and be able to say that I ran Linux. Along the way, I would be able to use the Linux box as a small file server on my home network, but that becomes less of an advantage as HDD prices go down and NAS servers become more common. All comes down to economics and electricity usage!

For all it comes with and teaches, I give it a 4.5 fantastic Mac C’s. Easy to read. Easy to follow. Step by step install. Free OS. What could be better?