debian

Learning Debian Gnu/Linux
$34.95
There are way too many computer book authors who simply do not know how to write. Bill McCarty is not one of these. He has written an erxcellet book that eplains debian on a very basic level. This is a good book because it delivers exactly what it promises to deliver. It is an introduction to linux and it encourages new users to "have fun" and "be patient." It is outdated, though. For Linux, a good book needs to be more recent that 2000 to be relevant. This book is older than that. The effective birthday of Debian was in 1993. Highly recommended book!

Debian GNU/Linux for Dummies
$24.99
Defective software on CDswhen the Debian GNU/Linux install program is run, it generates numerous error messages about Broken Packages etc. On page 203 of the book it says that Netscape Communicator 4.7 is included on CD. It is NOT on either of the 2 CDs. Also the GNOME desktop that is included is an unstable ALPHA version. On top of that the Debian GNU / Linux is an old version 2.1 (slink). The current version of debian is 2.2 (potato). The book is good. BUT the software is bad. If you wanted to buy the book for the software like I did, DONT BUY IT.

The Debian System: Concepts and Techniques
$44.95
This is one of the better technical books I have read. Author Krafft's English usage occasionally betrays the fact that German is his native language, but he is an earnest and appealing writer & offers up peerless technical content for those interested in really looking into the guts of this popular (and influential! how many Ubuntu users actually know that Ubuntu is Debian under the hood?) distribution.

As my title suggests, I dog-eared MANY pages in this book for later reference. I read it largely on the Metro North train from Grand Central Station to White Plains and often found myself really eager to try something I'd just read about. It's one of those books.

Krafft also gives good insight into the mindset and philosophy behind the Debian project. This is perhaps the only reason I can discern for a couple of the "trollish" reviews here: if you disagree with the philosophy presented you may be more likely to dismiss the technical content of the book ... which would be a shame. I found the insight into the project itself -- its strengths and occasional weaknesses -- to be valuable.

I'm looking forward to a new edition. This one's very much a keeper.

Debian Gnu/Linux: Guide to Installation and Usage
$24.99
I live in low-land Guatemala. The heat and moisture kills. Our ISP uses an airconditioned building to run our up/dn link and Wlan. I pay.

We do not have, and can not afford, hand-held alphanumeric presentation systems. It appears that with Debian's tying of installation information to hand-held fragile presentation systems then, Amazon must wait for a new paperback book to sell to us.

I greatly do not like back-tying products into systems that must be purchased, and then they do not function in low-land Guatemala.