Linux in a Nutshell covers the core commands available on common Linux distributions. This isn't a scaled-down quick reference of common commands, but a complete reference to all user, programming, administration, and networking commands with complete lists of options. Contents also include:

• LILO and Loadlin (boot) options
• Shell syntax and variables for the bash, csh, and tcsh shells
• Pattern matching
• Emacs and vi editing commands
• sed and gawk commands
• Common configuration tasks for the GNOME and KDE desktops and the fvwm2 window manager

New material in the third edition includes common configuration tasks for the GNOME and KDE desktops and the fvwm2 window manager, the dpkg Debian package manager, an expanded investigation of the rpm Red Hat package manager and CVS, and many new commands. Linux in a Nutshell is a must for any Linux user; it weighs less than a stack of manual pages, but delivers everything needed for common, day-to-day use. It also covers a wide range of GNU tools for Unix users who have GNU versions of standard Unix tools.

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Linux in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition Review,  December 21 2002
Submitted by Anirban   [Respond | View]

While this book is useful as a reference, the chapters on KDE, GNOME and FVWM2

assume the audience to be dumber than those who would actually buy the book. A chapter on XFree86 would be really beneficial. A reference book on GNU/Linux without a proper reference to XF86 is really unthinkable.


Linux in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition Review,  December 04 2001
Submitted by Brad Snobar   [Respond | View]

I bought the second edition. It has useful information, but the book is disjointed.

The good news is that you can eventually find out how commands work and then use them effectively. The book does a fair job in this area.

The bad news is that often times you need to mix and match commands.

The book could be fixed in the following manner.

* List all commands alphabeticaly.

* List the grouped-subsections as indexes in the back.

* Expand on a "see-also" ability in the book.




Linux in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition Review,  June 06 2001
Submitted by Dean   [Respond | View]

I have been using the Unix version for years(before they put animals on the front of it), and have been using the NT on also. This one ranks with them. This is the one reference I always keep handy. People tend to forget these books are meant for experienced users. I have met few people who can remember all the commands and switches. A dictionary won't tech you english but it will make the english you speak better and so it is with the nutshell books.


Linux in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition Review,  March 25 2001
Submitted by carlkipp   [Respond | View]

The 1st Ed, '97 was uselessly sparse. An O'Reilly editing failure. The 3rd ed looks marginally better on the store shelf, but not informative enough to buy.

The UNIXy world uses many anti/non-mnemonics. "Arbitrary-grunts"are NOT a way for users to communicate! The 1st ed failed! It left me suspicious of the authors and the editors. X

Eg: The description of "tar" n doesn't give 'TapeARchive' as the source.

Eg: No explaination nor example of ".z" suffix. www.Whatis.techtarget.com even briefly mentions Lempel-Ziv.

If GNU/Linux is to continue expanding users need a little context for the argot!

O'Reilly needs to add an argot agent to its editing.

A 4th edition is needed.


Linux in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition Review,  September 28 2000
Submitted by Adam Lobaugh   [Respond | View]

Greetings!

Love the book. Bought the second edition when I was new to Linux, and HAD to have the third just because. Considering the massive outbreak of Linux documentation offline recently, this is the one I would choose if I had to pick one.

Thanks again.




Linux in a Nutshell, 3rd Edition Review,  September 05 2000
Submitted by Anonymous Reader   [Respond | View]

This book is excellent for the beginners and advanced. As usual O'Reilly delivers top-notch writing material on Linux. I highly recommend it to anyone new to Linux and even the experienced.

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