Linux Journal Readers’ Choice Awards 2008 Favorite Linux Book, Honorable Mention. http://www.linuxjournal.com

“. . . this one (Ubuntu Linux book) is at the head of the pack for getting started with your penguin experience. . . .”
—Tom Duff

“Benjamin Mako Hill et al. have produced an excellent book that speaks to everyone who uses or is considering using Ubuntu.”
—James Pyles, Reviewer, “The Linux Tutorial”

“Well written in an easy-to-follow format. Full of information for folks new to Linux or just new to Ubuntu. Even nontechnical users would find this a very helpful resource.”
—Ben Gerber, Arsgeek.com

“I’d recommend picking it up if you are running Ubuntu.”
—Tony Lawrence, owner of aplawrence.com

Ubuntu is a complete, free operating system that emphasizes community, support, and ease of use without compromising speed, power, or flexibility. It’s Linux for human beings—designed for everyone from computer novices to experts. Ubuntu 8.04 LTS (Long Term Support), a.k.a., “Hardy Heron,” is the latest release—more powerful, more flexible, and friendlier than ever. The Official Ubuntu Book, Third Edition, will get you up and running quickly.

Written by expert leading Ubuntu community members, this book covers all you need to know to make the most of Ubuntu 8.04 LTS, whether you’re a home user, small business user, server administrator, or programmer. The authors cover Ubuntu 8.04 LTS from start to finish: installation, configuration, desktop productivity, games, management, support, and much more. Among the many new topics covered in this edition: the new Edubuntu and the brand new Kubuntu Remix including KDE 4.

The Official Ubuntu Book, Third Edition, covers standard desktop applications, from word processing, spreadsheets, Web browsing, e-mail, instant messaging, music, video, and games to software development, databases, and server applications. In addition, you’ll

• Learn how to customize Ubuntu for home, small business, school, government, and enterprise environments
• Learn how to quickly update Ubuntu to accommodate new versions and new applications
• Find up-to-the-minute troubleshooting advice from Ubuntu users worldwide
• Learn Ubuntu Server installation and administration, including LVM and RAID implementation
• Learn about Edubuntu—Ubuntu optimized specifically for the classroom

The DVD includes the complete Ubuntu Linux operating system for installation on PC platforms, preconfigured with an outstanding desktop environment for both home and business computing. It can be used to install other complete variants of Ubuntu including Kubuntu (with the KDE environment), and Edubuntu (for use in schools).

Customer Rating:
Summary: This book was a big let down
Comment: Instead of being called "The Official Ubuntu Book" it should have been called "The Computer Illiterate's Guide to Ubuntu". Basically if you know how to install an OS, partition a hard drive using a graphical utility, install applications using Synaptic/Adept, and change your desktop's wallpaper a lot of the technical information in this book you will probably already be familiar with if you've ever used a modern graphical operating system. Or is nothing that can't be learned by simply installing the OS and just playing around with various settings and programs for a few days. If your a user who wants to switch from Windows to Linux and learn a lot about how Linux (or more specifically, Ubuntu) works this book isn't going to be of much help, in my opinion.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: not worth ordering
Comment: The book is a collection (apparently) of materials written by several authors. It needs: an editor; an update to the most recent distro; a glossary or someother vehicle to access non-defined terms. I returned the book. You can do as well by heading to Ubuntu "help pages" on the internet.

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Customer Rating:
Summary: This is the shot in the arm I needed!
Comment: This is a terrific book for anyone who has even an inkling to explore the world of Ubuntu Linux. I had downloaded and played with Ubuntu a couple of revisions ago but never really took the plunge until I read this book. Once I started reading, I could not put it down. Now I just find myself wanting more and more and more and......

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Customer Rating:
Summary: An item of choice for any serious Ubuntu collection or software designer's library
Comment: Advanced programming libraries strong in Linux will find this in-depth coverage written by Ubuntu experts offers programmers clear support and information, with the 3rd updated edition providing tips on customization, upgrades, and installation and administration. From what to do when Ubuntu won't start to command options, useful features and more, this is an item of choice for any serious Ubuntu collection or software designer's library.

Diane C. Donovan
California Bookwatch

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Customer Rating:
Summary: Not for old school
Comment: This book does not have a list of all commands showing their operation and syntax. This would seem to be appropriate for a book intended to be a primer.

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