The book begins with a brief discussion about what Linux is, where it came from, why Windows isn't the best choice for an operating system, and the benefits of using Linux instead of Windows. Before moving on to the installation of Ubuntu, there is an explanation of the history and politics of Linux.
It helpfully explains how to backup any important files you may have in Windows before you install Ubuntu. Then it gives a step-by-step installation of Ubuntu, thankfully spending several pages explaining partitioning, always a tricky step for new users.
The next chapter is on potential installation problems. Presenting this material early in the book could discourage some readers from trying Ubuntu, whereas a later presentation should not. The chapter Booting Ubuntu for the First Time is important for new users, and Beginning Ubuntu Linux explains it well with a very helpful table giving the Ubuntu equivalents for various Windows items such as 'My Computer.' An excellent idea.
Other too-early presentations in the book are the chapters on hardware configurations (using ndiswrapper, PCI IDs, console commands, and other technical processes), virus scanning, and security. Though important, they should really come after the user has had the chance to play around with Ubuntu.
Back to the good ideas: there is a chapter that lists applications, such as OpenOffice, GIMP and Firefox, and explains that for every Windows application there truly is a capable equivalent in Ubuntu. A table listing DOS commands and their Linux equivalents is another excellent idea. The many directories within Linux are also well explained, and are given brief descriptions of what's in these mystical places!
Email set up is explained using Evolution, and instant messaging applications are also touched upon. Audio and video codecs are well explained, and readers are given a quick lesson on why some audio and video files won't open without a few initial extra steps. I don't agree with the authors' advice to install RealPlayer, as it's not commonly used nowadays in Ubuntu. Speaking of audio, it was good to see Magnatunes and Jamendo being mentioned.
Rounding off the multimedia presentations, it discusses GIMP, but not in depth. However, it gives enough information to help the new user (or Photoshop user) come to grips with the program.
The final chapters discuss things such as remote access and openSSH. While probably too complicated for Ubuntu novices, these discussions should be useful to readers beyond the novice stage.
One big downside to this book, and to similar books, is the absence of a detailed presentation of KDE – Kubuntu is just briefly mentioned. I realize that a book presenting both GNOME and KDE would be around three inches thick, and be too heavy to lift, but still… not even a mention of Amarok, Kmail, or K3B?
All in all, this is an excellent book. Its title says 'Beginning Ubuntu Linux', and, although it is for beginners, it still has enough information in it to satisfy the intermediate, and possibly even the more advanced, user.
A big thank you to Apress for supporting Full Circle with the review copy of Beginning Ubuntu Linux, and for allowing us to use it as a competition prize.
