Take It For A Spin

This book is in effect a "user's guide" for checking out the Linux operating system without having to "commit" one way or the other. You insert the CD included with the book in your CD drive and start up your computer, voila you have a Linux machine. The CD contains a number of different Linux software, including web browsers, OpenOffice.Org, email program, file organizer, even software to play music and videos.

The book describes all of the software on the CD and guides your "tour" as you check all of it out.Starting off with a description of what Linux is and the KDE desktop, it then goes on to describe using the various programs included on the CD: web browsing, file management, Linux games, email and chat, digital image editing, Open Office, even a chapter about typing commands direct from a terminal screen command line. It brings back memories of using Unix prompts at various companies I used to work at. Linus increasingly has more and more excellent software available, and the book's next to last chapter describes some programs that aren't on the CD, but can be easily found elsewhere. And for those who decide to "take the plunge" and switch to Linux, the book's final chapter explains the major Linux distributions available. There's even a troubleshooting section at the end of the book. This book besides presenting an excellent introduction to Linux makes a great argument for leaving behind the world of Windows for something better.

Other Reviews

• Not sure about trying out Linux? This is for you
• A great introductory Linux book
• A worthy attempt at sharing GNU/Linux with Windows users
• Yet another Linux walkthrough
• Take It For A Spin