Amazon.com (ISBN 0201596288, Paperback)

The second edition of Linux: Installation, Configuration, and Use covers the Red Hat 6, Debian GNU/Linux 2.1, and SuSE 6.1 distributions of the Linux Kernel 2.2. Linux has made great strides in the last two years, especially in the area of installation. No matter how easy installation has become, you are almost certain to run into difficulties during some part of the process. As with the first edition, this book provides the hearty details that simplify the installation and configuration process using native Linux commands and facilities.

Beyond getting Linux up and running, chapters on the windows system (XFree86, an X Windows clone), EMACS (the granddaddy of word processors), and GIMP (a graphics tool similar to Photoshop) enable you to become productive quickly. The Linux command reference chapter, the file system explanation, the system administration details, and the use of various utilities such as file managers and graphic viewers will make this book an often-used reference.

Linux: Installation, Configuration, and Use remains the book of choice for getting Linux set up on your system. While those new to computing may be intimidated by Linux, experienced PC users armed with this book will be using Linux with XFree86 faster and with fewer hassles than ever before. The two accompanying CD-ROMs contain Red Hat Linux 6 and many of the applications described in the book. --Rob Frankland