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Linux for Newbies become an Open-Source computer hero by Marek Mularczyk
210 pages, available in print, PDF and EPUB from: http://saitraining.co.uk/bookLinux.html
Printed: £12.99 Printed & PDF/EPUB: £17.99 PDF/EPUB: £7.99
The book begins with a brief history/description of Linux, and then we’re into preparing a computer for an install. And it’s the installation that pleasantly surprised me about the book. Marek focuses entirely on Kubuntu. My favorite distro! In this edition, he’s covering 11.04, but I’m told that in future updates he will be using a more recent version. Nonetheless, it’s good to see a book that doesn’t use Ubuntu.
Now that you’ve got Kubuntu installed, the book takes you through the basics of virtual desktops, installing software and such things. Getting you up to speed, Marek dives into showing you various email applications, as well as browsers, telephony, and compression/extraction.
Productivity is discussed using LibreOffice, and a quick runthrough of Docky - which Marek shows in several of his screenshots. For those not in the know, Docky is that bar at the bottom of the screen to make your OS look more Mac-like.
Next come graphics and multimedia. Using brief examples, we are shown GIMP, DigiKam, and Amarok. The book finishes up with a piece on Konsole, and installing more applications.
The last chapter is very handy for those used to Windows; it’s here that Marek gives Kubuntu equivalents for Outlook, Internet Explorer, MSN, Skype, NotePad, Nero, Illustrator, Photoshop, and more. Very handy.
All in all, this is a good book. It does have a couple of downsides - the main one being that it’s based on an old version (11.04), but I’m told future versions will address this. Marek also switches between standard desktop screens (what you see after install) to his own desktop (with Docky) which might confuse some, but it’s a minor quibble.
If you want a nice introduction to Kubuntu, but don’t want to mortgage your home to buy it, nor have it two inches thick and injure your back lifting it, this is an excellent choice for beginners. Not only are you getting a helpful book, but you’re helping a self publishing author.
SPECIAL OFFER
As a Full Circle reader you can buy the EPUB/PDF of Marek's book for just £4.99 by clicking this link: http://goo.gl/Cyo2l
COMPETITION To enter win a copy of the book, simply answer this question: which distro is used in the book? Email your answer to: competition@fullcirclemagazine.org The competition will close on Friday 15th June, and the winners will be chosen at random. Good luck!