Linux Geek weblog

Linux Geek: Book review: Beginning SUSE Linux

Just this week I installed SUSE 9.3 Pro on both my desktop and laptop. I was particularly pleased with the way SUSE recognized my Orinoco-based wireless PCMCIA card without requiring tedious and often disasterous configuration. As soon as the installation was complete, I was on-line with my wireless home network and able to update the system and head off to the Lockergnome forums. I really have to thank many people who have not only given me support through my explorations into Linux, but have also guided me through some of the rough spots that crop up anytime you venture into unknown territory. One of those is Jason, or as I got to know him, LinuxDude. Jason is starting a blog to share his Linux knowledge with all of us who need it from time to time.

Jason has christened his new site with a review of “Beginning SUSE Linux”.

According to Jason, “It’s jam-packed with information that is suitable for the Linux newbie. However, it also offers info I haven’t seen in introductory Linux books before about using OpenOffice.org, backing up personal data (command-line and graphically), optimizing your system, using Rekall and security. Sure, these topics are covered in a few texts like O’Reilly but not usually with so many screencaps and step-by-step exercises.

As with most introductory textbooks that try to cover a little of everything, nothing is covered in depth, but I’ve seen more depth here than most beginning books and more to the point, it’s great to see a book for my favorite distro! This book will take the beginner through from installing SUSE Linux to using it as their everyday desktop. Enough is covered about using the shell that it won’t be terrifying to newbies but will still give them a solid grounding in the console.

The book is easy to get into and a delight to read. If you’ve always wondered about SUSE (or just Linux), there is simply no better book that I’ve seen for becoming an intermediate user.”

I would recommend putting Linux Geek in your list of favorites. As Jason adds more content, it’s sure to become one resource you’ll return to time and again.