The title of this book invites comment. "Some things weren't meant for dummies and Unix is one of them," you might say. Wrong! Levine and Young take advantage of the Dummies format's strength with command-line operating systems. They flatten the learning curve and have even the greenest beginner doing useful work with Unix in mere hours. Once you get past a couple of pointless chapters about offering pizza to Unix experts in exchange for help, you'll find conceptual explanations of files, directories, permissions, and redirection. Command explanations take a hybrid form; they mix "type this verbatim" statements with tables showing switches and parameters. Much of Unix for Dummies is task-oriented. You'll find a whole chapter on printing, for example, that covers the commands you'll need to know to format and print a document on the right printer. Other chapters cover file searches, software installation, and X Windows navigation. The book also provides cursory coverage of four text editors--ED, vi, Emacs, and pico--but you learn little more than how to enter and save text in each. Levine and Young include an eminently useful "DOS-to-Unix Rosetta Stone" that immediately tells you, for example, that the approximate Unix equivalent of DOS's copy is cp. DOS experts who are new transplants to a Unix environment will appreciate this translation guide. The authors wrap up with a wealth of basic troubleshooting information and a command reference. This book, along with its companion, More Unix for Dummies, is the perfect choice for those who have no knowledge of Unix and need to learn it quickly.


From Book News, Inc.
Even dummies sometimes find themselves using UNIX, and there they are without the technical training or often the inclination to learn all the esoterics about the mother of all operating systems; they just want to know how to accomplish what should be simple tasks. The brother-sister team who give UNIX power to Dummies update their guide with information on the increasingly popular Linux version, the new KDE and GNOME window systems, Internet applications, and Internet site hosting.Copyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR


Book Description
UNIX has been evolving feverishly for close to 30 years, sort of like bacteria in a cesspool – only not as attractive. As a result, many different varieties of UNIX have existed along the way. Although they all share numerous characteristics, they differ just enough that even experienced users are tripped up by the differences between versions.

If you’re like most UNIX users, a zealot stopped at your desk, connected your terminal or workstation, gave you five minutes of incomprehensible advice, demonstrated a few bizarre games (like roaches that hide behind the work on your screen), and disappeared. Now you’re on your own.

Don’t worry. UNIX For Dummies, 4th Edition, cuts through all the technojargon lurking in the UNIX command jungle to deliver clear instructions just how and when you need them. This indispensable reference includes sections on Typing commands Copying, renaming, and deleting files Printing files Finding where your file went Using the Internet from UNIX Connecting and communicating with people on other computers

Discover how to get your UNIX system's attention, persuade it that you are allowed to use it, and even accomplish something useful as you find out how to Choose the right flavor of UNIX for you Set up and operate UNIX terminals Manage files, directories, and printing Use the Common Desktop Environment and other window systems Browse the Web, send and receive e-mail, and read Usenet newsgroups Deal with all the major versions of UNIX, including Berkeley UNIX, Solaris, and SunOS Troubleshoot and solve common problems

The expert writing team of John Levin and Margaret Levin Young also give you a look at the latest developments with Linux, the wildly popular, completely free version of UNIX – all in a single volume designed to put you in command with a computer system that can be tamed.


Download Description
UNIX For Dummies has been the standard for beginning UNIX references for nearly ten years, and this latest edition continues that tradition of success This unparalled resource is updated to cover the latest applications of UNIX technology, including Linux and Mac desktops as well as how UNIX works with Microsoft server software Thorough coverage of how to handle UNIX installation, file management, software, utilities, networks, Internet access, and other basic tasks Aimed at the first-time UNIX desktop user growing accustomed to the ins and outs of the OS, as well as the beginning administrator who needs to get a handle on UNIX networking basics Written by John Levine and Margaret Levine Young, longtime UNIX experts and highly experienced For Dummies authors


Book Info
Presents clear instructions & easy to follow examples that help you cut through all the technical jargon & UNIX commands - bringing you the answers you need when you need them. Paper.

FROM OUR EDITORS

Solve UNIX problems quickly. This book simplifies commands for typing, copying, printing, and more to make you a wizard in no time. Learn to use all versions, including Linux and Berkeley. B&W illus.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Whenever you have a question or run into a problem, UNIX For Dummies, 4th Edition, is right here for you. With clear instructions and easy-to-follow examples, author team John Levine and Margaret Levine Young cut right through all the technojargon and UNIX commands - bringing you the answers you need just when you need them.

SYNOPSIS

While popular attention focuses on Windows 95 and its Mac-like graphical user interface, UNIX (the world's least-intuitive operating system) hums in the background, its interface nothing more than a command line prompt awaiting cryptic commands, operators, switches, and arguments. Nevertheless, UNIX is by far the leading operating system of Internet and World Wide Web servers -- and is therefore a must-know for Webmasters and Web site developers. And UNIX is helpful-to-know for even casual Internet users who are taking advantage of Telnet, FTP, and other interface-indifferent areas of the Internet. This book provides a practical, easy-to-understand guide to UNIX for non-wireheads. In UNIX For Dummies, 2nd Edition, you can find answers to all your UNIX questions -- from how to set up and use the popular Linux implementation of UNIX to how to send and receive e-mail and post and read newsgroup messages with Pine. Best-selling authors John R. Levine and Margaret Levine Young even show you how to customize your UNIX shell and do things with Vi you thought possible only in a word processing program like Microsoft Word.

FROM THE CRITICS

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