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 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


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
Guide to using UNIX to manage files, set up networks, go online, and sidestep common problems. Previous edition: c1998. Softcover.


From the Back Cover
Administer UNIX on a LAN and use the newest utilities

Understand the UNIX shell, go online with new browser options, and get things doneSo you’re using UNIX these days? Sure, it can be a little tricky, but this friendly guide will lead you through all its peculiarities. Soon you’ll understand the GNOMETM and KDETM desktops, know the secret names of your Web files, Samba with the file server, and most importantly, know how to sidestep common problems.

The Dummies Way Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to: Find out which flavor of UNIX you have Manage UNIX on a LAN Handle files and directories for Web sites Build good directory structures Recover missing or damaged files


About the Author
John Levine and Margaret Levine Young are the dynamic For Dummies duo with more than 50 books to their credit, including eight editions of The Internet For Dummies.

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

So you're using UNIX these days? Sure, it can be a little tricky, but this friendly guide will lead you through all its peculiarities. Soon you'll understand the Gnome and Kde desktops, know the secret names of your Web files, Samba with the file server, and most importantly, know how to sidestep common problems.

SYNOPSIS

Administer UNIX on a LAN and use the newest utilities

Understand the UNIX shell, go online with new browser options, and get things doneSo you’re using UNIX these days? Sure, it can be a little tricky, but this friendly guide will lead you through all its peculiarities. Soon you’ll understand the GNOME™ and KDE™ desktops, know the secret names of your Web files, Samba with the file server, and most importantly, know how to sidestep common problems.

The Dummies Way Explanations in plain English "Get in, get out" information Icons and other navigational aids Tear-out cheat sheet Top ten lists A dash of humor and fun

Discover how to: Find out which flavor of UNIX you have Manage UNIX on a LAN Handle files and directories for Web sites Build good directory structures Recover missing or damaged files

FROM THE CRITICS

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