From Book News, Inc.
In a volume begun as a tutorial for his mother, Grant (computing, Toyama U. of International Studies, Japan) introduces Linux to both computer novices and to computer users new to Linux. Appendices include launcher specifications and online resources. The CDs provide a complete working version of Linux based on Red Hat's Fedora Core. A companion Web site is available. Distributed by O'ReillyCopyright © 2004 Book News, Inc., Portland, OR

Computerworld, November 29, 2004 http://www.computerworld.com/softwaretopics/os/linux/story/0,10801,97834,00.html
"Definitely worth your time. Will teach newbies how to feel confident and comfortable as they explore Linux."

SA Computer Magazine, September 2004
"highly recommended ... once you have read it, all the basic day-to-day tasks in Linux will be second nature"

Linux Online, May 11, 2004
"By the time you've finished reading, you'll feel confident with Linux."

Chicago Tribune, May 8, 2004
"Author Rickford Grant, an impressive explainer, delivers well-written and clear guidance."

HostingResolve.com, May 2004
"a success in explaining the topic in a focused and understandable way, with humor and style."

Slashdot, June 2004
"Nicely balanced information for a new Linux user, an on again/off again Linux user or for the switcher."

Linux Advocate, July 2004
"Linux for Non-Geeks is clear, to the point, and does an impressive job of avoiding geek-speak. Highly recommended."

UnixReview.com, June 2004
"a good, solid book."

SearchSA.com.au, July 2004
"Linux for Non-Geeks is the perfect start for virtually anybody wanting to give Linux a try."

Kickstartnews.com, July 2004
"Linux for Non-Geeks is without a doubt the best introductory Linux book currently on the market"

Book Description
This book is for any home user who has switched or is thinking of switching to Linux. Based on Red Hat's Fedora Core, Linux For Non-Geeks avoids geeky subjects like server and network setup and concentrates on the subjects of interest to the average home user: Installation, the Internet, playing CDs and audio files, desktop customization, games, downloading software and fonts, USB storage devices, printing, and more. Readers with only basic experience with Windows or another Linux distribution will learn how to do everything on their Linux machine that they are used to doing with Windows.

Book Info
Guide to using Linux, providing a series of projects throughout the book showing how to surf the Web, shop online, and send email; chat with your friends on AIM, MSN, and Yahoo!; write letters or manage your finances; view, print, and edit your digital photos; and more. Softcover.

About the Author
Rickford Grant has been a computer operating system maniac for over 20 years. From his earliest days with his Atari XL600 to his present Linux machines, he has been the guy at the other end of the computer help line for family, friends and colleagues. When not burning himself out in front of his monitor, or annoying his neighbors with his Nyckelharpa (Swedish keyed fiddle) playing, he spends his working hours as an Associate Professor at Toyama University of International Studies in Japan, where he teaches courses in English Language, Swedish Culture, and English-language-based computing.

FROM OUR EDITORS

The Barnes & Noble Review
Nowadays, more non-technical people are giving Linux a whirl. It￯﾿ﾽs easier than it was -- graphical user interfaces, and all. But when you can￯﾿ﾽt figure something out or you run into trouble, it￯﾿ﾽs been tough to find ￯﾿ﾽnon-geek￯﾿ﾽ help. Until now.

Rockford Grant walks you through the tasks you￯﾿ﾽre most likely to care about. Basic productivity tasks with OpenOffice. Web browsing, email, and instant messaging. Hooking up printers, modems, even WiFi. Playing MP3s, burning CDs, editing photos. (He also presents some Linux toys we haven￯﾿ﾽt seen elsewhere: language learning software and digital mah-jongg, for instance.)

You also get a two-CD set of the latest version of Fedora Core Linux, plus bonus software. You shouldn￯﾿ﾽt have to buy a thing, except this book. Bill Camarda

Bill Camarda is a consultant, writer, and web/multimedia content developer. His 15 books include Special Edition Using Word 2003 and Upgrading & Fixing Networks for Dummies, Second Edition.

FROM THE PUBLISHER

Linux is a completely free operating system that can do everything that Microsoft Windows can, often better. It's fast, it doesn't crash, it comes with all sorts of free software, you can change the way it looks, and guess what -- it's virtually virus free! Time was when only geeks could install, much less use Linux. But not anymore. It's easier than ever to use Linux, even if you have trouble finding your computer's "On" switch. You can even use Linux and Windows on the same machine -- Linux for Non-Geeks will show you how. Linux for Non-Geeks is a painless (we promise!) guide to using Linux. A series of projects throughout the book teach you how. You'll have fun, save yourself some money, and wonder why you waited so long to give it a try.

SYNOPSIS

Linux for Non-Geeks shows the new Linux user how to use Linux every day, whether to surf the Internet, send email, write letters, listen to music, or burn CDs.

Once the province of computer geeks, Linux has made dramatic strides in usability in the last couple of years. Most people can install Linux on their computers in about half an hour and, with a bit of introduction, will find that they can do just what they?re used to doing with Windows with their new fast, free, and secure operating system. Today?s Linux is a viable alternative to Microsoft Windows, and it?s free. While that makes Microsoft very nervous, it excites the Linux-advocating folks at No Starch Press in San Francisco. ?We wanted to publish a book for people who are new to Linux but not quite sure how to begin to use it,? says No Starch Press publisher William Pollock. Linux for Non-Geeks is a book that Linux newbies can use as a resource and introduction, just as they would a basic book on Microsoft Windows.?

Projects in each chapter build on each other so that readers move from basic to more complex tasks, and have fun doing it. For example, an early project introduces the GNOME desktop and takes readers step-by-step through adding folders, moving icons, and adding program launchers. Subsequent projects build on their knowledge of the desktop, showing them more advanced desktop customization like changing wallpaper and themes, and even how to create their own unique emblems (using a graphics program they?ve installed in an earlier project). Linux for Non-Geeks includes a full version of Fedora Linux on two CDs. This book and CD combination is everything the home user needs to make the move to Linux.

FROM THE CRITICS