Solid Ubuntu Book Available as a Free Download

by Sam Dean - Jan. 27, 2009Comments (0)

Have you been considering trying Ubuntu or are you new to running it? Keir Thomas, a noted Linux author, is out with a new book called Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference which is designed to get you up to speed quickly. It's available for $9.94 from Amazon, but you can find a nearly identical version online for free, downloadable as a PDF here. I did the download and like what I see--lots of plain language information on getting started with one of the most flexible, powerful and compatible Linux distros.

As Lifehacker notes, Keir Thomas has written a number of notable Linux books, including Ubuntu Kung Fu. Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference is Thomas' third book on Ubuntu. He has also written books on SUSE and Fedora Linux.

There are seven chapters in the reference guide, with many screenshots, and information on how to move from installation to advanced steps such as securing your Ubuntu system. In the appendix, you'll find a lot of reference information and documentation. The seven chapters in the book are as follows:

Chapter 1: Installing Ubuntu
Chapter 2: Configuring Ubuntu
Chapter 3: Getting to Grips with the Desktop
Chapter 4: Users and the Filesystem
Chapter 5: Hands-On at the Command Line
Chapter 6: Software Management
Chapter 7: Securing the System

The Securing the System chapter may be of interest even to Ubuntu power users. It includes a lot of good information on anti-virus and firewall software for Ubuntu. There are also a lot of good pointers near the end of the book to online help, support and forums. Pick up a free copy.