Ubuntu Linux for Non-Geeks: A Pain-Free, Project-Based, Get-Things-Done Guidebook, by Rickford Grant

One of the difficult things for a new Linux user remains picking a distribution; one of the more difficult things for a new Linux user is sticking with a distribution long enough to actually learn how to use it. Everyone has their own favorite distribution, everyone has their own reasons - the best that I've heard being, 'my girlfriend downloaded and installed it'². And of course, one of the most annoying things for new Linux users is getting stuff working that they want to. Turn on the music. Watch those videos you downloaded (of course they aren't porn, we know). Playing some games. Producing documents quickly so you have time to (legally) download more files.

I'm a big fan of Ubuntu Linux - that's no secret - so when something calls itself a 'Pain-Free, Project Based, Get-Things-Dibe Guidebook', it has to be read. With penguins and walruses looking through a hole and the ice (and the fish below), you can't help but feel sorry for the school of fish¹. And if you're smart, you'll figure out that the paperback book doesn't bend well because there's a CD in the back cover, with Dapper Drake (Ubuntu Desktop CD 6.06 for x86) in the back of the book - which you can run off the CD or install from. Your own PC required. It should be noted that you can download Ubuntu Linux yourself if you need to. The book saves the majority of users this by supplying what must be the most common downloaded type, and in 18 chapters attempts to bring the new user up to speed on:

• Becoming a card carrying Penguinista: OK, there's no card involved, but it is a great starting chapter which introduces people to Linux.
• Running Ubuntu off the CD/Installing Ubuntu: While installing Ubuntu is far from a nail-biting experience for many of us, it does have some of the time honored tricks for installation as well as tips on dual booting. I was happy to see the author talk about defragmenting Windows before setting up dual boot... :-)
• Hello Desktop: Introduction to Ubuntu's desktop (GNOME), and goes as far as introducing a few Easter Eggs.
• Internet: Getting onto the internet, setting up wireless connections and more.
• Downloading/Uploading software: Keeping your system and software up to date and downloading and installing new applications on Ubuntu Linux using the Advanced Package Tool (APT) and Synaptic.
• Files, Disks, Oh My: Everything you wanted to know about Linux files but were afraid to ask (or read the FAQ that everyone refers you to when you ask). USB Keys, burning data CDs and DVDs, CDRW, multisession CDs and compressing archives and folders to save space (wiping a Windows partition isn't mentioned).
• Customizing Your System: Rims, new paint job... no. But changing how your desktop looks is covered here.
• Sneaking In the Power of the Command Line: The basics of the command line are covered with the understanding that typing commands is alien and even scarey for many people raised on GUIs. And by GUI, I mean Graphical User Interface, not squashed avocados.
• More ways to Install Stuff: Using Tarballs (compressed files) for installation, using Java, converting RPM to DEB (read the book), and running Windows applications from within Linux, if you really, really, really need to do that.
• Printing: I keep forgetting people still use printers - and this chapter explains this to people quite well. I even set up mine, but I found out it needs ink. And paper. Maybe next year...
• Font U: Adding fonts to Ubuntu, because... you can never have too many fonts. Really.
• Internationalization: Setting up to write in different languages - because this is a world where people do speak more than English... English is a language of hacker culture and the Internet, not necesarily the language of hacker culture and the Internet.³
• Getting Your Penguin To the Grindstone: Walks the readers through various productivity applications that are... right there.
• Break Out The Gimp: Digital cameras and the brustle of brushes.
• Wave at the RIAA: Of course, all your music (MP3 and Ogg Vorbis) is legal, so you can wave at the RIAA as you read about how to create your own audio CDs. Different audio ripping and playback applications are gone over.
• iPod: Ubuntu, this is iPod. iPod, this is Ubuntu. We'll let you two chat...
• Video Killed The MP3 Star: Play your DVDs, and other video related topics.
• Arm thy Penguin: Protecting your computer a little better.
• Ubuntu for AMD64 and PowerPC: All you need to know.

I'm very leery about recommending things for new users of Linux because they are either very vague or forget that the reader is, in fact, a new user of Linux. It's a hard target to hit for any operating system. People want their computers to just work - after all these slabs of silicon are supposed to make our lives easier and perhaps even more entertaining. Linux has moved steadfastly from being a GeekToy to being an operating system which can make life easier, more entertaining, and dare I say it? More secure.

Would I recommend 'Ubuntu Linux for Non-Geeks: A Pain-Free, Project-Based, Get-Things-Done Guidebook'? Yes. A KnowProSE.com 9 out of 10. If you want to learn Linux at your pace, get it working quickly and be productive in a short period of time - the combination of Ubuntu and 'Ubuntu Linux for Non-Geeks' is a powerful combination that can get you started.

¹ And if you look at the clouds, you should see at least 1 religious symbol in there. Weird things one notices...
² Nope, not kidding. Props to the Linux Ladies out there. 'Nuff said.
³ Something I'll be talking about.

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