Re: Please Recommend Good Linux Books Talking as much and thoroughly as possible

From: Michael J. Pelletier (mjpelletier_at_mjpelletier.com)
Date: 01/14/05 

Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 09:37:36 -0800

Check out misc.books.technical

Razzel wrote:

> Iván Filpo wrote:
>
>>Hello
>>
>>I have been using Linux for quite a while and I am trying to learn as much
>>as possible by reading books.
>>
>>I would like to read complete books not just covering one linux distro but
>>common things in all of them that probably were carried over from unix. By
>>this I mean not mainly unix but materials that will make be capable of
>>dealing with almost any distro.
>>
>>I would like the books to include one of the following:
>>
>>1- Linux & Unix Commands(Specially those that are very useful).
>>2- Linux Networking & Firewall(Iptables).
>>3- Backing up.
>>4- Setup Important applications(Samba,Apache,Postfix or any MTA,etc).
>>5- Scripting(Awk, Sed, Perl).
>>6- Kernel Compiling & Hacking.
>>7- Linux Security.
>>8- NFS
>>9- NIS
>>10-SNMP & Network Centralized Managment.
>>11- Anything I missed that helps for the Certification and would prepare
>>m to help other persons in these groups.
>>
>>I have Running Linux 3rd edition, Linux in a nutshell. I would like to
>>hear about the best of the best.
>>
>>Thanks for your time,
>>
>>Iván C. Filpo
>>
>>
> Ivan,
> Reviewing earlier replies seems like you will be snuggled up this winter
> reading. For some this is their way. For me it was not. I found using
> Slackware forced me to remember where things were and how things were
> done. When I got a job running computers I learned more and when I
> taught I learned even more. Whatever administration book turns your
> crank will be your best first book. Then try to keep everything you do
> general. A bit hard to do with a BSD oriented platform but they do a
> darn good job of it in trying to be SVR4 as well. Then, I suggest
> buying 1 or 2 used machines and begin networking them. Fiddle the
> boards to make each box efficient as to access and convertibility. Make
> your primary machine the router and as you acquire new hw migrate the
> old stuff down to the other machines.
> IPTABLEs is not for the beginner. LEARN the commands FIRST. PRACTICE
> USING SCRIPTING, use sed, awk, bash and TclTK. After 2 years u'll be
> ready for the big show. No kidding on the scripting -- he who scripts
> rules!! he who scripts best is the most valuable tool in the shed!!
>
> I think if you learn in the following order you will find things build
> on each other:
> scripting
> backups (built from your own scripts using CDs)
> kernel building
> networking (NSF NIS SNMP)
> now IPTABLES
>
> Notice I did not mention perl. It is (at least to me) a vile language
> because it is not very self documenting (scripting can be if you don't
> try to be cryptic). It is used (IMHO) because managers have heard it is
> multiplatform and fast. Believe me I have astounded many managers.
> Learn it if you like but I suggest you have a plate full before you get
> there.
>
> Suggestion!!! Get to a university or community college and take their
> courses. Skip the certifications they are useful to get in the door
> for job apps but unless you are already financially endowed you will be
> coughing up another grand every year to stay certified. Also my
> experience with certification courses is that they teach to the test not
> for knowledge. Again believe me, I've taught there.
>
> One thing too that you might try. Join a computer user group where you
> live. You may become the GURU quickly. I never did that but it seems
> to me a mistake I made.
>
> RAZ

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