Ok so ive been told that I need a newer version right now I am running red hat 7.1. Now I live out in the boonies so outside of downloading a new version and I'm not sure witch one to download my only option is to run up to walmart and pick up a book that comes with linux. right now I'm looking at two books one is "Red Hat Linux 9 Bible" the other is "linux for dummies" I have used both series before in fact thats how I learned "DOS" and "HTML" off of the dummies books. Have "Excel 2002 Bible" i'm just not sure witch one to go with this time. The dummies books is cheaper at $19.17 and comes with more than one version. the bible book is 31.01. My problem here is witch one to get to me they both have good points and bad. Has anyone used either of these books and if so what did you think of them? How well will they help me learn linux and learn to fix any problems I have. I don't have anyone around here that uses linux to turn to, in fact we only have one computer store in town and when I asked them if the knew anything about it they just gave me a blank look like theres something other than windows out there? So besides what book I get my only other place to look for help is on the Internet.

Thanks and sorry for this being so long winded

Jim

Hi and welcome to LQ Red hat 9 has been end of life for a while now. If you want to stick with Red Hat, go with CentOS - it's built off Red Hat so your knowledge will still be good. You could also check out RUTE, it will give you a broad understanding. I'd also suggest going to the O'Reilly website and/or your local Amazon, you'll get a broader range of books and you may save some money.

Amazon.com is your friend. The 'Bibles' books and the Dummies series dont do you many favors. Try O'Reillys books for better documentation and instructions. Two good ones are 'Running Linux' and 'Linux Cookbook' both which should get you up to speed.