I've dabbled in Linux in the past, but I never really went far with it. I've lurked on this forum for the past few weeks, for my final and hopefully permanent plunge into Linux.

Unlike many other new users, I am not interested in testing out the waters, nor do I care to jump in feet first. I think I'd prefer to do more of a bellyflop right into Linux.

I've determined that I'm going to be using Slackware (as this has a large user base and I've read that it's the best distro if you want to learn Linux itself), but my problem arises from how exactly I will be learning about Linux.

I'm going to have the whole summer to myself, and this obviously will give me time to mull over the obstacles before me. However, to complicate manners I will not have an internet connection. This sounds suicidal, I know, what with the lack of the invaluable help of sites such as this. What I need is up to three books (I'm on a limited budget) that will take me from a complete Linux newbie to a competent user.

I've scoped out some books on Amazon, but none of them really fit my needs. All of the beginner books seem to focused on a specific distro, while the advanced books are probably a bit to hard for me to swallow at this point.

I should also note that I desire to become proficient with the command line interface (thus my distaste for some of the books I've seen) before I move on the a GUI.

Thank you for your time.

I think the Linux Cookbook second edition is a good book for starting off with. It avoids all the installation info and goes straight into things such as finding files, editing text and sound. It also focuses heavily on command line interface.
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...31121?v=glance

Well, you'll find a link to "Rute User" ( in my sig ), which seems to be one of the classics.

Some of the O'Really books seem to get good recommends as well - "Running Linux" comes to mind.

If you check around the net, there's quite a few guides to CLI, though I've never found a definitive guide.

As for your potential distro? Sure, slack seems to be well respected - not sure about best though. I only tried it the once and found it a pain in the arse.

Perhaps, before you dive in, maybe look at Debian and Gentoo. Both having large user base. Plus, debian, as I understand it, has a greater package list than just about anything else (12000+ as I understand).

But all of them would be good general learning tools to get your head round linux generally.

In fact the only criticism I've really heard of Slack was that the package manager isn't so hot i.e. something about dependency checking?????

But hell, this is linux we're talking about, and linux = choice.

Check some of the linux links I've dumped in my sig - they may be worth printing off. They all helped me one way or another.

Good luck

regards

John

Check this one out... for starters


i seem to be recommending this to every ones who asks for a linux book. contains most of information about every day tasks and operations including fixes to regularly faced problem...

regards

If you check around the net, there's quite a few guides to CLI, though I've never found a definitive guide.

Spent a couple hours waiting around to register for a Linux class at my local community college today. Went to look for a magazine to help pass the time ... selection sucked.

Noticed a rack of O'Reilly books. Checked it out ... picked up a small book for $10. Read from the beginning straight thru the 1st couple chapters while I waited. Wish I'd have gotten this little item a long time ago.

Linux Pocket Guide (Essential Commands)
http://www.amazon.com/exec/obidos/tg...05564?v=glance

Covers Fedora specifically, but 95% generic CLI explanations.

I seem to recall that one of the lists of commands that I found while searching, probably originated there - so I presume that it's a helpful guide.

regards

John