books for newbies
 

Hey all, I'm trying to educate myself but could use a bit of direction. Would you recommend a book for someone who knows nothing about computer programming or internal workings and is just a user? Or would I be better off taking a class of some kind at the local college?

Should I start with linux specific books or go with something more general in the beginning? I don't even know what subject I would look into, I don't want to be a programmer I just want to not be so dumb.

I looked at "Linux for Dummies" which seems ok (although I'm using DSL not fedora) and "How Linux Works" by Ward and "A Practical Guide to Linux commands, Editors and Shell Programming" by Sobell. These 2 seem like they might be over my head.

Just to give you an idea of how much of a newbie I am, I have the DSL manual and it is gibberish to me - a total, confusing mess of gibberish!

Perhaps a community college class on computers would be best?

Thanks.

If you buy a book with a copy of Linux included on a CD then the book will address itself to that specific version of Linux. Most linux books address the basice and build from there. It should answer the burning questions if read from fromt to bacck with a working computer avaiable to do the things talked about in the book.

My thought, buy a computer, buy a book with a cd. Follow instruction in book to install CD and start working your way through. If, after reading the book and doing the exercises in the book, you still don't get it, then you might think about a college class.

Trmember there is a glossary in the back of the book for terms you don't understand and you can always ask questions here in the "Newbie" Forum. :-)

Good Luck with it.

The Sobell book you have is a good one. But if even that is too advanced, your best bet is to try plugging in to your local LUG...and participate in installfests...best way to learn if you are new, not particularly computer literate, and need a bit of handholding.

Taking a beginner course at a local community college on Linux isn't a bad way to go either...generally cheap and geared towards beginners. Find one with a decent lab.