OK - so if you are pretty new to Linux or feel like there are a lot of things that you want to know but don't then you need to get this book. Basically this book is all about customization. It shows you how to set things up in just the way you want. In the process it explains config files and what to modify. It also explains really useful programs that you may not know about. I have also found that it serves as a great reference book.

You learn everything from customizing bash to archiving files to cron to cvs to kernel mods to encryption/security to vnc to apache to mysql to spamassassin to monitoring the system to backups.

Here are the sections of the book:

1 - making the desktop work for you
2 - getting the most from your file system
3 - good housekeeping with linux
4 - tweaking the kernel on your linux system
5 - securing your workspace
6 - networking like a professional
7 - monitoring your system
8 - serving up the internet and more
9 - backing up means you never have to say you're sorry
10 - programming tricks
11 - the scary (or fun!) stuff

I think this is the perfect book for the person looking to move from a beginner linux user to an intermediate user. Also - as with the other books in the dummy series this book can be usable by pretty much anyone - though it is not a good "introduction" to linux.

Despite the implication in the title 'Time Saving Techniques', the techniques to be found in this book are no different to those found elsewhere. That said, it is a good enough book for a newby. Just don't expect anything special. Most importantly, don't do as I did and buy it as an e-book thinking that you could open it on your Linux desktop. It comes with a security plug-in that only allows it to be opened in Windows®. I'm afraid that's just too much irony for me!