Most of the books about specific GNU/Linux distributions that I've read tend to be either too advanced to comprehend or too elementary to stomach. Apress's Beginning Ubuntu Linux tends toward the latter, but doesn't totally ignore more advanced GNU/Linux topics. Despite its shortcomings, readers who are new to GNU/Linux and are decided on the Ubuntu distribution will find some benefit in it.

Writing analysis

To put it optimistically, the quality of the writing in Beginning Ubuntu Linux hits as often as it misses. The instructions for installing various programs, plugins, and add-on software is excellent, as are the brief tutorials on how to use those programs. Everything else is sub-par. Specifically, most of the commentary and explanations for why things are the way they are are flawed. The author makes many statements of fact that are either oversimplified to the point of falsehood, or are patently false to begin with. The first three chapters are full of examples, though the beginning and end of almost every chapter in the book suffers from the same disease. For instance, there are general statements such as, "Linux doesn't crash," and "The latest version of Windows XP requires high-end hardware" -- the kind of silly stuff you see Linux evangelists regurgitate on message forums. GNU/Linux can crash -- I've seen it happen -- and Windows XP runs exceptionally well on older Pentium 3 machines.

Most readers will find themselves skipping over vast portions of Beginning Ubuntu Linux, even though it is designed to be read from cover to cover. That fact is a testament to the vast array of information contained in the book; it starts with some evangelism (why Windows sucks, why Linux rocks), then goes into installation instructions, then moves on to configuration, adding functionality through other software, how to use all of the programs you've just installed, and ends with a system administration guide. In terms of technical information, Beginning Ubuntu Linux is a real winner. Even the "taboo" subjects, like how to add DVD and MP3 playback support, are covered.

Included with the book is an Ubuntu 5.10 CD; it includes most of the basic GNU/Linux desktop programs, but is obviously not as comprehensive as the freely downloadable Ubuntu DVD. For that reason, the book frequently admonishes readers to install more programs through the Synaptic software manager.

Putting the book to the test

Beginning Ubuntu Linux is both a "beginning Linux" and an "introduction to Ubuntu" text, so it covers a lot of ground. If you're totally new to the GNU/Linux operating system, or if you've tried and failed with other distributions in the past, you'll get a lot of benefit from Beginning Ubuntu Linux. If you're already familiar with Ubuntu, you probably won't benefit from this book at all.

Conclusions

Beginning Ubuntu Linux is the book that it claims to be, though it's not quite as good as it could be. In general, "beginning Linux" texts tend to suffer from the same oversimplification found in this book. It seems that no one has hit this genre squarely yet. Still, it's as good as it gets right now, and I would recommend Beginning Ubuntu Linux over any other introductory GNU/Linux book -- at least, as of this writing.

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Copyright 2006 Jem Matzan.