The magazine of the Melbourne PC User Group SUSE Linux - for the bookshelf Major Keary president@melbpc.org.au |
Is it SuSE or SUSE? According to Wikipedia, "S.u.S.E. was founded in late 1992 as a Unix consulting group" and the name "S.u.S.E. is an acronym for the German phrase 'Software-und System-Entwicklung' (Software and System Development)". The group released packages (including Slackware) and printed manuals—a feature of SuSE Linux was its extensive hard-copy documentation. In 1994 a version of Slackware was released under the name S.u.S.E. Linux 1.0, and in 1998 the name was shortened to SuSE. Nine versions were released up until 2004 when the company was taken over by Novell and the name change to SUSE Linux. In addition
to a line of commercial products—such as an Enterprise Server—the company offers a free desktop version, openSUSE, which is also referred to as a Community Distribution.
In keeping with its long-standing role as premier publisher of Linux/Unix texts, O'Reilly has released SUSE Linux, covering Ver. 10.1 and is relevant to earlier versions.
The book is not a definitive reference; it is a task-oriented guide that begins with basic installation information and takes the reader "deep into the essential operating system components". SUSE Linux has been designed to serve all levels of SUSE users. It's only assumption is an interest in installing, learning, and using SUSE, and a reasonable level of computer literacy.
A "modular, lab-based" format presents a task—for example, Get Started with Email — and then explains in detail How Do I Do That? (in the case of email there are four pages of instruction with supporting screen shots). Depending on the nature of the 'lab' there may be a What About ... section that discusses related issues, and a How It Works section that provides a concise explanation of the relevant 'mechanics' of the task.
There are also useful Where to Learn More sections that contain references—mainly URLs—to further documentation. Example mand-line input is provided.
Exceptionally well presented for its technical detail, typographic design, the way in which information is organised and indexed, and comprehensive coverage.
Anyone with a serious interest in SUSE on a desktop machine or laptop should have this title as a primary resource.
Bookshops should have SUSE Linux in stock, or it can be obtained from the Australian distributor at http://www.woodslane.com.au.
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Chris Brown: SUSE Linux ISBN 0-596-10183-X Published by O'Reilly, 430 pp., RRP $70.00 incl. GST |
Reprinted from the November 2006 issue of PC Update, the magazine of Melbourne PC User Group, Australia
