2 thg 7, 2009
19 thg 6, 2009
20 of the Best Free Linux Books
The focus of this article is to select some of the finest Linux books which are available to download for free. The vast majority of the books featured here can also be freely distributed to others.
To cater for all tastes, we have chosen a wide range of books, encompassing general introductions to Linux, books that concentrate on a specific distribution or application, books for programmers, as well as books that have defined the evolution of free software. All of the texts here come with our strongest recommendation. So get reading (and downloading).
| 1. Ubuntu Pocket Guide and Reference | |||||||||
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This book is a concise companion for everyday Ubuntu use. It provides a good grounding in getting to grips with the Ubuntu 8.04 and 8.10 distributions. Topics covered include:
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| 2. Two Bits | |||||||||
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In Two Bits, the author investigates the history and cultural significance of Free Software, revealing the people and practices that have transformed not only software, but also music, film, science, and education. The book focuses on three different areas:
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| 3. The Linux Starter Pack | |||||||||
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Here's a complete guide to using Linux, taking you from beginner level to an intermediate user with ease. This book shows users how to install Linux, navigate around the desktop, use common software, add more programs and fix any problems that may be encountered. It offers sections on:
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| 4. The Easiest Linux Guide You'll Ever Read | |||||||||
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The target audience for this book are individuals who are competent with using Windows, who have never attempted to use Linux but are interested in giving it a try. The overall objective is to give people a bridge from what they already know to the powerful, fascinating world of the Linux operating system. The book explains:
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| 5. Producing Open Source Software | |||||||||
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Producing Open Source Software is a book about the human side of open source development. It describes how successful projects operate, the expectations of users and developers, and the culture of free software. This book is meant for software developers and managers who are considering starting an open source project, or who have started one and are wondering what to do now. Topics covered include:
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6. Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide | |||||||||
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This guide was created as an overview of Linux, geared toward new users as an exploration tour and getting started guide, with exercises at the end of each chapter. For more advanced trainees it can be a desktop reference, and a collection of the base knowledge needed to proceed with system and network administration. The book explores a wide range of topics including:
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| 7. Bash Guide for Beginners | |||||||||
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Everybody working on a UNIX or UNIX-like system who wants to make life easier on themselves, power users and sysadmins alike, can benefit from reading this book. Explores:
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| 8. After the Software Wars | |||||||||
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Given the technology that is already available, we should have cars that drive us around, in absolute safety, while we lounge in the back and sip champagne. All we need is a video camera on the roof, plugged into a PC, right? We have all the necessary hardware, and have had it for years, but do not yet have robot-driven cars because we do not have the software. This book explains how we can build better software and all get our own high-tech chauffeur. It scrutinises why free software is superior, implications for Google, the Java mess, patents and copyright, Vista, remaining challenges for free software, and many other things. | ||||||||
| 9. The Cathedral & The Bazaar | |||||||||
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The Cathedral and the Bazaar is a book on software engineering methods, based on the author's observations of the Linux kernel development process and his experiences managing an open source project, fetchmail. The book contrasts two different free software development models:
Over the years, this work has had a profound influence on many existing open source projects adopting a Bazaar-style development model. | ||||||||
| 10. Free for All: How LINUX and the Free Software Movement Undercut the High-Tech Titans | |||||||||
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Like Eric Raymond's The Cathedral and the Bazaar, Free for All outlines the arguments for leaving software source code open and free for anyone to tinker with. But Wayner's account delves deeper into the politics of the movement, reading like a high-tech soap opera. | ||||||||
11. Put Yourself in Command | |||||||||
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This book was initially written at LibrePlanet, the GNU/Linux conference hosted at the Harvard Science Center, Cambridge, MA, on March 21, 22 2009. Topics covered include:
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| 12. Getting Started with OpenOffice.org 3.x | |||||||||
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Open Office (OpenOffice.org) is a freely-distributed, full-featured, multi-platform office suite. This book is a must read for anyone who wants to get up to speed quickly with the latest OpenOffice.org version 3.x. The book covers all the software programs of the OpenOffice suite:
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| 13. Grokking the GIMP | |||||||||
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This book providers a taster of image theory, working with the independent features of GIMP (layers, selections, masks and colourspaces) before advancing to compositing and rendering, and ending with short reviews of web-based applications of image manipulation. Topics covered include:
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| 14. The Linux Knowledge Base and Tutorial | |||||||||
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The Linux Knowledge Base and Tutorial (LINKBAT) is a web-based, unified knowledge base and tutorial with the goal of educating users about Linux. Topics covered include:
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| 15. Advanced Linux Programming | |||||||||
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This book takes a tutorial approach, introducing the most important programming concepts and techniques, and providing examples of how to use them. The book is not intended for beginners, and readers are expected to be competent with the C programming lanague and C library functions. This book is helpful if you want to:
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16. Linux 101 & 102 Modular Training Notes | |||||||||
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The Linux 101 & 102 Modular Training Notes are two separate manuals for individuals who wish to study for the LPI 101 or 102 examinations. Topics covered include:
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| 17. Linux Device Drivers, Third Edition | |||||||||
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This book covers all the significant changes to Version 2.6 of the Linux kernel, which simplifies many activities, and contains subtle new features that can make a driver both more efficient and more flexible. Readers will find new chapters on important types of drivers not covered previously, such as consoles, USB drivers, and more. Topics covered include:
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| 18. LINUX: Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition | |||||||||
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Rute is a technical reference and teaching tool for new GNU/Linux users as well as advanced administrators. It provides concise, thorough explanations and practical examples of each aspect of a Linux system. Topics covered include:
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| 19. Linux Network Administrator's Guide - 2nd Edition | |||||||||
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This book was written to provide a single reference for network administration in a Linux environment. Beginners and experienced users alike should find the information they need to cover nearly all important administration activities required to manage a Linux network configuration. Topics covered include:
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| 20. tuXlabs Cookbook | |||||||||
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This book is meant for anyone who wants to set up a computer laboratory according to the specifications of the Shuttleworth Foundation. This kind of laboratory – called a tuXlab after the Linux mascot, Tux the Penguin – uses only free softwa | ||||||||
