Understanding the Linux Mystique
To calm your fears that "free" software can't be that good, this book guides you through the strange
and circuitous path of open source software development that led to the Linux phenomenon. It
also details the major companies and organizations that are behind Linux and the open source
movement today.
Along the way, you learn how you can become part of the open source and free software communi-
ties, whose stars are known by a single name (such as Linus) or a few initials (such as rms). You'll
find a staggering number of open source projects, forums, and mailing lists that are thriving today
(and always looking for more people to get involved).
How This Book Is Organized
Learn the basics of what goes into Linux and you will be able to use all sorts of devices and com-
puters in the future. The book is organized in a way that enables you to start off at the very begin-
ning with Linux, but still grow to the point where you can get going with some powerful server
and programming features, if you care to.
Part I assumes that someone has set up a Linux system in front of you. So after "Starting with
Linux" in Chapter 1, you learn the basics of how to
Use the shell (Chapter 2)
Work with your graphical desktop (Chapter 3)
In Part II, you learn how to
Do basic administration (Chapter 4)
Connect to the Internet (Chapter 5)
Secure your Linux system (Chapter 6)
If you don't have Linux installed yet, this book helps you out in a big way: The companion DVD
and CD include a variety of Linux distributions you can try. Part III (Chapters 7 through 19)
describes each of those distributions and how to run them live or install them.
In Part IV, you learn to get some fun and useful features going in Linux so that you can
Play music and video (Chapter 20)
Write documents and work with graphics (Chapter 21)
Use Web browsers and e-mail clients (Chapter 22)
Play games (Chapter 23)
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Introduction
