Weblog entry #81 for ajt
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#81
The Debian System (book mini review)
Posted by ajt on Sun 8 Apr 2007 at 18:30
The Debian System:
Concepts and Techniques
M. F. Kraft
No Starch Press ISBN: 1-59327-069-0
606 pages
http://debiansystem.info/
If you have to administer a Debian GNU/Linux system then this is the book you need. It explains why things are the way they are, how they are, and how you should use the system.
Although English is not the native language of the author, the text is easy to follow, well written and things are well explained.
This is a book a really do wish I'd bought a year ago, rather than waiting until now (Aug 2006). I'll have to read this book again, I think it's the kind of book you can learn from on each reading.
The book is based on the oldstable 3.1 "Sarge" release of Debian, but does make forward reference to the current 4.0 "Etch" release. The web site that goes with the book also provides full errata and diffs to the "Etch" release.
It is technically dated now that "Etch" has become the stable version, however much of the book still remains valid. The book covers in considerable depth: The Debian Project; Installation; Releases and Archives; Package Management; System Administration; Security; Kernel building; Mixing Releases; Custom Installation; Creating Debs and Documentation Resources.
Every purchase includes a donation to towards the Debian.
UPDATE: I got an email from Martin, there won't be an update of the book for Etch, but there is a slight possibility for Lenny. Status of my book
Concepts and Techniques
M. F. Kraft
No Starch Press ISBN: 1-59327-069-0
606 pages
http://debiansystem.info/
If you have to administer a Debian GNU/Linux system then this is the book you need. It explains why things are the way they are, how they are, and how you should use the system.
Although English is not the native language of the author, the text is easy to follow, well written and things are well explained.
This is a book a really do wish I'd bought a year ago, rather than waiting until now (Aug 2006). I'll have to read this book again, I think it's the kind of book you can learn from on each reading.
The book is based on the oldstable 3.1 "Sarge" release of Debian, but does make forward reference to the current 4.0 "Etch" release. The web site that goes with the book also provides full errata and diffs to the "Etch" release.
It is technically dated now that "Etch" has become the stable version, however much of the book still remains valid. The book covers in considerable depth: The Debian Project; Installation; Releases and Archives; Package Management; System Administration; Security; Kernel building; Mixing Releases; Custom Installation; Creating Debs and Documentation Resources.
Every purchase includes a donation to towards the Debian.
UPDATE: I got an email from Martin, there won't be an update of the book for Etch, but there is a slight possibility for Lenny. Status of my book
Comments on this Entry
Thank you for sharing this information. I went to the site and saw the book was on the expensive side and the donation to Debian development was extremely minimal. I'm not very happy with that. If I had the money, I'd buy it though. Seems like a good book to have in my library.
Brittany
SimplyMepis 7, KDE 3.5.8, Evolution, Firefox
2.6.22-1-mepis-smp
Brittany
SimplyMepis 7, KDE 3.5.8, Evolution, Firefox
2.6.22-1-mepis-smp
[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]
I suppose it's not the cheapest book on the market, but there aren't that many for Debian and it is one of the best.
I've bought plenty of books I regretted later, this is one of the few that I regretted waiting so long to buy.
--
"It's Not Magic, It's Work"
Adam
I've bought plenty of books I regretted later, this is one of the few that I regretted waiting so long to buy.
--
"It's Not Magic, It's Work"
Adam
[ Parent | Reply to this comment ]