Re: Please Recommend Good Linux Books Talking as much and thoroughly as possible

From: Razzel (logicon_at_zipcon.com)
Date: 01/14/05 

Date: Fri, 14 Jan 2005 10:36:51 GMT

Iván Filpo wrote:

>Hello
>
>I have been using Linux for quite a while and I am trying to learn as much
>as possible by reading books.
>
>I would like to read complete books not just covering one linux distro but
>common things in all of them that probably were carried over from unix. By
>this I mean not mainly unix but materials that will make be capable of
>dealing with almost any distro.
>
>I would like the books to include one of the following:
>
> 1- Linux & Unix Commands(Specially those that are very useful).
> 2- Linux Networking & Firewall(Iptables).
> 3- Backing up.
> 4- Setup Important applications(Samba,Apache,Postfix or any MTA,etc).
> 5- Scripting(Awk, Sed, Perl).
> 6- Kernel Compiling & Hacking.
> 7- Linux Security.
> 8- NFS
> 9- NIS
> 10-SNMP & Network Centralized Managment.
> 11- Anything I missed that helps for the Certification and would prepare
> m to help other persons in these groups.
>
>I have Running Linux 3rd edition, Linux in a nutshell. I would like to
>hear about the best of the best.
>
>Thanks for your time,
>
>Iván C. Filpo
>
>
Ivan,
Reviewing earlier replies seems like you will be snuggled up this winter
reading. For some this is their way. For me it was not. I found using
Slackware forced me to remember where things were and how things were
done. When I got a job running computers I learned more and when I
taught I learned even more. Whatever administration book turns your
crank will be your best first book. Then try to keep everything you do
general. A bit hard to do with a BSD oriented platform but they do a
darn good job of it in trying to be SVR4 as well. Then, I suggest
buying 1 or 2 used machines and begin networking them. Fiddle the
boards to make each box efficient as to access and convertibility. Make
your primary machine the router and as you acquire new hw migrate the
old stuff down to the other machines.
IPTABLEs is not for the beginner. LEARN the commands FIRST. PRACTICE
USING SCRIPTING, use sed, awk, bash and TclTK. After 2 years u'll be
ready for the big show. No kidding on the scripting -- he who scripts
rules!! he who scripts best is the most valuable tool in the shed!!

I think if you learn in the following order you will find things build
on each other:
scripting
backups (built from your own scripts using CDs)
kernel building
networking (NSF NIS SNMP)
now IPTABLES

Notice I did not mention perl. It is (at least to me) a vile language
because it is not very self documenting (scripting can be if you don't
try to be cryptic). It is used (IMHO) because managers have heard it is
multiplatform and fast. Believe me I have astounded many managers.
Learn it if you like but I suggest you have a plate full before you get
there.

Suggestion!!! Get to a university or community college and take their
courses. Skip the certifications they are useful to get in the door
for job apps but unless you are already financially endowed you will be
coughing up another grand every year to stay certified. Also my
experience with certification courses is that they teach to the test not
for knowledge. Again believe me, I've taught there.

One thing too that you might try. Join a computer user group where you
live. You may become the GURU quickly. I never did that but it seems
to me a mistake I made.

RAZ

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