Review of Ubuntu Hacks

Jessica — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 00:24:00 -0500

Why read Ubuntu Hacks?

If Ubuntu is the entry-level Linux distro, then Ubuntu Hacks is the book that helps the entry-level user take advantage of the great software and tools Linux has to offer.
I would have saved myself a lot of effort if I owned this book on the day that I install Ubuntu on my machine.
In many ways, Ubuntu Hacks is an introduction to the software available to all Linux users. So, if you are looking for some “real Ubuntu hacks”, you may be disappointed, _{but that is ok; that just means that the title of the book is a bit of a misnomer, but it doesn’t necessarily mean that the books isn’t valuable.}
Some subjects (like kernel building) aren’t really examined with much detail and refer users to seek help elsewhere.
The command-line based instructions are great for those new to using the terminal. There are quite a few hacks that provide visual instructions only, but Ubuntu Hacks had far less GUI-based instructions than the other Ubuntu books I perused at the bookstore.
If you aren’t a techie, but you want to explore Linux and its myriad of software options, Ubuntu Hacks is for you.
A lot of the hacks in Ubuntu Hacks you can figure out on your own or find on the internet.
Things that I would like to know about Linux/Ubuntu that weren’t addressed in Ubuntu Hacks:
- File system organization… whys and best practices (i.e. Hack #101 – Get a good visual picture of the linux file system in your head)
- A brief history of Linux, Debian and Ubuntu (i.e. Hack #102 – How to tell friends & family about Ubuntu in a non-freakish way)

a.muse: Review of Ubuntu Hacks

Review of Ubuntu Hacks