[CentOS] Re: Installing/Activating GUI for Server Settings -- [OT] Linux for Users

[Todd Cary]

Bryan -

Thank you for the suggestions for books.  They really sound like the 
orientation I would enjoy.

Concerning my first computer, it was a MDS-800 by Intel used for 
programing the 8080 for process control.  They used a subset of  PL/M 
(subset G).  This was in the 1970's.

Todd

Bryan J. Smith wrote:

>Todd Cary <todd at aristesoftware.com> wrote:
>  
>
>>Agreed!  For me there is a distinction between
>>"understanding" and "knowing".  My 30 years experience
>>has been in the Windows environment
>>    
>>
>
>I think the first instance of MS Basic was the Altair of
>1976.
>I assume you mean your experience has been on the single-user
>environments of the 8080 on-ward, yes?  ;->
>
>  
>
>>and in comparison, Linux is much easier to understand.
>>    
>>
>
>Once you learn UNIX terminology, it's good 4ever!
>With Windows terminology, you retrain every 5+ years.
>
>  
>
>>The challenge is knowing where to look or knowing which
>>function and switch to use.
>>    
>>
>
>If Roblimo's new book is any indication, users want a book
>that is ~300 pages and teaches them how to _use_ Linux --
>especially with the mass corporate adoption taking place.
>
>  
>
>>I often use the term "spiral learning"; that is one starts
>>with a task to do.  Rather than having to commit reems of
>>information to memory to achieve a simple task, it is 
>>easier to accomplish the task by looking up what is
>>wanted.  Then one can expand (spiral outward) his
>>knowledge.  
>>    
>>
>
>Most people are like this, task-oriented.  The "Samba 3 by
>Example" book has been outstanding in this regard.  But there
>is still the "Samba 3 HOWTO Collection" for those that want
>more of a "manual."
>
>  
>
>>Now I have many friends who prefer to read manuals from
>>cover to cover (and they remember most of it).  Of course,
>>my dyslexia creates it's own hurdle and bias.
>>    
>>
>
>I want to write 2 immediately:  
> - Linux for Users
> - Linux Configuration Management
>
>The first would be a 300 page book on just using Linux.  From
>the CLI basics (but modernized for Linux) to GNOME and KDE
>(possibly an appendix on XFCE).  Designed for Fedora Core and
>RHEL (including CentOS).  I believe this is sorely needed for
>corporate users, even more so than end-users.
>
>The second would be a 500 page book on handling the roll-out
>and maintanence of a Linux network.  Once again, it would be
>for Fedora Core and RHEL (including CentOS).  I believe this
>is also sorely needed for corporate system and network
>administrators.
>
>There are countless books on Linux that are too UNIX-like in
>viewpoint, thinking that the user is also a sysadmin because,
>let's face it, that's largely who has used UNIX for so long. 
>With Linux, there are more user aspects -- from office suites
>to removable devices (CD/DVDs, dongles, etc...) that are
>commonly used.
>
>More on the other flip, I've come in after many open source
>projects have failed or are in the middle of failure because
>of lack of configuration management.  It's just like the same
>problem NASA had -- just because you use COTS
>(commercial-off-the-shelf) components that save you 90%
>doesn't mean you can cut QA (quality assurance) as well. 
>Same deal with Linux, you can save 90% of system costs, but
>you aren't going to save 90% on configuration management --
>especially when there are a *DARTH* of books that cover it
>for Linux.
>
>
>  
>

-- 
Ariste Software
200 D Street Ext
Petaluma, CA 94952
(707) 773-4523

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