Beginning Suse Linux: From Novice to Professional, Second Edition (Beginning: From Novice to Professional)

SUSE Linux has a long history as one of the most popular Linux platforms, having solidified its position as Europe's most popular variant, and continuing to grow in popularity within the U.S. market since Novell's acquisition of the namesake company in early 2004. Backed by Novell's considerable resources, and positioned in a market experiencing continuing interest in the Linux desktop at the consumer, educational, government, and commercial levels, SUSE is an increasingly viable alternative to the Windows platform on both the desktop and server level. As an open source project, it's blessed with an extremely active user community yet also benefits from Novell's well-structured commercial support system.

Beginning SUSE Linux: From Novice to Professional, Second Edition, is the update to the best-selling first edition, and is the perfect book for newcomers to the Linux platform. Presenting topics of interest to users of all levels, yet assuming little in terms of the reader's familiarity with the Linux platform, readers of all levels stand to benefit from the book's coverage of SUSE's ability to play MP3s and DVDs, burn CDs, perform office tasks and data backups, and offer a secure operating system environment. Whether it's a reader evaluating SUSE for deployment in a corporate environment, or a student interested in foregoing expensive licensing arrangements, this book serves as an invaluable guide to the Linux platform.

This update to the bestselling first edition is the perfect book for newcomers to the Linux platform. Presenting topics of interest to users of all levels, this title helps readers to enjoy SUSEUs ability to play MP3s and DVDs, burn CDs, perform office tasks and data backups, and offer a secure operating system environment.

Written by award-winning author Keir Thomas , Beginning SUSE Linux, Second Edition is the comprehensive guide to openSUSE Linux 10.1, the community-created version of SUSE Linux.

The book starts with an introduction to the world of Linux and the open source community, and this is followed by an illustrated step-by-step guide to openSUSE installation and hardware configuration.

A special edition of openSUSE 10.1 is provided on the DVD-ROM that comes with the book. This version includes several additional items of proprietary software, as well as all the devel software packages, making for a comprehensive package.

The book shows how to wield total control over your newly installed operating system. It will guide you through system customization opportunities and common tasks like listening to audio CDs and MP3s, watching movies, and performing office- and Internet-related tasks. A large part of the book is dedicated to advanced command-line techniques necessary to maintain your system and become a true Linux master

This second edition of the best-selling first edition has been boosted by 200 pages to over 700 in total, and has been completely revised and updated. Beginning SUSE Linux, Second Edition is the only print title to cover openSUSE 10.1.

Introducing the world of Linux.- Welcome.- A History and Politics Lesson.- The Realities of Running Linux. Installing SUSE.- Preinstallation Steps.- Installing SUSE.- Solving Installation Problems. The No-Nonsense Getting Started Guide.- Booting Linux for the First Time.- Getting Everything Up and Running.- How to Secure your Computer.- Personalizing SUSE: Getting Everything Just Right.- Using SUSE Replacements for Windows Programs.- Managing your Files. The Shell and Beyond.- Introducing the BASH Shell.- Understanding Linux Files and Users.- Working with Text Files.- Taking Control of the System.- Cool Shell Tricks. Multimedia.- MP3s and CDs.- Viewing Movies and Video.- Image Editing. Office Tasks.- Making the Move to OpenOffice.org.- OpenOffice.org Overview.- In Depth: Writer.- In Depth: Calc.- In Depth: Impress.- In Depth: Base.- In Depth: Evolution.- Running Microsoft Office under SUSE. Keeping your System Running.- Installing Software.- Managing Users.- Optimizing your System.- Backing Up Data.- Scheduling Tasks.- Accessing Linux Remotely. Appendixes.- Glossary of Linux Terms.- BASH Command Index.- Finding Help Online.