| "We are ... entering the age of the Linux desktop," proclaims new book |
Apr. 07, 2005
 "The Linux desktop has come a long way," says O'Reilly publishing in its promotional announcement of Linux Desktop Hacks, a new book by Nicholas Petreley and Jono Bacon. "Flocks of would-be users who were put off by its early lack of polish or aesthetic flaws are now revisiting Linux and finding an operating system and applications that give Windows a run for its money," adds O'Reilly.
(Click for larger view of book cover)
Authors Petreley and Bacon go even further, suggesting that when it comes to choice, desktop usability, and features, Linux actually surpasses Windows in many ways. "Just as many productivity applications are available for Linux as for Windows, and it's surprisingly easy to run Microsoft Office applications directly on Linux," they note. "Moreover, OpenOffice.org, the Ximian Evolution email and scheduler (a Microsoft Outlook clone), the Firefox browser, and countless other programs make it possible for users to leave Windows behind and never miss a feature," they add.
"Admittedly, there are a few glitches to fix -- features that still require you to edit text files and a few other holes to fix here and there," Petreley and Bacon write. "But we no doubt are entering the age of the Linux desktop."
According to O'Reilly, Linux Desktop Hacks shows readers how they can customize and configure Linux to make it easier, more powerful, and more fun to use. The book includes hacks to "spiff up the boot experience" with graphical startup screens, creative ways to log, and various ways for multiple users to access the same machine at the same time, each one using the graphical desktop they like best, adds O'Reilly. They also show how to extend the capabilities of the graphical desktop and offer tips for those who prefer to do most of their work at the text-mode console.
"Linux is an expansive and capable piece of technology," continues Bacon. "As such, it seemed that Linux Desktop Hacks was a natural choice for a book. There are many unique ways of hooking together different tools on the Linux desktop to create fun and interesting results."
O'Reilly's announcement adds, "Linux Desktop Hacks demonstrates how easy it is to modify Linux to suit individual purposes." O'Reilly notes that the book is "packed with tips on customizing and improving the interface, boosting performance, administering the desktop, and generally making the most out of what X, KDE, Gnome, and the console have to offer."
"People who love tinkering with technology will love the book," Bacon promises. "It will help readers optimize their use of the desktop but it will also open their eyes to the vast array of different ways that they can hack the desktop."
Topics include: - Kill and Resurrect the Master Boot Record
- Energize Your Console with Macro Music Magic
- Konquer Remote Systems Without Passwords
- Run KDE on the Bleeding Edge
- View Microsoft Word Documents in a Terminal
- Read Yahoo! Mail from Any Email Client
- Motion Capture and Video Conferencing Fun
- Automate Your Life with cron
- Protect Yourself from Windows Applications
- Make an Internet Connection Using Bluetooth and a Mobile Phone
- Print to Unsupported Printers
- Accelerate Your Gaming
"Anyone who has wanted to customize Linux for greater ease-of-use, productivity, or just plain fun will find one hundred tips and tools in Linux Desktop Hacks to do just that," O'Reilly's announcement concludes.
Several sample hacks, including "Jazz Up Your Debian System Boot," "Scrap X11 for Fancy Login Consoles," and "Create Your Own KDE Right-Click Menu Items," are available here. Further details about the book, including table of contents, index,
author bios, are available here.
Summary: Linux Desktop Hacks
by Nicholas Petreley and Jono Bacon
ISBN: 0-596-00911-9, 318 pages
$24.95 US, $34.95 CA
(Click here for further information)
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