Subject: Chapters 20 & 21 as a starting point
Posted By: Lawrence Lovig Post Date: 5/4/2005 11:16:12 AM
Page xxiv (Introduction) describes Chapers 20 & 21 as "great references" for those who have used other operating systems; Chapter 1, Unix Fundamentals begins with UNIX 'history' starting nearly 30 years ago.

Given the title of this book is "beginning" Unix (where 'beginning' is a present participle of the verb to begin), I suggest that the authors should offer two approaches to beginning. Many (if not most) folks are beginning their exploration of UNIX with a starting point in another operating system. For example, as a Macintosh veteran, I found the command and GUI equivalents that begin on page 379 (in Chapter 20) as the perfect spot for me to begin.

I suggest the very first paragraph of Chapter 1 is a perfect spot to offer prospective readers some choices as to where to begin – including Chapters 20 & 21 as options. Given that a major purpose in Chapter 1 is "cover[ing] the fundamental concepts of the basic Unix operating System", you cannot offer a better path into those concepts than to use the bridges built in Chapters 20 & 21 for the millions of users of 'popular' operating systems
.        
Reply By: Unixfan Reply Date: 3/23/2006 2:30:38 PM
Excellent thought. In the next revision of the book we will make sure to include that in Chapter 1.

Thank you for the great feedback!
Reply By: dedalus65 Reply Date: 10/9/2006 11:51:05 PM
ON another topic (typo info) I found two errors on the command for adding a user (page 41, understanding users and groups)  you state that you will added an expiration date of july 4, 2006 and a Bourne shell for Jane Doe.

You , or another author, put   ..... -e 040406 instead of  -e 070406

and  -s /bin/ksh   (korn shell) instead of  -s /bin/sh  (Bourne shell)    (that is on electronic form of the book)


Go to topic 50641

Return to index page 153
Return to index page 152
Return to index page 151
Return to index page 150
Return to index page 149
Return to index page 148
Return to index page 147
Return to index page 146
Return to index page 145
Return to index page 144