A Practical Guide to Red Hat Linux 8

**** "A Practical Guide to Red Hat Linux 8" by Mark Sobell has made a significant impression on its readers, lauded for its comprehensiveness and clarity. With a hefty 1616 pages and included CDs, this book is described as not just informative but also engaging. The dual-part structure—tutorial and reference—sets it apart in the realm of technical literature. The tutorial section, spanning roughly 1000 pages, provides an in-depth introduction to the fundamental concepts of Linux, including practical exercises and advanced challenges that enable learners to cement their understanding. Reviewers specifically praise the inclusion of a Sysadmin chapter, which caters to those navigating home Linux installations and administration. Although it does not aim to replace dedicated system administration guides, the chapter is seen as a valuable addition that offers practical insights. The reference section is equally impressive, with around 300 pages filled with useful information that rivals more established references in the field. Users appreciate the clear, concise examples that enhance the practical application of concepts learned. The author's attention to detail shines through, as he addresses common pitfalls for beginners, particularly those transitioning from a Windows environment. Readers find the author's approach of introducing the graphical user interface (GUI) early in the learning process to be especially beneficial. This methodology allows learners to leverage existing Windows skills while gradually building their command-line proficiency. This modern pedagogical approach, which focuses on minimizing the frustration often encountered by new users, is seen as a significant advantage of the book. Though overwhelmingly positive, reviews do point out some minor shortcomings. Certain advanced topics and tools, such as Perl, gawk, and sed, are relegated to the reference section or omitted entirely, which some readers feel could be rectified in future editions. Despite these minor critiques, the overall Consensus is that this book is an essential resource for anyone eager to learn and master Red Hat Linux, lauded as a contemporary classic in the field. **