Editorial Review
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.
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Customer Reviews
Book is full of typos and errors 
2008-07-31
As I am going through the book there are a bunch of errors and typos. There are some erratas on the Apress Site but not all. I have attempted to contact apress customer service about the issues, but only have recieved and automated response. After the author finishes his diatribe about Microsoft and the empire of evil, I find it funny the excuses he tells for the problems within SUSE Linux, apparently a blind fanboy that cannot see the cracks present. He also complains about people who give him negative reviews on his blog. Apparently, his book is perfect.
All in all, if you want to learn SUSE, it is an Ok place to start.
If you are really new to Linux, the included distro gets you started. However, once you get it installed and provided you are lucky enough that your problem is in the troubleshooting section (I had to google for days for my problem), then you will quickly run into your next problem in updatig the system. Chapter 9, page 168 has instructions but the URL that is given in step 4 is wrong. I tried the server suse.mirrors.tds.net instead of the listed server, and that worked. Everything about the update process is painfully slow, so run it overnight before you go to bed or when you have time to kill. The first update downloaded 495 updates, so it took a long time.
I am up and running after days of problem after problem and have made it mostly through the book and have highlighter marks to errors I have found.
I would say if this is your first Linux attempt, still give it a try but expect problems during the install and with the book but you should still get you through -- I would recommend it used with the CD if you can find it.
Your all around review... 
2008-07-24
I've noticed that someone had stated that this book is biased towards Microsoft. That is somewhat true, the author has compared GNU/Linux/OpenSUSE to Microsoft. Why because Microsoft is the dominate OS made these days and shipped with computers, so why not compare GNU/Linux against Microsoft? He could have compared to MAC, but then I wouldn't have known any of the comparison because I find MAC to be crap... But anyways; sure a Microsoft Fanboy says it's bias, but it's actually just comparison.
What makes this book really good is that you do learn EVERYTHING about OpenSUSE. Which in tern you learn a lot about Linux because the two main Linux distros is RHEL and OpenSUSE. The guy that rated this book low uses Fedora which is at its best unstable. I'll let it be known when I started using Fedora/Linux and all the problems I ran into using Fedora made me not want to use Linux at all, but then I just realized that Fedora sucks...
Anyways to move on about what this book does is it shows you all the alternative programs that you're so used to in Windows that are on Linux for FREE.
Do not get me wrong, I like XP... I hate Vista... I hate MAC's... But with all honesty to get out of this intertwining BS go w/ Linux you do not have to deal w/ pathetic Fanboys.
Not to mention the fact that Linux does not crash(which is what makes Windows suck (although I've never had a crash)) and it isn't slow (Boy one reason why MAC sucks).
So with all honestly definitely get this book if you want to learn Linux you will NOT regret it.
Oh and one more thing, the guy that gave this book a bad review stated something about the version of OpenSUSE that came with the book wasn't good enough for something (he said version 10.1 I think?) well you can go online and download 10.3 (or 11) free of charge.
Enjoy your embark into Linux, and believe me you will NOT be disappointed!
Really helped this newbie 
2008-05-12
Well this isn't the first time i have tried to learn Linux. Being a long time Windows user, it's always been a struggle to get Linux under my belt. One of the biggest hurdles has always been hardware support. Compared to Windows, Linux can sometimes be a real chore to get drivers for. I recently tried OpenSUSE and was really impressed with what i saw. But my first stumbling block was the wireless driver. My house is just not set up to have CAT5 running around. I HAD to get the wireless working. I was struggling with this for weeks, following all the online advice, nothing was working. I decided to order Beginning SUSE after reading some of the reviews. I'll be darned if Mr. Thomas' advice didn't get me over the hump. It was very exciting to see my wireless activity finally kicking in!
I have now read the book cover to cover and picked up a plethora of skills. My system is now dual booting with Linux/Windows XP, networked with my household Windows computers, printing to a shared Windows printer... It's a very exciting change and i must say for me, Mr. Thomas' book is what made the difference.
Good beginner book on SLED 2008-02-28
If you can put aside the Microsoft bashing and just go through the material it has just about everything you want in a beginner book for SLED. I recommend this book to friends and colleagues looking to take their first jump into the world of Linux.
Best SUSE Linux book I've seen. 2007-05-30
Unlike other SUSE books I've read, this has answered all my questions so far.
There is even advice on improving Linux fonts and an entire chapter on the BASH shell (with an appendix of BASH commands). Also, a short history of Linux and OSS. Book has a somewhat pro-Linux anti-MS tone. Makes a handy reference for looking things up.
Terrible book, OK distro 
2007-05-07
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.
Excellent book and distro for Linux. 2007-03-09
Install was easy. I do have a problem with the DVD player and the codex instructions, but other than that everything installed easily. My install was dual boot with XP. The partition and dual boot tools worked fine. The book is clearly written and easy to follow. If you are looking at LINUX for the first time I would recommend this book.
Great Intro to Linux for Windows Person A+++ (Vista Alternative) 2007-02-17
I have used Windows since the early 1990s. Went through 3.1 to 95 to 98 to XP (and I have one machine running Windows 2000 right now--I think that is the one place where MS did OK). Now with Windows Vista, it seems as if it will require many people to upgrade their hardware. I have several IBM Thinkpads T21, T30, and T42 and none of them will run Vista Business using its full features (do not have a sufficient graphics card). So, I decided to give Linux a try as a substitute for Windows Vista.
So I purchased Thomas' 2nd edition of his book and with the DVD installed SUSE 10.1 on my Thinkpad T30 laptop in less than an hour. Before purchasing this book I fiddled with some different Linux flavors (Fedora, Ubuntu, and Suse). Problem was while they are easy to install, I did not know what I was doing. Hence, this book is a greater owner's manual for Suse Linux.
The most difficult part was configuring a wireless network card to work. Very frustrating experience in Linux. Wireless networking is so important these days and with the frustration you encounter some people might throw their hands up in the air, give up, and return to Microsoft Windows. This book may prevent that from happening. At least it did for me.
Good Thing: With Thomas' book, I followed the instructions in Chapter 8 and was able to get my wireless connection up and running in about 15 minutes. This involves the use of ndiswrapper to work with the Windows driver. (BTW: I have the Linksys WPC54G Version 3 wireless card). Author wallks through this process and it was not as frustrating had I followed what people posted in forums. I am brand new to Linux.
The book is very readable and enjoyable. I am learning about the various features of Linux and how it operates. It is not Windows, it takes some getting used to, but in the amount of money you save, I think it might be a worthwhile investment. Less of a need for anti-virus software (which can save money) and if you have a broadband connection, you can always download the latest version of Linux, burn the image to a CD or DVD and then install it. Also, this distro comes with Open Office. This saves me a lot of money.
With Windows, Vista Business goes for about $200 and another $350 or so for Office 2007. Antivirus software can cost $50 and then you have pay $30 per year to subscribe to updates. Alternatively, I purchased this Suse Linux book for $39 at my university and have everything I need in a stable operating system.
The author does bash Microsoft from time to time, but that should not bother you because most people give Linux a try after dissatisfaction with Microsoft anyway. With open-source software people have donated their programming skills, time, and energy to advancing this software. So many people can look at the code and find bugs and then these can be repaired swiftly.
Author explains how to secure computer with a firewall. Also, there are a few anti-virus options for Linux and author mentions them. But they are for the most part unnecessary because most virus writers want to inflict the most damage and most people use Windows so they write viruses for Windows. A study by Sophos in 2003 indicated about 40 Linux viruses compared to 1,000 new Windows viruses per month (p. 164). That is why with my Windows machines I was always obessing over Windows updates and scanning for viruses once per day. I was looking around on the internet and noticed that the Defense Department in the United States uses Linux--guess that says something about its potential for security.
Thomas does a great job of explaining how to secure your computer and how to do tasks that a Windows user might need to know in making the switch. I highly recommend using this book to get into Linux as I have been very successful in doing nearly every task I did in Windows. To the extent that you run into any snafus, Thomas' book is great to have on the shelf to solve the problem.
I have a feeling that I am going to be sticking with Linux instead of purchasing Microsoft Vista.
Thank you Mr. Thomas for this superb introduction to Linux.
good book 2007-02-12
i never used linux before. i thought this book was very good for a beginner like me breaking it down to common sense. also walks you though setting up your system trouble shooting the set up and configuration very good well rounded book for first timer non techie person.
Suse Linux 10.1, a comprehensive guide with source DVD 2007-02-06
Finally an in-depth and comprehensive Suse Linux guide. This is my 2nd purchase of a Suse Linux Guide. The first purchase was the most popular and totally useless after the install of 10.1 was completed.
If you want a good install guide and an excellent reference for problem solving after you get Suse Linux up and running, this will do it.
