In typical Linux "bibles," reserve the last third coverage for advanced topics

that sys admins use on a day by day basis. They tend to cover the underlying

concepts reasonably well, but fall short on hands-on instructions, forcing

admins to buy specialty books. This book sufficiently expands the advanced

sections found in these "bibles," providing step-by step instructions on how to

configure the most popular Linux back office applications.

To avoid confusion between the many flavors of Linux, each with it's own

GUI interface, this book exclusively uses the command line to illustrate the

tasks needed to be done. It provides all the expected screen output when

configuring the most commonly used Linux applications to help assure the

reader that they are doing the right thing. The Notebook also includes many of

the most commonly encountered errors with explanations of their causes and

how to fix them. The book's format is aimed at sys admins who often have to

do advanced tasks in which the underlying theory is understood, but the

commands to do it are forgotten or at the tips of their tongues.

As the line between power users and administrators continues to blur, as

computers move from the data center to the desktop, as Linux and Windows

gain equal footing in business, it becomes harder to remember and do it all.

This is the guide that gives admins the answers they need to common problems

and tasks, allowing them time to eat lunch.