Cheap Linux Mandrake Operating System 7.0 Complete (Book) Price

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Customer Reviews of Linux Mandrake Operating System 7.0 Complete

Mandrake is an excellent distribution of Linux, and if you're going to run Linux, I highly recommend it. (That's why I give this review 4 stars.) Downers are the poorly written manual, and the fact that a mouse is *REQUIRED* for you to install the software. If you don't have a Linux-compatible mouse BEFORE you begin installation, you're going to be very frustrated about halfway-thru the installation.

(I understand Mandrake 7.1 solves this problem.)

Mandrake is excellent for newcomers to Linux because it has great graphical user interfaces, to make the 'migration' from Windows easier. It's also easy to set up dual-boot so that you do not need to give up your Windows stuff, and it contains software to re-partition your existing hard drive WITHOUT erasing all your data. Good thinking! :)

In summary, Mandrake is a very good Linux distribution and I recommend it. However, you will probably want a good Linux book to go with it, and I highly recommend getting O'Reilly's "Running Linux" as a companion to your new Linux adventures..........................

Mandrake OS 7 Complete
Theis is not actually a book. I ordered this item after reading Mr. Anarchy's review, expecting a book. Much to my surprise, it was actually just the Linux Mandrake operating system itself, with a user guide that is available for free in PDF form, at www.linux-mandrake.com. The operating system itself can also be downloaded for free.

This package is still a pretty good deal. For about $20, you get the installation CD, the sources CD, which contains a ton of Linux software in RPM format, the printed installation guide, the printed 390 page user guide, a bootable floppy, and a few pieces of paper containing mostly advertisements. The only real compelling item in the box is the "extras" CD, which has 5 books in PDF format. They are: Redhat Linux Unleashed, Teach Yourself KDE 1.1 in 24 Hours, Teach Yourself Gimp In 24 Hours, Teach Yourself Linux In 24 Hours, and Special Edition Using Linux. That's roughly $100 worth of books, but they are in PDF, not actual printed books. The extras CD also contains Sta Office 5.1, but that can be downloaded for free as well.

The only actual printed book is the user guide, which is questionable in it's usefulness. While it is geared toward beginners, it doesn't go too in-depth about subjects, instead only covering the basics and sometimes not giving enough information. It also seems to have been written by someone who doesn't speak English as a first language, as there are numerous grammar errors, and I found myself reading sentences numerous times to grasp what the author was saying.

I still believe that this item is worth purchasing, considering it's low price. It saves you quite a bit of time downloading the 650 meg Linux Mandrake OS, which must then be burned onto a CDR. For someone starting Linux, there isn't a better distibution than Mandrake. However, for someone looking for printed word on Linux, especially a beginner, I recommend the book Running Linux, which has helped many people get started in Linux.

My review for "Linux Mandrake OS 7.0 Complete"
I thought this book was well thought out. It has vivid pictures and screenshots of many of the Mandrake Linux gui's (Gnome, KDE, etc.). It helped me learn Linux quickly. When i started reading, i had barely an idea of what Linux was; but upon completion of this book, i have now become a (self proclaimed) guru. I would reccomend this book for the novice to intermediate Linux user.