Ubuntu Linux for Non-Geeks - A Pain-Free, Project-Based, Get-Things-Done Guidebook - [published Aug 15, 2006] by Rickford Grant, the linux operating system evangelist, is successful at educating the geek want-a-be, about the popular Ubuntu linux distribution with a don't-insult-your-intelligence style. Because Ubuntu is marketed toward the average end user as opposed to business commercial markets that's exactly the kind of approach Ubuntu requires.

Grants approachable, humor based approach, exploits his long history with computers and teaching to pull-the-curtain back on the wizard-of-linux to explain the basics of the Gnome formatted Ubuntu to the average user. Grant frequently uses mothering phrases to reassure the reader not to worry certain technical events explaining each event in a step-by-step manner thus eliminating the intimidation factor found in most programming instruction/reference books. This book covers all the neophyte basics, including but not limited to: os installation including a dual-boot process, customizing the display/gui, tweaking program icon short-cuts, downloading, installing & configuring additional programs, internet access configuration, networking, security and much more. The table of contents includes the following:

Contents: Becoming a Penguinista; Wading and Diving; A New Place to Call Home; More Than Webbed Feet; Rounding Out the Bird; A Tidy Next; Dressing Up the Bird; Simple Kitten Ways; Dining on Tarballs, Binaries, Java, and Even RPMs; Gutenbird; Font Feathered Frenzy; Polyglot Penguins; Penguins Back at Work; Brush-Wielding Penguins; Tux Rocks; Pluggin' In the Penguin; Couch Penguins; Defending the Nest; Ubuntu Desktop CDs for AMD64 and PowerPC Users; Checking the Integrity of Downloaded ISOs; Resources; Index

A companion UBUNTU 6.06 LIVE CD (long-term supported) version is included with the book. This CD is designed to run from your cd/dvd player without installing onto your harddrive, and, without affecting your existing operating system, providing users the opportunity to "play" with all the applications and utilities in a try-before-you buy kind of experience. Or, if you find yourself convinced, you may install Ubuntu onto your harddrive using the install icon on your desktop. The trademark user friendly boot-loader handles all the messy installation details. And Ill quote the book - "So if you're familiar with computers, but unfamiliar with Linux, or somewhat familiar with Linux but not the Ubuntu ... this book was written for you.