Most Linux "encyclopedias" are split in three sections, an introductory section covering topics such as CD based Linux installation, GUI interfaces and text editors; an intermediate section covering Microsoft Office clone productivity suites; and an advanced section covering the topics most non desktop support IT professionals use on a day to day basis.

Unfortunately the "advanced sections" in these guides cover the underlying theory reasonably well, but often are short on space to adequately cover detailed configuration instructions.  IT professionals frequently have to purchase additional specialist books on each topic.

The Linux Quick Fix Notebook takes these "advanced sections" and expands them sufficiently to provide a practical tutorial guide on how to do basic configuration of many popular Linux back office applications with command by command instructions.

To avoid confusion between the many flavors of Linux, each with it's own GUI interface, this guide 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.

Prerequisites
The book's format is aimed at proficient beginners, students and IT professionals 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.  To maintain it's appeal as a compact guide, only the essential supporting theory is provided to help the end user implement their projects under budget and ahead of schedule.

A great deal of attention has been paid to troubleshooting techniques that are often needed to remedy unexpected behavior and every chapter has real world practical examples in the form of tutorials.

Approach
The book creates a typical departmental, small office or home network and shows you how to set up the Linux servers most businesses need.  Three sections have been created to make this process easier.  The first starts as an introduction to networking and extends into using Linux as a main departmental server.  The next section expands upon this knowledge to show you how to create, manage and monitor your own Linux based website running on a simple DSL or cable modem line.  Finally, the third section covers more advanced topics that will become invaluable as your Linux administration role expands

Explanations are given not like a lecturer, but as a trusted and experienced co-worker.  The chapters have a logical flow of information starting with concise backgrounders and ending with a troubleshooting section.

In summary this book:

o Shows how to cheaply expand an existing I.T. investment in Windows using inexpensive Linux as the anchor of a network and website.
o Shows how to do this command by command.
o Is highly focused on being task oriented.
o Illustrates how to create a simple network for small business, corporate departments and homes.
o Provides an excellent networking familiarization and troubleshooting guide

The book is available on Amazon.com and other online bookstores.  Further information can be found at www.quickfixnotebook.com.

About The Author
Peter Harrison was the Network Engineering Manager at Fiscal Services Ltd.  Where he managed the installation of the island's tax collection and National Insurance Scheme computer systems.  He then became the Deputy General Manager of Island Microsystems Ltd.  (now CCS).  Peter was also the founding president of PCJAM, Jamaica's first personal computer user group.  He sought new opportunities as the western Caribbean representative for Eli Lilly, a Fortune 500 pharmaceuticals firm, and later became the international sales manager for Ian Sangster and Company, a leading rum company in the tourism sector.  Before moving to Silicon Valley he ran Trinidad and Tobago's first industrial trade office to Latin America.  Peter has since worked extensively in the Internet sector deploying large-scale data centers and Web sites.  Extensive use of Linux in this environment combined with his varied business background has helped him create this highly readable book for the newbie, the techie, and their bosses.