Does a popular, free operating system with extensive online resources need a printed user guide? The book’s authors, who are deeply involved in the Ubuntu community, think so. After a careful review, readers may agree, albeit with some reservations about lack of detail and perhaps too large a target.

The intended audience has presumably never installed Ubuntu and is new to the environment. An included DVD contains the last long-term support version (10.04), while the current online download is version 10.10, as of October 2010.

The book’s chapters are typical of an introductory user guide--for example, “Introducing Ubuntu,” “Installing Ubuntu,” “Using Ubuntu on the Desktop,” and “More Applications for Ubuntu.” A few brief chapters explore Ubuntu variants for mobile and netbook use.

The use of space for discussing Ubuntu servers, Kubuntu, and Ubuntu-related projects is questionable. The treatment of this material is too superficial to be of much use. Since the authors are immersed experts, they do not spend any time discussing tradeoffs. For example, the introductory chapter to Kubuntu does not compare it to standard Ubuntu or explain why a novice should be at all interested in this effort. Similarly, one wonders why anyone so new to Linux would consider server installation.

The applications discussion is disappointing. Although several popular applications are mentioned, including GIMP, Scribus, and Docky, the discussion is so brief that the novice will have little idea of how to use any of them.

Readers should consider Sobell’s book [1], the main competing title. I prefer a less verbose guide, such as Oxer et al.’s text, although it assumes slight familiarity with the subject. In summary, if you want to install Ubuntu in your spare time, you’ll need more than just this book.