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Book:   Mac OS X in a Nutshell
Subject:   Mac OS X in a Nutshell Review
Date:   2003-04-07 11:40:02
From:   Steve Chambers
Rating:  StarStarStarStarStar

While I have not read this book extensively I have mixed feelings about it. I like the command reference (and neither want nor need another manual on Perl or AWK (as O'Reilly publishes books on that, I don't see a need) but found a couple of things a bit glossed over.


Check out the chapter on setting up users and groups outside of the Preference pane for it. The amount of info on that subject (something I would like more info on) is sketchy at best. Though I dont have the book in front of me, it boils down to: "netinfo is the way you do it." (sigh)


Also while the DAMP chapter (available as a download) is a nice start. It is nowhere near sufficient for what I want to do:


How about more on Sendmail, setting up a webmail interface on your web server would be nice. And brfore someone mentions Squirrelmail. I have tried it and failed. Maybe I am a doofus, but I think not...


How about setting up FTP (not anon.) so only specific users have access to a shared folder. No I am not setting up a Warez server. I keep personal (work) files there for easy access on the road and post the occaisional picture or movie for family and friends and would love to set up everyone with their own account in a shared directory.


So while I thought the book was good I found some of the subject matter curiously lacking in subject depth. However I would still recommend this book. It has come in quite handy as a reference for basic UNIX and system admin tasks.



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