I just browsed through this book. Being tired of "that other OS out there" (no, not Apple ;-)) I desperately want to switch to FBSD. And I am only one of few, so I've learned during my journeys on the net. I think the author did a great job, 5 years ago, when he wrote this book. Back then, he wrote it for people who want to setup a server ("admins"). Since then, times have changed *considerably*. More and more people are looking at FBSD as their next OS (with Linux being often unstable, and OS-X being far to expensive (don't forget, you have to buy the machine that goes with it...;-)).

So, the author did a great job in writing an accessible book (as opposed to, many, many other books...). He writes in clear language (don't forget, not everybody knows all the "fancy academic words"), and I especially like the way how he writes in a task-centured way ("here's everything you need to know about filesystems, logically grouped in one chapter").

So I see on Amazon a new release is planned for later this year, and I only hope the author checks in here regularly to read reviews, because what I really would like to see is that the book is expanded to cover for the needs of the desktop user as well. So of course that means X, but also multimedia, DVD/CD burning, etcetera. In addition, the section about upgrades of ports and packages should be extended considerably (I'm fighting with stale dependencies all the time without really knowing how to solve it...).

The reason for my 3 star: I hope the author reads this post ;-)

Buying a good book specific to FreeBSD is not a simple task.
There are dozens of books about FreeBSD but all of them are just some sort of copy of the HandBook.

This is really the first book that is different to almost all others publishied books -at least till today-.

I will recommend it to any one who is interested in having a deeper understandig (from a point of view of a SysAdmin, of course) of the system.

In fact, FreeBSD UNLEASHED, the Handbook, and Absolute BSD are 3 books that any FreeBSD SysAdmin should have.

By the way, its time for an updated version of this book, the Version 5 FreeBSD is out :)

Jimmy M. Fernández
San José CR
(...)

Buying a good book specific to FreeBSD is not a simple task.
There are dozens of books about FreeBSD but all of them are just some sort of copy of the HandBook.

This is really the first book that is different to almost all others publishied books -at least till today-.

I will recommend it to any one who is interested in having a deeper understandig (since a point of view of a SysAdmin, of course) of the system.

In fact, FreeBSD UNLEASHED, the Handbook, and Absolute BSD are 3 books that any FreeBSD SysAdmin should have.

By the way, its time for an updated version of this book, the Version 5 FreeBSD is out :)

A lot of effort went into compiling this book, and it shows. Virtually all aspects of FreeBSD administration are touched on. It is well written and concise (no fluff). Finally, a single source. No more scouring the web and newsgroups for answers on the basics. Well done.

My work requires me to read alot of technical books. I am so full of praise of this book that I am actually at a loss of words right at this moment.
Never have I seen a book that can actually keep my attention throughout every single chapter.
I guess it is the way it is written. Very light-hearted, practical, and concise. I wish every technical book is written like this. If you are looking for a FreeBSD book, look no further.
Great job, Michael :)