This book puts you in charge of the most flexible and adaptable graphical interface in the computer industry. The X Window System underlies graphical desktops on Linux and Unix systems, and supports advanced features of modern graphics cards. More people use the X Window System than ever before, but there are few books about X in print. X Power Tools fills that hole with the most practical and up-to-date information available. Written in O'Reilly's popular Power Tools format, X Power Tools offers dozens of standalone articles, thoroughly cross-referenced, on useful tools and techniques for using X. This unique inside look at X gives Unix/Linux system administrators, owners of self-administered systems, and power users a lot of useful ways to harness the power of this system effectively. This book:

• Offers a thorough grounding in X configuration and how the system works

• Provides the complete ins and outs of changing a desktop's behavior, such as fonts, keyboard settings, and remote security

• Includes articles on how to take advantage of X's "network transparency" -- its ability to display graphical applications on a remote machine

• Explores intriguing areas such as using multiple monitors, building kiosks, and accessibility

• Features discussions on X Window innovations and the future of the system

X Power Tools covers configuration and use of X, focusing on Linux but also including notes on other operating systems such as Solaris and FreeBSD. Each article in the book gives you insight into X; the entire book gives you a real grasp on this system and what you can do with it.

Amazon.com® Reader Reviews (Ranked by Helpfulness)

Average Amazon.com® Rating:  Based on 7 Ratings

Finally X explained - 2008-05-14
Reviewer Rating:
Ever since making Linux my primary OS of choice, I have found it impossible to find a cogent explanation of the different pieces of software that result in the graphical desktop. There are X, session managers, window managers, compositing managers, and desktop environments. Happily, this book explains these pieces of software, their purpose and the way they interact, and does it in a way that is accesible to the intermediate *nix user while still providing a satisfying amount of technical detail. It also provides tools for managing the software and tweaking it to make it do what you want.

Much Ado About Nothing - 2008-03-30
Reviewer Rating:
According to the author of the book in review:" This book is written for experienced
computer users...".

Nothing can be further from the truth. In reality this is a very elementary
text on X window system that probably would not be worth of buying if not for the excellent Chapter 3 which does a great job in systematically explaining
structure of xorg.conf file. It is also the only book written in the past ten years entirely dedicated to X window system.

At the beginning of the chapter 6 the author brags about the
fact that he will discuss often ignored utility programs which ships with X window
system. That is quite an overstatement as after the reading of chapters 6, 7, and 8
one would not be able even to configure mice for a left-handed person.

The book in review is just a part of the general trend which can be summarized in the following observation:" As the use of computer technology has seen unprecedented
expansion in the past 20-30 years the computer literacy of an average computer user
has shrunk to zero". I can just add that above observation seems nowadays apply
to so called "power users" too.

At the end, I shell mentioned that the book is written by a GNU/Linux user but the
author made a genuine attempt to write in a fashion which would make the text useful
to Unix users. In an era of great ignorance by a large part of GNU/Linux
community about Unix the author's approach should be commended.

Pricey but the best (possibly only source) - 2008-11-10
Reviewer Rating:
there is too much unrelated articles/info on internet searches for "X" and "Windows", so this is book is good in having all the information about x-windows in one place. The XWindow layer is not something a lot of end-users of linux are going to be messing with, so the target audience of programmers and device driver writers in particular might be disappointed. The information is valuable but not in depth enough for coders. It explains the bridge between the device level and gui but not enough in how to expand that bridge.

Great Cookbook For Linux Admins - 2008-05-30
Reviewer Rating:
'X Power Tools' is a book for Linux admins and developers who want to learn how to use Linux better than ever before. With 250+ pages of material spread over 15 chapters and close to 200 recipes, this is perfect for anyone looking to do more with the X Windows system.

Great book, great resource, easy recommendation

***** RECOMMENDED

Useful and specific. - 2008-05-05
Reviewer Rating:
The X Window System is the foundation of graphical desktops on both Linux and Unix systems and supports advanced features of modern graphics cards, so X Power Tools' articles on the topic are a top pick for any advanced computer library specializing in Unix. It offers an introduction to how the system works, considers useful utility programs and applications, covers software that work with X, and reviews the basics of building networks and systems with X. Any advanced Unix or Linux computer reference library will find it useful and specific.

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