Why Study SPF 2010 Rather Than SPS 2010?

This book is about installing and using the free product called SharePoint Foundation 2010. Because, however, this product was created using the functions provided by the SPF 2010 technology and because SPS 2010 also uses that technology (and creates sites based on it), the book can also be used to gain knowledge of the basic fundamentals of SPS 2010, while avoiding all the additional complications that product’s additional functions bring.

For people completely new to the SharePoint products, starting with SPF 2010 is what I recommend because otherwise you might well be learning about the additional functions provided by SPS 2010 while not being aware of the basics of that product.