Linux+ v8 guide from Sybex: skips a whole objective

[Tess Sluijter]

G'day everyone!

I bought the Sybex Wiley study guide for Linux+ v8 (XK0-006), because that's the book my students will also be using.

I was looking forward to the authors' take on a few of the new objectives, most importantly 4.5 on the responsible use of AI and LLM.

The book's preface promises that objective 4.5 is discussed in a chapter, plus the header page for that same chapter says it's in there. But no. Absolutely zero mention of AI, LLM and related topics. It's not in the index, it's not in the table of contents, not a word is breathed about the whole objective 4.5

I've submitted an erratum form to Sybex Wiley, who have "forwarded it to second line"... but it's gone dead silent since then.

I also noticed that this new version of the book no longer has Christine Bresnahan on the cover; it's now only mr Blum. I wonder why.

 

[Rick Butler]

G'day everyone!

I bought the Sybex Wiley study guide for Linux+ v8 (XK0-006), because that's the book my students will also be using.

I was looking forward to the authors' take on a few of the new objectives, most importantly 4.5 on the responsible use of AI and LLM.

The book's preface promises that objective 4.5 is discussed in a chapter, plus the header page for that same chapter says it's in there. But no. Absolutely zero mention of AI, LLM and related topics. It's not in the index, it's not in the table of contents, not a word is breathed about the whole objective 4.5

I've submitted an erratum form to Sybex Wiley, who have "forwarded it to second line"... but it's gone dead silent since then.

I also noticed that this new version of the book no longer has Christine Bresnahan on the cover; it's now only mr Blum. I wonder why.

Hard to say - but as of last night, we know that @jasoneckert 's book is due out very soon. /r

 

[jasoneckert]

G'day everyone!

I bought the Sybex Wiley study guide for Linux+ v8 (XK0-006), because that's the book my students will also be using.

I was looking forward to the authors' take on a few of the new objectives, most importantly 4.5 on the responsible use of AI and LLM.

The book's preface promises that objective 4.5 is discussed in a chapter, plus the header page for that same chapter says it's in there. But no. Absolutely zero mention of AI, LLM and related topics. It's not in the index, it's not in the table of contents, not a word is breathed about the whole objective 4.5

I've submitted an erratum form to Sybex Wiley, who have "forwarded it to second line"... but it's gone dead silent since then.

I also noticed that this new version of the book no longer has Christine Bresnahan on the cover; it's now only mr Blum. I wonder why.

In the past, I've been the technical editor for all of the Linux- and UNIX-related titles at Wiley (at the request of other authors like Richard Blum and Christine Bresnahan since other Linux authors often provide for the most valuable technical reviews).

However, this year I haven't heard a peep that way, so I don't know what is happening at Wiley - but it's possible that cost-saving shortcuts are taking place (e.g., less content editing, consolidating authors).

What I can say is that if I were tech editing the the new title, I would have noted the absence of Objective 4.5, and recommended content for inclusion at certain places

 

[VICTOR CHIDI OKPURUKA]

In the past, I've been the technical editor for all of the Linux- and UNIX-related titles at Wiley (at the request of other authors like Richard Blum and Christine Bresnahan since other Linux authors often provide for the most valuable technical reviews).

However, this year I haven't heard a peep that way, so I don't know what is happening at Wiley - but it's possible that cost-saving shortcuts are taking place (e.g., less content editing, consolidating authors).

What I can say is that if I were tech editing the the new title, I would have noted the absence of Objective 4.5, and recommended content for inclusion at certain places

Always good at what you do !

 

[mohammed khati]

Thanks for pointing this out, Tess. I was actually considering using the Sybex guide for Linux+ v8 as well, but skipping an entire objective like 4.5 sounds like a serious issue. Did you get any update from Wiley since then, or are they still silent?

 

[Tess Sluijter]

Sybex Wiley have stayed completely silent.

Which is why I've also reached out to mr Blum personally, via his blog.

 

[Tess Sluijter]

As I'm going through the book, to match reading materials to my classes, I notice more oversights.

SysV init was removed from the objectives in version XK0-005. Bresnahan and Blum left all the SysV contents from the 004 book in place and didn't remove it. The 006 still has it, even if SysV init hasn't been on the objectives for years now.

Similarly, localization options were removed from the 006 objectives, but the book still has them.

I'm not too happy about this new book's quality.

Honestly @jasoneckert , I'd love to use your book with my students but I just can't justify doubling the study book budget. I once bought your 5th or 6th edition book to check it out and I mostly loved it. But pricewise it's almost 1.5x the Sybex book, which is hard to pay for my non-profit, non-accredited customer.

Maybe I can still win them over... when's the new book coming? I also wonder if McGraw-Hill and Pearson are coming with new books, because I'm getting close to switching away from Sybex.

 

[jasoneckert]

As I'm going through the book, to match reading materials to my classes, I notice more oversights.

SysV init was removed from the objectives in version XK0-005. Bresnahan and Blum left all the SysV contents from the 004 book in place and didn't remove it. The 006 still has it, even if SysV init hasn't been on the objectives for years now.

Similarly, localization options were removed from the 006 objectives, but the book still has them.

I'm not too happy about this new book's quality.

Honestly @jasoneckert , I'd love to use your book with my students but I just can't justify doubling the study book budget. I once bought your 5th or 6th edition book to check it out and I mostly loved it. But pricewise it's almost 1.5x the Sybex book, which is hard to pay for my non-profit, non-accredited customer.

Maybe I can still win them over... when's the new book coming? I also wonder if McGraw-Hill and Pearson are coming with new books, because I'm getting close to switching away from Sybex.

You might also consider using the CompTIA CertMaster materials, complemented by the custom lab resources I developed for the Linux+ TTT session.

 

[Tess Sluijter]

I really, really dislike CompTIA's official materials. Plus many students prefer having a paper book.

But thanks for your suggestion!