Buy it for the CD (Linux Format)

Member Name: pan

Product:	Linux Format
Date:	21/03/01 (34 review reads)
Rating:

Advantages: Good cover CDs, occasionally good articles

Disadvantages: Patchy content, not especially good value for money

There are few Linux mags on the ground, which probably makes Linux Format a market leader by default. Like most computer magazines this is a glossy, alluring beastie with a CD to tempt the buyer.

In fact the magazine is fairly slim, both physically and in terms of the content. What there is varies between stuff for the total beginner and much more specialised articles for the seasoned campaigner.

A lot of the beginner stuff should be usefully archived on the CD, that way the content can be more focussed to those who've gone beyond the basics. The lack of real meat makes this a pretty much hit and miss affair.

It's the CDs which usually make this worth buying. This is where I got my hands on Mandrake 7.2, for example, so it pays to keep an eye out for each issue.

To be honest the best option is to keep an eye out for Linux content in more mainstream magazines. PCW, PCPlus and other have articles (and software) on Linux, and you get the added bonus of more varied and interesting content. It's a shame, as there's probably more interest in the subject than there's ever been.

Summary: