[Asterisk-Users] Re: Mahler's Book - New Project

[Noah Miller]

>> I'm currently gearing up for a possible PBX replacement project using
>> Asterisk, and I'm just breaching the iceberg of information that's
>> available.  I typically like to have something thick with pages in
>> front of me.  Mahler's book was the first one to come up and it seems
>> like a good place to start.  However, the big name bookstores tell me
>> it'll take up to three weeks, and this project simply can't endure
>> that wait.  Does anyone know where it's possible to get a paper copy
>> *quickly*?
>
> IMO, that book is NOT worth waiting for. Most of the information in it
> is  available on the internet, and is a rehash of EARLY Asterisk docs.
> If you insist, one of the internet supply stores MUST have some  
> copies.
> Voipsupply?  VOIPconnection? Digitnetworks?
> It would be much quicker to follow the links from Digium, read through
> the wiki, then build a small test system with an FXO card and a SIP
> phone and branch out from there.
> AAH, in my opinion, is NOT a good place to learn how to configure
> Asterisk either.

In addition to largely being a rehash of existing docs on the  
internet, there are many editorial errors in the version that I  
have.  Before I was comfortable with the conf files, these editorial  
errors were very confusing.  The editions coming out now may have  
fixed these, but if not, it's just another reason to avoid thee book.

I'd agree that the best way to get started is to get your hands wet.   
Be prepared to devote some time to learning asterisk.  You'll find  
that in the end, it is still the quickest way, and well worth your  
effort.

- Noah