Hi, On Thu, Feb 12, 2004 at 10:53:56AM -0800, Karsten M. Self wrote: > on Sun, Feb 08, 2004 at 02:54:53AM +0000, Steve Hargreaves ([EMAIL PROTECTED]) wrote: > > Hi folks > > > > OK - I admit it. I've been working with computers for over 20 years > > (IBM mainframe, mini, micro(or PC as they are called, now), WinNT > > networks etc. and an Amiga developer (not using C) - but this damn > > Linux business is driving me nuts. First time I've used an OS that you > > (literally) have to build yourself, and has so many quirks it's > > untrue. > > As others have said: GNU/Linux is Unix in heart and philosphy. Tools > are tools.
Yep. > > So - in a bid to not flood this list with questions, I'm prepared to > > go out there and try to become an expert myself, but despite my love > > of technology and computers, I'm still something of a traditionalist > > when it comes to reading - ie - I like paper. > > > > What would people recommend I start with (assume I'm a complete > > novice) that will guide me through the basics of Linux (and more > > specifically, debian) that I can get without trawling the web and > > spending several pound on printer ink and paper to get (and if my > > local library can get hold of it - even better). > > Dead trees are hard pressed to keep up with the latest and greatest on > GNU/Linux and particularly Debian developments. Invariably, they're 6-9 > months old, at the least at publication, and frequently years by the > time you run across them. > > That said, two points to keep in mind: > > - Unix knowledge ages gracefully. Change is evolutionary rather than > revolutionary, and core principles remain largely unchanged. Once > you understand the basics, you're well equipped to grok details. > > - There's a tremendous amount of information available online. > And much of this is packaged for Debian. > > For books, as a basic introduction: > > - _Running Linux_ > - _Linux in a Nutshell_ > - _UNIX Power Tools_ I also read "A Practical Guide to Linux" by Sobell for this level of entry level general Unix guide. > Nemeth is good, through perhaps advanced for the typical user. You > might also want a good shell reference (the command line interpreter -- > bash, zsh, tcsh, etc., you use). Yes. > Classics such as Kernighan & Pike's _The UNIX Programming Environment_ > and Kernighan & Ritchies _The C Programming Language_ are useful > specifically because they _do_ focus on the essentials and > philosophical foundations of Unix and C. Yes, I think this philosophical part is important too. Although I have little appetite to actually use nroff thing except man pages. > Beyond these basics, find your area of interest. There are many: > security, networking, programming (C/C++, Perl, Python, Ruby, Java, > ...), various services (mail, web, database, ...), specific tools and > systems (CVS, Emacs, LDAP, DocBook, ...), and vertical areas > (bioinformatics, educational software, telephony). Yes. > For available online documentation: > > Install the 'dwww' > package, which presents your locally installed documentation at > http://localhost/dwww/ Then grab yourself the following packages: > > - apt-howto-en # Debian apt HOWTO > - lg-all # Linux Gazette -- new issues monthly. or -lg-latest-two > - rutebook # RUTE user tutorial and exposition Hmmm... I did not know this. Although this is in non-free archive, it is nice book. You can buy hardcpver too. (I added link from my reference page to this.) > - doc-linux-html # Numerous HOWTOs - doc-linux-text # Easier if you are searching by grep command. > - debian-guide # Debian GNU/Linux: Guide to Installation and Usage A good book but getting a bit old. > - debian-history # A Short History of the Debian Project > - debian-policy # Debian Policy Manual and related documents > - debian-reference-en # Debian system administration guide, > English original Thanks. > - doc-debian # Debian Project documentation, Debian FAQ and > other documents Always, read this if you have question on Debian. > - doc-iana # Internet protocol parameter registry > - doc-rfc # Internet requests for comments (IETF standards) Good point. I added these to my support page too. > You should also look over http://www.debian.org/ under the Documentation > section, which includes copious docs (many of which are packaged within > the Debian distribution itself). http://www.debian.org/doc/ > The GNU/Linux Documentation Project (TLDP) contains a comprehensive set > of HOWTOs, FAQs, guides, manpages, Linux Gazette, and LinuxFocus. > http://www.tldp.org/ http://www.linuxgazette.com http://www.linuxfocus.org > And don't forget the basics -- man and info pages online. "man > <command>", "info <command>", and "apropos <subject>" are useful. > > Most commands will offer a brief syntax guide if invoked with "--help" > or "-h" options. > > Most interactive and/or GUI apps offer a help function. '?', 'h', 'q', > or <F1>' in console based apps may bring up a dialog, most GUI apps have > an explicit 'Help' menu. > > > Peace. > > -- > Karsten M. Self <[EMAIL PROTECTED]> http://kmself.home.netcom.com/ > What Part of "Gestalt" don't you understand? > Moderator, Free Software Law Discussion mailing list: > http://lists.alt.org/mailman/listinfo/fsl-discuss/ Nice list. -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to [EMAIL PROTECTED] with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact [EMAIL PROTECTED]
