on Tue, Nov 13, 2001 at 08:05:55AM +0200, Ian Balchin (fables@imaginet.co.za) wrote:
> Brenda et al.
>
> Thanks, I have the directory colouring OK now, as the user I had
> to do the bash_profile to get it running (which 'include's the
> bashrc)
>
> I wanted to colorise the prompt. Also (down the road) I wanted to
> get some colour to joe (they have it yellow and red at the local
> university) as it is a bit bland with everything white on black.
> So ..... reading the Config-HOWTO has not helped as following his
> suggestions makes no change (have saved all original files as
> .old) Queries:
>
> What is the difference between the files in /etc , /etc/skel , and
> /root ??
/etc are systemwide configuration files. Some of these are used only
for specific server applications (e.g.: /etc/exim.config), others for
users (/etc/profile).
/etc/skel are "templates" for config files copied to standard users.
/root files shouldn't be used ;-). You're logging into your system as
'ian', aren't you.
Seriously, logging in as root is dangerous, and largely unnecessary.
> Why are some files started with a dot (.) and others not?
Users' config files frequently exist as a file .foo or a directory .foo/
in the user's home directory. The leading dot '.' means the file isn't
visible on a standard directory listing (use ls -a to see the files).
Frankly, I think this standard's been abused, and users should get a set
of subdirectories including an ~/etc and ~/tmp for configuration and
temporary files.
> Reading the config-HOWTO (where he gives sample files that are not
> the Debian ones) he plainly states in section 4.1 that
>
> /etc/bashrc (which we do not have) (Not a dot file) and..
> /etc/profile (Not a dot file)
>
> can be edited for system-wide effects - ie as I understand it,
> root and all users will be affected by these settings unless they
> are elsewhere modified (like a user editing ditto-named files in
> his $home directory.
Yes.
> My Gnu/Linux Bible is on the way (thank the Lord) but the bad news
> is that it is going to take 2 to 3 months surface mail to get
> here!
Ouch.
> In the meantime I'll have to print out the Bash_Prompt-HOWTO.
>
> Have been looking at emacs. 'nuff said.
>
> The HOWTOs would be better if they were Debian specific, but they
> do assume that you are already in the know on most matters linux
> and the writers are often using redhat or something other than
> Debian.
There *are* some Debian-specific HOWTOs. Most, however, refer to
multiple GNU/Linux distros. As Debian increases in popularity, you can
expect to see more Debian-specific coverage.
My hint on reading HOWTOs:
- There's introductory/administrative information. This can usually
be ignored.
- There's installation information. Largely irrelevant for Debian.
You don't need to worry about obtaining, downloading, compiling, and
installing software.
- There's the configuration section. Read this.
- Additional references. Yada, yada. Skim this, it may be of some
use.
Again, there's Debian-specific documentation at the Debian website, in
the man and info pages, and in your own /usr/share/doc directory.
Peace.
--
Karsten M. Self <kmself@ix.netcom.com> http://kmself.home.netcom.com/
What part of "Gestalt" don't you understand? Home of the brave
http://gestalt-system.sourceforge.net/ Land of the free
Free Dmitry! Boycott Adobe! Repeal the DMCA! http://www.freesklyarov.org
Geek for Hire http://kmself.home.netcom.com/resume.html
Attachment:
pgpqKJfdwdsPU.pgp
Description: PGP signature