on Sun, Feb 08, 2004 at 02:54:53AM +0000, Steve Hargreaves (steve@hargreavess.freeserve.co.uk) 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.
> 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_
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). 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.
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).
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.
- rutebook # RUTE user tutorial and exposition
- doc-linux-html # Numerous HOWTOs
- debian-guide # Debian GNU/Linux: Guide to Installation and Usage
- 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
- doc-debian # Debian Project documentation, Debian FAQ and
other documents
- doc-iana # Internet protocol parameter registry
- doc-rfc # Internet requests for comments (IETF standards)
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).
The GNU/Linux Documentation Project (TLDP) contains a comprehensive set
of HOWTOs, FAQs, guides, manpages, Linux Gazette, and LinuxFocus.
http://www.tldp.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 <kmself@ix.netcom.com> 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/
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