Re: recommended reading?
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 (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.
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 <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/
Nice list.
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