Intro: We are relative Linux newbies (with
Linux since Summer 1998). We run mostly RedHat and Mandrake -> the
solutions might not be directly applicable to other Linux distributions
(although most of them probably will). Hope this helps, we try to be as
practical as possible. Of course, we provide no warranty whatsoever.
If you spotted a bad error or would like to contribute a part on a topic
of your choice, we would like to hear from you.
General description of this Guide: A complete reference for new Linux users wishing to set up and maintain their own Linux desktop computer, and/or administer their home or small office network. The answers are meant to be simple, with just sufficient detail, and always supported with readily applicable examples. The work is in progress--the Guide is incomplete and requires reorganizations. We welcome your corrections, advice, criticism, links, translations, and CONTRIBUTIONS. Pls note that there are no ad banners on this pages.
Part 0: For the
Undecided (Linux Benefits)
If you wonder what are Linux pros and cons, and whether Linux is for
you.
Part 1: Before
Linux Installation
What distribution should I use, how to obtain it, Linux hardware requirements,
how to partition your hard drive, about dual boot, which packages to install,
which graphical user interface (GUI) to install (gnome or kde?), and how
to login for the very first time.
Part 2: Linux Resources,
Help and Some Links
How to access the Linux documentation (from under MS Windows or Linux),
what are Linux help commands, where to find the geek dictionary, + pointers
to some Linux newsgroups and websites.
Part 3: Basic Operations
FAQ
After you installed Linux, here are answers to some questions that
Linux newbie users/administrators may have when trying to perform every-day
tasks: what are the file name conventions, how to run a program, shut down
my computer, set up the path, add users, remove users, make your passwords
and system more secure, work with file permissions, schedule jobs with
"at" and cron, set up the swap space, change your shell prompt, print symbols
in the text mode, use color in the text mode, redirect input/output, write
a simple shell script, install a new program ...
Part 4.1: Boot-time
issues
Some info on LILO and GRUB boot managers, how do I choose the operating
system which boots on default, uninstall Linux, solve some memory problems
...
Part 4.2: Accessing
my drives
Where are my drives, how to mount them, configure user access, get
the zip drive recognized, set 32-bit hard drive IO, increase the limit
on the number of opened files ...
Part 4.3: Working
with X-windows
How to switch between text and graphical consoles, set up my video
card, monitor and mouse for the X-server, setup a graphical login prompt,
change a default desktop, have multiple sessions of Xwindows running
at the same time, use Xwindow remotely, install TrueType fonts from
my MS Windows partition to Linux, how to copy-paste under X and in the
text mode.
Part 4.4: Basic
Configurations
Real basics on how to configure the printer and soundcard, bits
about configuration files, daemons, and device files.
Part 4.5: Networking
Setting up network, ppp (connection over the phone), remote access
to your computer, ftp and html server, e-mail, how my computer can get
hacked ...
Part 5: Linux
Shortcuts and Commands
Maybe that should have come first. A practical selection of Linux shortcuts
and commands in a concise form. Perhaps this is everything what a computer-literate
newbie Linuxer really needs. Highly recommended.
Part 6: Linux applications
(proprietary or not)
Essential and/or famous Linux applications with some hint/comments:
word processing, spreadsheet, database, latex. Extensive info on how to
set up and use CD recorder to write data, audio, and mixed mode CDs.
Part 7: Learning
with Linux (commands for more esoteric work or programming)
Review of some more advanced or less useful commands/tools to get you
started with fancier text processing, encryption, digital signatures (gpg),
simple programming plus some info on the Linux console tools that can help
learn about computers. Under development so perhaps not so good:
grep, regular expressions, sort, ascii codes, linux built-in c compiler
and tools, perl, python, tcl/tk, "Reverse Polish Notation" (RPN) calculator,
scilab, wine ... working on it.
Appendix: How
to upgrade the kernel (by Alesh Mustar)
All you need to know to upgrade the Linux kernel.
Acknowledgments (who helped us +
why we are writing this page).
The master copy of this page: http://sunsite.auc.dk/linux-newbie/ (Denmark, Europe)
Mirror: http://www.linsup.com/newbie/ (Australia)
We are currently looking for a reliable mirror in North America.A Russian translation (ver. 0.10 ) is available here localy or at http://www.college.balabanovo.ru/rider/book/ (Russia)
A Polish translation is available at http://www.wzz.org.pl/~lnag/pl/
A Chinese translation of the "Linux Shortcuts and Commands" (ver. 0.32) is available (locally) here.
The Spanish translation is available on the Spanish Esware Linux distribution CD, we were informed by <hfl@hardlogic.es>--please let us know if you see it on line. We were also informed that the translations into the following languages may be under way: Brazilian Portuguese "Andre' Franciosi" <franciosi@disinfo.net>, German "Kaleb Yilma" <KalebY@gmx.de>, Swedish "JonasÖgren" <jonas.ogren@home.se>.Trust automatic translations? Try this cool tool (expect problems though):
http://translator.go.com/search_trans?url=http%3A//sunsite.auc.dk/linux-newbie/&lk=noframesThe following (automaticallly generated) files are available for downloading:
The pdf version of the Linux Newbie Guide is here (~600 kB, best for printing and off-line reading).
The pdf zip version of the Linux Newbie Guide is here, (slightly smaller, ~400 kB).
The postscript version of the Linux Newbie Guide is here. (big, ~ 1 MB).
The postscript zip version of the Linux Newbie Guide is here (~200 kB)
The html zip version of the Linux Newbie Guide is here (~300 kB, includes all the local html files).
Penguin from Deep River, Ontario :-)
We are proud Canadians of Silesian background.