Linux Meta-FAQ
 Michael K. Johnson <[email protected]>
 v4.7, 25 October 1997

 This is the Meta-FAQ for Linux.  It is mainly a list of valuable
 sources of information.  Check these sources out if you want to learn
 more about Linux, or have problems and need help.

 1.  Introduction


    What is Linux?
       Linux is an independent implementation of the POSIX operating
       system specification, with SYSV and BSD extensions, that has
       been written entirely from scratch (this means it looks and acts
       just like Unix).  It has no proprietary code in it.  Linux is
       freely distributable under the GNU General Public License.

       Linux works on IBM PC compatibles with an ISA or EISA bus
       (including local bus variants VLB and PCI) and a 386 or higher
       processor.  Some Amiga and Atari computers with MMU's are also
       supported.  This means 68020 with an external MMU, 68030, 68040,
       or 68060.  Support for the Digital Alpha is now stable.  Red Hat
       and Craftworks have Alpha distributions of Linux.  Support for
       Sparc is stable, and Red Hat Linux is available for Sparc.
       Support for PowerPC is in development for multiple platforms,
       including Nubus and PCI Macintosh, Motorola Powerstack, IBM 830
       and 850, and other platforms.  Support for ARM, StrongARM, and
       MIPS is in various stages of completion, but don't hold your
       breath.  Read comp.os.linux.announce instead.

       See the Linux INFO-SHEET for more technical information on these
       ports, and the Hardware Compatibility HOWTO for more exact
       hardware requirements.

       The Linux kernel is written by Linus Torvalds
       <[email protected]> and other volunteers.  Most of the
       programs running under Linux are generic Unix freeware, many of
       them from the GNU project.


    The Linux INFO-SHEET
       More specific technical information on Linux.  Includes pointers
       to information on the various ports, a feature list, information
       about how to get Linux, and more.


    The Linux HOWTO's
       These are somewhat like FAQ's, but instead of answering common
       questions, they explain how to do common tasks, like ordering a
       release of Linux, setting up print services under Linux, setting
       up a basic UUCP feed, etc.  See
       <http://sunsite.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX.html> or
       <ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/> for the definitive
       versions of all the HOWTO's.  Other sites with up-to-date copies
       of the HOWTOs are ftp.cc.gatech.edu and tsx-11.mit.edu.

       In addition, there are many short, free-form documents called
       "mini-HOWTOs".  These documents cover very specific subjects,
       such as BogoMIPS or Color-ls.  These are available at
       <ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/mini/> and at
       <http://sunsite.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/HOWTO-INDEX.html>.


    Linux newsgroups
       There are several Usenet newsgroups for Linux.  It is a good
       idea to follow at least comp.os.linux.announce if you use Linux.
       comp.os.linux.announce is moderated by Lars Wirzenius.  To make
       submissions to the newsgroup, send mail to linux-
       [email protected].  You may direct questions about
       comp.os.linux.announce to Lars Wirzenius <[email protected]>

       The newsgroup comp.os.linux.announce is a moderated newsgroup
       for announcements about Linux (new programs, bug fixes, etc).

       The newsgroup comp.os.linux.answers is a moderated newsgroup to
       which the Linux FAQ, HOWTO documents, and other documentation
       postings are made.

       The newsgroup comp.os.linux.setup is an unmoderated newsgroup
       for discussion of issues and problems involved in setting up
       Linux systems.

       The newsgroup comp.os.linux.admin is an unmoderated newsgroup
       for discussion of administration of Linux systems.

       The newsgroup comp.os.linux.development.system is an unmoderated
       newsgroup specifically for discussion of Linux kernel
       development.  The only application development questions that
       should be discussed here are those that are intimately
       associated with the kernel.  All other development questions are
       probably generic Unix development questions and should be
       directed to a comp.unix group instead, unless they are very
       Linux-specific applications questions, in which case they should
       be directed at comp.os.linux.development.apps.

       The newsgroup comp.os.linux.development.apps is an unmoderated
       newsgroup specifically for discussion of Linux-related
       applications development.  It is not for discussion of where to
       get applications for Linux, nor a discussion forum for those who
       would like to see applications for Linux.

       The newsgroup comp.os.linux.hardware is for Linux-specific
       hardware questions.

       The newsgroup comp.os.linux.networking is for Linux-specific
       networking development and setup questions.

       The newsgroup comp.os.linux.x is for Linux-specific X Windows
       questions.

       The newsgroup comp.os.linux.misc is an unmoderated newsgroup for
       any Linux discussion that doesn't belong anywhere else.

       In general, do not crosspost between the Linux newsgroups.  The
       only crossposting that is appropriate is an occasional posting
       between one unmoderated group and comp.os.linux.announce.  The
       whole point of splitting the old comp.os.linux group into many
       groups was to reduce traffic in each.  Those that do not follow
       this rule will be flamed without mercy...


    Other newsgroups
       Do not assume that all your questions are appropriate for a
       Linux newsgroup just because you are running Linux.  Is your
       question really about shell programming under any unix or unix
       clone?  Then ask in comp.unix.shell.  Is it about GNU Emacs?
       Then try asking in gnu.emacs.help.  Also, if you don't know
       another group to ask in, but think there might be, politely ask
       in your post if there is another group that would be more
       appropriate for your question.  At least the groups
       comp.unix.{questions,shell,programming,bsd,admin} and
       comp.windows.x.i386unix should be useful for a Linux user.


    The World-Wide Web
       Greg Hankins <[email protected]> maintains the home WWW page
       for the Linux project.  The URL is
       <http://sunsite.unc.edu/LDP/>


    Linux Journal
       A magazine called Linux Journal was launched several years ago.
       It includes articles intended for almost all skill levels, and
       is intended to be helpful to all Linux users.  Subscriptions are
       $22 in the U.S., $27 in Canada and Mexico, and $32 elsewhere
       around the world, all payable in U.S. funds. Subscription
       inquiries can be sent via email to [email protected] or faxed to
       (U.S.)  1-206-782-7191 or mailed to Linux Journal, PO Box 85867,
       Seattle, WA 98145-1867 USA.  SSC has a PGP public key if you
       wish to send your credit card number via encrypted email: finger
       [email protected]


    The Linux Software Map
       Information on free software available for Linux can be found in
       the Linux Software Map, which can be found at
       <http://www.execpc.com/~lsm/>



 2.  Getting Linux

 2.1.  Linux FTP sites

 A more complete list of Linux FTP sites is in the Linux INFO-SHEET,
 which can always be found at <http://sunsite.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/INFO-
 SHEET.html> The most important sites are listed here; please see the
 INFO-SHEET for a site nearer to you (there are many mirrors).



      textual name             numeric addr    Linux directory
      =======================  ==============  ===============
      tsx-11.mit.edu           18.86.0.44      /pub/linux
      sunsite.unc.edu          152.2.22.81     /pub/Linux
      ftp.kernel.org           206.184.214.34  /pub/linux




 These sites are the main ``home'' sites for Linux where most uploads
 take place. There are many mirror sites; please use the closest
 (network-wise) site to you.


 2.2.  Linux on physical media

 Linux is distributed on physical media, mainly CD-ROM, by several
 commercial vendors.  Please read the distribution HOWTO, posted
 regularily to comp.os.linux.announce, and available at
 <http://sunsite.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/Distribution-HOWTO.html>


 2.3.  AFS

 Linux is available over AFS by mounting the volume project.linux from
 sipb.mit.edu
 2.4.  Commercial networks

 Compu$erve has some Linux archives.


 2.5.  Mailservers and such

 Sunsite offers ftp-mail service --- mail <[email protected]>.


 3.  Linux distributions

 Linux is distributed by its author only as a kernel.  Other people
 have put together ``distributions'' that pair the Linux kernel with
 utilities and application software to make a complete working package.

 There are several distributions of Linux, which are available at
 various sites.  Sunsite mirrors many of the distributions at
 <ftp://sunsite.unc.edu/pub/Linux/distributions/>.  The most commonly-
 recommended freely-available distributions are Red Hat
 <http://www.redhat.com> and Debian  <http://www.debian.org>.  These
 are available for free over the internet, and are also sold on CD-ROM.

 There are other distributions of Linux as well. Most commercial
 distributors of Linux advertise in Linux Journal.


 4.  Linux mailing-lists

 Used mostly for discussion between developers of new features and
 testers of pre-release versions.  See addresses in the FAQ.  Send mail
 to [email protected] with the single word help in the body of
 the message , and you will get mail explaining how to subscribe to the
 many Linux mailing lists there.  Save this mail, as it tells you how
 to unsubscribe from the lists, and if you post annoying messages to
 the list complaining about not being able to get off the list (because
 you didn't follow instructions and save the mail telling you how to
 unsubscribe), you will likely be flamed for wasting international
 bandwidth and money.


 5.  Documentation for various programs

 Many programs come with some sort of documentation, often in a file
 called README or something similar.  It is a VERY good idea to read
 them with care.  It is boring to see (and answer) questions that are
 answered in the documentation.  Most programs also have ``man pages'';
 use the command man programname to get documentation on a program
 named programname.  To get help using the man program, use man man.

 Most distributions put other documentation about programs in the
 directory /usr/doc/; your distribution should include documentation on
 how to access that documentation.


 6.  More Documentation

 The Linux Documentation Project is working on a lot of documentation.
 Already, over 3000 pages of book-style documentation has been released
 to the general public, and another 2000 or so printed pages of man
 pages have also been released, with more to follow.  Check
 <http://sunsite.unc.edu/LDP/> for documents written by the LDP.




 7.  Keeping track of current releases

 Important new releases, programs, and ports are usually announced in
 comp.os.linux.announce.


 8.  This Document

 The latest version of this document should always be available from
 <http://sunsite.unc.edu/LDP/HOWTO/META-FAQ.html>


 9.  Legalese

 Trademarks are owned by their owners.  Satisfaction not guaranteed.
 No warranties about this document. Void where prohibited.

 The content of this document is placed in the public domain, but if
 you quote it, please be polite and attribute your source.

 Lars Wirzenius <[email protected]> wrote the first version of this
 document; it is now maintained by Michael K. Johnson
 <[email protected]>.  Mail me if you have any questions about this
 document.

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