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From: Michael K. Johnson <[email protected]>
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.announce,comp.os.linux.hardware,comp.os.linux.setup,comp.os.linux.networking,comp.os.linux.x,comp.os.linux.answers,comp.os.linux.misc,comp.answers,news.answers
Subject: Linux META-FAQ (part 1/1)
Followup-To: poster
Date: 5 Aug 1997 23:16:58 -0400
Organization: Linux HOWTO Project
Lines: 310
Sender: [email protected]
Approved: [email protected] (Lars Wirzenius)
Message-ID: <[email protected]>
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Summary: A listing of Linux sources of information
Keywords: Linux, HOWTO, generic information
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Archive-name: linux/meta-faq
Last-modified: 2 Jan 97

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*** The `Linux META-FAQ' is posted automatically by the
*** Linux HOWTO coordinator, Greg Hankins <[email protected]>.  Please
*** direct any comments or questions about this HOWTO to the author,
*** Michael K. Johnson <[email protected]>.

- --- BEGIN Linux META-FAQ part 1/1 ---

 Linux Meta-FAQ
 Michael K. Johnson, [email protected]
 v4.6, 20 December 1996

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

 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 Public License.  It works on
       IBM PC compatibles with an ISA or EISA bus (including local bus
       variants VLB and PCI) and a 386 or higher processor.

       In addition, it also runs on some Amiga and Atari computers with
       MMU's.  This means 68020 with an external MMU, 68030, 68040, or
       68060.  See the /pub/linux/680x0 directory at tsx-11.mit.edu.

       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 and MIPS is in various stages of completion, but
       don't hold your breath.  Read comp.os.linux.announce instead.

       See the FAQ for more exact hardware requirements.  The Linux
       kernel is written by Linus Torvalds
       ([email protected]) from Finland, and by other
       volunteers.  Most of the programs running under Linux are
       generic Unix freeware, many of them from the GNU project.

    The Linux FAQ
       A collection of common problems and their solutions.  Answers
       many questions faster than the net.  Stored on many Linux ftp
       sites (including /pub/linux/docs on tsx-11.mit.edu) and
       rtfm.mit.edu, the general archive site for all FAQs.

    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 sunsite.unc.edu, directory
       /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 in the
       directory /pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/mini/

    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 comp.os.linux into many groups is 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.html

    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 Maps
       Information on free software available for Linux can be found in
       the Linux Software Map, which can be found on sunsite.unc.edu in
       /pub/Linux/docs/LSM.gz

       Information on non-commercial projects can be found in the
       Projects Map, which is posted occasionally to
       comp.os.linux.announce and is stored at sunsite.unc.edu in
       /pub/Linux/docs/Projects-Map/Projects-Map.gz.

       Information on commercial products can be found in the Linux
       Commercial Products Map, which is posted occasionally to
       comp.os.linux.announce

 2.  Getting Linux

 3.  Linux FTP sites

 A more complete list of Linux FTP sites is in the Linux INFO-SHEET,
 which can always be found at tsx-11.mit.edu in the directory
 /pub/linux/docs/.  A DVI version is in INFO-SHEET.dvi, and a
 PostScript version is in INFO-SHEET.ps.  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.funet.fi             128.214.248.6   /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.

 3.1.  Linux on BBS's

 Occasionally, someone posts a list of BBS's that have Linux available
 for download.  Try them if you can't FTP.  This list is available by
 ftp from tsx-11.mit.edu as /pub/linux/docs/bbs.list.  You may use
 ftpmail (described elsewhere in this document) to get this list if you
 have mail access, or ask a friend with internet access to get it for
 you.

 3.2.  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 for ftp at
 sunsite.unc.edu as /pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO/distribution-HOWTO.

 3.3.  AFS

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

 3.4.  Commercial networks

 GEnie mirrors most of tsx-11.mit.edu and sunsite.unc.edu.  Compu$erve
 also has some Linux archives.

 3.5.  Mailservers and such

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

 4.  Linux distributions

 Linux is distributed by its author only as a kernel.  Other people
 have put together ``distributions'' that can be used.  These
 distributions pair the kernel as released by the author with software,
 to make a complete working package.  Most releases include application
 programs as well as system software, providing ``one stop shopping''
 for Linux.

 There are several distributions of Linux, which are available at
 various sites.  Sunsite mirrors almost all the distributions in
 /pub/Linux/distributions.  The most commonly-recommended freely-
 available distributions are Red Hat, Debian, and Slackware.  These are
 all available for free over the internet, and are also sold on
 floppies and CD-ROM's.

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

 5.  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.

 6.  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.

 7.  More Documentation

 The Linux Documentation Project is working on a lot of documentation.
 Already, over 1600 pages of book-style documentation has been released
 to the general public, and a large set of man pages has also been
 released, with more to follow.  Check
 sunsite.unc.edu:/pub/Linux/docs/LDP for documents written by the LDP.
 The LDP also provides the HOWTO's, described above.

 8.  Keeping track of current releases

 Important new releases, programs, and ports are usually announced in
 comp.os.linux.announce.  finger [email protected] or finger
 @linux.cs.helsinki.fi to get some information about the current
 kernel.

 9.  This Document

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

 10.  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.


- --- END Linux META-FAQ part 1/1 ---

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