From: Lars.Wirzenius@helsinki.fi (Lars Wirzenius) Subject: --> META-FAQ: Where to find information about Linux (08 Sep 1992) <-- Date: 27 Sep 1992 22:00:07 GMT
Purpose of this article
This article is a weekly reminder of how you can find
information about Linux. It doesn't answer any questions
directly, but it tells you where you can probably find an
answer by yourself. I'll try to keep this article short to
save bandwidth, although it does mean I have to be quite
brief. Please mail any comments, corrections and suggestions
to Lars.Wirzenius@helsinki.fi.
Thanks to all the people who have helped form this document.
I'm sorry I can't list your names, you're just too many.
Major FTP sites for Linux
textual name numeric addr Linux directory
tsx-11.mit.edu 18.172.1.2 /pub/linux
nic.funet.fi 128.214.6.100 /pub/OS/Linux
ftp.mcc.ac.uk 130.88.200.7 /pub/linux
kirk.bu.oz.au 131.244.1.1 /pub/OS/Linux
utsun.s.u-tokyo.ac.jp 133.11.11.11 /misc/linux
ftp.informatik.tu-muenchen.de 131.159.0.110 /pub/Linux
fgb1.fgb.mw.tu-muenchen.de 129.187.200.1 /pub/linux
ftp.dfv.rwth-aachen.de 137.226.4.105 /pub/linux
Tupac-Amaru.Informatik.RWTH-Aachen.DE 137.226.112.31 /pub/Linux
sunsite.unc.edu 152.2.22.81 /pub/Linux
Filenames in this article are relative to the directories
given above.
tsx-11 and fgb1 are the official sites for Linux' GCC.
ftp.mcc is home of the MCC interim release. Some sites mirror
other sites. Please use the site closest (network-wise) to
you.
Zane Healy posts (every now and then) a list of BBS's that
have Linux available for download. Try them if you can't FTP.
You can also try various ftpmail-servers, for example by
sending mail to ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com, with the word help in
the subject.
"Releases" (or different versions) of Linux
The official release (Linus' bootdisk and Jim Winstead's
rootdisk) can be found on most ftp sites (at least tsx-11 and
nic.funet.fi). Unofficial releases include the MCC interim
release, said to be easy to install, from ftp.mcc (and other
sites), the SLS release, which should contain most of the
important stuff (from tsx-11), Dave Safford's kit, based on MCC,
but includes X, and Martin Junius' mj-release, similar to the
official release with a lot of added programs (from ftp.dfv).
See also the FAQ for more information.
Installation documents
Ian Reid's INSTALL.doc (nic.funet.fi, in the images directory)
and Chuck Boyer's "(DOS) Beginner's Guide to Linux v0.95a" are
a bit outdated but still helpful installation instructions.
The root disk has instructions for installation, and the MCC
release has its own instructions. The FAQ (see below) also
has something to say on this matter.
The general Linux FAQ (FAQ = Frequently Asked Questions list, with answers)
The FAQ contains a LOT of information, and is pretty long
(posted as two parts). Everybody should read it, 'cause it
really does contain solutions to the many common problems. It
can be FTP'd from at least tsx-11 (docs/FAQ_xxx, where xxx is
the date), and nic.funet.fi (doc/FAQ_xxx). Also check the
archives at pit-manager, send mail to
mail-server@pit-manager.mit.edu with the word help in it.
The GCC README, release-xxxx, and FAQ
README and release-xxxx (xxxx is version number) contain
instructions for installation. It seems that most of the
problems people have had with the release 2.2.2 are due to
misreading or not reading these files. GCC also has its own
FAQ. It and the other two files are part of the GCC
distribution (in file 2.2.2misc.tar.Z).
Mailing-lists
There are several mailing-lists for Linux. Check the FAQ for
more information about them, including how to join.
Other newsgroups
Not all problems you encounter while using Linux are Linux
specific. You may also want to read several groups in the
comp.unix hierarchy, comp.sources.wanted, alt.sources.wanted,
and especially any FAQs in these groups.
Documentation for various programs
Most of the various software packages come with some sort of
documentation, often in files that have names similar to
README. 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.
Finding the current releases of programs
New releases and new programs are usually announced in
comp.os.linux and/or the mailing lists. Other than that, you
more or less have to check the FTP sites.
Linus' .plan contains some information about the current
kernel. finger torvalds@klaava.helsinki.fi. (It is often
quite long!)
Please try to use the current releases, if possible, at least
of the kernel and compiler. If you have a problem, please
first make sure you have a current release, it often helps.
Don't use alpha test releases unless you _like_ problems.
Ongoing projects
James Callison maintains a list of who is currently doing what
for Linux. Mail to
constellation!biglaw!registry@mailhost.ecn.uoknor (if that
doesn't work, try callison@uokmax.ecn.uoknor). The list is
posted regularly to comp.os.linux.
Getting software
Most or all of the software is available via FTP. If you
don't have FTP, see "How to find sources" in news.answers, and
the Linux FAQ.