From: J.A._Macdonald@p100.f2003.n241.z2.fidonet.org (J.A. Macdonald) Subject: *** Linux Documents Explaine.. Date: Thu, 25 Mar 1993 08:01:00 GMT
AREA:COMP.OS.LINUX
From: jay-m@equinox.unr.edu (J.A. MacDonald)
Organization: University of Nevada Reno
This post is sent weekly to the comp.os.linux newsgroup after several
people suggested I make it a regular thing. Any comments? Contact me...
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Have any of you (relatively) new Linux users felt rather intimidated
by all the *** READ THE FAQ BEFORE YOU BOTHER US GURUS *** type posts,
then gone out and retrieved the numerous FAQ's (after wasting a lot of
time filtering through all the docs etc), read them, then still been
flamed for not finding something in the FAQ? Well, I kinda felt that
way, so I am compiling a very brief (and hopefully understandable) list
of what the various docs are that you may need and why.
Here it is:
=======================================================================
I. Where to find them:
- most of the docs are posted to comp.os.linux (c.o.l) every
couple of weeks. If you are patient you'll see them.
- By ftp try:
tsx-11.mit.edu (18.172.1.2) in /pub/linux
sunsite.unc.edu (152.2.22.81) in /pub/Linux
nic.funet.fi (128.214.6.100) in /pub/OS/Linux
- By mail server try:
mailserver@nic.funet.fi
mail-server@pit-manager.mit.edu
ftpmail@decwrl.dec.com
- If none of those work then try asking Ian Jackson (who's post
*** READ THIS BEFORE POSTING *** should also be read) by
email (ijackson@nyx.cs.du.edu)
II. What document files are available and should you get:
- INFO-SHEET - This file explains what Linux is, its features,
hardware supported, some software ported, and
(very important) where to get Linux via ftp or
snail mail. (in docs/)
- META-FAQ - Lots of useful information on where to find more
information about Linux (get this one for sure).
(in docs/)
- faq.p1.mmmyy - The FAQ itself comes in 4 parts. This is the
- faq.p2.mmmyy mother of all Linux documentation. These four
- faq.p3.mmmyy files are a *must* if you plan to use Linux
- faq.p4.mmmyy (The FAQ is updated regularly, hence the date
extension. e.g. mmmyy = feb93) (in docs/FAQ)
- faq.toc.mmmyy - Table of Contents for the FAQ. A must-get in
order to avoid massive amounts of time waste
picking through the four FAQ volumes.
(in docs/FAQ)
- NET-FAQ - Documentation on networking Linux. This is in
addition to Chapter XI of the FAQ. (in docs/)
- LILO-QUICKSTART-1.1 - How to install LILO (the disk booting
program). (in docs/)
- FAQ - GCC FAQ (rather poorly named IMHO). (in packages/GCC)
iii. Information for SLS!!! (every newbie needs this 8-)
- DOWNLOADING - Information on how to get the SLS disks
(in packages/SLS)
- NOTICE - Information on warranty, restrictions, etc for SLS.
Check this one out. (in packages/SLS)
- COPYING - The GNU General Public License document (in packages/SLS)
- RELEASE - Information on what is in the latest release of SLS.
(in packages/SLS)
- ChangeLog - History of changes to Linux and SLS (in packages/SLS)
- README - Most important document on SLS installation etc. You
*will* need this for installing SLS. (in packages/SLS)
- SLS.FAQ - The real thing. Two pages of questions you will come
come across (complete with answers, too 8-).
(in packages/SLS)
=====================================================================
From what I've seen so far there is a lot of information contained
in these documents. Also examine every README type file you find (e.g
README.tapes explained all I needed to know to get my SCSI tape stuff
going).
BTW, for those of you with ftp access, here's a neat little trick you
may not know about. To view a file on the archive without first
transfering it to your machine type:
ftp>get filename |more
NOTE: NO SPACE BETWEEN THE | AND more!!! This is really handy for looking
at README files etc, and general file browsing.
Cheers!
Jay MacDonald <- Linux convert
Geosense Consulting
Reno, NV
P.S. If I've missed any obvious docs or docs that anybody thinks should
be included, please let me know.