Linux Meta-FAQ
Michael K. Johnson, johnsonm@nigel.vnet.net
Version 4.0, November 12, 1994
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
(wirzeniu@cc.helsinki.fi) wrote the first version of this document,
and it is now maintained by Michael K. Johnson (john-
sonm@nigel.vnet.net). 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. It has no proprietary code
in it. Linux is freely distributable under the GNU Public
License. It only 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, or 68040.
An FPU is also required, and will be until someone writes an FPU
emulator. See the /pub/linux/680x0 directory at tsx-11.mit.edu.
Support for Alpha/AXP, PowerPC, and MIPS is in the works, 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
(torvalds@kruuna.helsinki.fi) 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.
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 Matt Welsh and Lars
Wirzenius. To make submissions to the newsgroup, send mail to
linux-announce@tc.cornell.edu. You may direct questions about
comp.os.linux.announce to Matt Welsh, mdw@sunsite.unc.edu
The newsgroup comp.os.linux.admin is an unmoderated newsgroup
for discussion of administration of Linux systems.
The newsgroup comp.os.linux.development 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.
The newsgroup comp.os.linux.help is an unmoderated newsgroup for
any Linux questions that don't belong anywhere else.
The newsgroup comp.os.linux.misc is the replacement for
comp.os.linux, and is meant for any discussion that doesn't
belong elsewhere.
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. 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
Matt Welsh, mdw@sunsite.unc.edu, maintains the home WWW page for
the Linux project. The URL is
http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/linux.html
Linux Journal
A new magazine called Linux Journal was recently launched. It
includes articles intended for almost all skill levels, and is
intended to be helpful to all Linux users. Subscriptions are
$19 in the U.S., $24 in Canada and Mexico, and $29 elsewhere
around the world, all payable in U.S. funds. Subscription
inquiries can be sent via email to subs@ssc.com or faxed to
(U.S.) 1-206-527-2806 or mailed to Linux Journal, PO Box 85867,
Seattle, WA 98145-1867 USA. Please do not send credit card
numbers via email; the internet is not secure, and it is
entirely possible that a technologically adept thief may steal
your credit card number and cost you a large sum of money if you
do.
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 18.172.1.2 /pub/linux
sunsite.unc.edu 152.2.22.81 /pub/Linux
nic.funet.fi 128.214.6.100 /pub/OS/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, including floppies, CD-ROM,
and tape, 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.
Also check advertisements/* at tsx-11.mit.edu for advertisements of
other ways to get linux, including a list of people that will make
copies for you at low prices. Also available there are advertisements
for other commercial services related to Linux.
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
has only very limited very old Linux archives.
3.5. Mailservers and such
Sunsite offers ftp-mail service --- mail ftpmail@sunsite.unc.edu.
4. Linux distributions (aka ``releases'')
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 recommended distributions are
Slackware, MCC, and soon, Debian. These are all available for free
over the internet, and some are also sold on floppies and CD-ROM's.
5. Linux mailing-lists
Used mostly for discussion between developers of new features and
testers of pre-release versions. See addresses in the FAQ. Many
lists are based in the Mail-net system at Helsinki University of
Technology. Send mail to linux-activists-request@niksula.hut.fi, and
you will get mail explaining how to get any of the many ``channels''
available. Save this mail, as it tells you how to unsubscribe to the
channels, and if you post annoying messages to the rest of 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 800 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
New releases, programs, and ports are usually announced in
comp.os.linux.announce. finger torvalds@klaava.helsinki.fi to get
some information about the current kernel.
9. This Document
The latest version of this document should always be available from
tsx-11.mit.edu in /pub/linux/docs in the file META-FAQ. A DVI version
should be available in the same directory as META-FAQ.dvi, and a
PostScript version as META-FAQ.ps.
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.