by Archive-name: linux-faq/meta-faq
Last-modified: 13 Apr 93
Version: 3.01
Linux Meta-FAQ
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 (wirze...@cc.helsinki.fi) wrote the first version of
this document, and it is now maintained by Michael K. Johnson
(johns...@stolaf.edu). Mail me if you have any questions about
this document.
NOTE: Filenames in this article are for the tsx-11.mit.edu ftp
site (see below for names of more ftp sites). Files are usually
located in similar places on other sites. The names are relative
to the directory /pub/linux/ on tsx-11.
What is Linux?
Linux is a clone of the UNIX operating system 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 and a 386 or higher processor. See the FAQ for more
exact hardware requirements. The Linux kernel is written by
Linus Torvalds (torva...@kruuna.helsinki.fi) from Finland.
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 (docs/FAQ/) and rtfm.mit.edu, the general archive site
for all FAQs.
Linux newsgroups
There are two Usenet newsgroups for Linux: comp.os.linux and
comp.os.linux.announce. The latter contains important stuff
like announcements of new programs or versions, the former
all the discussion. It is a good idea to follow at least
c.o.l.a if you use Linux.
0.1 Getting Linux
0.1.1 Linux FTP sites
A more complete list of Linux FTP sites is in the Linux
INFO-SHEET (docs/INFO-SHEET). 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.
0.1.2 Linux on BBS's
Zane Healy posts (around the beginning and middle of the month)
a list of BBS's that have Linux available for download. Try them
if you can't FTP. This list is available by ftp as docs/bbs.list
at tsx-11.
0.1.3 Linux on physical media
Linux is distributed on floppies by at least Softlanding
Software (910 Lodge Ave, Victoria, B.C, Canada, V8X-3A8, (604)
360-0188) for USD 3.25/disk. This is mostly the same SLS
distribution that is available via FTP (see below). The diskette
distribution is mostly meant for people who can't FTP. SLS is
also now producing a CD-ROM of the SLS release.
Marco Scheibe (my...@cs.tu-berlin.de), Klaus Weidner
(klaus.weid...@physik.tu-muenchen.de) and Gert Doering
(gert.doer...@physik.tu-muechen.de) will copy Linux (the
complete SLS distribution, including X, possibly other things as
well) for you, if you send them diskettes and return postage.
Contact them via e-mail first.
Yggdrasil Computing is producing a CD-ROM with Linux. Currently
a beta version is available (beta referring to the fact that the
contents are still evolving) This is a completely new
distribution, not SLS. A complete listing of files is available
via FTP from netcom.com in directory pub/yggdrasil. There is
also a manual and other information there. Contact
yggdra...@netcom.com or call (510)526-7531, 9am-5:30pm,
California time.
Also check advertisements/* at tsx-11 for advertisements of
other ways to get linux, including a list of people that will
make copies for you at low prices.
If you know of other distributors, send me a note!
0.1.4 Commercial networks
GEnie mirrors most of tsx-11 and sunsite (including SLS).
CompuServe has only very limited very old Linux archives.
0.1.5 Mailservers and such
The trickle server TRIC...@AWIWUW11.BITNET, aka
TRIC...@AWIWUW11.EARN, aka TRIC...@AWIWUW11.wu-wien.ac.at, send
mail to one of these addresses with a body consisting of /HELP.
0.2 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.
Jim Winstead and H.J. Lu maintain the boot and root disks. These
two form more or less the ``official'' release. It is fully
functional, but only has the bare essentials. The filenames are:
images/bootimage-xxx.Z and images/rootimage-xxx.Z (xxx stands
for the version number). They're also hard to install for
newcomers; I'd go for the SLS release (below) if you're new to
Linux and want all of the goodies.
The SLS (Softlanding Linux System) release is rather complete
and has more or less all of the software you could possibly want
for any Linux system. This release is what all new Linux users
should install: it's easy to do and since most people have used
the SLS Linux distribution, if you have any problems there are
many people out there who can give you help. The SLS release is
updated periodically, with ``full'' updates taking place every
few weeks. You can find the SLS release on
tsx-11.mit.edu:/pub/linux/packages/SLS/.
H.J. Lu (the Linux GCC maintainer) also has another set of
disks, including a combined boot and rootdisk, and some
additional disks with more programs. This package assumes you
are already familiar with Linux, and at least some of it may be
incorporated to the work of Jim Winstead. See directories
packages/GCC/rootdisk and packages/GCC/basedisk on tsx-11.
0.3 Linux mailing-lists
Used mostly for discussion between developers of new features
and testers of pre-release versions. See addresses in the FAQ.
0.4 Linux News --- summaries of annoucements
A weekly summary of announcements of new programs and other
interesting news. Edited by Denise Tree, posted to
comp.os.linux.announce, comp.os.linux and the LINUXNEWS channel
on the linux-activists mailing list (see the FAQ for info on
joining mailing lists). It is also available via GEnie. Intended
for people who don't have time or energy to sift through the
high volume of comp.os.linux.
0.5 Other newsgroups are useful, too
At least the groups comp.unix.{
questions,shell,programming,bsd,admin}, and
comp.windows.x.i386unix should be useful for a Linux user. If
you have a problem that is not directly Linux-related, ask it in
these groups, not in c.o.l (which is too big for some people as
it is).
0.6 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.
0.7 Keeping track of current releases
New releases, programs, and ports are usually announced in
comp.os.linux. finger torva...@klaava.helsinki.fi to get some
information about the current kernel (often long!). See also the
next item.
0.8 The Linux Project Registry
Maintained by James Callison, a list of ``who is doing what''.
See the list itself for mail addresses. Posted every two weeks
to comp.os.linux. Contains information about the current status
for included projects.
0.9 The Linux Hardware Compatibility List
Posted occasionally to comp.os.linux.announce, and found on the
major Linux FTP sites (tsx-11:docs/bbs.list). This list lists
some of the devices and hardware that Linux currently supports.
It's useful for anyone wanting to purchase or upgrade their
system. Be aware that it cannot be complete, as there is more
hardware out there than Linux users can own.
0.10 Legalese
Trademarks are owned by their owners. Satisfaction not
guaranteed. No warranties about this document. Void where
prohibited.