by Archive-name: linux-faq/meta-faq
Last-modified: 21 Jan 93
This is the Meta-FAQ for Linux. It is mainly a list of valuable sources of
information. Check them out if you want to learn more about Linux, or have
problems and need help. The Meta-FAQ is posted every Monday (I think).
Mail Matt Welsh (m...@tc.cornell.edu) if you have meta-questions about the
meta-FAQ itself. Lars Wirzenius (wirze...@cc.helsinki.fi) actually wrote the
first version of this document.
NOTE: Filenames in this article are for the tsx-11 ftp site (see below for
full address and more sites). Files are usually located in similar places on
other sites. The names are relative to the Linux directory 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 compatible. 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, much of it comes from GNU.
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 pit-manager.mit.edu, the general archive site for
all FAQs. The latest version was posted 1992-11-25.
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.
Getting Linux I: Linux FTP sites
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
ftp.mcc.ac.uk 130.88.200.7 /pub/linux
fgb1.fgb.mw.tu-muenchen.de 129.187.200.1 /pub/linux
ftp.informatik.tu-muenchen.de 131.159.0.110 /pub/Linux
ftp.dfv.rwth-aachen.de 137.226.4.105 /pub/linux
ftp.informatik.rwth-aachen.de 137.226.112.172 /pub/Linux
kirk.bu.oz.au 131.244.1.1 /pub/OS/Linux
ftp.uu.net 137.39.1.9 /packages/linux
wuarchive.wustl.edu 128.252.135.4 mirrors/linux
ftp.win.tue.nl 131.155.70.100 /pub/linux
ftp.stack.urc.tue.nl 131.155.2.71 /pub/linux
srawgw.sra.co.jp /Linux
ftp.ibr.cs.tu-bs.de 134.169.34.15 /pub/os/linux
cair.kaist.ac.kr /pub/Linux
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.
Getting Linux II: 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.
Getting Linux III: Linux floppy (and other media) distributors
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 exactly the same SLS distribution that is available via
FTP (see below). The diskette distribution is mostly meant for people who
can't FTP.
Marco Scheibe (my...@cs.tu-berlin.de), Klaus Weidner
(kl...@snarc.gold.sub.org) and Gert Doering (g...@greenie.gold.sub.org)
will copy Linux (the complete SLS distribution, including X, possibly other
things as well) for you, if you send him diskettes and return postage.
Contact them via e-mail first.
Yggdrasil Computing is producing a CD-ROM with Linux. Currently an alpha
version is available (alpha referring to the fact that the contents are
still evolving; there will be at least one beta before final release).
This is a completely new distribution, not SLS. A complete listing of
files is available via FTP from netcom.com in directory ~ftp/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.
If you know of other distributors, send me a note!
Getting Linux IV: Commercial networks
GEnie mirrors most of tsx-11 and sunsite (including SLS). Rumor has it
that CompuServe also has some Linux archives [confirmation welcome].
Getting Linux V: 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.
Linux distributions (aka "releases")
Linux is distributed by its author only as a kernel. Other people
have put together "distributions" that can be used.
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.
MCC and SLS are more complete systems that contain most of what is needed
for normal use. MCC is older, SLS includes X. These are what a new user
probably should start with (either one). They aren't updated every week,
but that shouldn't be a problem if you're only intersted in using the
system. (Hackers will figure out what to do anyway.) SLS is in directory
packages/SLS on tsx-11; MCC can be found in directory mcc-interim on
ftp.mcc.ac.uk (it is not on tsx-11).
HJ 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 GCC/rootdisk and GCC/basedisk on
tsx-11.
Linux mailing-lists
Used mostly for discussion between developers of new features and testers
of pre-release versions. See addresses in the FAQ.
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.
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).
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.
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.
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.
The Linux Hardware Compatibility List
Posted occasionally to comp.os.linux.announce, and found on the major
Linux FTP sites. This list, maintained by Zane Healy, lists all of the
devices and hardware that Linux currently supports. It's useful for
anyone wanting to purchase or upgrade their system.
Legalese
Trademarks are owned by their owners. Satisfaction not guaranteed.
No warranties about this document. Void where prohibited.
--
Matt Welsh m...@tc.cornell.edu Cornell Theory Center
"Donuts. Is there anything they can't do?"