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Linux Useful Linux notes and links *UPDATED 9/08/03*

Discussion in 'Software' started by Kargin, 25 Dec 2002.

  1. Kargin

    Kargin Overdose . . .

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    So you want to be all l33t and run Linux do you ?

    Well becoming a text junkie can be a pretty daunting task, so I'll just give a few links and bits of info to get you started in your damnation of Microsoft :p

    For all things Linux, check these out:
    www.linux.org
    www.justlinux.com (formerly linux-newbie.org)
    www.linux.com
    www.sourceforge.net
    And don't forget, www.google.ca likes Tux too.

    For good list of BASH commands chech here.
    Of course BASH is nothing without knowing Vi.
    In case you forget a few, here is a list of common Vi commands.

    As for GUI options, these should be helpful:
    www.xfree86.org - That which all your pretty little pictures is built on ;)
    www.kde.org - The KDE desktop environment.
    www.gnome.org - The GNOME desktop environment
    www.x.org - The guts of the GUI

    Okay so you've got all this knowledge, now then, where do you get this Linux? Well it comes a variety of flavours, a listing of which can be found here. You can select what languages and platform you'd like. And on the subject of platforms, most everyone who has a PC will want Linux for the x86 (Intel compatible) architecture. If you are trying to run Linux on a Mac, you'll want to make sure you get the distros for the PowerPC (PPC). If you are running something different than those two, then you'll know what to select :p And if you don't . . . . . :worried:

    For the latest in kernel builds, you'll want to check out ftp.kernel.org, remember, even numbered kernels (2.2, 2.4, etc) are the lstest stable builds, and the odd numbered ones (2.3, 2.5, etc) are the latest builds available, but are usually unstable, and won't run on your system unless you have the most bleeding edge drivers and such installed. As a general rule, unless you know exactly what your doing, only go with stable even kernels, as the other ones will most likely just blow up in your face :)

    I cannot stress it enough, that you READ THE DOCUMENTATION THAT COMES WITH YOUR SOFTWARE, as it will contain all the information needed for building and installing it.

    A note for users of Redhat 7.3:

    I'm not sure if they have fixed this or not, but when installing Redhat 7.3, when you come to the package selection screen, at the bottom of the screen should be an option to "select individual packages". You want to make sure to select this, and select whatever packages form those listed on in the list. Then when you click next, the next screen that comes up will be the individual listings for all the packages. Select Flat View, and then on the right pane, scroll down until you find "redhat-config-network" package, and make sure it is selected. Like I said, I don't know if they fixed it, but on my copies (which where downloaded very shortly after the release) that package is not installed by default, and is REQUIRED in order to set up your internet connection. Or any kind of network connection really.

    Now then, a few things you might find useful:
    www.transgaming.com - The makers of WineX, a utility that allows you to run Windows programs in Linux, so you cna play all your favorite games still :rock:
    http://www.lokigames.com/ - The people who make linux installers for some of your games.
    http://lcdproc.omnipotent.net - LCD program for running your info on your LCD.
    http://sourceforge.net/projects/emu10k1 - The drivers for getting your Creative SoundBlaster working. Supports both Live and Audigy.

    Now, for everyone out there wondering "wich one is right for me?" Well, my little list of some popular distros:

    Redhat - A very popular, all around distro, can be used for pretty much everything. Well supported for drivers, etc. But a bit bloated, and not as efficient as it could be.
    Mandrake - Is apparently the "newbie" distro, built for ease of use for a first time Linux user, but in my experience, seems to give only problems for newbies and veterans alike.
    Gentoo - This distro is literally built form the ground up by you. Can be tricky to get running, but is very fast, powerful, and can be slimmed down to only what you need.
    Debian - The "rebel" distro. Powerful, but kinda goes about things it's own way. Probably for more of an advanced user.
    Slackware - The server distro. If you want to run a service, this thing will do it.
    SuSE - The media distro. Seems to be based around media working.
    LFS - This is the ultimate Hardcore distro. Guide and sources for building your own Linux from scratch. Very good for stream-lined installations, and complete customization.

    That list contains only sliver of the amount of distros out there, but those are the more popular ones, and my views on them.

    Well hopefully that will help most of you. If you have any questions, post them in the forums. Feel free to contact me (see my sig) about any help.
     
    Last edited: 15 Jan 2004
  2. dakar

    dakar What's a Dremel?

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    A quick one here...when looking for new iso's of your favorites or looking to experiment with new distro's take a look at LinuxISO's.org Multiple download mirrors located all around the globe.

    And of course the Linux Ducumention Project.

    On another note i can't stress enough of using at least the MD5checksums of downloaded packages... verifying the PGP signature would be better but at least verify the contents... Too many big names have had thier packaged hosed up (the last version of sendmail got me). DO NOT make any packages as root, run ./configure and make as a user, and the make install as root only if needed for systems rights.
     
    Last edited: 29 Jan 2003
  3. bee2643

    bee2643 What's a Dremel?

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  4. SerpentBlade

    SerpentBlade What's a Dremel?

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  5. Stugoal

    Stugoal <font color="#FFFFFF"><b>Banned</b></font>

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    Good Going dakar!

    I agree, I LOVE LinuxISo_Org ! I got 3 vertion there!
     
  6. Dad

    Dad You talkin to me?

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    Let us not forgot...

    Freshmeat

    One of the biggest respositories on Linux apps on the net.
     
  7. linear

    linear Minimodder

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    bit-tech is proudly hosted on FreeBSD.

    FreeBSD is perhaps a bit more oriented toward those who run servers, but it doesn't lack for desktop support at all now, with features like USB support, extensive WiFi support, and GUI desktop options in the installer now.

    Unlike Linux, there's not different distros of FreeBSD, but there are different BSD distributions: NetBSD (optimized for portability--it runs on anything) and OpenBSD (optimized for security, with integrated cryptography and extensively audited code).

    FreeBSD has the most friendly installation routine, and it also offers two ways to install applications: the package collection, which installs binaries in a manner similar to RPM, and the ports collection, which facilitates building apps from source (this way you can set environment variables to reflect your preferences, and all apps you build will reflect those). If the software you need isn't in either the ports or packages, there's a Linux binary compatibilty option for you. Install it, and you can run any old RPM.

    I've been using FreeBSD since version 2.2.2 (around 1998!) and every release just gets better. I've had uptimes of over 650 days (I had to move the server, that's the only reason I downed it). FreeBSD is stable, and professional. Much of the IP networking code in Windoze is taken from the BSD source distribution (from which FreeBSD is derived). Commands like netstat that take -a flag syntax instead of /a are all swiped from BSD.

    Linux is a good OS, but when server stabiity and performance are critical, reach for FreeBSD. Linux users will mainly notice differences in the filesystem layout and boot sequence, plus the differences already described in installing applications. But all the GNU toolchain is available (even if it isn't installed by default) so there's very little that is missing from your experience under FreeBSD.

    Some useful FreeBSD linkage:
    http://www.freebsd.org/ The FreeBSD project
    http://www.freebsd.org/ports/ Ports collection (9,020 applications at time of writing)
    http://www.freebsd.org/doc/en_US.ISO8859-1/books/handbook/index.html FreeBSD Handbook
    http://www.bsdmall.com/ BSD Mall sells FreeBSD discs
    http://www.mostgraveconcern.com/freebsd/ FreeBSD cheat sheets to help you configure various things
    http://www.google.com/bsd/ Google search of BSD resources
    http://flag.blackened.net/freebsd/ Howtos
    http://bsdatwork.com/
    http://bsdsearch.com/
    http://www.bsdpro.com/
    http://www.freebsddiary.org/
     
  8. pranks7er

    pranks7er mange tout

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  9. dakar

    dakar What's a Dremel?

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    For Slackers out there who just get tired of ./configure, make, make install and would rather use pkgtool.... take a look at http://www.linuxpackages.net/ (Formally LinuxMafia.org), .tgz packages for darn near everything you could ever want.
     
  10. Dorza

    Dorza What's a Dremel?

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    http://www.distrowatch.com got many many distros listed, which ones are active which ones are no more etc also has a breif decription on most of the distros listed
     
  11. simon w

    simon w What's a Dremel?

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  12. Dorza

    Dorza What's a Dremel?

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    Top find :) :clap:
     
  13. simon w

    simon w What's a Dremel?

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  14. Johnnyonetime

    Johnnyonetime What's a Dremel?

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    Here is my entry

    Simply Linux

    Just like the title says, simply linux. This is one you'll go back to over and over again... trust me.
     
  15. lunix_user

    lunix_user What's a Dremel?

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    GREAT thread.
    This will be usefull for any linux noob wanting to learn more.
    Mind if I make a web page for this?
    it should be in an easier to read format, this is great stuff.
    Even for someone like me, who Is a linux addict.

    I'll put up some links to favorite linux software sometime, maybe!
    :rock:
     
  16. lunix_user

    lunix_user What's a Dremel?

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    I just realized something.
    On my freeBSD server, i like to play around with gnome.
    There arent really any links here0 want some?

    I personally like kde better for linux systems, and gnome better for BSD( even though I always just use the cli )
     
  17. ajack

    ajack rox

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  18. Infernal

    Infernal What's a Dremel?

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    A friend of mine (he taught me everything about Linux) has his own web page for specific versions of linux but commands work in most http://www.easylinuxguide.com description simple enough in the URL
     
  19. trigger

    trigger Procrastinator

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  20. Almightyrastus

    Almightyrastus On the jazz.

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    Just posted this in another thread but it will fit nicely in here too:

    http://tuxgames.com/

    More games than people give linux credit for
     
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