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.
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.
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.
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...
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.
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
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.
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
Next Chapter, Previous Chapter
Table of contents of this chapter, General table of contents
Top of the document, Beginning of this Chapter