Anyone trying to get to grips with Linux has at run into what seems an intractable problem many, many times. Some give up then and there, some will post to a newsgroup and get the cryptic response: 'RTFM'. The truly persistent will eventually learn that R stands for Read, M for Manual and... never mind about the rest. But just where is this manual?
The Linux Documentation Project is building it. Like all things Linux, it's the work of hundreds of individuals, each scratching their itch, and it's evolving daily. If you need the up-to-the-minute version, check out the Web links. But we've had numerous requests from people wanting it all in one place, browsable off-line. So here it is - (just about) everything you ever wanted to know about Linux, but were afraid to ask.
There's enough information here to choke the most wide-throated guru - well over 2,500 pages ranging from the Installation and Getting Started Guide to notes on hacking the kernel to the essential HOWTOs. The Java nav bar on the left (courtesy of Dave Griffiths) should help you maneuver around the mass. In a not-too-distant future issue we'll add a search facility, but in the meantime we suggest you check out the search engine at Mothership Metalab, or better yet, one of the local Mirror Sites.
If having it all on CD isn't good enough for you, the html pages are all tarred and gzipped in the linux/ldp/archives folder. You'll also find version beta-1 of Larry Greenfield's Linux Users Guide in PDF format there - the only one of the guides not available in HTML.
We've included all we can in this issue. But there are a few things missing. The man pages are still all cosily tarred up in linux/ldp/archives, and you won't find the the Linux FAQs or the special HOWTOs on this issue. We've go to leave something for you to look forward to!
If you've read it all and still think you know better, or if you're a great technical writer who's willing to contribute your skills, you should consider contributing to the LDP. See the Getting Involved section. As always, suggestions, gripes, and slurred opinions can be sent to the CDROM Editor. General Linux questions, however, will now be answered with 'RTFM'!
- Matt Kynaston
The Linux Documentation Project (LDP) is working on developing good, reliable documentation for the Linux operating system. The overall goal of the LDP is to collaborate in taking care of all of the issues of Linux documentation, ranging from online documentation (man pages, HTML, and so on) to printed manuals covering topics such as installing, using, and running Linux. Here is the Linux Documentation Project Manifesto and Copyright License for LDP works.
For translations of LDP works and documentation in languages other English, have a look at the !english links.
You can search the LDP documents with various search engines on the Search page.
The kernel is at the heart of the operating system. This book is a guide to how the kernel fits together, how it works; a tour of the kernel.
This document is for people who want to write kernel modules.
This guide supplements the System Administrators' Guide and cover all of the diverse issues of networking under Linux, from UUCP to serial connections to TCP/IP. Many Linux users won't have access to such a network, so this information is in a separate manual. It contains an intro to TCP/IP and UUCP (for those who have never used such networks before, lots of background information), TCP/IP, UUCP, SLIP, and DNS configuration, configuration of mail systems such as sendmail and Smail, setting up NNTP and news, and NFS.
Also visit the System Administrators' Guide Homepage.
This is the third book in the main LDP series, and assumes knowledge of everything in the Installation and Users' Guides. It will cover all of the aspects of keeping the system running, handling user accounts, backups, configuration of the system, installing and upgrading software, and more. Whereas some of this information is in the Installation Guide (just to get the system off the ground) this book should be much more complete.
This book covers all of the user-end aspects of Linux, from sitting down at the first login session to using complex tools such as gcc, emacs, and so on. It assumes no previous Unix experience, so not only will it serve as an introduction to Linux, but to Unix in general as well. This manual won't cover system administrator tasks (i.e. anything that needs to be done as root) - it's for the J. Random User who has a working Linux system sitting in front of them.
The Linux HOWTOs and mini-HOWTOs are detailed "how to" documents on specific subjects. The HOWTO INDEX lists all HOWTOs and mini-HOWTOs along with short descriptions. The HOWTOs are written in SGML, and translated to different output formats using SGML-Tools. Join the LDP Announcements List for news on HOWTO updates.
You can get HOWTOs online in:
The mini-HOWTOs are available in:
There are also a few special HOWTOs which are available online in HTML only.
Things provided by other people (not on this CD):
The Linux man Pages (version 1.24) for sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 are available here (with some translations). Section 1 and 8 man pages (i.e., user commands) are available with the corresponding software packages. You can also get the latest man pages information, including links to translations. You can email Andries Brouwer (aeb@cwi.nl) if you would like to help with, or have comments on the man pages.
Various FAQs can be found in HTML, plain text, DVI, and PostScript, including the Linux FAQ.
The Linux Gazette Issue 41 (May), an online magazine providing many Linux tips and tricks. You can get back issues as well.
You can purchase printed books with LDP works from:
Greg Hankins, gregh@metalab.unc.edu