Usenet 1994 January/usenetsourcesnewsgroupsinfomagicjanuary1994.iso/answers/linux/howto/index

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From: [e-mail] (Matt Welsh)
Newsgroups: comp.os.linux.announce,comp.os.linux.help,comp.os.linux.admin,news.answers,comp.answers
Subject: Linux HOWTO Index
Followup-To: poster
Date: 15 Dec 1993 22:07:52 GMT
Organization: Linux. It's not just for breakfast anymore.
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Approved: [e-mail] (Matt Welsh)
Message-ID: <2eo1ro$[e-mail]>
NNTP-Posting-Host: calypso.oit.unc.edu
Summary: Index of HOWTO documents about Linux.
Keywords: Linux, HOWTO, FAQ, documentation, index
Originator: mdw@sunSITE
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Archive-name: linux/howto/index
Last-modified: 13 December 1993

The Linux HOWTO Index
Matt Welsh, <[e-mail]>
-----------------------------------------------------------------------------
Last Modified 13 December 1993

This is an introduction and index to the Linux HOWTO documents.

0. What are Linux HOWTOs?

    Linux HOWTOs are short online documents which describe in detail
    a certain aspect of configuring or using the Linux system. For
    example, there is the Installation HOWTO, which gives instructions
    on installing Linux, and the Mail HOWTO, which describes how to
    set up and configure mail under Linux. Other examples include the
    NET-2-HOWTO (previously the NET-2-FAQ) and the Linux-vs-386BSD HOWTO.

    Information in HOWTOs is generally more detailed and in-depth than
    what can be squeezed into the Linux FAQ. For this reason, the
    Linux FAQ is being rewritten. A large amount of the information
    contained therein will be relegated to various HOWTO documents.
    The FAQ will be a shorter list of frequently asked questions about
    Linux, covering small specific topics. Most of the ``useful''
    information in the FAQ will now be covered in the HOWTOs.

    HOWTOs are comprehensive docs---much like an FAQ but generally not
    in question-and-answer format. However, many HOWTOs contain an FAQ
    section at the end. For example, the NET-2-FAQ has been renamed to
    the NET-2-HOWTO, because it wasn't in question-and-answer format.
    However, you will see the NET-2-HOWTO named as the NET-2-FAQ in many
    places. The two docs are one and the same.


1. Where to get Linux HOWTOs

    HOWTOs can be retrieved via anonymous FTP from the following
    sites:

        sunsite.unc.edu:/pub/Linux/docs/HOWTO

        tsx-11.mit.edu:/pub/linux/docs/HOWTO

    The Index, printed below, lists the currently available HOWTOs.

    HOWTOs are also posted regularly to the newsgroups comp.os.linux
    and comp.os.linux.announce. In addition, a number of the HOWTOs
    will be crossposted to news.answers. Therefore, you can find the
    Linux HOWTOs on the news.answers archive site rtfm.mit.edu.


2. HOWTO Index

    The following Linux HOWTOs are currently available. The list
    is small, because this is a relatively new project.

    * INSTALLATION HOWTO. How to obtain and install Linux. This is the
      first document which a Linux newcomer should read. It discusses
      how to obtain Linux, both from the Internet and via Snail-mail,
      and how to install it. Focuses primarily on the SLS distribution
      of Linux, which is the current de facto standard.

    * Linux INFO-SHEET. A general technical introduction to Linux,
      listing its features, supported hardware, and other general
      information.

    * Linux META-FAQ. A list of sources of information about Linux,
      such as documentation, newsgroups, FTP sites, and so on.

    * Linux Distribution HOWTO. A list of many of the major Linux
      distributions available via anonymous FTP and via mail order
      on diskette, tape, or CD-ROM. Also includes other Linux-related
      goodies that you can only get via mail order.

    * NET-2 HOWTO. Describes how to install and configure the Linux NET-2
        TCP/IP code, in kernels 0.99.pl10 and above. (This has nothing
      to do with the so-called BSD NET-2 distribution.) Discusses various
      aspects of TCP/IP networking under Linux, including the use of SLIP.
      The complete instruction manual for TCP/IP under Linux.

    * Ethernet HOWTO. A HOWTO about the various Ethernet device drivers
      which are available for Linux. Should be read along with the NET-2
      HOWTO by anyone using Ethernet for TCP/IP on Linux.

    * XFree86 HOWTO. This HOWTO describes how to install and configure
      XFree86-2.0 for Linux. Most of this is Linux-specific, and expects
      you to read the documentation included in the XFree86-2.0 package.

    * Mail HOWTO. All about configuration of electronic mail with Linux,
      including UUCP and TCP/IP mailers such as Smail and sendmail.

    * UUCP HOWTO. How to configure UUCP to transfer files, mail, and
      news to other UNIX machines on a UUCP-based connection. Includes
      discussion of Taylor UUCP for Linux.

    * News HOWTO. Setup and configuration of news software, such as
      C News, INN, and newsreaders (such as rn and tin) under Linux.

    * Printing HOWTO. How to configure and use printing software under
      Linux, such as lp, lpr, etc. including remote printing.

    * SCSI HOWTO. All about SCSI tapes, drives, and CD-ROMs under Linux.

    * Hardware Compatibility HOWTO. An extensive list of hardware
        supported by Linux.


    WANTED. I would be very happy if someone would write the following
    HOWTO documents, and submit them to me (see the instructions in
    the next section below). Most of these are modifications of existing
    FAQ documents, and should be easy to put into HOWTO format. Keep in
    mind that HOWTOs generally aren't in FAQ format, but can contain an
    FAQ section at the end.

    Some of these are under construction; however, if you're interested
    in working on one of them, please let me know.

    * GCC/LIBRARY HOWTO. Discussing installation/upgrading of the GCC
      and shared libraries under Linux. How to build shared libraries.
      Most of the material would come from Mitchum DeSouza's GCC FAQ.

    * KERNEL HOWTO. How to upgrade and compile the kernel. Basic kernel
      tweaking, including how to turn on debugging output. How to decrypt
      panic messages. Basic introduction to kernel structure and hacking.
      (Under constructions, [e-mail]).

    * SERIAL HOWTO. All of the ins and outs about serial communications
      under Linux, including use of getty for dialins. Perhaps a section
      on FAX software. (Under construction)

    * If you have an idea for another HOWTO, please mail me!


3. Writing and submitting a HOWTO

    If you would like to write a Linux HOWTO document, there are a few
    guidelines that you should follow.

    * Format the document neatly. HOWTOs must be available in plain
      ASCII format, but you are free to use a formatting tool (texinfo,
      LameTeX, nroff) to format the document. Try to use meaningful
      structure and organization, and write clearly. Remember that
      many of the people reading HOWTOs do not speak English as their
      first language.

    * Make sure that all of the information is correct. I can't stress
      this enough. When in doubt, speculate, but make it clear that
      you're only guessing.

    * Make sure that you are covering the most recent version of the
      available software. Also, be sure to include full instructions
      on where software can be downloaded from (FTP site name, full
      pathname).

    * Include an FAQ section at the end, if appropriate. Many HOWTO
      documents need an "FAQ" or "Common Problems" section to cover
      information which can't be covered in the regular text.

    * Use other HOWTOs as a model. It is nice to have a common look and
      feel to HOWTO documents--- this document being an example. The
      easier the HOWTO is to browse, the more useful it will be to
      readers.


    After you have written the HOWTO, mail it to me (Matt Welsh) at
    [e-mail]. I am the HOWTO coordinator---I will look
    over the HOWTO, and make any editorial remarks. I will also take
    care of approving and posting the HOWTO to the various newsgroups
    and uploading the HOWTO to the FTP archive sites. Of course,
    all credit for the HOWTO will go to the author.

    It is important that you go through me when submitting a HOWTO. I
    maintain the HOWTO archives and need to keep track of what HOWTOs
    are being written and who is doing what. If you don't submit a
    HOWTO to me, I can't include it in the archive or add it to the
    HOWTO INDEX.

    I can also help to reformat the HOWTO if needed to make it look
    nicer. :) Once I have approved the HOWTO, I will post it and
    upload it to the FTP sites. I will also send you (the author)
    the "final" version of the HOWTO with any changes. All you have
    to do is send me periodic updates (every month or so, as needed)
    and I will take care of posting the HOWTO regularly.


3. Miscellaneous and Legalese

    If you have questions, please feel free to mail [e-mail].
    The Linux FAQ rewrite is being coordinated by Ian Jackson,
    [e-mail], with help from others.

    Linux HOWTOs are copyrighted by their authors. You are free to
    distribute verbatim copies of HOWTOs in any medium, provided that
    the copyright notice and authorship remains intact.