Linux Newbie Administrator Guide
Linux Newbie Administrator Guide
Size: 4 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
Linux Newbie Administrator
Guide
(LNAG)
Version 0.201 ,
2004-07-22
by 1.1 Fundamentally, why Linux?
Size: 3 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.1 Fundamentally, why Linux?
If you truly enjoy working with computers, Linux
is the operatin 1.10 I need standards. Big software corporations (Microsoft) providestandards.
Size: 7 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.10 I need standards. Big software corporations (Microsoft) providestandards.
Perhaps that's w 1.11 I Need MS Windows for Reading Writing MS Word Documents
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.11 I Need MS Windows for Reading Writing MS Word Documents
In a large corporate environment, 1.12 MS Windows popularity insures that it is "here to stay".
Size: 1 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.12 MS Windows popularity insures that it is "here to stay".
This is likely true. Nintendo is 1.13 But LINUX may fork into many different systems ...
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.13 But LINUX may fork into many different systems ...
This is a typical argument of the type 1.14 Linux lacks a central development blueprint (or roadmap)
Size: 1 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.14 Linux lacks a central development blueprint (or roadmap)
Linux has no central steering com 1.15 Linux is a cult
Size: 3 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.15 Linux is a cult
The Linux community has repeatedly been labeled
"religious zealots" by jo 1.16 The total cost of ownership (TCO) of Linux is high
Size: 3 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.16 The total cost of ownership (TCO) of Linux is high
Nobody really knows how to calculate th 1.17 Linux is idealistic "dreaming"; it is business thatrules the world nowadays
Size: 1 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.17 Linux is idealistic "dreaming"; it is business thatrules the world nowadays
Think of Linux 1.18 Linux may be found to violate somebody else's "intellectualproperty" (IP)
Size: 5 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.18 Linux may be found to violate somebody else's "intellectualproperty" (IP)
This is a seriou 1.19 Linux sux etc.
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.19 Linux sux etc.
If you don't like Linux, then do not use it. You
are not doing anybody a f 1.2 Is Linux for me?
Size: 1 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.2 Is Linux for me?
Only you can answer this question. Linux is a
mature, powerful, secure an 1.3 Linux is difficult for newbies.
Size: 0 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.3 Linux is difficult for newbies.
This may be true. But the real question is: do you
really 1.4 What are the benefits of Linux?
Size: 16 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.4 What are the benefits of Linux?
Linux can give you:
A modern, very stable, multi-us 1.5 What are the differences between Linux and UNIX?
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.5 What are the differences between Linux and UNIX?
Command-line-wise, almost none, although t 1.6 What are the differences between Linux and MS Windows?
Size: 3 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.6 What are the differences between Linux and MS Windows?
Mouse-click-wise, almost none, once 1.7 I don't believe in free software, etc.
Size: 1 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.7 I don't believe in free software, etc.
And do you believe in the Internet? The Internet
an 1.8 "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch"
Size: 3 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.8 "There ain't no such thing as a free lunch"
"The economic paradigm which makes this true
d 1.9 I need warranty and security. With commercial software, I can sueif things go wrong.
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
1.9 I need warranty and security. With commercial software, I can sueif things go wrong.
Don't 2.1 Which Linux distribution should I use?
Size: 13 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.1 Which Linux distribution should I use?
Linux distribution is a coherent collection of
free 2.10 How do I partition my hard drive?
Size: 25 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.10 How do I partition my hard drive?
Before Linux installation, you might really want
to kno 2.11 The MS Windows partition occupies my whole harddrive. Can Ishrink/split it without a re-install?
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.11 The MS Windows partition occupies my whole harddrive. Can Ishrink/split it without a re-insta 2.12 How do I start the installation?
Size: 1 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.12 How do I start the installation?
Insert the installation boot diskette into your
floppy d 2.13 Is the Linux installation difficult?
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.13 Is the Linux installation difficult?
It was not for me. It seems that for most newbies,
i 2.14 Which packages should I install?
Size: 3 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.14 Which packages should I install?
Linux software comes in "packages". For
example, my Linu 2.15 Which GUI desktop should I install, KDE or GNOME?
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.15 Which GUI desktop should I install, KDE or GNOME?
Disk-space permitting, definitely both. 2.16 I finished the installation. How do I log-in for the very firsttime?
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.16 I finished the installation. How do I log-in for the very firsttime?
As root. "root" is th 2.17 How do I crash Linux?
Size: 4 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.17 How do I crash Linux?
As root, you can do whatever you want, including
an accelarated sys 2.18 Can I use Graphical User Interface (GUI) all the time?
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.18 Can I use Graphical User Interface (GUI) all the time?
You can. But I don't think it woul 2.19 How do I upgrade a Linux distribution?
Size: 6 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.19 How do I upgrade a Linux distribution?
For a full system upgrade (updated distribution
CD 2.2 Which Linux Distribution should I select for my old computer(s)?
Size: 1 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.2 Which Linux Distribution should I select for my old computer(s)?
Quick answer: Debian, Sla 2.3 What are the Linux hardware requirements?
Size: 11 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.3 What are the Linux hardware requirements?
"Out-of-box" Linux should run on a
386SX-based P 2.4 Will my hardware work under Linux?
Size: 5 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.4 Will my hardware work under Linux?
Not every piece of PC hardware is supported under
Linux 2.5 How do I download Linux?
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.5 How do I download Linux?
Do yourself a favor and do not download Linux. Buy
an installatio 2.6 How do I get a Linux CD?
Size: 5 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.6 How do I get a Linux CD?
Many possible ways. (1) Buy the "RedHat"
or Mandrake CDs from Li 2.7 I have Linux Installation CDs but no install floppy. What do Ido?
Size: 7 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.7 I have Linux Installation CDs but no install floppy. What do Ido?
If your computer can boot 2.8 What do I need to read before installation?
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.8 What do I need to read before installation?
It is VERY helpful to get some UNIX orientation 2.9 Can I have MS Windows and Linux installed on the same computer?
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
2.9 Can I have MS Windows and Linux installed on the same computer?
Yes, you can. Many Linuxers 3.1 Any Linux reading materials?
Size: 7 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
3.1 Any Linux reading materials?
This guide is not sufficient? :)
The RedHat Linux distribu 3.2 Is there a help command?
Size: 8 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
3.2 Is there a help command?
Most Linux commands can be run with the "--help"
option. For exam 3.3 Any dictionary of terms?
Size: 1 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
3.3 Any dictionary of terms?
This one is a rather maximalist one : "The
New Hackers Dictionary 3.4 Web Search
Size: 1 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
3.4 Web Search
Currently, the best websearch engine is Google,
amazing what you can find with 3.5 Newsgroups
Size: 4 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
3.5 Newsgroups
Despite their drawbacks, newsgroups can be a very
efficient way of finding the 3.6 Any Linux Internet links?
Size: 11 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
3.6 Any Linux Internet links?
There are surely thousands of Internet sites devoted to Linux. 3.7 Source code--the ultimate resource
Size: 4 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
3.7 Source code--the ultimate resource
The ultimate reference under Linux is the source
code. 4.1 Basics
Size: 64 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
4.1 Basics
4.1.1 Filenames
Linux is case-sensitive. For example: myfile,
Myfile, and myFILE 4.2 Users, passwords, file permissions, and security
Size: 50 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
4.2 Users, passwords, file permissions, and security
4.2.1 Home directories, root, adding users 4.3 Job scheduling with "&", "at", "batch",and cron
Size: 20 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
4.3 Job scheduling with "&", "at", "batch",and cron
4.3.1 How do I execute a command in the
"b 4.4 Shell
Size: 61 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
4.4 Shell
4.4.1 What is a shell and do I want to use a
different one?
A shell
is t 4.5 Package installation and rpm package manager
Size: 12 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
4.5 Package installation and rpm package manager
4.5.1 How do I install a program I downloaded
5.1 Startup Issues (LILO and GRUB)
Size: 27 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
5.1 Startup Issues (LILO and GRUB)
5.1.1 LILO and GRUB
Both the newer GRUB and the older LIL 5.2 Accessing my drives
Size: 80 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
5.2 Accessing my drives
5.2.1 Where are my drives?
Linux shows all the directories in one di 5.3 Working with X-windows
Size: 53 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
5.3 Working with X-windows
5.3.1 How to switch between text and graphical
consoles?
Pressin 5.4 Basic Configurations
Size: 67 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
5.4 Basic Configurations
5.4.1 How do I setup my printer?
Start an X-terminal (perhaps by pr 5.5 Networking
Size: 102 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
5.5 Networking
5.5.1 Would it be worth it to set up my home
network?
This is an excellent i 6.1 Notes for the UNIX Clueless
Size: 3 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.1 Notes for the UNIX Clueless
LINUX IS CASE-SENSITIVE. For example:
Mozilla, MOZ 6.10 Network apps
Size: 19 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.10 Network apps
mozilla
&
(in X terminal) Run the mozilla
web browser. Th 6.11 File (de)compression
Size: 7 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.11 File (de)compression
tar
-zxvf filename.tar.gz
(=tape archiver) Untar a tarred a 6.12 Process control
Size: 12 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.12 Process control
ps
(="print status" or "process
status") Display the list of cur 6.13 Some administration commands
Size: 36 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.13 Some administration commands
su
(=substitute user id) Assume the superuser (=root 6.14 Hard Drive/Floppy Disk Utilities
Size: 12 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.14 Hard Drive/Floppy Disk Utilities
fdisk
/dev/hda
(= "fixed disk". As root.) Linu 6.15 Management of user accounts and files permissions
Size: 17 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.15 Management of user accounts and files permissions
useradd
user_name
passwd
6.16 Program installation
Size: 9 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.16 Program installation
rpm
-ivh package_name-version.platform.rpm
(as root) Instal 6.17 Accessing drives/partitions
Size: 4 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.17 Accessing drives/partitions
mount
See here(FAQ.htm#Where_drives) for details on
6.18 Network administration tools
Size: 14 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.18 Network administration tools
netconf
(as root) A very good menu-driven setup for 6.19 Music-related commands
Size: 9 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.19 Music-related commands
cdplay
play 1
Play the first track from a audio CD. Use 6.2 Linux essential keyboard shortcuts and sanity commands
Size: 28 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.2 Linux essential keyboard shortcuts and sanity commands
Sw 6.20 Graphics-related commands
Size: 14 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.20 Graphics-related commands
kghostview
my_file.ps
(in X terminal) Display a postsc 6.21 Small games
Size: 4 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.21 Small games
Many small games are probably installed on your
system. Here is just a sample 6.3 Help commands
Size: 7 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.3 Help commands
any_command
--help |more
Display a brief help on a command (works w 6.4 System info
Size: 32 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.4 System info
pwd
Print working directory, i.e., display the name of
my current dir 6.5 Basic operations
Size: 7 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.5 Basic operations
ls
dir
List the contents of the current directory. The
6.6 File management
Size: 10 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.6 File management
cp
source destination
Copy files. E.g., cp
/home/stan/existi 6.7 Viewing and editing files
Size: 9 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.7 Viewing and editing files
cat
filename | more
View the content of a text file ca 6.8 Finding files
Size: 6 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.8 Finding files
find
/ -name "filename"
Find the file called "filename" on your
fi 6.9 Basics of X-windows
Size: 5 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
6.9 Basics of X-windows
xinit
&
Start a barebone X-windows server (without a
windows 7.1 Best Linux Applications
Size: 13 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
7.1 Best Linux Applications
Here is my own (totally unbiased) ranking of Linux
applications.
7.2 Word processing
Size: 47 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
7.2 Word processing
7.2.1 OpenOffice.org / StarOffice Suite
OpenOffice is a complete office 7.3 Spreadsheet
Size: 8 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
7.3 Spreadsheet
7.3.1 Oocalc
I currently use the good spreadsheet called calc ,
whi 7.4 Databases
Size: 2 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
7.4 Databases
If you are a database person, you will be pleased
to see that Linux is very well 7.5 CAD
Size: 3 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
7.5 CAD
I am not a professional drafter, but for 15 years
have been using a CAD program once a 7.6 Web browsers: Mozilla, Konqueror, Galeon, and Lynx
Size: 4 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
7.6 Web browsers: Mozilla, Konqueror, Galeon, and Lynx
All newer Linux distributions (Nov. 2002 7.7 Writing CD-R/Ws: cdrecord and cdparanoia
Size: 34 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
7.7 Writing CD-R/Ws: cdrecord and cdparanoia
Disclaimer: Copying copyrighted material is
illeg 7.8 Automating creation of graphs with gnuplot
Size: 11 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
7.8 Automating creation of graphs with gnuplot
gnuplot
is good for automating generati 8.1 Linux Advanced Text Processing Tools
Size: 66 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
8.1 Linux Advanced Text Processing Tools
/usr/games/banner -w79 "Happy Birthday,
Marie" > mari 8.2 Simple Programming under Linux
Size: 75 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
8.2 Simple Programming under Linux
8.2.1 Perl
perl
Powerful and widely used scripti 8.3 Math Tools
Size: 14 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
8.3 Math Tools
dc
A command-line, arbitrary-precision "reverse
Polish notation" (RPN) 8.4 Miscellaneous
Size: 6 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
8.4 Miscellaneous
How do I run an MS Windows Application (using
"wine")?
You do not install 8.5 Running MySQL
Size: 14 KB, Last Update:13 Dec 2005
8.5 Running MySQL
Here are some basics for configuring and running
MySQL. For details try the