What's a Good Linux Guide? And Various Problems I'm Having w/ Linux

[Anarchos]

I'm trying to find a good guide to linux. I would prefer one that is based on Red Hat 6.0, but it wouldn't matter that much, right? I know a lot about windows and dos, but am a total linux newbie. I read and understood most of the stuff in the Red Hat guide (ls, cat, su, pwd, less,pico, top,chmod, cd, and clear are the commands I know) but I still don't know how to actually do anything worthwhile besides edit text files. I know a fair amount of C++ and would like to learn perl, so if any guides discuss either of those languages, that would be a plus. Also, I would eventually like to be a linux expert (I don't just want to learn enough to get by), so I don't want one of those guides that just teaches you the basics.

Various other problems:
Right now X isn't working for my system because I have a v770. I need to download a different version of X, but I don't know how to serf the internet through the shell screen. Also, I use a cable modem through the ethernet, so I need help configuring that. Another thing I need help on is partitioning my hard drive. Currently, linux installed itself to 7.5 megs, leaving windows with 2 megs. I want to take 2.5 megs from linux and give it to windows. Would I have to purchase Partion Magic or is linux's disk druid able to do that without data loss?

[Geoff]

I'm not sure about a linux guide, when I decided to try linux I got the CD, installed it and mucked around and asked people stupid questions when I got stuck. Gradually I figured out how things worked.

What you consider worthwhile is up to you, but on my system at the moment (which is debian btw, a frig of a lot harder to install than redhat until you get used to it!) I have set up the following:

sendmail and fetchmail so that the computer across the network can use this computer as the mailserver and freely send/receive mail even when I'm not connected to the net.

IP Masquerading so that when I am connected to the net, the other computers are too http://discussions.linuxplanet.com//smile.gif

X-Windows (I got enlightenment to work, damn it looks nice).

RC5 client (it's a bit of a shame to waste all the extra cycles a K6-2 400 puts out...)

RC5 proxy keyserver (so that the computer across the network can run RC5 fully automated and download new blocks whenever it needs to)

I think that's about all (all that comes to mind anyway). At the moment I'm getting GnomeICU to work (ICQ client) and trying to find a decent IRC and email program.

As far as your problems with X go, I thought that since the TNT and TNT2 are virtually the same then you should be able to get it working by selecting the SVGA server. If not then download nvidia's server (that's what I am using at the moment).

Until you get X working you'll be stuck with console apps like lynx (to browse the web) and ftp (or ncftp is better if you have it installed). I'm not sure how to configure a cable modem because I've never had one, somebody else will have to help you with that.

Lastly, disk druid is like fdisk, it doesn't let you resize partitions. You'll have to try partition magic but have a boot disk ready because LILO will suddenly become LI and your computer will hang at that point because the partitions have changed. You'll have to boot into linux using a floppy and then re-run lilo so that it updates the configuration.

Best of luck, the key is patience. Linux is a steep learning curve for most but if you persist then things will start making sense.

Geoff

[geekd]

I have Linux (RedHat6.0 one one comp and Mandrake 6.0 (really the same thing) on another) connected to the Net via @home cable modem.

you just have to tell the computer what it's IP address is and where to got to get on the net.

use these three commands: (my comments in italics, examples in bold)

ifconfig eth0 netmask your netmask here broadcast your broadcast adress here your IP address here

ifconfig eth0 netmask 255.255.255.0 broadcast 192.200.135.1 192.200.135.66

your broadcast address, IP, and netmask should be supplied to you by your cable co.

This command tells your ethernet card (eth0) what it's IP ans other info is

then do:

route add -net your local network IP (your IP with a zero in the last place xxx.xxx.xxx.0)

route add -net 192.200.135.0

This command tells your computer how to get to your local subnet

then do:

route add default gw Gateway IP

route add default gw 192.200.135.255

your gateway IP should also be supplied to you by your cable co.

This command tells your computer how to get to other networks (the internet for example) besides your local net. You have to tell it how to get to your local net first, tho, so it knows how to get to the Gateway machine.

and that's it. All this, of course, assumes that you have a static IP (@home does). If you are RoadRunner, then you have to use DHCP, and I don't know how to do that, never having had to.... http://discussions.linuxplanet.com//smile.gif

[This message has been edited by geekd (edited 06-27-99).]

[Anarchos]

Ah bloody hell. I have RR =(. So none of that stuff works for me. I need to set it to DHCP and have it automatically configure my IP. Shazbot, thanks for the help though.

And for the book, I am thinking about getting Red Hat Linux Unleashed. Does anyone else have this one? Recommendations, condemnations?

Gracias,
Anarchos

[This message has been edited by Anarchos (edited 06-28-99).]

[geekd]

I have Red Hat Linux unleashed... for 5.2

it's a good book. not a GREAT book, but good.

It covers alot of stuff..
last time I looked there was a "beta" of RHLU 6.0 on the macmilliam site....

http://www.pbs.mcp.com

[This message has been edited by geekd (edited 06-28-99).]

[Eccentric]

geekd, glad to see you over here. I was wondering when you'd come over here and help out! http://discussions.linuxplanet.com//smile.gif Geoff, where ya been?

[s4]

I have Redhat "Unleashed", too. I find that it's easier for me to figure things out on my own that to read the book. I wouldn't recommend that book for a beginner, like me.
I would have bought a different book if I could do it over.

[Geoff]

under my cosy rock actually http://discussions.linuxplanet.com//smile.gif