In addition, there is a wealth of information that is available from other users. From personal web sites to numerous Linux-oriented Usenet (news) Groups, mailing lists and Internet Relay Chat (IRC) channels dedicated to the discussion of Linux.

Getting Started

• What is Linux?
• Which distribution is best, and where may it be obtained?
• Where can i get Linux?
• May i run Linux on my type of computer?
• How do i install Linux?
• May i buy a pre-installed Linux system?
• Is Linux Year 2000 (Y2K) compliant?
• Changing to the 2.2.x kernel

What is Linux?

Linux is an operating system that was initially created as a hobby by a young student, Linus Torvalds, at the University of Helsinki in Finland. Linus had an interest in Minix, a small UNIX system, and decided to develope a system that exceeded the Minix standards. He began his work in 1991 when he released version 0.02 and worked steadily until 1994 when the 1.0 version of the Linux Kernel was released. The current full-featured version is 2.2, and development continues with several updates that are available for public use.

Linux is developed under the GNU General Public License and its source code is freely available to everyone. Linux may be used for a wide variety of purposes including networking, software development, and as an end user platform. Linux is also considered an excellent, low-cost alternative to other more expensive operating systems.

Which version/distribution is best, and where may it be obtained?

Which is best?

There are many different Linux distributions, or versions. A "distribution" is the compiled Linux source code, usually combined with extra features and software. Some distributions are available for download at no charge while others are available at affordable prices on CD-ROM from Linux-Retailers worldwide.

Other options include purchasing Linux pre-installed on a computer, or purchasing a book containing a complimentary CD-ROM. Each distribution has its own purpose, and a number of factors should go into deciding which distribution is best for each user.

Where can I get Linux?

• Locations where Linux can be downloaded with no charge
• Linux books that contain free CD-ROM
• Vendors selling Linux on CD-ROMs
• Vendors that sell computers pre-installed with Linux

May i run Linux on my type of computer?

Linux Compatability

Linux runs successfully on most computers, laptops, and platforms. There are several projects underway to port Linux to other hardware configurations. An overview of hardware capability resources are listed below.

Supported PC-based CPUs include:

• Intel/AMD/Cyrix 386SX/DX/SL/DXL/SLC
• Intel/AMD/Cyrix 486SX/DX/SL/SX2/DX2/DX4
• Intel Pentium, Pentium Pro and Pentium II/III
• Symmetrical Multiprocessing (multiple CPUs)

Supported non-PC based platforms include:

• Digital Alpha
• Sun SPARC
• Macintosh

Most laptops and notebooks are supported.

How do I install Linux?

Linux Installation

The following resources provide guidance and step-by-step instructions for installing Linux.

• Linux Pre-Installation Check List

  Common questions about system configuration, hardware, and software. Complete the check list before beginning the install process for a smoother installation.

• Linux Installation and Getting Started Guide

  General installation instructions as well as instructions specific to Debian, Red Hat, Caldera, Slackware, S.u.S.E.

• Installing OpenLinux Standard

  Step by step instructions to install Caldera's OpenLinux Standard distribution.

• The Official Red Hat Linux Installation Guide

  How to install Red Hat Linux distribution.

• Red Hat Linux installation from CD-ROM

  Installing Red Hat Linux from a set of CD-ROMs

• Red Hat Hard Drive Installation

  Installing Red Hat via FTP to a local hard drive.

• Shad's Linux Installation Guide

  Focuses primarly on the installation of Slackware

There is an entire list of Vendors who sell pre-installed Linux Systems via mail order. Choices range from a modest priced Intel-based PC to a high-end Alpha or Sparc system. Some companies specialize in a particular Linux distribution while others custom configure each system to the buyer's specifications.

Other vendors specialize in pre-installed, per-configured "cubes" -- web servers, mail servers -- that include not only Linux but all the software and utilities needed to get the internet server up and running in a matter of minutes. Pre-installed hard drives are also available and a perfect solution for users that are upgrading existing hardware and looking for a no hassle Linux installation at the same time.

Pre-Installed Linux Vendors

Is Linux Year 2000 (Y2K) compliant?

Linux in the Year 2000

As with most Unix-like operating systems, Linux is currently written with a 32-bit data representation. This suggests that Linux will have difficulty in the year 2038 unless the kernel and associated source code are migrated to 64-bit implementations capable of handling dates for another two billion years. Given that Linux developers have forty years to address the problem, it is very likely that solutions will be implemented long before the year 2038.

The following web sites discuss Linux and the year 2000:

• Linux and Year 2000 (UK.Linux.Org)
• Linux and Year 2000 (Christopher Browne)
• GNU Software in the year 2000
• Apache and the year 2000
• Year 2000 FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)

The following FAQ's pertain to various aspects of the Linux operating system.

• The Linux FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions With Answers)

  General Linux questions and answers.

• Linux Information Sheet

  Basic information about the Linux operating system, including an explanation of Linux, a list of features, some requirements, and some resources.

• The Linux/m68k-FAQ

  Overview of the Linux port to Motorola's 680x0 processors with PMMU (Atari and Motorola systems)

• The Linux Meta FAQ

  Overview of Linux and a list of various sources of additional information.

• Linux Multicast FAQ

  Overview of IP multicasting.

• Linux PPP FAQ

  PPP, or Point-to-Point Protocol, is a recognized official Internet protocol. It is a protocol used to exchange IP frames over a serial link.

• Sig11 FAQ

  About the Signal 11 that may be encountered when compiling the Kernel.

• XFree86 FAQ

  Overview of the XFree86 Project, Inc which is a non profit organization that produces XFree86, the X Windows server for PC based UNIX(R) and UNIX-like systems.

The following HOWTO's are useful if your looking for a step by step set of instructions.

• 3Dfx HOWTO

  How to setup 3Dfx graphics accelerator chip support for Linux. It lists some supported hardware, answers frequently asked questions on HOWTO configure drivers for many 3Dfx cards.

• Assembly HOWTO

  How to program in assembly using FREE programming tools, focusing on development for the Linux Operating System on i386 platforms.

• Benchmarking HOWTO

  Discusses some issues associated with the benchmarking of Linux systems.

• BootPrompt HOWTO

  A compilation of all the possible boot time arguments that can be passed to the Linux kernel at boot time.

• Bootdisk HOWTO

  How to design and build your own boot/root diskettes for Linux.

• Busmouse HOWTO

  How to install, configure and use a busmouse under Linux.

• CD-ROM HOWTO

  How to install, configure, and use CD-ROM drives under Linux.

• CD Writing HOWTO

  How to write CDs under Linux.

• Commercial HOWTO

  A list of commercial software and applications for Linux.

• Configuration HOWTO

  How to fine tune your newly installed Linux box

• Distribution HOWTO

  How to choose a Linux distribution

• DNS HOWTO

  How to learn DNS administration.

• DOSEMU HOWTO

  Learn about the MS-DOS Emulator.

• DOS/Win to Linux HOWTO

  How to translate knowledge of DOS and Windows into the Linux environment.

• Electronic Mail HOWTO

  How to setup and feed electronic mail under Linux.

• ELF HOWTO

  How to migrate a Linux system to compile and run programs in the ELF binary format.

• Ethernet HOWTO

  Information about which ethernet devices can be used by Linux.

• Firewalling and Proxy Server HOWTO

  Includes the basics of firewall systems and details on setting up both a filtering and proxy firewall.

• Ftape HOWTO

  Discusses the do's and dont's for the ftape driver under Linux.

• GCC HOWTO

  How to set up the GNU C compiler and develope libraries under Linux.

• Glibc2 HOWTO

  How to install and use the GNU C Library on Linux systems.

• IPCHAINS HOWTO

  How to install and configure the enhanced IP firewalling chains software for Linux.

• ISP Hookup HOWTO

  How to use Linux to connect to an Internet Provider via a dial-up modem TCP/IP connection.

• Installation HOWTO

  How to obtain and install Linux software.

• Kernel HOWTO

  A detailed guide to kernel configuration, compiling and upgrading.

• Module HOWTO

  How to load modules and alisting of parameters.

• Multi-Disk HOWTO

  How to use multi disks and partitions in Linux.

The following Mini HOWTO's are useful if your looking for a step-by-step set of instructions.

Linux Documentation Project - return to top

The Linux Documentation Project (LDP) ia a compliation of various online documentations, as well as printed manuals that discuss running Linux.

• Linux Documentation Project (LDP) Home Page

  Links to various subnets of the LDP.

• Linux Documentation Project Manifesto

  Goals of the LDP.

• Linux Man Pages

• Linux Documentation Project Guides