100 linux tips and tricks (Just a taste)
Written by Patrick Lambert
100 Linux Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Which distribution is good for you
They are all good. But that's not a real tip. What you should be looking for is which distribution you feel the
most comfortable with. RedHat has the reputation of being very easy to install. They provide special tools to
make the configuration easier. Debian also has some tools, but will usually require you to go on the command
line more often to configure the system. If you want to be on your own, and really learn how to edit
configuration files then Slackware is for you. The Web site http://www.linux.org lists all the available
distributions.
In the end, the best person to decide which distribution you like, is yourself.
Tip 2: How to find a Linux CD-ROM at low cost
The Linux market started from a few distributions available only from FTP servers, to full feature
commercial distributions available in stores and online including a printed manual and phone support.
Here are the main choices you have when looking for a Linux distribution:
• You can download any Linux distribution from its FTP server. To take a few examples,
RedHat can be downloaded from ftp://ftp.redhat.com, Slackware from ftp://ftp.cdrom.com and
Debian from ftp://ftp.debian.org. That method is free, but requires you to have a fast Internet
connection. Downloading a full Linux distribution over a 56Kbps modem will take you quite a
few hours.
• An other way is to buy a full distribution. RedHat, for example, can be bought online for about
$50. This will include a box, a CD-ROM, a boot diskette, a manual and support from RedHat.
• The last way is to buy only the CD-ROM. There are a few places selling CD-ROMs of various
distributions for $2. One of them is http://www.cheapbytes.com. You will only get the
CD-ROM, but this is all you need to install Linux if you are comfortable with the fact that you
don't get a printed manual or free support. You can find the manual and other documentation
on the CD-ROM.
Tip 3: Multiple operating systems
A computer only needs one operating system to work. But what if you just want to try out a new system? Do
you need to forget about the old one and erase your hard drive? No, you can have as many operating systems
on your computer as you wish.
Linux requires 2 partitions to work. Partitions are sections of the hard drive. When you install Linux, it will
provide a program called fdisk or disk druid allowing you to create the needed partitions. The main problems
people have is that they don't have empty partitions to use for Linux, and they don't want to erase the current
Windows or DOS partition. The trick is to resize your current partition to create empty space. Then you will
be able to make the partitions needed by Linux to install properly.
Fdisk doesn't allow you to resize a partition. You will need to use another program to do the job, before using
fdisk to create the Linux partitions. A very popular commercial product to do this is Partition Magic from
http://www.powerquest.com.
Let's see step by step what is needed to resize an existing partition to allow the creation of a new one for
Linux:
• Buy Partition Magic, or get any other tool that can safely resize partitions.
• Make sure you have at least 150 megs free on your main partition, the required amount for
Linux.
• Resize the partitions so you have at least 150 megs free, outside of any current partition.
• Reboot and launch the Linux installation.
• Run fdisk or any partitioning program that comes with the Linux distribution, and follow the
installation instructions to make the required Linux partitions.
What I did was give you a TASTE of this fabulous e-book written by Patrick Lambert.It is on My PC and I can distribute it for free and You Can get it By e-mailing me At mike.houlden@gmail.com with the phrase "Linux tips in the header" and i will send it to you free.
100 Linux Tips and Tricks
Tip 1: Which distribution is good for you
They are all good. But that's not a real tip. What you should be looking for is which distribution you feel the
most comfortable with. RedHat has the reputation of being very easy to install. They provide special tools to
make the configuration easier. Debian also has some tools, but will usually require you to go on the command
line more often to configure the system. If you want to be on your own, and really learn how to edit
configuration files then Slackware is for you. The Web site http://www.linux.org lists all the available
distributions.
In the end, the best person to decide which distribution you like, is yourself.
Tip 2: How to find a Linux CD-ROM at low cost
The Linux market started from a few distributions available only from FTP servers, to full feature
commercial distributions available in stores and online including a printed manual and phone support.
Here are the main choices you have when looking for a Linux distribution:
• You can download any Linux distribution from its FTP server. To take a few examples,
RedHat can be downloaded from ftp://ftp.redhat.com, Slackware from ftp://ftp.cdrom.com and
Debian from ftp://ftp.debian.org. That method is free, but requires you to have a fast Internet
connection. Downloading a full Linux distribution over a 56Kbps modem will take you quite a
few hours.
• An other way is to buy a full distribution. RedHat, for example, can be bought online for about
$50. This will include a box, a CD-ROM, a boot diskette, a manual and support from RedHat.
• The last way is to buy only the CD-ROM. There are a few places selling CD-ROMs of various
distributions for $2. One of them is http://www.cheapbytes.com. You will only get the
CD-ROM, but this is all you need to install Linux if you are comfortable with the fact that you
don't get a printed manual or free support. You can find the manual and other documentation
on the CD-ROM.
Tip 3: Multiple operating systems
A computer only needs one operating system to work. But what if you just want to try out a new system? Do
you need to forget about the old one and erase your hard drive? No, you can have as many operating systems
on your computer as you wish.
Linux requires 2 partitions to work. Partitions are sections of the hard drive. When you install Linux, it will
provide a program called fdisk or disk druid allowing you to create the needed partitions. The main problems
people have is that they don't have empty partitions to use for Linux, and they don't want to erase the current
Windows or DOS partition. The trick is to resize your current partition to create empty space. Then you will
be able to make the partitions needed by Linux to install properly.
Fdisk doesn't allow you to resize a partition. You will need to use another program to do the job, before using
fdisk to create the Linux partitions. A very popular commercial product to do this is Partition Magic from
http://www.powerquest.com.
Let's see step by step what is needed to resize an existing partition to allow the creation of a new one for
Linux:
• Buy Partition Magic, or get any other tool that can safely resize partitions.
• Make sure you have at least 150 megs free on your main partition, the required amount for
Linux.
• Resize the partitions so you have at least 150 megs free, outside of any current partition.
• Reboot and launch the Linux installation.
• Run fdisk or any partitioning program that comes with the Linux distribution, and follow the
installation instructions to make the required Linux partitions.
What I did was give you a TASTE of this fabulous e-book written by Patrick Lambert.It is on My PC and I can distribute it for free and You Can get it By e-mailing me At mike.houlden@gmail.com with the phrase "Linux tips in the header" and i will send it to you free.
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