Linux

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• Three Hour Rule
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I was trained as a Sun Solaris administrator a long time ago. The Sun network is long gone, but I still like UNIX a lot. I have installed Linux on all my home computers.

Almost all my software at home is free. Most of my personal files are stored in non-proprietary formats. My software is all legal. Software piracy is illegal, bad and unnecessary.

The only problem I have is that Linux has very little support for mechanical CAD. There was a version of Pro/Engineer available for Linux. Unfortunately, Pro/E encrypts its files, making it difficult to port to other 3D CAD packages. This sort of thing is the very antithesis of Free Software. In any case, it is no longer available.

Articles

The following pieces should provide some help to people trying to run Linux.

The install instructions I have provided are not much use if you have not got a computer to read them. If you are doing an install, you probably don't. I have provided copies of the documents in Adobe Acrobat format, which are ideal for printing.

Unix Command Line HOWTO

This article should be helpful for users of other UNIXes (unices?). I also get thank-you emails from OSX users.

Installing Rev Linux

Don't ask me why my computer is named Rev :). I installed Linux on it. I wrote instructions so that I can re-install it if I have to. This might all be useful for some beginner who wants to install Linux on something. This file is provided in Adobe Acrobat format, so that you can print it out, and read it offline.

Installing Rover Linux

I named my laptop Rover for some reason or other. It's ancient, but working fine. This file also is provided in Abobe Acrobat format.

Installing Aspire Linux

If you read the piece above, you will see that it was time for a new laptop. Again, the article is in Adobe Acrobat format.

Three Hour Rule

I refuse to spend three hours trying to fix a computer operating system. If things look difficult, I reformat the operating system partition, and I re-install. My three hour rule is feasible because...

...I have the install media.

If you do not have the install CDs or DVDs, you cannot carry out the ultimate rescue procedure.

...working directories are backed up...

...and/or are on a separate partition, preferably, both. What is your backup plan? Does it work? Test it now.

...I know how to do the re-install.

I know this because I have done it at least once, and I kept the notes, above.

I have never installed Microsoft Windows. I have the Windows 95 *.cab files for my laptop. I have no idea of how legitimate they are, and I do not care. My Windows 95 did not survive Y2K.

I never get a new operating system right on the first try. I am pretty good now with the various flavours of Red Hat Linux. My first Linux installed was Slackware 3.0, but it has been a while. I have never looked at Debian, or Novell Suse.

Links

GNU Foundation

Linux is Free Software. "Free" is as in "freedom of speech" as opposed to "free beer".

Linux Online

This is a central website for all things Linux.

Toronto Linux Users Group

The Toronto Linux Users Group is interested in all things Linux. They meet once a month. They have a group for new users, and they have a mailing list that provides help and discussion.

The Linux HOWTO Index

There is a substantial library of document telling you how to do stuff with Linux, such as setting up serial ports, connecting to the internet, etc. If you are trying to figure out Linux, it is worth a look.

VI HOWTO

VI is the text editor of choice for UNIX system administrators. It is about as unintuitive as a text editor can get, but it is powerful once you learn it, especially if you touch type. There is no need to remove your fingers from the home row of the QWERTY keyboard. I don't know about the Dvorak keyboards.

Linux Games

If your primary computer use is video games, Linux is probably not for you. There are games out there.

Last modified: 2009Oct13 by Howard Gibson.