Documentation For First-Time Linux Users - Red Hat ENTERPRISE LINUX 3 Reference Manual

Introduction

2.1. Documentation For First-Time Linux Users

For someone new to Linux, the amount of information available on any particular subject, such as
printing, starting up the system or partitioning a hard drive, can be overwhelming. It helps to initially
step back and gain a decent base of information centered around how Linux works before tackling
these kinds of advanced issues.
Your first goal should be to obtain some useful documentation. This cannot be stressed enough. With-
out documentation, you only become frustrated at your inability to get a Red Hat Enterprise Linux
system working the way you want.
You should acquire the following types of Linux documentation:
A brief history of Linux — Many aspects of Linux are the way they are because of historical prece-
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dent. The Linux culture is also based on past events, needs or requirements. A basic understanding
of the history of Linux help you figure out how to solve many potential problems before you actu-
ally see them.
An explanation of how Linux works — While delving into the most arcane aspects of the Linux
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kernel is not necessary, it is a good idea to know something about how Linux is put together. This
is particularly important if you have been working with other operating systems, as some of the
assumptions you currently hold about how computers work may not transfer from that operating
system to Linux.
An introductory command overview (with examples) — This is probably the most important thing
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to look for in Linux documentation. The underlying design philosophy for Linux is that it is better
to use many small commands connected together in different ways than it is to have a few large
(and complex) commands that do the whole job themselves. Without examples that illustrate this
approach to doing things, you may find yourself intimidated by the sheer number of commands
available on a Red Hat Enterprise Linux system.
Keep in mind that you do not have to memorize all of the available Linux commands. Different
techniques exist to help you find the specific command you need to accomplish a task. You only
need to know the general way in which Linux functions, what you need to accomplish, and how to
access the tool that give you the exact instructions you need to execute the command.
The Red Hat Enterprise Linux Installation Guide is a excellent reference for helping you get a Red
Hat Enterprise Linux system successfully installed and initially configured. The Red Hat Enterprise
Linux Introduction to System Administration is an excellent place to start for those learning the basics
of system administration. You should start with these two books and use them to build the base of
your knowledge of Red Hat Enterprise Linux. Before long, more complicated concepts begin to make
sense because you already grasp the general ideas.
Beyond reading Red Hat Enterprise Linux manuals, several other excellent documentation resources
are available for little or no cost:
2.1.1. Introduction to Linux Websites
http://www.redhat.com/ — On the Red Hat website, you find links to the Linux Documentation
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Project (LDP), online versions of the Red Hat Enterprise Linux manuals, FAQs (Frequently Asked
Questions), a database which can help you find a Linux Users Group near you, technical information
in the Red Hat Support Knowledge Base, and more.
http://www.linuxheadquarters.com/ — The Linux Headquarters website features easy to follow,
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step-by-step guides for a variety of Linux tasks.
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