Introduction to Unix and Networks
Introduction to Unix and Networks
Introduction to Unix and Networks
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13. <strong>Unix</strong> HELP facilities<br />
The traditional source of online infor mation<br />
for all <strong>Unix</strong> systems is the collection of<br />
manual pages. These are no<strong>to</strong>riously<br />
daunting for beginners. Try typingman<br />
mkdir for infor mation about how <strong>to</strong>make<br />
anew direc<strong>to</strong>r y. Ifyou only have a "subject"<br />
<strong>and</strong> need <strong>to</strong> locate relevant man pages you<br />
can use the keyword search:<br />
man -k subject.<br />
In fact, most programmers rarely read all<br />
the words in a man page, only scanning<br />
through for example code fragments.<br />
Occasionally however you do need <strong>to</strong><br />
spend time <strong>and</strong> read the obscure text,<br />
especially with reference <strong>to</strong> control flags<br />
<strong>and</strong> direc<strong>to</strong>ry names.<br />
Sun, <strong>to</strong> their credit, offer the Answer Books which are an excellent source of online infor mation about <strong>Unix</strong>,<br />
Solar is in particular. The Linux Documentation Project (TLDP) has a wonderful set of useful manuals <strong>and</strong><br />
also it maintains a set of shorter, practical notes called HOWTOs:<br />
or<br />
http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/<br />
http://www.linuxhow<strong>to</strong>s.org<br />
The Student Help Desk may provide students with introduc<strong>to</strong>ry help sheets about a var iety of software,<br />
including <strong>Unix</strong> <strong>and</strong> PC <strong>to</strong>pics.<br />
The main source of up-<strong>to</strong>-date infor mation is the WWW. Computing students do spend a lot of time using<br />
Google,browsing for sites offer ing useful infor mation. Big companies, such as Intel, Microsoft, IBM <strong>and</strong> HP<br />
take some trouble <strong>to</strong> support their own products, but also offer general guides. Many universities, especially<br />
in the States are free with their course material. Try these now:<br />
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/<strong>Unix</strong>, from Surrey Uni.<br />
http://www.reading.ac.uk/ITS/Topic/<strong>Unix</strong>OS/UnSIntro01/, from Reading University<br />
http://8help.osu.edu/wks/unix_course/intro-1.html, from Ohio State Uni.<br />
http://par tmaps.org/era/unix/shell.html, focuses on the shell<br />
http://www-128.ibm.com/developerwor ks/linux/librar y/l-kdei, intro <strong>to</strong> KDE<br />
intro2unix.ps Fiamingo, DeBula & Condron, from<br />
ftp://www-wks.uts.ohio-state.edu/unix_course/<br />
(Be careful when using web material in your assignments. Read the guidelines on how <strong>to</strong>avoid the<br />
accusation of plagerism (copying))<br />
Sun additionally offer a set of online Help H<strong>and</strong>books. Click RMB (right mouse but<strong>to</strong>n) on the desk<strong>to</strong>p<br />
background <strong>and</strong> selectHelp<br />
13
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