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<!--TITLE=Special Edition Using Linux, Fourth Edition//-->
<!--AUTHOR=Jack Tackett//-->
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<H2><A NAME="Heading1"></A><FONT COLOR="#000077">Introduction</FONT></H2>
<P><BIG>L</BIG>inux is no longer a “not ready for prime time” operating system! Many commercial uses of Linux abound, ranging from being used to create many of the fantastic special effects for James Cameron’s mega hit <I>Titanic</I>, to being used as the OS for new network computers. As Linux evolves, one has to keep up with the changes; that’s why you will find plenty of new material in this fourth edition of the popular <I>Special Edition Using Linux</I>.</P>
<P>Many chapters have been rewritten to highlight the Red Hat distribution—probably the most popular and easiest-to-install Linux distribution ever. In addition, the book contains updated coverage of such items as RPM (the Red Hat Package Manager), which offers the easiest way to install and upgrade your system; PAM, a leading security feature of most Linux distributions; and X Windows. You’ll also find another CD-ROM containing a <I>lite</I> version of Caldera’s OpenLinux Base product. Finally, on the third CD-ROM, you’ll find a copy of Caldera’s StarOffice, an integrated office application that includes several office automation programs.</P>
<P>However, if you’re just tuning in, you might want to know just what the heck Linux is.</P>
<P>In 1991, Linus Torvalds, then a 23-year-old college student, began a personal project to expand the Minix operating system into a full-fledged clone of the UNIX operating system that was so popular on college campuses. The project is still evolving: Linux is continuously updated and expanded by literally hundreds of people around the world.</P>
<P>Therefore, Linux is a unique animal in the computer (r)evolution. It isn’t a commercial product backed by a huge corporation; rather, it’s an operating system born of frustration and built by a ragtag team of computer enthusiasts around the world. This team used Internet resources to communicate and build the operating system named Linux.</P>
<P>But don’t think Linux is just a hobby for hackers around the world—it’s not! Plenty of commercial products are being written specifically for Linux. In fact, several companies are porting their UNIX-based applications, such as Corel’s WordPerfect, to Linux. As a matter of fact, Corel has adopted Linux for its new Network Computer and has released the resulting software to the development community.</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><FONT SIZE="-1"><HR><B>NOTE: </B>While it is very hard to estimate the total number of Linux users or installations in the world, a working estimate shows between 5,000,000 and 10,500,000 active Linux users worldwide. For more information see the following URL:<!-- CODE SNIP //-->
<PRE>
<A HREF="http://www.redhat.com/redhat/linuxmarket.html">http://www.redhat.com/redhat/linuxmarket.html</A>
</PRE>
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<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><FONT SIZE="-1"><HR><B>NOTE: </B>If you don’t understand what a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) is or how to use it, don’t despair! This book will help you learn how to make your way around the Internet using Linux.<HR></FONT>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><FONT SIZE="-1"><HR>• <B>See</B> “URLs,” <B>p. 614</B><HR></FONT>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>Many Fortune 500 companies use Linux for internal projects and mission-critical applications. And recently, large companies such as Netscape Communications, are embracing the concept of open solutions by releasing their own software into the development community, just as Linus Torvald and others released their software to the world.
</P>
<P>There are also plenty of free applications and utilities for Linux. Since the inception of Linux, almost the entire GNU library of utilities has been ported to Linux, and the X Windows GUI system—so popular on UNIX-type workstations—also has been ported. GNU (a recursive acronym for “GNU’s Not UNIX”) is a project started by one man to make software available to anyone who wants access. The GNU General Public License in Appendix D describes the philosophy under which Linux and many other fine software packages are distributed. The accompanying CD-ROMs contain many of these packages.</P>
<P>This book provides you with enough information to use and enjoy Linux. The accompanying CD-ROMs contain the Red Hat 5.1 distribution and Caldera’s OpenLinux Lite, each of which use the 2.0.34 Linux kernel.</P>
<P>Probably the first order of business is to help you pronounce the word <I>Linux</I>. To most Americans, the pronunciation is LEN-nucks, with the short i sound. The official pronunciation is LIE-nucks, with the long i sound.</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><FONT SIZE="-1"><HR><B>ON THE WEB: </B><BR>You can hear Linus pronounce Linux in English at the following URL:<!-- CODE SNIP //-->
<PRE>
<A HREF="ftp://ftp.linux.org/pub/kernel/sillysounds/english.au">ftp://ftp.linux.org/pub/kernel/SillySounds/english.au</A>
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</BLOCKQUOTE>
<H3><A NAME="Heading2"></A><FONT COLOR="#000077">Who Should Use This Book?</FONT></H3>
<P>Anyone interested in the Linux phenomenon can use this book as a guide to installing, configuring, and using Linux. Linux is often called a UNIX clone, but it’s actually a POSIX-compliant multiuser, multitasking operating system for Intel 386 and later processors. POSIX is an international standard for operating systems and software detailing interoperability standards. Linux doesn’t require MS-DOS or Windows to operate; in fact, Linux can replace those programs on your computer.
</P>
<P>Because Linux is still evolving, it’s imperative that you understand the possibility of losing existing data on your system. <I>Do not install Linux without first backing up your system</I>. It might be necessary to repartition your hard drive to make room for this new operating system, although it’s possible to install Linux on top of MS-DOS or to repartition your hard drive without losing data. If you take the proper precautions, anyone can install and enjoy Linux.</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><FONT SIZE="-1"><HR><B>NOTE: </B>The most current version of Linux is always available on the Internet, from sources listed in Appendix A, “Sources of Information.” The accompanying CD-ROMs contain the latest possible versions of Linux, but due to the rapid development of this popular operating system and the chaotic process in which it’s developed, it’s impossible to provide the latest and greatest on a CD-ROM. In fact, although all efforts are made to keep the book and CD-ROMs in synch, that also is nearly impossible. Unlike commercial software, which changes infrequently and under controlled conditions, Linux and related software are perpetually dynamic.<HR></FONT>
</BLOCKQUOTE>
<P>Because Linux is very similar to UNIX, many of the operations and procedures necessary for using Linux also apply to many UNIX systems. By learning to use Linux, you also learn how to use most UNIX systems.
</P>
<P>UNIX has evolved over the years to become the premier operating system used by hundreds of thousands of people throughout the world. This isn’t an accident. Earlier versions of UNIX were harder to manipulate than other operating systems, but despite this, UNIX managed to amass a distinguished following in academic and scientific circles. These professionals realized not only what a powerful, flexible, and manageable operating system UNIX was, but also its potential to be the best operating system ever. Their efforts have culminated in the UNIX of today, with its marvelous utilities, bundled with the newest communications capabilities and graphical user interfaces (GUIs).</P>
<P>The UNIX of today promises again to revolutionize the personal computer industry, and perhaps redirect the industry’s growth. UNIX has evolved from a minicomputer operating system to one that crosses all hardware platforms. There’s no reason to think that this evolution will stop. UNIX may well become the standard for what most users dream of—complete standardization and compatibility of all computer systems eventually, regardless of size or power.</P>
<P>UNIX comes in several flavors from a variety of vendors, including versions for the Intel PC platforms, but most of these versions cost big bucks. Linux provides a relatively inexpensive—free if you have access to the Internet—solution to learning about UNIX-type procedures and commands, the X Windows GUI, and accessing the Internet via Linux.</P>
<H3><A NAME="Heading3"></A><FONT COLOR="#000077">Who Should <I>Not</I> Use This Book?
</FONT></H3>
<P>If you are a Linux kernel hacker or a UNIX guru, this book may not be your cup of tea. This book is a great resource for someone wanting to know more about Linux and UNIX who has never been involved with either operating system.
</P>
<P>However, if you know how to install Linux and maneuver around in UNIX, you may still find this book of use, particularly if you are only a UNIX user and have never had the chance to perform system administration tasks. Several sections of the book explain the finer points of system administration and how to maintain a Linux/UNIX system. Typically, a normal UNIX user is never allowed to perform these system administration tasks, but with Linux you become king of the hill and ruler of the system, free to do whatever you want to do!</P>
<P>Now, if you don’t have a clue what MS-DOS is or what a floppy disk looks like, you might want to brush up on some computer basics before tackling Linux. Linux isn’t for the faint of heart—you must have some understanding of how a computer works. If the thought of repartitioning or reformatting your hard drive sends shivers down your spine, you probably should put off learning Linux for a while until you become more comfortable with your computer system.</P>
<H3><A NAME="Heading4"></A><FONT COLOR="#000077">Hardware Needed to Use This Book</FONT></H3>
<P>Most of Linux has been written across the Internet by computer <I>hackers</I> (not <I>crackers</I>, but people who truly enjoy writing software that accomplishes something). Thus, the hardware supported by Linux is the hardware owned by the various hackers.</P>
<P>However, many hardware manufacturers are accepting Linux as a valid market and are beginning to write drivers for their hardware. They are also providing hardware specifications to the world so that Linux developers can write software to work with the hardware. Many companies are also farming out work to Linux developers to specifically write drivers for their hardware. These companies then release the code into the community under GNU guidelines. This is a dramatic change from a few years ago when many manufactures withheld information for proprietary and competitive reasons.</P>
<P>Table 1 is a brief list of the supported hardware. If you don’t have the correct hardware, it’s unlikely that you’ll be able to boot Linux and productively use the system—forewarned is forearmed! Appendix C, “The Linux Hardware Compatibility HOWTO,” provides a more in-depth listing of Linux-supported hardware.</P>
<BLOCKQUOTE>
<P><FONT SIZE="-1"><HR>I feel it’s only fair to let you know what type of systems we used to create this book. The test machine was a Pentium II 233-based system with 64MB of RAM and a Buslogic SCSI controller, a 4 gigabyte Micropolis SCSI drive, an NE2000 PCI Ethernet card, a 24x ATAPI CD-ROM, and a Matrox Mystique video card. The name server used in our network is a no-name 486dx100 system with IDE drives and 32MB of memory running Red Hat Linux. This machine is also the main sendmail server for the site. The main Web server is a Digital Equipment Alpha also running Red Hat Linux. The entire site is connected to the Internet via an ISDN line using an Ascend Pipeline 75 router.<HR></FONT>
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<TABLE WIDTH="100%"><CAPTION ALIGN=LEFT><B>Table 1</B> A Brief List of Hardware Supported by Linux
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