Running Linux

Linux is the most exciting development today in the UNIX world — and some would say in the world of the PC-compatible. A complete, UNIX-compatible operating system developed by volunteers on the Internet, Linux is distributed freely in electronic form and for low cost from many vendors. Its software packages include the X Window System (X11R6); TCP/IP networking (including SLIP, PPP, and NFS support); popular software tools such as Emacs and TeX; a complete software development environment including C, C++, Perl, Tcl/Tk, and more; libraries, debuggers, multimedia support, scientific and database applications, and much more. Developed first on the PC, it has been ported to many other architectures, and a POSIX-compliant version has even been developed.

Running Linux explains everything you need to understand, install, and start using the Linux operating system. This includes a comprehensive installation tutorial, complete information on system maintenance, tools for document development and programming, and guidelines for network and Web site administration.

New topics in the second edition include:

• Printer configuration, management, and use
• Configuration of network clients for NFS and NIS
• Expanded information on configuring a wide range of hardware devices
• Updated configuration information for the kernel and XFree86

Lar Kaufman is a documentation consultant living in Concord, Massachusetts. He began writing about UNIX in 1983 and since then has written on System V, BSD, Mach, OSF/1, and now Linux. His hobbies include interactive media as art/literature, homebuilt and antique aircraft (he's a licensed aircraft mechanic), and natural history. Formerly a BBS operator, in 1987 Lar founded the Fidonet echoes (newsgroups) Biosphere and BioNews. He is currently leading a project to establish a global biological conservation network, using a Linux host as the mail, news, and file server.

Matt Welsh is an Assistant Professor of Computer Science in the Division of Engineering and Applied Sciences at Harvard University. His current research focuses on wireless sensor networks, including operating systems design, distributed systems, networking, and parallel computing. Matt is a long-time Linux advocate and developer, a role in which he has fielded questions from thousands of Linux users over the years. He was the original coordinator of the Linux Documentation Project and author of the original "Linux Installation and Getting Started" guide. He completed his Ph.D. at UC Berkeley.