On Mon, May 24, 2004 at 06:41:50PM -0300, Betti Ann & Preston Smith wrote: > Where can one find a comprehensive list of the various utilities that are > available to examine/change/configure/add/delete various aspects of > Fedora? Such as the 'switch desk' utility someone just mentioned .... This is deep voodoo knowledge, only avaiable to the true believers. For you to become a believer, you must follow the cult of Linux for at least 5 years, as an apprentice. Then, after all that time getting RTFM'ed, flamed, pulling your hair out, decrypting man/info pages, Googling your eyes out, reinstalling, cursing at your computer, becoming a master CLI touch typist, staying up too late, asking a friend which happens to be a priest in the Linux cult, you will perhaps see the light (a desktop). Seriously though, some RedHat/Fedora specific, and general pointers: * The old RedHat manual probably has many things that applies to Fedora as well: http://www.redhat.com/support/resources/howto/ * The 'apropos' command shows you available related commands based on a keyword you give, for instance: $ apropos desktop .. .. spotlight (1) - move spotlight around desktop switchdesk (1) - graphical and text mode interface for choosing desktop environment zoom (1) - wander around magified desktop .. which gives you 'switchdesk'. Now, how would you ever find out about 'apropos' itself ? That's the question. * Asking people who knows still isn't illegal, that's what a user mailing list is there for, IMO. However, it's sometimes easy to spot when clueless (cult-less) people aren't even _trying_ to figure anything out by themselves (ie they are truly lazy), which can result in slightly "impolite"/harsh RTFM-style responses and otherwise empty mails from people with `-- Automatic reply: RTFM, read DOCS/manuals, Google --' in their signatures (no offence). * Linux is very well documented, IMHO: http://www.tldp.org BUT, spending hours in the TLDP library should NOT be a necessary prerequisite for installing Linux, for ordinary users with normal desktop-needs. (Don't really think it is, either) (General tip to linux priests: never reveal that you have even the slightest knowledge of linux to a person you know who is "thinking of trying out linux", you'll end of serving free-for-friends over-the-phone support 4 ever.) *Ehem*, forget I said that, didn't mean it. * Google is truly excellent, learn to use it well, for quick hints/fixes/all sorts of things. Mailing list archives are usually very well indexed. * Buy a good linux book, there are heaps. (avoid "Linux 4 dummies"-style books, they suck, you aren't a dummie, now, are you?) * Buy a boxed linux distribution which comes with printed manuals, should be easier for first-timers. > Such info should be in a Linux/Fedora Newcomers FAQ so that we do not have > to bother people with these basics. http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&q=fedora+faq&btnG=Google+Search > > Regretfully, this is a very basic question that in my mind must be answered > if neophytes like me are ever to make a 100 per cent conversion to Linux. This is true, Linux is not benefited by the "Only for hardcore enthusiasts"-label. At least it's going in the right direction, things are getting much easier/better then they used to be. The hardest part for most people is installation/maintenance (provided they use a suitable distribution), but it's getting really good, look at FC2:) If Linux gives you a hard time, get a Tux punching bag, (free-standing or hanging) next to your computer, instead of banging your keyboard against the wall. If you cannot find any such thing for sale, you are bound to find all sorts of Tux-teddies, so just politely stuff an ordinary punching bag up its *****, and you're good to go. (Alternatively, go see "Anger Management", and become a better person.) =) (tux-lovers ignore last paragraph, for lack of a better apology) Cheers, Øyvind -- < Øyvind Stegard <oyvinst@xxxxxxxxxx> < University of Oslo, Dept. of informatics < http://www.stegard.net/ < "If at first you do succeed, try not to look astonished."
