So it's "--help", not just "help". That explains a lot about why doing
that gave such weird results.

I've read a lot about problems where images burned at high speeds
don't work properly, or not at all.

In the vein of architectures and images, (i386 vs x86_64), I tried
looking up the differences (if any) between x86 and x86_64... as far
as I can tell, it supports x64 where available, but goes to x86 if
not, but not all processors (esp. older procs) will support x86_64. Is
this correct?

Also, what are the differences between i386 and x86? This processor
architecture stuff I'm finding via Google is either so simple it
doesn't really help, or so complex I can't understand it.

I'm still searching, but if anyone else knows, I'd appreciate the help.

On 9/3/07, Craig White <craigwhite@azapple.com> wrote:
> On Mon, 2007-09-03 at 15:50 -0700, David Munson wrote:
> > Short version:
> > Anyone know of a good Linux book for brand-new users?
> >
> > Extended version:
> > Something that teaches command line stuff, the parts of a distribution
> > (like what a window manager is, what a desktop environment is, the
> > differences between the two, what packages are, how updating works)
> > and other things you or others consider vital would be ideal. I'd
> > prefer to avoid a class, since that's time+money, and I have to
> > schedule around it, which isn't easy for me these days.
> >
> > Long version:
> > So I'm new to Linux, though I'm rapidly finding out which desktop
> > environments and window managers I prefer, as well as which
> > distributions I like the best and which ones are good for what uses,
> > thanks to LiveDisc versions of some major distros.
> >
> > However, being new to Linux, I run into problems when I need to get
> > something done that requires (or seems to require) the use of the
> > command line, or troubleshooting why a distro will load on one PC but
> > not on another.
> >
> > I prefer my references in dead tree format, since I'll largely be
> > playing with linux on a notebook, and a lot of the problems I run into
> > are in regards to getting online when I need to do something with the
> > command line to diagnose and fix the issue.
> >
> > Does anyone here know of good linux books for beginners? A lot of my
> > questions would probably be answered by reading a bit, and keep me
> > from bothering people with basic questions that aren't easily found
> > via Google, or can't be accessed since they're online and not dead
> > tree format.
> ----
> I don't know that I have a specific book to recommend other than I would
> probably see if there's some book that parallels whatever distro you are
> using - i.e. if you are using Fedora, get a Fedora book, if you are
> using Ubuntu, get a Ubuntu book, etc.
>
> The distributions generally track each other pretty closely but there
> will be differences between them such as where they put config files,
> package management and configuration utilities will vary greatly.
>
> The thing that I have always found most instructive is to have a
> mission. Nothing teaches better than accomplishing a task. Learning to
> set up apache server is rather pointless if you don't have web tasks to
> accomplish. If you want to learn about networking, routing and
> firewalls, unplug the store bought router and learn to set up routing
> without it.
>
> Very important to experiment with several text mode editors (a
> non-exhaustive list would include vi, emacs, joe, pico). Resist the
> temptation to switch back to Windows/Macintosh because it's what you
> know. The more you work on Linux, the faster you will grasp it. You will
> also be surprised how much you learn about Windows or Macintosh by
> learning Linux.
>
> most commands have 'man' and/or 'info' pages.  From a command line, type
> 'man cp' or 'info cp' You can also use 'Konqueor' and type those
> commands into the address bar for a web cleaned interface. Also, most
> commands respond to '--help' so typing 'cp --help' should provide some
> useful information.
>
> This list is also a tremendous resource, especially if you demonstrate
> that you have made some effort to get an answer from known resources
> first.
>
> As for why some distro's work on some PC's and not others, sometimes,
> there is limitations in supported hardware and sometimes it's as simple
> as burning CD's at a high speed that works on some CD/DVD drives but not
> on others. I recommend that when burning installation CD's, use the
> slowest speed (usually about 4x) when burning so that the burned CD
> works on the greatest variety of drives. One thing I have noticed with
> new Dell Optiplex systems is that Fedora 7 i386 doesn't work so well but
> x86_64 does work - go figure.
>
> Craig
>
>
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