Good Reference Book?
 

I am a relative newcomer to Linux and, I have to say, I'm loving it. Though GUI's exist for most of the programs and functions I use on a regular basis, I'd like to start working more at the console level and was wondering if anyone could recommend a good hard-copy book of commands, their syntax, options, etc. (I know all that is available from the command line and man but I'd like a hard-copy I can browse through at my leisure so I can really start to learn and memorize it.)

TIA!

Drew

I will suggest first the man pages then Linux Complete Command Reference, and finally shell programming in 24 hours, that will help you get the most of the commands you know.

cheers

I just bought "Linux Pocket Guide" by Daniel J. Barrett. It's exactly what you're looking for. Its pretty small in size compared to other reference guides out there and covers hundreds of commands giving a short description, what they do, and common options and explainations. I've used it from everything from remembering what order the files go in for the 'ln' command and memorizing the syntax of scp to just browsing it looking for useful commands. Although it says, "Covers Fedora Linux" all that means is that it has some commands like up2date and rpm, I've been using it for Gentoo and it has worked fine. I'd highly recommend it.

I will second the Pocket PC guide.
I also really enjoy the Linux in a nutshell book. I think are available through Oreilly.
Also, google linux commands. I know there are a couple good sites out there. I am on my sidekick and don't have it in my bookmarks.

Blair

Rute -- J.W.

BTW -- Welcome to LQ!