help on linux file system hierarchy
 

hi all,

Have just installed FC5 dual booting with windows xp.Need some help on understanding linux file system hierarchy as to how they works.

for example:
1)where are programs installed to?
2)where are system files located at?
3)where can i keep my data files such as downloaded programs etc etc?

I also need a linux version of msn messenger.which is the recommended type to use?

How do I configure my monitor screen as after installation,although fc5 reads my graphics and monitor drivers,the screen is still tilted more to the right side.Ive tried adjusting the screen manually using the monitor setting panel but after rebooting into windows xp,windows xp is not properly align....

any advices?:)

1. Some kind of bin directory usually: /usr/bin, /usr/local/bin, etc.
2. Usually in /etc/ (or in subdirectories).
3. In your home directory, usually /home/username.

There are various IM clients with which you can use MSN: Gaim, Kopete, aMSN, Mercury. I've only used Gaim myself, but you may want to try the others as well and see which one you like best.

Not sure about your monitor.

The file system is simple---once you understand it...;)
It it is one tree starting with "/" which is often called "root". Type "cd /" and then "ls", and you will see the directories in the top level of the tree. You can then "cd" into each one to see the contents.

Here is a very crude partial list of what goes where:
/bin system programs normally needed by users
/sbin system programs normally used by administrators
the distinction between these 2 is not always crisp
/lib library routines called by other programs
/etc configuration files (for all users)
/usr things installed by and for users. A lot of applications go here
/dev devices
/opt optional stuff---applications often go here also
/home directories associated with specific users (configuration files--eg e-mail--will be in /home/username--often as hidden files.

While the convention says that you would put applications in /bin , /sbin , /usr/xxx, or /opt/xxx, the fact is that you can put an application just about anywhere you want. Configuration files, however, have to be where the program expects to find them.

Personal files normally go in /home/username. Again, you can put them whereever you want.

Linux---like Unix---is at its core a general purpose, multi-user, system. In a typical installation, you might never use many of the subdirectories.

ic..will try to reference to that.Still tryin to browse thru and getting use to it.need to check on few things like:
1)how and where do i check if all my drivers are installed and properly configured?(this is done on windows using device manager)
2)how and where can i find out about system information like disk space,file format etc etc(this is done on windows using "system information" under system tools or control panel)
3)how and where do i clear caches,temporary files and history in fc5?

my screen is still titled therefore im wondering if its the driver configuration problem.

as for the messenger im currently using the installed one "gaim".Knew that there is also one called kmess?

To learn about the file system hierarchy in a terminal type:
1) If your hardware works then your drivers are properly installed and configured. Note: The concept of Drivers is different in Linux.

2) there are a few different commands you can use: mount; df; du; lspci; free. TBH there are hundreds of commands that will give you information and reading the "files" in /proc will also give you information, try: cat /proc/cpuinfo for example. Fedora Core 5 may offer some form of "Control Center" to provide a summary of this information, search the Application / System menus.

3) Depends on which browser you use.

You need to read some introductory material, Linux is a whole different animal to Windows. A lot of the concepts and ideas are implemented differently.

Try reading this: http://www.linux.org/lessons/beginner/index.html if you find it too easy/basic, too hard going, or want to learn more then use google.

Temp files can normally be found in /var/tmp or /tmp. Fedora may have a cron job scheduled to periodically delete temp files, but I don't know. Cron is used to perform tasks periodically, in case you hadn't gathered that.

thanks :)
yea i thought i needed more introductory

ok suspect my floppy is not installed.cant find anything /mnt/floppy if there is where it should be located as i felt it will be necessary to use floppy to create a linux boot disk.Pls advice?


will try reading up more first also..