Is there a book or comprehensive documentation for Linux Mint?
 

Hi,

The title pretty much says it all: is there any comprehensive reference for Linux Mint - whether a book or online documentation?

I've tried the 'Help' button in some of the GUI windows in Linux Mint, and often all I get is an error message saying file not found. I know about the 'man' pages for some commands, but they don't exist for everything and for some things the explanations leave a lot to be desired.

Given that Linux Mint is based on Ubuntu, should I look for an Ubuntu book?

Thanks.

There are lot's of books on the more popular distros, but I would recommend some of the more general-purpose books/tutorials. One very good starting point is "Linux in a Nutshell" from O'Reilly. I think it's now free online.

The best way to learn is to push buttons, browse thru menus, and TRY things. Then go searching here and on Google when you get stuck on some specific point.

Also, a lot of your interface is really with the Desktop Environment (DE)---eg Gnome, KDE, XFCE, etc. There is LOTS of documentation on the individual DEs

I would look to forums for mint specifics. Googling "mint linux forum" looked to have promising leads. As P-lany said, general purpose linux tutorials are a good place to start. Most distributions have a lot in common so lots of things tend to carry over. Lots of things don't.

As the men fro Pasadena and Dallas said, begin with basics -- anything Debian has some pertinence -- search I just did resulted in http://www.pdfound.com/pdf/linux-mint.html; the sidux manual is great (take what you need and leave the rest) http://manual.sidux.com/; even Slackware information can teach a person many useful things -- explore and
Have fun!

Ok, thanks, I think you've given me a few things to go on with.

It sounds like the necessary info pretty much falls into three types of increasing specialisation: general linux, Debian/Ubuntu and Gnome desktop.

Hmmm, it could take me a while to work through all of this... :)

Daily use will be the best teacher. :)

Use Ubuntu's Documentation
 

Mint is basically Ubuntu with a prettier face, a few extra utilities but most importantly with all the codecs already installed. All you really need is to read the Ubuntu documentation at https://help.ubuntu.com/. The initial menu option selection will be a little different because Mint changed the menu around but the remainder of the menu path will be the same as Ubuntu. Mint uses the Ubuntu repository so all code is the same.

P.S.: I use Mint9 amd64 and love it. I used to use Ubuntu but liked Mint's improvements upon ubuntu.

And don't forget...
 

Good choice of distro's, personal opinion of course. I primarily use Mint 6 (Felicia) but have Gloria on a USB. Re. your question, don't overlook the obvious...the Mint main page. "Community"-->"Forums" will put you in touch with other Mint users as well as the development team. And I just noticed that there's a "Tutorials" section now as well. One piece of advice- keep up with Ubuntu via a second computer or "live" disk and you'll be set.
Mark

I have tried many Debian based distros and have found Linux Mint series to be the best overall package. Especially for somebody who is learning (a lot of the configuration is done for you.) :)

Suggested Reading

Ubuntu Linux Toolbox -> Negus/Cain (Great Jump start)

Linux 101 Hacks -Natgarajan (Download from Geek Stuff->http://linux.101hacks.com/ )

The Command Line -Shotts (Download http://gd.tuwien.ac.at/linuxcommand.org/tlcl.php )

There is a link to the Official User Guide Linux Mint 9 "Isadora" on the Mint download page at http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

mint text book
 

It is a little worrying that the 'help' does not work. You should be able to download the mint user manual from the firefox login page.
'Linux in a nutshell' is an accurate but frightening publication and recommended for insomniacs. Technical writing is a particular skill, especially if you are directing it to 'newbies'. I would recommend anything written by Keir Thomas that relates to ubuntu (as opposed to suze) some are free downloads. Nutshell is handy as a reference book, so that you do not have to rely on the net and its sometimes misleading info.

fred.

I eventually discovered that the Gnome help file wasn't included in the Mint 9 distro I downloaded. After searching for ages in Synaptic for 'help' and 'documentation' I tried the Mint Software Manager, and found that it's called 'gnome-user-guide'. When I installed that the help buttons worked.

I did download the 'official user guide' but it's just a 'getting started' document that only covers installation and the most basic information about using the interface.

I've decided to get a book or two - call me old-fashioned but I like to have a detailed reference book sitting next to me, rather than reading everything on the computer. For a start, the book still works if the computer locks up (that's only happened once while changing settings in the Compiz configuration manager, as a result of which I've decided to not bother with Compiz).