Questions about yum updates & terminal
 

I just installed fedora core 5 an hour ago and that is 99% of my experience with linux.

I have some basic questions about updates. I tried searching to see if they were asked previously, but it seems like they are too basic. Either way, sorry if it's a re-post.

1) I am trying to use terminal and yum for the first time because If it's anything like windows updates, it's kind of important. I did the command : "yum check-update" to see all the updates. Next thing I know, my screen is flooded with a list of junk. My question is: Do I install everything I see? Are all the updates necessary, and are there disadvantages to installing everything? If I update everything; will things conflict?

2) A large reason for switching to linux is to stray away from GUIs and point-and-click maneavers. I'm trying to open basic apps in terminal like firefox or gaim. I've been taught that to open something like firefox, all I need to do is type "firefox". That works, firefox opens nicely and evertying... but I can't use that terminal window for anything else anymore after I open firefox. It's almost as if it hangs on that screen. It doesn't give me the user-info junk at the start of the line anymore. I must be doing something wrong. What is the proper way to open something like firefox via terminal? (yes, I realize I can just open it by clicking it, but where's the fun in that?)

3) also, I remember that on FC1 I could just slap ctrl+T to open terminal. How can I set the same shortcut key combo for FC5?

I know those are a lot of amateur questions, but I haven't come across any tutorials that discuss these points. For instance, I know all the yum commands, but don't know if all the updates are good or bad.

yeah, thanks in advance.

-Greatness

1) In a “regular” distribution, you could choose to only install security updates, but since they are not designated as such in FC, that would be hard to do. So you are left with installing all updates to get the security updates.

Because of the experimental nature of FC, there tend to be lots of updates. In general, it is safe to install all available updates, but you will occasionally have a problem with one.

The problem might be a new kernel that won’t boot, some application feature that stops working or an update that won’t install due to dependency issues. Since you won’t be the only one with the problem, a fix will usually become available in about a week.

Some people avoid kernel updates, as long as the system is already running OK. It’s a personal preference thing.


2) Nope, everything’s normal. Exit the program and the terminal prompt will return.


3) Don’t know, but you can install a terminal option into the alternate menu (right click) by running:

About the firefox, you can run the command at the backgroud. This will help you to use the terminal with which you openend the application(firefox).

]$<command> &

Just curious, for what purpose you are into linux. Just a casual user or planning to be an administrator.