Recommend me a book/ebook/website
 

Hi

I'm looking for recommendations on a newbie's guide to the world of *nix.

I'd consider my knowledge base in IT fairly solid, but up until now I have never truly taken any real effort to learn *nix based stuff, and I fancy a challenge. It's quite humbling actually how much of a newbie I feel in this foreign land!

One of the biggest time consumers I have faced here is that I have wasted so much time looking at and learning a particular part of nix only to find the information is outdated and has since been replaced, rendering my efforts much less...efficient.

I am well capable of using Google for look for answers but in my experience you cant substitute more focused expertise such as the community.

No replacement for experience and time/effort I know, but every little helps ;)

For example:

1. Help give me a basic fundamental understanding of how the world of nix works, which doesn't change too much. I know this is a VERY broad question you have to start somewhere! Off the top of my head things like common system file directory arrangement and what they are for, explain kernels and impact, etc etc.
2. Cheatsheet as such to basic CLI commands.
3. Key differences or similarities for someone who was raised in the world of Microsoft, in terms of operation and mentality!
4. Just any other pointers, no matter how basic or irrelevant they seem!

Thanks in advance for your time.

For a basic book to get started, the UNIX Shell Programming by Kochan and Wood is a staple on my desk. It starts out really basic with commands you need for everyday use. It moves into some basic scripting and ways to create tools to automate simple tasks. It introduces you to different editors and shells. I recommend it to all of our new hires. That said, if you are looking for specific instruction on a particular brand of *nix, this is NOT your book. It is full basic, generic, and portable information that you can use on any *nix system....which is why I really learned to appreciate its content.

Here is a link if you are interested....

http://www.amazon.com/Unix-Shell-Pro.../dp/0672324903

Good luck in your endeavors!!!

Basic "Linux" : Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition

http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz

While I am using debian, so any debian specific tips appreciated, this is more along the lines of what I need! Common ground, to build a strong fundamental understanding across the system as a whole... That will help no end to getting comfortable with and troubleshooting any future issues myself!

Thanks!

Member Response
 

Hi,

Nine years here at LQ and you are still unable to achieve this?

Look at: Linux Books & Online Magazines which is a list of books/ebooks that may help you.

For new users I do recommend;Looking at the links in the Tutorials section may help you to gain some knowledge or understanding. I do try to provide users with helpful links within Slackware®-Links but the user will need to make efforts to learn. No single reference will help you to attain the goals you listed. I have been using UNIX/Linux for a very long time and still learn something every day. Get involved with interests you have then proceed to learn as you go. Build on each block as you learn then when finished hopefully your foundation will be complete then begin building the rest of the house/abode.Hope this helps.
Have fun & enjoy!
:hattip:

Thanks onebuck, invaluable!

I can assure you I dont just post because I cant be bothered to look for myself! I did in fact have a quick look through the tutorials etc but a lot of them were/are from many moons ago, and I am finding this especially with Nix, a lot of the information I come across is outdated. I know a lot of old stuff is still relevant, but to me, its hard to tell!

I know given enough time I will probably work out the resolution for myself eventually...in this case I am well aware of how to look for books and the like. Asking for recommendations here is, for me, about managing my time more efficiently.

I also fail to understand how my join date has any correlation to my expected knowledge intake. I may have registered and posted 9 years ago but it didnt last long!

Member Response
 

Hi,

That is a long time to not achieve knowledge about the subject in question. Hope the links help. Better to start somewhere.

No harm meant, just seems a while since registered and to be starting to understand or research.

I guess, better late than never.

Have fun & enjoy!
:hattip:

No offense taken!!

I know how it looks...I delved into the world of nix back then but it didnt last long, and havent really touched it since. To be honest when I first posted again here this time round I didnt even realise this account was still open!