New tutorials for installing and configuring Slack

2handband · 11-23-2010, 07:43 AM

I added two new pages to Adventures in Linux last night, one on installing Slackware and another on a very basic configuration. The links:

http://genek.net/LinuxAdventures/ins...allation1.html

http://genek.net/LinuxAdventures/ins...ackconfig.html

I tried to write them on the assumption that the reader has no experience at all with Linux. Of course I'm hoping that newcomers will use it as a learning tool, but it would also be great if any experienced Slackers who have the time could take a peek and yell if you see any problems.

brianL · 11-23-2010, 07:54 AM

One little problem with the installation instructions, run:

Code:

cfdisk /dev/sda

instead of only cfdisk, or cfdisk will read your DVD instead of your HDD.
Otherwise OK, I think.

2handband · 11-23-2010, 08:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by brianL

One little problem with the installation instructions, run:

Code:

cfdisk /dev/sda

instead of only cfdisk, or cfdisk will read your DVD instead of your HDD.
Otherwise OK, I think.

oops...

brianL · 11-23-2010, 08:34 AM

Yeah, it caught me out, amongst others.

Up to 13.0 (I think), entering cfdisk was OK, since then it's needed cfdisk /dev/sda.

mlangdn · 11-23-2010, 10:46 AM

Nice work! I haven't read it completely, but looks good so far.

vdemuth · 11-23-2010, 11:19 AM

Trouble with the link on the slackconfig.html page that points to desktop1.html as it then goes onto a Debian and Mepis based page. All the same, a very good tutorial.

2handband · 11-23-2010, 12:02 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by vdemuth

Trouble with the link on the slackconfig.html page that points to desktop1.html as it then goes onto a Debian and Mepis based page. All the same, a very good tutorial.

That's the only tutorial I have right now for the KDE 4.x desktop environment. I'm working on one right now for KDE 4.5.3 on a Slackware platform, and with any luck I'll have it up before the day is out.

neymac · 11-23-2010, 01:13 PM

"The crontab file will open with vi. Arrow all the way down to the last line in the file. Then hit the o key, which gives the command to enter insert mode"

I think should be: "...file. Then hit the "i" key, which gives the command to enter insert mode"

It would be useful insert the date of last update, as things change fast in Linux's world.

catkin · 11-23-2010, 01:20 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by neymac

"The crontab file will open with vi. Arrow all the way down to the last line in the file. Then hit the o key, which gives the command to enter insert mode"

I think should be: "...file. Then hit the "i" key, which gives the command to enter insert mode"

It would be useful insert the date of last update, as things changes fast in the Linux world.

o also opens insert mode, starting by adding a new line to insert into. Better as "a command to enter insert mode" or "adding a new line and entering insert mode to modify it"?

2handband · 11-23-2010, 01:30 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catkin

o also opens insert mode, starting by adding a new line to insert into. Better as "a command to enter insert mode" or "adding a new line and entering insert mode to modify it"?

I'll re-read it in a bit and make sure the wording is clear.

TSquaredF · 11-23-2010, 03:41 PM

I wish that you had written this without using the language you did. I cannot recommend this to anyone.
Regards,
Bill

samac · 11-23-2010, 04:15 PM

Not so much "gutter" as colloquial. The OP is trying to personalize and make it easier to read. Dry, dusty and grammatically correct would probably be worse.

However the important part is the information, how you get it across, depends on who you are trying to teach. For example or is that "As an exemplar" or "let's try...". All people have different modes of thinking and by modelling the language to the reader you will have better results.

samac

2handband · 11-23-2010, 04:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by catkin

o also opens insert mode, starting by adding a new line to insert into. Better as "a command to enter insert mode" or "adding a new line and entering insert mode to modify it"?

Thanks for teh suggestion: I've modified the line to say:

Then hit the "o" key, which does two things with one command: it adds a new line below the one the cursor is on, and it outs you in Insert mode so you can modify it.

TSquaredF · 11-23-2010, 04:53 PM

samac:

Quote:

Not so much "gutter" as colloquial. The OP is trying to personalize and make it easier to read. Dry, dusty and grammatically correct would probably be worse.

OK, I removed the word "gutter" from my post. But it is also possible to "personalize and make it easier to read" without using language that would not be appropriate for this forum.
Regards,
Bill

2handband · 11-23-2010, 05:02 PM

The new desktop setup page is up for KDE 4.5.3 on Slackware -current.

http://genek.net/LinuxAdventures/ins.../desktop1.html