Major Links Supporting the UAH course, Introduction to Linux

Many thanks to Mike Savage for preparing the initial version of this document.

URL and Descriptions

• http://www.distrowatch.com/
   
   A nice site that tracks and compares all the major Linux distributions and packages with links to many other useful Linux related sites.
   
  
• http://www.elinux.com/articles/distros/index.jsp
   
   Information and links to approximately 350 Linux distributions.
   
  
• http://slackware.com/
   
   Slackware Linux is the oldest Linux distribution available today. Slackware was started as an alternative to the SLS Linux distribution and focuses on stability and ease of use. It contains an easy to use text-based installation program, extensive online documentation, and a menu-driven package management system. A full installation gives you the X Windows System (with both KDE and GNOME), C/C++ development environments, Perl, networking utilities, a mail server, a news server, a web server, an ftp server, the GNU Image Manipulation Program, Netscape Communicator, plus many more programs. Slackware Linux can run on 386 systems all the way up to the latest x86 machines (it uses -mcpu=i686 optimization for best performance on i686-class machines like the P3, P4, and Duron/Athlon).
   
  
• http://www.redhat.com/
   
   In 1994 Marc Ewing begins the RedHat GNU/Linux distribution; as of August 2003, it is the most widely utilized Linux distribution.
   
  
• http://www.debian.org/
   
   Debian was begun in August 1993 by Ian Murdock, as a new distribution which would be made openly, in the spirit of Linux and GNU. Debian is pronounced 'deb ee n'. It comes from the names of the creator of Debian, Ian Murdock, and his wife, Debra.
   
  
• http://www.suse.com
   
   SuSE is the most popular Linux distribution in Europe and the only distribution that is certified to meet the Common Criteria for security, as of August 2003.
   
  
• http://www.mandrake.com
   
   Mandrake Linux is widely regarded by many people as the easiest to use for both server and home/office.
   
  
• http://www.gentoo.org
   
   
   The Gentoo Linux distribution aims to be the most advanced Linux distribution whose users are not afraid of trying new and exciting ways of using Linux.
   
  
• http://www.kernel.org/
   
   
   Linux Kernel Archives. This is the primary site for the Linux kernel source, but it has much more than just kernels.
   
  
• http://www.gnu.org/software/grub/
   
   
   The GRand Unified Bootloader (GRUB) boot loader that is slowly replacing the older LInux LOader (LILO); Not officially released yet.
   
  
• http://www.tldp.org/
   
   
   The Linux Development Project; Guides, HOWTOs, man pages and FAQs.
   
  
• http://linuxquestions.org/
   
   
   Where Linux newbies can ask questions and Linux experts can offer advice. Topics include security, installation, networking and much more.
   
  
• http://www.justlinux.com/
   
   
   Huge online forum, & collection of Help Files
   
  
• http://www.openoffice.org/
   
   
   A free suite of Linux based office applications that can work reasonably well with Microsoft Office® documents.
   
  
• http://www.kde.org/
   
   
   An advanced GUI desktop with many utilities and applications for use with X-Windows.
   
  
• http://www.gnome.org/
   
   
   An advanced GUI desktop with many utilities and applications for use with X-Windows.
   
  
• http://cpan.org/
   
   
   The Comprehensive Perl Archive Network that stored add-ons and modules to enhance the Perl Programming Language.
   
  
• http://www.linuxpackages.net/
   
   Downloadable Linux packages with an emphasis on Slackware support
   
  
• http://rpmfind.net/linux/RPM/
   
   Find and download Linux applications distributed using RPM (RedHat Package Management)
   
  
• http://swaret.xbone.be/
   
   A tool that can keep your Slackware system up to date with the latest packages
   
  
• http://linuxtipps.sourceforge.net/index.php
   
   A useful collection of Slackware FAQ's and tutorials available in several languages
   
  
• http://slackbook.org/
   
   This web site is developing a new book detailing the Slackware system. It is about 80% complete with chapters on installation, system configuration, network setup and much more.
   
  
• http://www.slackware.com/~david/zuul/
   
   Links to Slackware extras including Autoslack (a tool to keep your system up to date with the latest packages)
   
  
• http://lostboxen.net/tech/slackware9/
   
   Relatively complete guide to installing Slackware 9.0
   
  
• http://netfilter.org/
   
   Linux 2.4.x / 2.5.x firewalling subsystem with packet filtering (stateless or stateful), all different kinds of NAT (Network Address Translation) and packet mangling.
   
  
• http://firestarter.sourceforge.net/
   
  Free graphical firewall tool for Linux machines
   
  
• http://www.apache.org/
   
   The Apache Software Foundation offers download and support for the world's most popular web server.
   
  
• http://www.linux-on-laptops.com/
   
   Index of information and documentation for installing and running Linux on a notebook or laptop computer.
   
  
• http://linmodems.org/
   
  Information about using Winmodems under Linux.
   
  
• http://www.k3b.org/
   
   GUI frontend (for KDE) to the cd recording programs cdrdao and cdrecord. It's aim is to provide a very user friendly interface to all tasks related to cd copying and burning.
   
  
• http://www.linuxjournal.com/
   
   Linux Journal magazine helps readers find hardware, software and services, and features articles for both newbies and professional users.
   
  
• http://www.linux-mag.com/
   
  Another useful magazine with tips and tricks for Linux users of all kinds.
   
  
• http://lwn.net
   
  Initially, was "Linux Weekly News."; name has been de-emphasized over time as moved beyond just the weekly coverage; info on line one week delay from snail mail version.
   
  
• http://tuxgames.com/
   
  Tux Games, the online store for Linux Games.
   
  
• http://linux-games.com/
   
  For the People!
   
  
• http://happypenguin.com/
   
  Penguins like to have fun too!

Please help improve this page by sending corrections and additions to: Randy Pearson