LINUX TIPS AND TRICKS --- January 05, 2001

Published by ITworld.com -- changing the way you view IT
http://www.itworld.com/newsletters
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Newsgroups
By Danny Kalev

I've received numerous requests from readers to discuss Linux 
newsgroups. This week, I will introduce newsgroups in general and Linux 
newsgroups in particular.

Originally an open mail system where users could post opinions, 
questions, and announcements, the Usenet groups functioned as online 
journals. Such newsgroups were similar to a constantly updated 
magazine. Today, newsgroups function more like bulletin boards where 
subscribers carry on debates and post questions.

Newsgroups Classification 
Each newsgroup possesses a unique name indicative of its topic. A 
newsgroup's name usually divides into three segments: topic, subtopic, 
and a specific topic. Examples of topics are:

    biz. (business) -- discussions about business products and services
    comp. (computers) -- discussions about hardware, software, 
                         languages, operating systems and so on.

Let's focus on the comp. newsgroup. It's divided into dozens of 
subtopics, such as:

    comp.games - discussions about computer games
    comp.os - discussions about operating systems

The comp.os subtopic further divides into specific operating systems:

    comp.os.minix
    comp.os.msdos
    comp.os.linux

Looking into comp.os.linux, we will discover no less than 17 
subcategories:

    comp.os.linux.announce - announcements of Linux development
    comp.os.linux.help - questions and answers for specific problems
    comp.os.linux.setup - installation and configuration 
    comp.os.linux.admin - system administration

Accessing newsgroups requires a newsreader client, such as Gnews Gone, 
tin, trn, or elknews. Most Web browsers and email clients contain a 
newsreader client as well. Newsreaders offer a similar user interface 
to an email client enabling you to read and post messages to a 
newsgroup, reply to existing messages, and forward messages. Newsgroups 
use a special protocol called NNTP; however, you can also access 
newsgroups directly from the Web, see http://www.deja.com for example.

Netiquette
Remember, unlike private email correspondence, newsgroup messages are 
visible to everyone, all the time. Most newsgroups maintain usage 
guidelines defining their scope, level, and target audience, as well as 
style and posting policies. These guidelines are collectively 
called "netiquette" -- Net etiquette. Here are some widely accepted 
netiquette rules:

    * posting the same message on several newsgroups is highly   
      discouraged 
    * flooding and posting spam, inflammatory, or irrelevant messages 
      often leads to an expulsion. 
    * sexist, vulgar, and ethnic comments aren't tolerated

I suggest beginners participate as an observer at first -- read 
messages, and learn the internal dynamics of a newsgroup before posting 
your first message. Furthermore, always search the newsgroup's archive 
for previously posted questions and answers; chances are high that your 
question has been answered before.


About the author(s)
----------------
Danny Kalev is a system analyst and software engineer with more than 10 
years of experience, specializing in C++ and object-oriented analysis 
and design on various platforms including VMS, DOS, Windows, Unix, and 
Linux. His technical interests involve code optimization, networking, 
and distributed computing. He is also a member of the ANSI C++ 
standardization committee and the author of ANSI/ISO C++ Professional 
Programmer's Handbook (Que, 1999). Contact him at linuxnl@excite.com.
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ADDITIONAL RESOURCES

Getting help 
Linux's open status means there are more places to get help than you 
can imagine 
http://www.linuxworld.com/jlw/lintps_nl/lw-1998-12/lw-12-linux101.html

Shooting trouble -- not the Windows way 
Some good reasons not to treat Linux like Windows -- and one bad one 
http://www.linuxworld.com/jlw/lintps_nl/lw-2000-05/lw-05-penguin_2.html

Free Radicals
http://www.itworld.com/jitw/lintps_nl/cma/ett_article_frame/
0,2848,1_1706,00.html

The ties that bind 
The many paths to Linux enlightenment 
http://www.linuxworld.com/jlw/lintps_nl/lw-1998-11/lw-11-vcontrol.html

Slashdot: New, improved, goes well with chicken 
News for nerds site faster, bigger than before 
http://www.linuxworld.com/jlw/lintps_nl/lw-1999-09/lw-09-slashdot.html
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COMMUNITY DISCUSSIONS

Hone your Linux development skills, share your expertise, and put out 
the occasional call for help in this discussion for programmers of all 
levels. Moderated by Danny Kalev.

http://www.itworld.com/jump/lintps_nl/forums.itworld.com/
webx?14@@.ee6b652/206!skip=146

Linux is making its presence felt on the desktop, but is it stable and 
polished enough for prime time? Talk distributions, window managers, 
themes, and desktop politics here. Moderated by Joe Barr.

http://www.itworld.com/jump/lintps_nl/forums.itworld.com/
webx?14@@.ee6b663/322!skip=262
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