Chapter 16 Linux Troubleshooting Basics 489

The HOWTO documents are very efficient, concise manuals on how to perform certain tasks. For example, if you need to learn how to set up your Linux system as a DNS server, consult the DNS-HOWTO document, which takes you step-by-step through the process of configuring DNS.

Linux Guides

Linux Guides generally have a broader scope than the smaller HOWTO documents because they deal with subjects such as networking, security, and programming. These guides provide an excellent way to quickly research a topic for your Linux system, and are a good free source of information, so you don’t have to spend money on a large, expensive textbook on the same subject.

MAN Pages

The Linux Documentation project also contains a searchable database of the MAN pages that are located on your system.

Internet resources

Due to its collaborative nature, Linux support on the Internet offers a wide variety of ways to locate troubleshooting solutions and advice. Because most Linux users continuously communicate new technologies, solutions to problems, and compatibility issues, you should always be able to find someone out there who knows the answer to your question.

World Wide Web

A large number of Linux Web sites are available that cater to everyone from the new Linux user to the advanced system administrator. Some of them are:

www.linux.org: Good starting point for new Linux users.

www.linuxdoc.org: The Linux Documentation Project, which contains a vast amount of material, such as HOWTOs, READMEs, MAN pages, and FAQs.

www.linux.com: General Linux information site.

www.linuxhq.com: Good information on kernel versions.

The following sites offer online Linux magazines:

www.linuxgazette.com

www.linuxtoday.com

www.linuxworld.com

www.linux-mag.com

Depending on your Linux distribution, you may find that the distribution’s home page offers many troubleshooting resources that are dedicated to that version of Linux. You may need these resources because some distributions package their own special software, which may not be used by another Linux distribution.

Newsgroups

Usenet is a form of distributed discussion forums that offer special newsgroups about every conceivable topic, which can be read and posted to. It should be no surprise, then, that a number of Linux newsgroups are helpful for asking questions and getting solutions for system problems.

Here is a list of popular Linux newsgroups that you can consult for troubleshooting purposes:

comp.os.linux.answers: Posts READMEs, FAQs, HOWTOs, and other documents that answer questions about Linux.

comp.os.linux.hardware: Consult for questions and answers that are specific to hardware and how it works with Linux.

comp.os.linux.networking: Consult for questions, answers, and discussions relating to networking topics.

comp.os.linux.x: Consult for questions and answers on the X Windows System.

comp.os.linux.setup: Consult for questions and answers on Linux installation, configuration, and administration.

comp.os.linux.misc: Consult for postings on anything else related to Linux that is not covered by other newsgroups.

A good answer to your problem can often take many days to arrive from a newsgroup, so be sure the problem is not critical!

Linux User Groups

The Open Source nature of Linux is based on a sharing of knowledge — and your local Linux User Group is just another extension of this philosophy. A Linux User Group is a regionally based group of users who regularly meet to discuss Linux issues and problems, and to exchange ideas on everything that comprises Linux. Most groups also have their own mailing lists, where general information and questions and answers can be posted. You can find a local Linux User Group in your area by consulting the GLUE (Groups of Linux Users Everywhere) database at www.linuxjournal.com/glue. You can also check the Linux User Groups Worldwide page for a list of groups all over the world, located at http://lugww. counter.li.org/.

Friends and co-workers

Finally, one of the greatest resources for Linux information (and one of the most underrated) is your friends and co-workers who use Linux. The Open Source