[NTLUG:Discuss] linux newbie manual

[kbrannen@gte.net]

Cameron Moore wrote:

...
> 
> The next logical question is: So what do I use?  Well, that depends.  If
> you need a word processor, you could look into using OpenOffice[2].  I
> personally don't like OpenOffice because it's relatively bloated if all
> you want to do is view documents.  Based on my own personal experience
> creating documentation for an open-source project[3], I would use LaTeX.
> From LaTex sources, you can generate a PDF, PostScript, HTML, or some
> other file format.  It is really quite powerful, but you forfeit
> ease-of-use for flexibility (comparied to a WYSIWYG editor).  I haven't
> used it, but there is a WYSISYG editor for LaTeX called Lyx[4].  Might
> want to give it a go.
...
> [4] http://www.lyx.org/
> 


I'll definitely second (and third!) Lyx as an publishing tool.  I've used it 
to create a 15 page document before, then "publish" it in several formats, 
including HTML.

A quick overview of the networking page shows:

---quote---
[inetd secion] Any time you change any networking configuration file, you must 
restart the daemon.  The inetd daemon is restarted by issuing the command 
/etc/rc.d/init.d/inetd restart. ...
---quote---

True, however you might also want to point out that you can cause the daemon 
to reread it's configuration file (inetd.conf) by sending the inetd process a 
HUP signal.  [Side note since you said you were going to cover xinetd in the 
future; to force xinetd to reread its config file, you must send it the USR1 
signal.  It took me a while find that out...grrrr...]

In the ftp section, you might want to point out there are multiple ftp 
packages available, with an overview of pros/cons of each.  Or warnings to 
stay away from certain packages if at all possible. :-)

There is a lot of good stuff in there, good job!  I can tell you aren't done 
yet, but formatting will be a major job...good luck!

I don't see anything about security.  An oversight or is that in the part 
that's not written yet?  Security is a major part of networking.  I'm talking 
about stuff like:  turning off services you don't need, not installing some 
packages, checking logs, not allowing "easy" passwords, etc.  I saw the 
section on firewalls, but I guess I'm talking about overall security.

I'll try to read more later.  Good job and good luck!

Kevin