Linux geek wannabe seeking advice

[joshInAlaska]

Hey all,

I've been playing with Linux for over a year now. I would consider my abilities to be about intermediate. With the nice GUI that's available, I've had no problems installing most distros that I've checked out. Once installed, that same nice GUI makes it easy for me to rummage through my directories and such. Lately, I've been doing more command line stuff. This is where I really want to take my linux experience to the next level. I'm wondering if anyone can suggest a site or books where I can read up on administering Linux with the command line. My sick little fantasy is to take an old Pentium 120Mhz 'puter, and install a small Linux distro. Once installed, I just want to be able to play with it in command line only. I'd like to get it functional to where I can access remote mounts with samba, I'd like to be able to print to networked printers, I'd like to be able to set up email for IMAP retrieval. Can someone point me in the right direction?

Josh

 

[jdogg707]

You might wanna try linuxnewbie.org for some basic commnnd line help, helped me quite a bit, and then "Running Linux", it's a great book and is almost like a bible for linux, with quite a bit of command line stuff in there, focus is anywhere from beginner to advanced, great way to brush up on old skills and learn new ones.

 

[EmperorRob]

If you know the basics in UNIX then you already know more than half the Linux tools available. If not then I would suggest checking out a UNIX in 24 hours book or something similar. 90% of what you find on UNIX is available on Linux but slightly different in small ways.

 

[joshInAlaska]

Cool deal. I think I may check on the books that you two have mentioned. While I was waiting for responses, I went to www.linux.org, and did some research on minimal distros. I think I may go with one of them that allows a lot of network connectivity.

I'd like to get more of a grasp on command line stuff by mid-winter. I'm working on several certifications, and Solaris 8 is what I'll be going for next spring. Next week, I'll be taking the CCNA. Wish me luck.

 

[J3anyus]

Whoa...another Fairbanksan. You've got PMs disabled, so send me one or e-mail me. Do it...

Edit: Oh, and just to make this post worthwhile, I could probably sit you down with one of my Linux machines and show you some stuff sometime.

 

[GigaCluster]

I would say that if you have not been exposed to the command line yet, your abilities are far from "intermediate". The reason I am pointing that out is not to make you feel bad or anything, but to ensure that you buy an appropriate level of a Linux book.