Introduction

Introduction

Welcome to Red Hat Linux 6.0!

At Red Hat Software, we believe we offer the best Linux distribution on the market. We hope you'll agree that the time and the money you spent for Red Hat Linux was well spent, indeed.

Recently, Linux has gained quite a bit of attention from the national and international media. What began as a ``hacker's hobby'' several years ago has been embraced as a powerful and economical computer operating system.

If you count yourself among the many Linux users who are discovering Red Hat Linux for the first time, this book is for you!

Inside, you'll find valuable tips which will help you get acquainted with your new desktop environment and with the way your Red Hat Linux system works. You'll be able to learn some basics and you'll find pointers to places where you can turn for more information.

This publication is divided into two parts:

The GNOME User's Guide;

The Newbie's Guide to Red Hat Linux.

The GNOME User's Guide

Written by David A. Wheeler and Red Hat Software, the GNOME User's Guide is an indispensable resource for navigating and customizing GNOME. You can find the GNOME User's Guide, among other places, both on the Web, at www.gnome.org and on an installed Red Hat Linux system, under /usr/share/gnome/help/users-guide/C/, beginning with the Index page.

GNOME stands for GNU Network Object Model Environment. That's a fancy acronym, but it translates into a pleasing environment which offers all the power of Linux. GNOME is the default X Window System environment for Red Hat Linux 6.0.

In the GNOME User's Guide you'll find ways to create, move and copy files, investigate your new system and much more -- all within a pleasing graphical environment.

Here's a preview of what you'll find:

An Introduction to GNOME -- Learn a little about the history and ideas which have helped create GNOME.
GNOME Quick Start -- Get a ``quick start'' on familiarizing yourself with the GNOME desktop.
Window Managers and GNOME -- Learn a little about window managers, and which window managers you can use that work well with GNOME.
The Enlightenment Window Manager -- An in-depth look at Enlightenment, the default window manager for Red Hat Linux. Although GNOME isn't dependent on any single window manager, Enlightenment (or ``E'') has captured quite a few fans because of its stylish features. Here, you'll find out how you can configure E to your liking.
Using the GNOME Panel -- Learn the ins and outs of GNOME Panel, from which you can find and start your system's applications. Highly flexible, the Panel allows you add favorite applications, change its location, add new panels and more.
The GNOME Desktop -- Your GNOME desktop is more than just a pretty face. Here's where you can find out how to ``drag and drop'' applications, store files, create folders, switch desktops and more.
The GNOME File Manager -- The GNOME File Manager adds form to the function and power of the Midnight Commander. Here, you'll learn how to view and manipulate files -- both on your system and on the Internet.
Configuring the Panel -- Once you become comfortable with using panels, here's where you can learn how to add further productivity and style to their usefulness.
Editing the Main Menu -- Even though it gives you easy access to applications, you're not stuck with the main menu's default configuration. Here's where you can learn how to make the menu work the way you work.
The GNOME Control Center -- As advertised, the GNOME Control Center allows you to control the way your environment looks, ``feels'' and behaves. You'll learn how to tweak your environment in many ways.
A Word About Session Management -- Learn how you can automatically start favorite applications when you log in.
Panel Applets -- From system monitors to multimedia enhancements, these small applications can add productivity and fun to your environment. You'll learn what applets can serve you best in this chapter.
GNOME CD Player -- This chapter shows you how to access and get the most out of your pre-loaded GNOME CD player.
The GNOME Calendar -- Keep track of more than the days of the week with this application.

You'll find quite a few translations of the GNOME User's Guide, as well as the latest GNOME documentation and software at the official website:

http://www.gnome.org.

Now, on to some of your Red Hat Linux system's details...

The Newbie's Guide to Red Hat Linux

Are you rattled by terms like root and user account? The following is for you!

The second part of the Red Hat Linux Getting Started Guide, this ``newbie's guide'' will help you gain a toehold on the basics of your new Linux system -- from creating a new account to working with files in a non-graphical environment.

There's nothing wrong with a little hand-holding -- and that's what you'll find in these remaining chapters.

Here's a glimpse of what you can find:

Chapter 1: Welcome to Linux -- Learn how to create your own user account to maximize your system's safety. You'll also find out how to shut down your system, create rescue disks and more.
Chapter 2: You Are Here -- Learn how to navigate through your system at the shell prompt, how to combine commands and see how everything fits together.
Chapter 3: Managing Files and Directories -- Here, you'll learn more about the powerful shell you're using, how to save yourself time and frustration when you're typing in commands and how to rename, copy, delete and move files and directories.
Chapter 4: What Do I Do Now? -- Looking for pointers to more information about your Red Hat Linux system? Here, you'll find tips about where you can find plenty of documentation and help. You can also learn more about your X Window System and how to work with other system tasks.

More to Come

As Linux evolves, so does the support you'll find for Red Hat Linux. The Red Hat Linux Getting Started Guide is part of that support -- and evolution. In coming editions, expect to find more essential information to help you get the utmost from your Red Hat Linux system.

That's also where you come in.

Send in Your Feedback

If you'd like to make suggestions about the Red Hat Linux Getting Started Guide, please mention this guide's identifier:

GSG-6.0-HTML-RHS (04/99)

That way we'll know exactly which version of the guide you have. You can send mail to:

docs@redhat.com

A Thousand Thanks

This guide is the definition of a group project, since so many provided valuable assistance, from offering suggestions and sharing knowledge to proofreading.

Thank you to Edward C. Bailey, the documentation department's manager. Ed was there from concept to ``when the rubber hit the road,'' offering his expert advice on style and substance.

Thank you also to Sandra A. Moore, in charge of the Official Red Hat Linux Installation Guide, for her patience and help in formatting and proofing. And to David Mason, RHAD Labs' technical writer, who worked like to a demon to put together the GNOME User's Guide.

Red Hat Software's support team -- particularly Stephen Smoogen and Eric Rahn Nolen (``Thor'') were more than generous in offering their time and advice.

And to the engineers, who build the best Linux distribution, a big ``thank you''! It is their work which makes Red Hat Linux so worthwhile.

And, of course, thank you to Linus Torvalds and the thousands of Linux developers around the world. Ultimately, this is their operating system -- and it is a wonder.

Paul Gallagher