Chapter 2. Getting Started

IN THIS CHAPTER

Conventions Used in This Book 22

Logging In 24

Logging In Remotely: Terminal Emulation, ssh, and telnet 25

Curbing Your Power: Superuser Access 28

Getting the Facts: Where to Find Documentation 29

The help Option 29

man: Displays the System Manual 30

info: Displays Information About Utilities 32

HOWTOs: Finding Out How Things Work 34

What to Do If You Cannot Log In 36

Changing Your Password 37

One way or another you are sitting in front of a screen that is connected to a computer that is running Linux. You may be working with a graphical user interface (GUI) or a textual interface. This book is about the textual, or command line, interface to Linux. If you are working with a GUI, you will need to use a terminal emulator such as xterm, Konsole, or GNOME Terminal, to follow along with the examples in this book.

This chapter starts with a discussion of the typographical conventions used in this book, followed by a section on logging in on the system. Next there is a brief reminder about the powers of Superuser (root) and how to avoid making mistakes that will make your system inoperable or hard to work with. The chapter continues with a discussion about where to find more information about Linux. It concludes with additional information on logging in, including how to change your password.

While heeding the warning about the dangers of misusing the powers of Superuser on page 29, feel free to experiment with your system: Give commands, create files, follow the examples in this book, and have fun.