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Wed Aug 26 10:00:38 CDT 2009 Slackware 13.0 x86_64 is released as stable! Thanks to everyone who helped make this release possible -- see the RELEASE_NOTES for the credits. The ISOs are off to the replicator. This time it will be a 6 CD-ROM 32-bit set and a dual-sided 32-bit/64-bit x86/x86_64 DVD. We're taking pre-orders now at store.slackware.com. Please consider picking up a copy to help support the project. Once again, thanks to the entire Slackware community for all the help testing and fixing things and offering suggestions during this development cycle. As always, have fun and enjoy! -P.
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<table summary="Header navigation table" width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0"
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<tr>
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<th colspan="3" align="center">Slackware Linux Essentials</th>
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</tr>
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<tr>
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<td width="10%" align="left" valign="bottom"><a href="index.html"
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<td width="80%" align="center" valign="bottom"></td>
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<td width="10%" align="right" valign="bottom"><a href="introduction.html"
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<div class="PREFACE">
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<h1><a id="BOOK-PREFACE" name="BOOK-PREFACE"></a>Preface</h1>
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<h1 class="BRIDGEHEAD"><a id="PREFACE-AUDIENCE" name="PREFACE-AUDIENCE"></a>Intended
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Audience</h1>
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<p>The Slackware Linux operating system is a powerful platform for Intel-based computers.
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It is designed to be stable, secure, and functional as both a high-end server and
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powerful workstation.</p>
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<p>This book is designed to get you started with the Slackware Linux operating system.
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It's not meant to cover every single aspect of the distribution, but rather to show what
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it is capable of and give you a basic working knowledge of the system.</p>
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<p>As you gain experience with Slackware Linux, we hope you find this book to be a handy
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reference. We also hope you'll lend it to all of your friends when they come asking about
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that cool Slackware Linux operating system you're running.</p>
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<p>While this book may not an edge-of-your-seat novel, we certainly tried to make it as
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entertaining as possible. With any luck, we'll get a movie deal. Of course, we also hope
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you are able to learn from it and find it useful.</p>
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<p>And now, on with the show.</p>
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<h1 class="BRIDGEHEAD"><a id="PREFACE-CHANGES" name="PREFACE-CHANGES"></a>Changes from
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the First Edition</h1>
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<p>This second edition is the culmination of years of hard work by the dedicated members
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of the Slackware Documentation Project. The following are the major changes in this new
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edition:</p>
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<ul>
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<li>
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<p><a href="installation.html">Chapter 3</a>, Installation, has been modified with new
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screenshots of the installer, and reflects changes in disk-sets, and CD installation.</p>
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</li>
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<li>
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<p><a href="system-configuration.html">Chapter 4</a>, System Configuration, has been
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updated with new information about Linux 2.6.x kernels.</p>
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</li>
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<li>
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<p><a href="network-configuration.html">Chapter 5</a>, Network Configuration, has been
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expanded with further explanation of Samba, NFS, and DHCP. A section on wireless
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networking has also been added. This chapter now reflects major changes in how Slackware
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handles network setup.</p>
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</li>
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<li>
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<p><a href="x-window-system.html">Chapter 6</a>, X Window System, has been substantially
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rewritten for Xorg based systems. This chapter now also covers the xdm graphical login
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manager.</p>
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</li>
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<li>
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<p><a href="basic-network-commands.html">Chapter 13</a>, Basic Network Commands, has been
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enhanced with information about additional network utilities.</p>
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</li>
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<li>
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<p><a href="security.html">Chapter 14</a>, Security, is a new chapter with this edition.
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It explains how to keep a Slackware Linux system secure.</p>
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</li>
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<li>
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<p><a href="emacs.html">Chapter 17</a>, Emacs, is a new chapter with this edition. It
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describes how to use Emacs, a powerful editor for Unix.</p>
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</li>
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<li>
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<p><a href="package-management.html">Chapter 18</a>, Package Management, has been updated
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with information about SlackBuild scripts.</p>
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</li>
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<li>
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<p>There are many other changes, both minor and major, to reflect changes in Slackware as
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it has matured.</p>
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</li>
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</ul>
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<h1 class="BRIDGEHEAD"><a id="PREFACE-ORGANIZATION"
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name="PREFACE-ORGANIZATION"></a>Organization of this Book</h1>
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<div class="VARIABLELIST">
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<dl>
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<dt><a href="introduction.html">Chapter 1</a>, Introduction</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Provides introductory material on Linux, Slackware, and the Open Source and Free
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Software Movements.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="help.html">Chapter 2</a>, Help</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the help resources available on a Slackware Linux system and online.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="installation.html">Chapter 3</a>, Installation</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the installation process step-by-step with screenshots to provide an
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illustrative walk-through.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="system-configuration.html">Chapter 4</a>, System Configuration</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the important configuration files and covers kernel recompilation.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="network-configuration.html">Chapter 5</a>, Network Configuration</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes how to connect a Slackware Linux machine to a network. Covers TCP/IP,
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PPP/dial-up, wireless networking, and more.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="x-window-system.html">Chapter 6</a>, The X Window System</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes how to setup and use the graphical X Window System in Slackware.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="booting.html">Chapter 7</a>, Booting</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the process by which a computer boots into Slackware Linux. Also covers
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dual-booting with Microsoft Windows operating systems.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="shell.html">Chapter 8</a>, The Shell</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the powerful command line interface for Linux.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="filesystem-structure.html">Chapter 9</a>, Filesystem Structure</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the filesystem structure, including file ownership, permission, and
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linking.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="file-commands.html">Chapter 10</a>, Handling Files and Directories</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the commands used to manipulate files and directories from the command line
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interface.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="process-control.html">Chapter 11</a>, Process Control</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the powerful Linux process management commands used to manage multiple
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running applications.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="essential-sysadmin.html">Chapter 12</a>, Essential System
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Administration</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes basic system administration tasks such as adding and removing users,
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shutting down the system properly, and more.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="basic-network-commands.html">Chapter 13</a>, Basic Network Commands</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the collection of network clients included with Slackware.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="security.html">Chapter 14</a>, Security</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes many different tools available to help keep your Slackware system secure,
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including <tt class="COMMAND">iptables</tt> and <tt class="COMMAND">tcpwrappers</tt>.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="archive-files.html">Chapter 15</a>, Archive Files</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the different compression and archive utilities available for Linux.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="vi.html">Chapter 16</a>, vi</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the powerful <tt class="COMMAND">vi</tt> text editor.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="emacs.html">Chapter 17</a>, Emacs</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the powerful <tt class="COMMAND">Emacs</tt> text editor.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="package-management.html">Chapter 18</a>, Slackware Package Management</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the Slackware package utilities and the process used to create custom
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packages and tagfiles.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="zipslack.html">Chapter 19</a>, ZipSlack</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the ZipSlack version of Linux that can be used from Windows without
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requiring an installation.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><a href="gpl.html">Appendix A</a>, The GNU General Public License</dt>
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<dd>
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<p>Describes the license terms under which Slackware Linux and this book can be copied
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and distributed.</p>
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</dd>
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</dl>
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</div>
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<h1 class="BRIDGEHEAD"><a id="PREFACE-CONV" name="PREFACE-CONV"></a>Conventions used in
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this book</h1>
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<p>To provide a consistent and easy to read text, several conventions are followed
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throughout the book.</p>
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<h2 class="BRIDGEHEAD"><a id="PREFACE-CONV-TYPOGRAPHIC"
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name="PREFACE-CONV-TYPOGRAPHIC"></a>Typographic Conventions</h2>
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<div class="VARIABLELIST">
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<dl>
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<dt><span class="emphasis"><i class="EMPHASIS">Italic</i></span></dt>
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<dd>
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<p>An <span class="emphasis"><i class="EMPHASIS">italic</i></span> font is used for
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commands, emphasized text, and the first usage of technical terms.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><var class="VARNAME">Monospace</var></dt>
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<dd>
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<p>A <var class="VARNAME">monospaced</var> font is used for error messages, commands,
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environment variables, names of ports, hostnames, user names, group names, device names,
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variables, and code fragments.</p>
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</dd>
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<dt><b class="APPLICATION">Bold</b></dt>
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<dd>
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<p>A <b class="APPLICATION">bold</b> font is used for user input in examples.</p>
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</dd>
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</dl>
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</div>
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<h2 class="BRIDGEHEAD"><a id="PREFACE-CONV-COMMANDS"
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name="PREFACE-CONV-COMMANDS"></a>User Input</h2>
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<p>Keys are shown in <b class="KEYCAP">bold</b> to stand out from other text. Key
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combinations that are meant to be typed simultaneously are shown with `<var
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class="LITERAL">+</var>' between the keys, such as:</p>
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<p><b class="KEYCAP">Ctrl</b>+<b class="KEYCAP">Alt</b>+<b class="KEYCAP">Del</b></p>
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<p>Meaning the user should type the <b class="KEYCAP">Ctrl</b>, <b
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class="KEYCAP">Alt</b>, and <b class="KEYCAP">Del</b> keys at the same time.</p>
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<p>Keys that are meant to be typed in sequence will be separated with commas, for
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example:</p>
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<p><b class="KEYCAP">Ctrl</b>+<b class="KEYCAP">X</b>, <b class="KEYCAP">Ctrl</b>+<b
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class="KEYCAP">S</b></p>
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<p>Would mean that the user is expected to type the <b class="KEYCAP">Ctrl</b> and <b
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class="KEYCAP">X</b> keys simultaneously and then to type the <b class="KEYCAP">Ctrl</b>
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and <b class="KEYCAP">S</b> keys simultaneously.</p>
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<h2 class="BRIDGEHEAD"><a id="PREFACE-CONV-EXAMPLES"
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name="PREFACE-CONV-EXAMPLES"></a>Examples</h2>
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<p>Examples starting with <tt class="DEVICENAME">E:\></tt> indicate a <span
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class="TRADEMARK">MS-DOS</span>® command. Unless otherwise noted, these commands may
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be executed from a “Command Prompt” window in a modern <span
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class="TRADEMARK">Microsoft</span>® <span class="TRADEMARK">Windows</span>®
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environment.</p>
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<table border="0" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" width="100%">
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<tr>
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<td>
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<pre class="SCREEN">
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<samp class="PROMPT">D:\></samp> <kbd class="USERINPUT">rawrite a: bare.i</kbd>
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</pre>
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</td>
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</tr>
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</table>
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<p>Examples starting with <samp class="PROMPT">#</samp> indicate a command that must be
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invoked as the superuser in Slackware. You can login as <tt class="USERNAME">root</tt> to
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type the command, or login as your normal account and use <span
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class="CITEREFENTRY"><span class="REFENTRYTITLE">su</span>(1)</span> to gain superuser
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privileges.</p>
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<table border="0" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" width="100%">
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<tr>
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<td>
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<pre class="SCREEN">
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<samp class="PROMPT">#</samp> <kbd class="USERINPUT">dd if=bare.i of=/dev/fd0</kbd>
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</pre>
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</td>
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</tr>
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</table>
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<p>Examples starting with <samp class="PROMPT">%</samp> indicate a command that should be
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invoked from a normal user account. Unless otherwise noted, C-shell syntax is used for
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setting environment variables and other shell commands.</p>
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<table border="0" bgcolor="#E0E0E0" width="100%">
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<tr>
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<td>
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<pre class="SCREEN">
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<samp class="PROMPT">%</samp> <kbd class="USERINPUT">top</kbd>
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</pre>
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</td>
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</tr>
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</table>
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<h1 class="BRIDGEHEAD"><a id="PREFACE-ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS"
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name="PREFACE-ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS"></a>Acknowledgments</h1>
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<p>This project is the accumulation of months of work by many dedicated individuals. It
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would not have been possible for me to produce this work in a vacuum. Many people deserve
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our thanks for their selfless acts: Keith Keller for his work on wireless networking,
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Joost Kremers for his great work in single-handedly writing the emacs section, Simon
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Williams for the security chapter, Jurgen Phillippaerts for basic networking commands,
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Cibao Cu Ali G Colibri for the inspiration and a good kick in the pants. Countless others
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have sent in suggestions and fixes. An incomplete list includes: Jacob Anhoej, John Yast,
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Sally Welch, Morgan Landry, and Charlie Law. I'd also like to thank Keith Keller for
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hosting the mailing list for this project, as well as Carl Inglis for the initial web
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hosting. Last but not least, I'd like to thank Patrick J. Volkerding for Slackware Linux,
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and David Cantrell, Logan Johnson, and Chris Lumens for Slackware Linux Essentials 1st
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Edition. Without their initial framework, none of this would have ever happened. Many
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others have contributed in small and large ways to this project and have not been listed.
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I hope they will forgive me for a poor memory.</p>
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<p>Alan Hicks, May 2005</p>
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</div>
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<div class="NAVFOOTER">
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<hr align="LEFT" width="100%" />
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<table summary="Footer navigation table" width="100%" border="0" cellpadding="0"
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<td width="33%" align="left" valign="top"><a href="index.html"
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accesskey="P">Prev</a></td>
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<td width="34%" align="center" valign="top"><a href="index.html"
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accesskey="H">Home</a></td>
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<td width="33%" align="right" valign="top"><a href="introduction.html"
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accesskey="N">Next</a></td>
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<tr>
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<td width="33%" align="left" valign="top">Slackware Linux Essentials</td>
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<td width="34%" align="center" valign="top"> </td>
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<td width="33%" align="right" valign="top">An Introduction to Slackware Linux</td>
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</tr>
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</table>
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</div>
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</body>
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</html>
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