Hacker History And Culture:
How To Become A Hacker
Because I maintain the Jargon File, I am often
asked this question by eager network newbies.
How to Learn Hacking
A companion document to “How To Become A Hacker”. Focuses more
specifically on how to acquire the right kinds of programming and
design skills.
A Brief History of Hackerdom
A companion document to “How To Become A Hacker”. A historical
overview of hacker culture and how it got that way.
Revenge of the Hackers
A followup to “A Brief History of Hackerdom”, and part of the book
version of The Cathedral
and the Bazaar. This chronicles the events following January
1998 when the history of hackerdom became current events.
So You Want To Be A Wizard? (The
Loginataka)
A Dialogue between a Guru and a Newbie, including Much that is Good
to Know concerning the Path to Wizardhood. Includes numerous
references to books valuable to the aspirant. A single HTML file,
easy to download.
How To Ask Smart
Questions
How to ask questions of hackers in a way that makes it most likely
that you’ll get a useful answer.
The Unix Koans of Master Foo
Does a dog have the Unix-nature? Three pounds of VAX!
Things Every Hacker Once Knew
Yesterday’s technology casts a long shadow on today’s; therefore,
knowing things that were once common knowledge but are now forgotten
can be useful. A compendium of lore about ASCII, serial terminals,
RS-232, and related topics.
Linux Documentation Project HOWTOs:
- UNIX
Hardware Buyer HOWTO - The hacker’s guide to putting together powerful UNIX machines
from cheap PC-clone hardware. - The
XFree86 HOWTO - How to configure, install, and run XFree86 under Linux.
- XFree86
Video Timings HOWTO - (Formerly The Hitchhiker’s Guide to X386 Video
Timings) Everything you always wanted to know about
configuring video timings for XFree86. - Linux
Reading List HOWTO - Your guide to essential book-length resources on Linux and
Unix. - The Unix and Internet Fundamentals HOWTO
- An explanation of some Unix and Internet basics.
- Software Release Practice HOWTO
- A checklist of useful conventions to follow in shipping
open-source software; also, tips on how to launch a successful
open-source project. - Mail
User HOWTO - Basics of electronic mail under Linux for users.
- DocBook
Demystification HOWTO - A guide for the XML-perplexed.
- UPS HOWTO
- All about Uninterruptible Power Supplies for people running Linux.
- Fedora Multimedia Installation HOWTO
- How to configure FC to read CDs, stream audio and video, and do various
other Damned Things.
Other Technical FAQs I Maintain:
-
DVCS Migration Guide
- Tools and techniques for moving from CVS or Subversion to a DVCS,
with an emphasis on techniques for cleaning up repository artifacts
and cruft. -
Tactile Keyboard FAQ
- A gentle introduction to tactile and clicky keyboards.
The Compleat Classic Keyboard
Formerly the “Model M TRiubleshooting FAQ” Common problems with
Model F, Model M and Unicomp keyboards, with solutions. Restoration tec
Time, Clock, and Calendar Programming In C
The C/Unix API for times and dates is layers upon layers of historical cruft.
This document explains how the pieces fit together, or don’t.
Non-Technical FAQs I Maintain:
The Libertarianism FAQ
An introduction to the theory, practice, and consequences of
libertarianism. A single HTML file, easy to download.
The Rampantly Unofficial Linus
Torvalds FAQ
Everything you always wanted to know about Linus, but were afraid
to ask.
The Neopaganism FAQ
An introduction to neopaganism and Wicca. Developed independently
of the alt.pagan FAQ. A plain text
file, easy to download.
FAQs I Contribute To:
I am a credited contributor to Steve Summit’s
C FAQ. I have also
contributed to the sci.skeptic
FAQ.
FAQs I No Longer Maintain:
Fedora Core on Thinkpad X40 HOWTO
(Final archival version) How to customize Linux to take full
advantage of the Thinkpad X40 hardware, including on-board wireless
and the “IBM Access” key. I’ve moved on to an X60. I recommend ThinkWiki for all
your Linux-on-Thinkpad configuration needs.
Linksys
Blue Box Router HOWTO
(Final archival version) Hints, tips, and tricks for administering
Linksys blue-box routers from Linux. But I have fiber now and no
longer use these boxes.
PC-clone UNIX Software Buyer’s
Guide
(Final archival version) My FAQ on the various UNIXes now available
for clone boxes. Mostly concerned with commercial versions; since I
run Linux at home now, I don’t maintain it any more, and it’s ancient
enough not to have been HTMLized. If you want to take this over,
you’re welcome to.
Known Bugs in the USL UNIX
Distribution
(Final archival version) My attempt to keep USL honest. Since I run
Linux at home now, I don’t maintain it any more, and it’s not
HTMLized. If you want to take this FAQ over, you’re welcome to.
The Telebit FAQ
(Final archival version) This FAQ was rendered mostly obsolete when
Telebit incorporated much of it into the on-line documentation
available from them.
The Java-On-Linux HOWTO
(Final archival version) How to get started using Java under Linux.
Includes technical background, downloading information, tips, and
solutions for common problems. This FAQ was withdrawn at the
request of the Java-on-Linux project, which now maintains its own
independently of the LDP.
