Eric Raymond's FAQ collection
Hacker History And Culture
Because I maintain the Jargon File,
I am often asked this question by eager network newbies.
A companion document to "How To Become A Hacker". A historical
overview of hacker culture and how it got that way.
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 Janyuary 1998
when the history of hackerdom became current events.
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 questions of hackers in a way that makes it most likely
that you'll get a useful answer.
Some people consider the Jargon
File a huge hacker-culture FAQ.
I maintain some Linux Documentation Project HOWTO documents:
- UNIX Hardware Buyer HOWTO
- The hacker's guide to putting together powerful UNIX
machines from cheap PC-clone hardware.
- The Linux Installation HOWTO
- How to get and install Linux software. The first HOWTO every Linux novice
must read.
- 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.
Non-Technical FAQs I Maintain:
An introduction to the theory, practice, and consequences of libertarianism.
A single HTML file, easy to download.
Everything you always wanted to know about Linus, but were afraid
to ask.
An introduction to neopaganism and Wicca. Developed independently of
the alt.pagan FAQ.
A plain text file, easy to download.
FAQs I Contribute To:
Everything you always wanted to know about running a small Internet Service
Provider.
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
(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 not HTMLized. If you want to take
this over, you're welcome to.
(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.
(Final archival version) This FAQ was rendered mostly obsolete when Telebit
incorporated much of it into the on-line documentation available from them.
(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.
Other Writings
You can go to an index of my other
writings from here.
Eric S. Raymond <esr@snark.thyrsus.com>