Linux Documentation Project Works
The Linux Documentation Project (LDP) is working on developing good,
reliable documentation for the Linux operating system. The overall
goal of the LDP is to collaborate in taking care of all of the issues
of Linux documentation, ranging from online documentation (man pages,
HTML, and so on) to printed manuals covering topics such as
installing, using, and running Linux. Here is the Linux Documentation
Project Manifesto and
Copyright License for LDP works.
For translations of LDP works and documentation in languages other than English, see the "Non-English Linux Info" links page.
You can search the LDP documents from our search page.
| LDP Guides: |
Note: The LDP guides have moved to their own page.
| Linux HOWTOs: |
The Linux HOWTOs are detailed "how to" documents on specific subjects. The HOWTO index lists all HOWTOs (and mini-HOWTOs) along with short descriptions. The HOWTOs are written in SGML, and translated to different output formats using SGML-Tools (Linuxdoc DTD) or the DocBook/DSSSL tools (for those written in the DocBook DTD - SGML or XML). Join the LDP announcements mailing list for news on HOWTO updates.
» Notes
As of 2003-07-24, the mini-HOWTOs are now merged into the full set of HOWTOs.
In the list below, single page means that each HOWTO is available for viewing, in its entirety, on one HTML page. The default for viewing online is for the HOWTO to be split into multiple page(s; usually one HTML page per section).
The stated tar package sizes are approximations.
PostScript and PDF copies were created using the PA4 paper format (210 x 279 mm, 8-1/4 x 11 in - the width of ISO A4 and the height of U.S. Letter).
We have heard of instances whereby the Adobe plug-in for Netscape or IE may have trouble reading the PDF variants. If so, save the file(s) to your hard disk and open them from the desktop - see if that resolves the problem.
In some cases, when downloading compressed files with/through a web-browser, the browser will actually perform the decompression (gunzip) automatically, BUT the saved filename will still have the .gz file extension. If you run into problems when trying to gunzip the file, this is probably the case. Move the file to "filename minus the .gz extension" and the problem should be resolved.
If you have problems downloading or using these packages, contact us (feedback@en.tldp.org).
» HOWTOs (available formats; updated: 20030913)
| plain text | browse directory | tarred/gzipped (8.5M) | tarred/bzip2'ed (6.8M) |
| HTML (multiple pages) |
browse directory | tarred/gzipped (15M) | tarred/bzip2'ed (13M) |
| HTML (single page) |
browse directory | tarred/gzipped (8.9M) | tarred/bzip2'ed (7.1M) |
| browse directory | tarred/gzipped (29M) | tarred/bzip2'ed (27M) | |
| PostScript | browse directory | tarred/gzipped (24M) | tarred/bzip2'ed (24M) |
| Plucker DB (for Palm/handheld) |
browse directory | ||
| SGML/XML source |
browse CVS repository or request an account. |
||
| Non-English translations |
browse directory |
» additional HOWTO-related items:
We now offer all HOWTOs and FAQs in the Plucker DB format, viewable on your Palm device. Plucker generators and viewers are free software/open source software, released under the GPL. You can get the Plucker software, including source code, at: http://www.plkr.org/.
These documents can be accessed from: http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/LDP/pluckerdb/.
MemoWare PDA Document Repository contains some HOWTOs and mini-HOWTOs in AportisDoc format (for PalmPilot users).
HOWTOs Tamer, provides menued access to HOWTOs.
A collection of lists of the HOWTOs sorted by last update/modify date, filename, etc.
| Linux Man Pages: |
The Linux man pages for sections 2, 3, 4, 5, 7, and 9 are available here (with some translations). Section 1 and 8 man pages (i.e., user commands) are available with the corresponding software packages.
You can also get the latest man page information, including links to translations. You can email Andries Brouwer (aeb@cwi.nl) if you would like to help with, or have comments on the man pages.
Man pages that are available from http://www.ibiblio.org/pub/Linux/docs/LDP/man-pages/ are shown below. Additional translations of man pages and other documentation works may be found on the "Non-English Linux Info" page. All listed below are tarred and gzipped packages.
Useful search interfaces to the man pages can be found at:
- http://techpubs.sgi.com/tpl.cgi/linux/man/
- http://linux.ctyme.com
- http://www2.linuxpakistan.net/man.php
| Linux FAQs (Frequently Asked Questions with Answers): |
available formats:
For your convenience, a link to the Linux FAQ.
| Linux Gazette: |
Linux Gazette is an online magazine that provides many Linux tips and tricks. Access the current issue of the Linux Gazette, as well as HTML versions of all back issues. You can get tarred and gzipped back issues as well.
Available translations can be found on the Linux Gazette Mirror Sites page, under the heading "Foreign Language Translations".
| LinuxFocus: |
LinuxFocus is a volunteer-driven online Linux magazine. It is truly international and free.
| Additional Documents of Interest (Quick Ref, Tutorials, ...): |
Introduction to Basic Computer Security
A series of articles written by Jennifer Vesperman (jenn@linuxchix.org) that discuss the various aspects of computer security. Includes the following:
updated title / version / available formats 2002-02-24 Introduction to Backing Up and Restoring Data
vers: 0.3 HTML (online) | HTML (tar) | plain text | PDF2002-02-24 Introduction to Intrusion Protection and Network Security
vers: 0.3 HTML (online) | HTML (tar) | plain text | PDF2002-02-24 Introduction to Physical Security and Security of Services
vers: 0.2 HTML (online) | HTML (tar) | plain text | PDF2002-02-24 Introduction to Securing Data in Transit
vers: 0.3 HTML (online) | HTML (tar) | plain text | PDF2002-02-24 Introduction to Viruses & Virus Hoaxes
vers: 0.3 HTML (online) | HTML (tar) | plain text | PDF2002-02-24 all documents HTML (tar) | PDF (tar) CVS Best Practices
version: 0.6 author(s): Vivek Venugopalan, vivek@magic-cauldron.com last update: September 2002 available formats: This article outlines some of the best practices that can be adopted when Concurrent Versions System (CVS) is used as the configuration management tool in your software project.
Joe-Command-Reference
version: 3.0 author(s): Paul Sutton last update: August 2003 available formats: - HTML (read online)
A quick reference guide to the commands and keystrokes used in JOE ("Joe's Own Editor", an ASCII-text screen editor).
Linux Newbie Administrator Guide
author(s): Stan, Peter and Marie Klimas available formats: A complete reference for new Linux users who wish to set up and administer their own Linux home computer, workstation and/or their home or small office network. The answers are meant to be simple, with just sufficient detail, and always supported with a readily usable example.
Linux Palm Developer's Quick Start
version: 1.0 author(s): Jim Weller last update: February 2001 available formats: This guide is intended to help those new to palm programming get started. It assumes a fair knowledge of linux and gnu tools. It takes you from clueless to able to compile a HelloWorld type application.
Linux Security Quick Reference Card
version: 1.1 author(s): Dave Wreski and Benjamin Thomas last update: September 2000 available formats: This two-page Quick Reference Card is intended to provide a starting point for improving the security of your system. Contained within include references to security resources around the net, tips on securing your Linux box, and general security information. More information can be found at linuxsecurity.com.
Unofficial SuSE FAQ
author(s): Togan Muftuoglu available formats: This document is compiled from the SuSE English Linux Mailinglist and tries to provide answers to Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ).
TrinityOS: A Guide to Configuring Your Linux Server for Performance, Security, and Managability
author(s): David A. Ranch available formats: - Various formats available from another website
TrinityOS and its associated archive scripts guide the Linux user in a step-by-step fashion using a common example throughout to configure over 50+ Internet services. The main focus of TrinityOS is to do this in a secure fashion while keeping both performance and managability in mind. The documents also guide the user in other advanced topics such as aquiring their own Internet domain(s), moving DNS servers, confirming if you've been hacked, fighting SPAM email, and fixing various Linux file system, partition, LILO, and data recovery problems.
VideoLAN Quickstart
author(s): the VideoLAN project last update: September 2003 available formats: - HTML (read online)
- tarred/gzipped (106K)
- PDF (440K)
- text (8.5M)
This document describes how to start using VideoLAN quickly.
VLC (VideoLAN Client) User Guide
author(s): the VideoLAN project last update: September 2003 available formats: - HTML (read online)
- tarred/gzipped (118K)
- PDF (506K)
- text
This document is the complete user guide of VLC, the VideoLAN Client.
VLS (VideoLAN Server) User Guide
author(s): the VideoLAN project last update: September 2003 available formats: - HTML (read online)
- tarred/gzipped (123K)
- PDF (471K)
- text
This document is the complete user guide of VLS, the VideoLAN Server.
| Non-Free Documents (contain license restrictions): |
Rute Users Tutorial and Exposition
Due to restrictive license provisions, the Rute document has been removed from the LDP, but can still be accessed from http://rute.sourceforge.net/