2005-04-22 13:51:14 +00:00
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<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-8"?>
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2004-11-03 13:07:59 +00:00
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<preface>
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<title>Introduction</title>
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<sect1>
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<title>About Pocket Linux</title>
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<para>The Pocket Linux Guide demonstrates how to build a small
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console-based GNU/Linux system using only source code and a couple of
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diskettes. It is intended for Linux users who would like to gain a deeper
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understanding about how their system works beneath the shroud of
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distribution specific features and tools. </para>
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</sect1>
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<sect1>
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<title>Prerequisite Skills</title>
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<para>This guide is intended for intermediate to advanced Linux users. It
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is not intentionally obscure, but certain assumptions about the readers
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skill level are made. Success with this guide depends in part on being
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able to perform the following tasks: </para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>Use basic shell commands</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>Reference man and info pages</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>Build a custom Linux kernel</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>Compile source code using make and related tools</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</sect1>
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<sect1>
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<title>Project Format</title>
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<para> The Pocket Linux Guide takes a hands-on approach to learning. The
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guide is written with each chapter building a piece of an overall project.
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Chapters are further broken into sections of Analysis, Design,
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Construction and Implementation. This format is derived from Rapid
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Application Development (RAD) methodology. Without going into detail about
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design methodologies, the sections may be summed up as follows. </para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>The Analysis section gives a high-level overview of what is to
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be accomplished in each chapter. It will introduce the tasks that need
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to be completed and why they are important to the overall
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system.</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>The Design section defines the source code packages, files and
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configuration necessary to address the requirements set forth in the
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Analysis section. Much of the theory of why certain system files exist
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and what their purpose is can be found here.</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>The Construction section is where all the hands-on action takes
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place. This section goes into detail about building source code and
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configuring the system files.</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>The Implementation section will test the proper operation of the
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project at the end of each chapter. Often there are a few shell
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commands to perform and samples of expected screen outputs are
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given.</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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<para> Readers interested in learning more about RAD may want to consult a
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textbook covering systems analysis and design or visit the following
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University of California, Davis website on the subject: <ulink
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url="http://sysdev.ucdavis.edu/WEBADM/document/rad-stages.htm">http://sysdev.ucdavis.edu/WEBADM/document/rad-stages.htm</ulink>.
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</para>
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</sect1>
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<sect1>
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<title>Help & Support</title>
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<para> Readers are encouraged to visit the Pocket Linux Resource Site at
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<ulink
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url="http://pocket-linux.sourceforge.net">http://pocket-linux.sourceforge.net/</ulink>.
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The resource site is home to: </para>
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<itemizedlist>
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<listitem>
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<para>Information about the Pocket Linux mailing list.</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>A web-based troubleshooting forum where readers can ask
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questions and give tips to others.</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>A collection of diskette images for various chapters.</para>
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</listitem>
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<listitem>
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<para>Additional projects that may be of interest to Pocket Linux
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Guide readers.</para>
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</listitem>
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</itemizedlist>
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</sect1>
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<sect1>
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<title>Feedback</title>
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<para> For technical questions about Pocket Linux please use the mailing
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list or the troubleshooting forum on the <ulink
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url="http://pocket-linux.sourceforge.net">resource site</ulink>. General
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comments and suggestions may be sent to the mailing list or emailed to the
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author directly.</para>
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</sect1>
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</preface>
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