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>1. Introduction</H1
><P
>&#13;
The traditional means of troubleshooting computer-related problems
involves consulting user's manuals, books, friends - probably enticed
with goodies - and, when all the former do not yield a solution, calling
the technical support service of the vendor of the product in question.
And, we all know pleasant and reliably efficacious the latter stratagem
is. Unfortunately, this is the norm in the sphere of commercial
proprietary products.
</P
><P
>&#13;
In contradistinction, Linux, and related distributions, utilities and
applications software, have largely been developed according to the
<A
HREF="http://www.opensource.org"
TARGET="_top"
>Open Source</A
> model,
wherein developers have used electronic communication over the Internet
- typically in the form of publicly-accessible Mailing Lists - to
collaborate with their peers in the refinement of the associated source
code. Such collaboration has also traditionally involved the online
publication of user's manuals, lists of Frequently-Asked-Questions
(FAQ's), knowledge bases, release notes, formal guides such as this
document (HOWTO's) and tutorials. In addition, users often assist others
through the forum of Usenet and other newsgroups and the posted messages
are readily accessible in the form of searchable archives. These
Linux-related newsgroups are renowned for their high level of user
participation. In significant measure, Linux may be considered a product
of the Internet.
</P
><P
>&#13;
Considered together, these resources enable access to a large,
ever-expanding factual database, and my intent is to encourage and
direct the reader to utilize these repositories when faced with an issue
not addressed in the documentation that is included with each
distribution of Linux. Linux veterans who assist newcomers through the
forum of Usenet soon become aware of the frequency with which certain
technical questions are repeatedly posted - questions the answers to
which are readily available in one or more of the existent online
repositories. So, to diminish the likelihood of being "flamed" in
response to your posted question on Usenet or irc, read further!
</P
><P
>&#13;
Armed with a browser, Linux users may rapidly become adept at
troubleshooting their systems. The key is knowing how and where to look.
My objective is to guide the user - particularly the Linux newbie - in
this quest.
</P
><DIV
CLASS="section"
><H2
CLASS="section"
><A
NAME="updates"
></A
>1.1. Document Updates</H2
><P
>&#13;
The <A
HREF="http://www.tldp.org/HOWTO/Online-Troubleshooting-HOWTO/"
TARGET="_top"
>latest version</A
> of this document will
always be available at the <A
HREF="http://www.tldp.org"
TARGET="_top"
>Linux
Documentation Project</A
>. The document will also be available in
SGML, PS, PDF, and other formats at that website.
</P
></DIV
><DIV
CLASS="section"
><H2
CLASS="section"
><A
NAME="copyright"
></A
>1.2. Copyright and License</H2
><P
>&#13;
Copyright <20> 1999-2005, by Jean-Philippe Gu<47>rard. This material may
be distributed only subject to the terms and conditions set forth in the
Open Publication Licence, v1.0 or later (see <A
HREF="openpub.html"
>Appendix A</A
>).
</P
></DIV
><DIV
CLASS="section"
><H2
CLASS="section"
><A
NAME="feedback"
></A
>1.3. Feedback and Corrections</H2
><P
>&#13;
I always welcome feedback and constructive criticism. You can reach me
at <TT
CLASS="email"
>&#60;<A
HREF="mailto:jean DASH philippe DOT guerard AT tigreraye DOT org"
>jean DASH philippe DOT guerard AT tigreraye DOT org</A
>&#62;</TT
>. In particular, I wish to be notified about
any errors in this document and resources you believe deserving of
inclusion, but not presently covered herein. Because the assessment of
the value of a particular resource is inherently subjective, I do not
guarantee that I will include it, but I will certainly give any
suggestion thoughtful consideration. In anticipation, Thanks.
</P
></DIV
><DIV
CLASS="section"
><H2
CLASS="section"
><A
NAME="translations"
></A
>1.4. Translations</H2
><P
>&#13;
This document has already been translated in several languages. If you
have made a translation of this document, please e-mail me and I will
add your translation to this list.
<P
></P
><UL
><LI
><P
>&#13;
A <A
HREF="http://www.traduc.org/docs/howto/lecture/Online-Troubleshooting-HOWTO.html"
TARGET="_top"
>French
translation</A
> has been made by Beno<6E>t Sibaud, of the <A
HREF="http://www.traduc.org"
TARGET="_top"
>Traduc.org</A
> project.
</P
></LI
><LI
><P
>&#13;
A <A
HREF="http://docs.comu.edu.tr/howto/online-troubleshooting-howto-intro.html"
TARGET="_top"
>
Turkish</A
> translation has been made by Oguz Yarimtepe, of the
<A
HREF="http://docs.comu.edu.tr"
TARGET="_top"
>docs.comu.edu.tr</A
> project.
</P
></LI
></UL
>
</P
></DIV
><DIV
CLASS="section"
><H2
CLASS="section"
><A
NAME="history"
></A
>1.5. Document history</H2
><P
>&#13;
Howard Mann conceived and formulated the first version of this HOWTO. He
kept managing and updating it until version 1.3. Maintainership was then
taken over by Jean-Philippe Gu<47>rard, who is now in charge of this
document.
</P
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