720 lines
34 KiB
HTML
720 lines
34 KiB
HTML
<!DOCTYPE HTML PUBLIC "-//W3C//DTD HTML 4.0//EN">
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<html>
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<head>
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<meta http-equiv="content-type" content="text/html; charset=iso-8859-1">
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<title>Debian Tutorial (Obsolete Documentation) - Getting started</title>
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<link href="index.html" rel="start">
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<link href="ch-introduction.html" rel="prev">
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<link href="ch-basics.html" rel="next">
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<link href="index.html#contents" rel="contents">
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<link href="index.html#copyright" rel="copyright">
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<link href="ch-about.html" rel="chapter" title="1 About this manual">
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<link href="ch-introduction.html" rel="chapter" title="2 Introduction">
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<link href="ch-start.html" rel="chapter" title="3 Getting started">
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<link href="ch-basics.html" rel="chapter" title="4 The Basics">
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<link href="ch-docs.html" rel="chapter" title="5 Reading documentation and getting help">
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<link href="ch-shell.html" rel="chapter" title="6 Using the shell">
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<link href="ch-files.html" rel="chapter" title="7 More on files">
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<link href="ch-editor.html" rel="chapter" title="8 Creating and editing text files">
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<link href="ch-custom_shell.html" rel="chapter" title="9 Customizing the shell">
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<link href="ch-X.html" rel="chapter" title="10 The X Window System">
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<link href="ch-text_tools.html" rel="chapter" title="11 Text tools">
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<link href="ch-file_tools.html" rel="chapter" title="12 File tools">
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<link href="ch-disks.html" rel="chapter" title="13 Using disks">
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<link href="ch-dpkg.html" rel="chapter" title="14 Removing and installing software">
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<link href="ch-troubleshooting.html" rel="chapter" title="15 Troubleshooting">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html" rel="chapter" title="16 Advanced topics">
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<link href="ch-next.html" rel="chapter" title="17 Where to from here?">
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<link href="ch-helping.html" rel="chapter" title="18 Contributing to Debian: How can I help?">
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<link href="ap-apps_appendix.html" rel="appendix" title="A A brief survey of available applications">
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<link href="ap-components_appendix.html" rel="appendix" title="B Summary of GNU/Linux system components">
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<link href="ap-booting_appendix.html" rel="appendix" title="C Appendix C: Booting the system">
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<link href="ap-misc_appendix.html" rel="appendix" title="D Miscellaneous">
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<link href="ch-about.html#s-acknowldgements" rel="section" title="1.1 Acknowledgements">
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<link href="ch-introduction.html#s-introduction-debian" rel="section" title="2.1 What is Debian?">
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<link href="ch-introduction.html#s-introduction-DFSG" rel="section" title="2.2 What's free software?">
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<link href="ch-introduction.html#s-introduction-how" rel="section" title="2.3 How to Read This Book">
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<link href="ch-introduction.html#s-introduction-ldp" rel="section" title="2.4 The Linux Documentation Project">
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<link href="ch-start.html#s-start-multi" rel="section" title="3.1 A multiuser, multitasking operating system">
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<link href="ch-start.html#s-start-login" rel="section" title="3.2 Logging in">
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<link href="ch-start.html#s-start-keys" rel="section" title="3.3 Keys">
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<link href="ch-start.html#s-start-commandline" rel="section" title="3.4 Command history and editing the command line">
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<link href="ch-start.html#s-start-root" rel="section" title="3.5 Logging in as root">
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<link href="ch-start.html#s-start-VC" rel="section" title="3.6 Virtual consoles">
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<link href="ch-start.html#s-start-shutdown" rel="section" title="3.7 Shutting down">
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<link href="ch-basics.html#s-basics-commandline" rel="section" title="4.1 The command line and <samp>man</samp> pages">
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<link href="ch-basics.html#s-basics-files" rel="section" title="4.2 Files and Directories">
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<link href="ch-basics.html#s-basics-processes" rel="section" title="4.3 Processes">
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<link href="ch-basics.html#s-basics-shell" rel="section" title="4.4 The shell">
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<link href="ch-basics.html#s-basics-jobs" rel="section" title="4.5 Managing processes with Bash">
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<link href="ch-basics.html#s-basics-bash" rel="section" title="4.6 A few Bash features">
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<link href="ch-basics.html#s-basics-identity" rel="section" title="4.7 Managing your identity">
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<link href="ch-docs.html#s-docs-sources" rel="section" title="5.1 Kinds of documentation">
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<link href="ch-docs.html#s-docs-info" rel="section" title="5.2 Using info">
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<link href="ch-docs.html#s-docs-textfiles" rel="section" title="5.3 Viewing text files with more and less">
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<link href="ch-docs.html#s-docs-howtos" rel="section" title="5.4 HOWTOs">
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<link href="ch-docs.html#s-docs-support" rel="section" title="5.5 Getting help from a person">
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<link href="ch-docs.html#s-docs-sysinfo" rel="section" title="5.6 Getting information from the system">
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<link href="ch-shell.html#s-shell-variables" rel="section" title="6.1 Environment variables">
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<link href="ch-shell.html#s-shell-path" rel="section" title="6.2 Where commands live: the <samp>PATH</samp> variable">
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<link href="ch-shell.html#s-custom_shell-aliases" rel="section" title="6.3 Aliases and shell functions">
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<link href="ch-shell.html#s-shell-io" rel="section" title="6.4 Controlling input and output">
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<link href="ch-shell.html#s-shell-modifiers" rel="section" title="6.5 Specifying how and when to run commands">
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<link href="ch-shell.html#s-shell-wildcards" rel="section" title="6.6 Filename expansion ("Wildcards")">
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<link href="ch-shell.html#s6.7" rel="section" title="6.7 Interactive/non-interactive">
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<link href="ch-files.html#s-files-permissions" rel="section" title="7.1 Permissions">
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<link href="ch-files.html#s-files-tour" rel="section" title="7.2 What files are on my system? Where can I put my own files?">
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<link href="ch-files.html#s-file-manager" rel="section" title="7.3 Using a filemanager">
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<link href="ch-editor.html#s-editor-textfile" rel="section" title="8.1 What's a text file?">
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<link href="ch-editor.html#s-editor-editor" rel="section" title="8.2 Text editors">
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<link href="ch-editor.html#s-editor-vi" rel="section" title="8.3 Creating and editing a text file with <code>vi</code>">
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<link href="ch-custom_shell.html#s-custom_shell-dotfiles" rel="section" title="9.1 .rc files and <samp>ls -a</samp>">
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<link href="ch-custom_shell.html#s-custom_shell-etc" rel="section" title="9.2 System-wide vs. user-specific configuration">
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<link href="ch-X.html#s-X-starting" rel="section" title="10.1 Starting the X environment">
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<link href="ch-X.html#s-X-intro" rel="section" title="10.2 Intro: What is X">
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<link href="ch-X.html#s-X-basics" rel="section" title="10.3 Basic X operations">
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<link href="ch-X.html#s-X-startup" rel="section" title="10.4 Customizing your X startup">
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<link href="ch-text_tools.html#s-text_tools-regexps" rel="section" title="11.1 Regular expressions">
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<link href="ch-file_tools.html#s-file_tools-backup" rel="section" title="12.1 Backup tools">
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<link href="ch-file_tools.html#s-file_tools-compression" rel="section" title="12.2 File compression with <samp>gzip</samp>">
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<link href="ch-file_tools.html#s-file_tools-split" rel="section" title="12.3 Splitting files into smaller pieces">
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<link href="ch-file_tools.html#s-file_tools-find" rel="section" title="12.4 Finding files">
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<link href="ch-file_tools.html#s-file_tools-file" rel="section" title="12.5 Determining a file's contents">
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<link href="ch-disks.html#s-disks-concepts" rel="section" title="13.1 Concepts">
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<link href="ch-disks.html#s-disks-mount" rel="section" title="13.2 <samp>mount</samp> and <samp>/etc/fstab</samp>">
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<link href="ch-disks.html#s-network-ppp" rel="section" title="13.3 PPP">
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<link href="ch-dpkg.html#s-dpkg-dpkg" rel="section" title="14.1 The <code>dpkg</code> package utility">
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<link href="ch-dpkg.html#s-dpkg-what" rel="section" title="14.2 What a package maintenance utility does">
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<link href="ch-dpkg.html#s-dpkg-apt" rel="section" title="14.3 Apt">
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<link href="ch-dpkg.html#s-dpkg-dselect" rel="section" title="14.4 Using dselect.">
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<link href="ch-dpkg.html#s-dpkg-commandline" rel="section" title="14.5 Using dpkg manually">
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<link href="ch-dpkg.html#s-dpkg-compiling" rel="section" title="14.6 Compiling software yourself">
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<link href="ch-dpkg.html#s-dpkg-proprietary" rel="section" title="14.7 Proprietary software not in .deb format">
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<link href="ch-troubleshooting.html#s-troubleshooting-frozen" rel="section" title="15.1 Debian is frozen or crashed!">
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<link href="ch-troubleshooting.html#s-troubleshooting-termgarbage" rel="section" title="15.2 My terminal isn't behaving properly">
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<link href="ch-troubleshooting.html#s-troubleshooting-vi" rel="section" title="15.3 The computer beeps when I press a key, and my screen shows a text file and/or a lot of <samp>~</samp> symbols.">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-scripting" rel="section" title="16.1 Introduction to shell scripting">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files" rel="section" title="16.2 Advanced files">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-kernel" rel="section" title="16.3 Compiling the kernel">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-security" rel="section" title="16.4 A few words on security">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-programming" rel="section" title="16.5 Programming on Linux">
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<link href="ch-next.html#s-next-manuals" rel="section" title="17.1 Other Debian manuals to read">
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<link href="ch-next.html#s-next-resources" rel="section" title="17.2 Other resources">
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<link href="ch-helping.html#s-helping-bugs" rel="section" title="18.1 Submit bug reports">
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<link href="ch-helping.html#s-helping-other" rel="section" title="18.2 Other things">
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<link href="ap-apps_appendix.html#s-A_apps-whatever" rel="section" title="A.1 (Subheadings could copy the structure of the menu system)">
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<link href="ap-misc_appendix.html#s-unix-history" rel="section" title="D.1 Unix History">
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<link href="ap-misc_appendix.html#sD.2" rel="section" title="D.2 GNU/Linux History">
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<link href="ap-misc_appendix.html#sD.3" rel="section" title="D.3 The Linux kernel's version numbering">
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<link href="ch-introduction.html#s-introduction-debian-os" rel="subsection" title="2.1.1 What's an operating system, and what sort of operating system is Debian?">
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<link href="ch-introduction.html#s-introduction-debian-how" rel="subsection" title="2.1.2 Who creates Debian?">
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<link href="ch-basics.html#s-basics-commandline-description" rel="subsection" title="4.1.1 Describing the command line">
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<link href="ch-basics.html#s-basics-files-intro" rel="subsection" title="4.2.1 Introduction to files">
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<link href="ch-basics.html#s-basics-files-using" rel="subsection" title="4.2.2 Using files: a tutorial">
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<link href="ch-basics.html#s-basics-bash-completion" rel="subsection" title="4.6.1 Tab Completion">
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<link href="ch-docs.html#s-docs-support-posting" rel="subsection" title="5.5.1 Dos and Don'ts of asking a question">
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<link href="ch-shell.html#s-shell-variables-parents" rel="subsection" title="6.1.1 Parent and child processes">
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<link href="ch-shell.html#s-interactive-shells" rel="subsection" title="6.7.1 Interactive shells">
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<link href="ch-files.html#s-files-permissions-groups" rel="subsection" title="7.1.1 File Ownership">
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<link href="ch-files.html#s-files-permissions-mode" rel="subsection" title="7.1.2 Mode">
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<link href="ch-files.html#s-files-permissions-tutorial" rel="subsection" title="7.1.3 Permissions in practice">
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<link href="ch-editor.html#s-editor-vi-creating" rel="subsection" title="8.3.1 Creating a file">
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<link href="ch-editor.html#s-editor-vi-editing" rel="subsection" title="8.3.2 Editing an existing file">
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<link href="ch-editor.html#s-editor-vi-editing-movement" rel="subsection" title="8.3.2.1 Moving around in a file">
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<link href="ch-editor.html#s-editor-vi-editing-deletion" rel="subsection" title="8.3.2.2 Deleting text">
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<link href="ch-editor.html#s-editor-vi-editing-moremoving" rel="subsection" title="8.3.2.3 Sophisticated movement">
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<link href="ch-editor.html#s-editor-vi-editing-numbers" rel="subsection" title="8.3.2.4 Repeating commands">
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<link href="ch-editor.html#s-editor-vi-editing-advanced" rel="subsection" title="8.3.2.5 Advanced reference">
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<link href="ch-X.html#s-X-basics-mouse" rel="subsection" title="10.3.1 The mouse">
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<link href="ch-X.html#s-X-basics-clients" rel="subsection" title="10.3.2 X clients">
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<link href="ch-X.html#s-X-basics-trouble" rel="subsection" title="10.3.3 Troubleshooting">
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<link href="ch-X.html#s-X-basics-leaving" rel="subsection" title="10.3.4 Leaving the X environment">
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<link href="ch-disks.html#s-disks-mount-mounting" rel="subsection" title="13.2.1 Mounting a filesystem">
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<link href="ch-disks.html#s-disks-mount-cdromexample" rel="subsection" title="13.2.2 Example: Mounting a CD-ROM">
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<link href="ch-disks.html#s-disks-mount-fstab" rel="subsection" title="13.2.3 <samp>/etc/fstab</samp>: Automating the mount process">
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<link href="ch-disks.html#s-disks-mount-removable" rel="subsection" title="13.2.4 Removable disks (floppies, Zip disks, etc.)">
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<link href="ch-disks.html#s-network-ppp-introduction" rel="subsection" title="13.3.1 Introduction">
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<link href="ch-disks.html#s-network-ppp-preparation" rel="subsection" title="13.3.2 Preparation">
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<link href="ch-disks.html#s-network-ppp-wvdial" rel="subsection" title="13.3.3 The Easy Way: <samp>wvdial</samp>">
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<link href="ch-disks.html#s-network-ppp-pppd" rel="subsection" title="13.3.4 Doing It Manually">
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<link href="ch-dpkg.html#s-apt-config" rel="subsection" title="14.3.1 Configuring Apt">
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<link href="ch-dpkg.html#s-apt-usage" rel="subsection" title="14.3.2 Using apt-get.">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-scripting-why" rel="subsection" title="16.1.1 What and why">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-scripting-example" rel="subsection" title="16.1.2 A simple example">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-hardlinks" rel="subsection" title="16.2.1 The real nature of files: hard links and inodes">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-types" rel="subsection" title="16.2.2 Types of files">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-types-symlinks" rel="subsection" title="16.2.2.1 Symbolic links">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-files-misc-types-devices" rel="subsection" title="16.2.2.2 Device files">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-types-devices-null" rel="subsection" title="16.2.2.2.1 <samp>/dev/null</samp>">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-types-pipes" rel="subsection" title="16.2.2.3 Named pipes (FIFOs)">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-types-sockets" rel="subsection" title="16.2.2.4 Sockets">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-proc" rel="subsection" title="16.2.3 The <samp>proc</samp> filesystem">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-permissions" rel="subsection" title="16.2.4 Advanced aspects of file permissions">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-permissions-absolute" rel="subsection" title="16.2.4.1 Using numeric arguments with <samp>chmod</samp>">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-chattr" rel="subsection" title="16.2.5 chattr">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-copying" rel="subsection" title="16.2.6 Large-scale copying">
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<link href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-files-undocumented" rel="subsection" title="16.2.7 Other concepts not yet covered, but should be">
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</head>
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<body>
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<p><a name="ch-start"></a></p>
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<hr>
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<p>
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[ <a href="ch-introduction.html">previous</a> ]
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[ <a href="index.html#contents">Contents</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-about.html">1</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-introduction.html">2</a> ]
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[ 3 ]
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[ <a href="ch-basics.html">4</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-docs.html">5</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-shell.html">6</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-files.html">7</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-editor.html">8</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-custom_shell.html">9</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-X.html">10</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-text_tools.html">11</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-file_tools.html">12</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-disks.html">13</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-dpkg.html">14</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-troubleshooting.html">15</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-advanced.html">16</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-next.html">17</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-helping.html">18</a> ]
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[ <a href="ap-apps_appendix.html">A</a> ]
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[ <a href="ap-components_appendix.html">B</a> ]
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[ <a href="ap-booting_appendix.html">C</a> ]
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[ <a href="ap-misc_appendix.html">D</a> ]
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[ <a href="ch-basics.html">next</a> ]
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</p>
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<hr>
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<h1>
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Debian Tutorial (Obsolete Documentation)
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<br>Chapter 3 - Getting started
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</h1>
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<hr>
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<p>
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So you've just finished installing Debian! Congratulations. Dive right in and
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start learning to use it.
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</p>
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<p>
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As a part of the install process, you should have figured out how to boot the
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Debian system (with a special floppy disk, by simply turning your computer on,
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or by holding down the <samp>Alt</samp> key at the LILO prompt and selecting
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Linux).
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</p>
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<hr>
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<h2><a name="s-start-multi"></a>3.1 A multiuser, multitasking operating system</h2>
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<p>
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As we mentioned earlier (<a
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href="ch-introduction.html#s-introduction-debian">What is Debian?, Section
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2.1</a>), the design of Debian GNU/Linux comes from the Unix operating system.
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Unlike common desktop OS's such as DOS, Windows, and MacOS, Unix is usually
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found on large servers and <em>multiuser</em> systems.
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</p>
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<p>
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This means that Debian has features those other OS's lack. It allows a large
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number of people to use the same computer at once, as long as each user has
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their own <em>terminal</em> [<a href="footnotes.html#f1" name="fr1">1</a>]. To
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permit many users to work at once, Debian must permit many programs and
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applications to run simultaneously. This feature is called
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<em>multitasking</em>.
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</p>
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<p>
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Much of the complexity (and power) of Unix-like systems stems from these two
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features. For example, the system must have a way to keep users from
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accidentally deleting each other's files, and it has to coordinate the many
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programs running at once, e.g. to ensure that they don't all use the hard
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drive at the same time.
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</p>
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<p>
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If you keep in mind what Debian was originally designed to do, many aspects of
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it will make a lot more sense. You'll learn to take advantage of the power of
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these features.
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</p>
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<hr>
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<h2><a name="s-start-login"></a>3.2 Logging in</h2>
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<p>
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To use Debian you must identify yourself to the system. This is so it knows
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who you are, what you have permission to do, and what your preferences are.
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</p>
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<p>
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To this end, you have a <em>user name</em> or <em>login</em> --- if you
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installed Debian yourself, you should have been asked to give such a name
|
|
during installation. If you are logging on to a system administered by someone
|
|
else, you'll have to ask them for an account on the system, and a corresponding
|
|
username.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
You also have a password, so no one else can pretend to be you. If you don't
|
|
have a password, anyone can log on to your computer from the Internet, and do
|
|
bad things (see <a href="ch-advanced.html#s-advanced-security">A few words on
|
|
security, Section 16.4</a>). If you're worried about security, you should have
|
|
a password.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Many people prefer to trust others not to do anything malicious with their
|
|
account; hopefully your work environment doesn't encourage paranoia. This is a
|
|
perfectly reasonable attitude; it depends on your personal priorities, and your
|
|
environment. Obviously a home system does not need to be as secure as a
|
|
military installation. Debian allows you to be as secure or as insecure as you
|
|
like.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
When you start Debian, you'll see a <em>prompt</em>; a request from the
|
|
computer for some information. In this case, the prompt is
|
|
<samp>login:</samp>.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
You should enter your username, and when requested, your password. The
|
|
password does not appear on the screen as you type it --- that's so no one can
|
|
look over your shoulder and see what it is. Press <samp>Enter</samp> after
|
|
both the username and the password. If you type your username or password
|
|
incorrectly, you'll have to start over.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
If you do it correctly, you'll see a brief message and then a <samp>$</samp>
|
|
prompt. The <samp>$</samp> is printed by a special program called the
|
|
<em>shell</em>, and is thus called a <em>shell prompt</em>: this is where you
|
|
give commands to the system.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Try entering the command <samp>whoami</samp> now. There is a <em>cursor</em>
|
|
to the right of the shell prompt. Your cursor is a small underscore or
|
|
rectangle which indicates where you're typing; it should move as you type.
|
|
Always press <samp>RET</samp> (the Enter or Return key) when you're done typing
|
|
a shell command.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<samp>whoami</samp> tells your username. You'll then get a new shell prompt.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
For the rest of the manual, when we say to enter a command, you should type it
|
|
at the shell prompt and press the <samp>RET</samp> key. On some keyboards,
|
|
this key is labeled <samp>Enter</samp> and on others it's <samp>Return</samp>.
|
|
Same key, different name.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
When you're done working, you may want to log out of the system. To exit the
|
|
shell, enter the <samp>exit</samp> command. Keep in mind that if you remain
|
|
logged in, someone could come along and use your account. Hopefully you can
|
|
trust those in your office or home not to do this; but if you do not trust your
|
|
environment, you should be certain to log out when you leave.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<hr>
|
|
|
|
<h2><a name="s-start-keys"></a>3.3 Keys</h2>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Before going on, it's important to be familiar with the conventions in this
|
|
manual for describing key commands.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
When you should simultaneously hold down multiple keys, a notation like
|
|
<samp>C-a</samp> will be used. This means "hold the control key, and type
|
|
lowercase letter a." Other abbreviations include the Alt key,
|
|
<samp>A</samp>, and the Meta key <samp>M</samp>. Some keyboards have both Alt
|
|
and Meta; most home computers have only Alt, but the Alt key behaves like a
|
|
Meta key. So if you have no Meta key, try the Alt key instead.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Keys like Alt and Meta are called <em>modifier</em> keys because they change
|
|
the meaning of standard keys like the letter A. Sometimes you need to hold
|
|
down more than one modifier; for example, <samp>M-C-a</samp> means to
|
|
simultaneously press Meta, Ctrl, and lowercase a.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Some keys have a special notation; for example, <samp>RET</samp>
|
|
(Return/Enter), <samp>DEL</samp> (Delete or sometimes Backspace),
|
|
<samp>ESC</samp> (Escape). These should be fairly self-explanatory.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Spaces instead of hyphens mean to type the keys in sequence. So, for example,
|
|
<samp>C-a x RET</samp> means to simultaneously type Control and lowercase a,
|
|
followed by the letter x, followed by pressing Return.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<hr>
|
|
|
|
<h2><a name="s-start-commandline"></a>3.4 Command history and editing the command line</h2>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Whatever you type after the shell prompt before pressing <samp>RET</samp> is
|
|
called a <em>command line</em> --- it's a line of text that commands the
|
|
computer to do something. The Debian default shell offers several features to
|
|
make entering command lines easy.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
You can scroll up to previous commands to run them again, or modify them
|
|
slightly and <em>then</em> run them again. Try this: enter any command, such
|
|
as <samp>whoami</samp>; then press the up arrow key. The <samp>whoami</samp>
|
|
command will reappear at the prompt. You can then press <samp>RET</samp> to
|
|
run <samp>whoami</samp> a second time.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
If you've entered several commands, you can keep pressing the up arrow key to
|
|
go back through them. This feature is handy if you're doing the same thing
|
|
several times, or if you type a command incorrectly and want to go back to fix
|
|
it. You can press the down arrow key to move in the other direction, toward
|
|
your more recent commands. If there are no more commands to move to, the
|
|
computer will beep.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
You can also move around on the command line to make changes. The easiest way
|
|
is with the left and right arrow keys --- try typing <samp>whoasmi</samp>
|
|
instead of <samp>whoami</samp>, then use the left arrow key to move back to the
|
|
<samp>s</samp>. You can erase the <samp>s</samp> with the Backspace or Delete
|
|
keys.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
There are more advanced features as well (no need to memorize them all now,
|
|
though). Try typing <samp>C-a</samp>. This moves you to the beginning of the
|
|
line. <samp>C-k</samp> (the <samp>k</samp> stands for "kill")
|
|
deletes until the end of the line --- try it from the middle of the command
|
|
line. Using <samp>C-a</samp> followed by <samp>C-k</samp>, you can delete the
|
|
entire command line. <samp>C-y</samp> pastes the last thing you killed,
|
|
inserting it at the current cursor position (<samp>y</samp> stands for
|
|
"yank," as in "yank it back"). <samp>C-e</samp> will move
|
|
the cursor at the end of the command line.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Go ahead and play around with command line editing to get a feel for it.
|
|
Experiment.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<hr>
|
|
|
|
<h2><a name="s-start-root"></a>3.5 Logging in as root</h2>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Since Debian is a multiuser system, it's designed to keep any one user or
|
|
program from breaking the entire system. The kernel will not allow normal
|
|
users to change important system files. This means that things stay the way
|
|
they're supposed to, safe from accidents, viruses, and even malicious pranks.
|
|
Unlike other operating systems, Debian is safe from these threats. You won't
|
|
need an antivirus program.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
However, sometimes you need to change important system files --- for example,
|
|
you might want to install new software, or configure your network connection.
|
|
To do so, you have to have greater powers than a normal user; you must become
|
|
the <em>root user</em> (also called the <em>superuser</em>).
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
To become root, just log on with the username <samp>root</samp> and the root
|
|
password, if you have it. Hopefully you remember the password from when you
|
|
installed the system --- if not, you have a problem. [<a
|
|
href="footnotes.html#f2" name="fr2">2</a>]
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
At many sites, only the system administrator has the root password, and only
|
|
the system administrator can do the things that one must be root to do. If
|
|
you're using your own personal computer, <em>you</em> are the system
|
|
administrator, of course. If you don't have root privileges, you will have to
|
|
rely on your system administrator to perform any tasks that require root
|
|
privileges.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Sometimes you'll have the root password even on a shared corporate or
|
|
educational server, because the sysadmin trusts you to use it properly. In
|
|
that case, you'll be able to help administer the system and customize it for
|
|
your needs. But you should be sure to use the password responsibly, respecting
|
|
other users at all times.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
If you have the password, try logging on as root now. Enter the
|
|
<samp>whoami</samp> command to verify your identity. Then <em>log out
|
|
immediately</em>. When you're root, the kernel will not protect you from
|
|
yourself, because root has permission to do anything at all to the system. For
|
|
example, you can type <samp>rm -rf /</samp> and erase your <em>entire
|
|
system</em> in a few keystrokes. (Needless to say, you should <em>NOT</em>
|
|
type this). Don't experiment while you're root. In fact, don't do anything as
|
|
root, unless absolutely necessary. This isn't a matter of security, but rather
|
|
of stability. Your system will run much better if it can keep you from making
|
|
silly mistakes.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
You may find the <code>su</code> command more convenient than logging in as
|
|
root. <code>su</code> allows you to assume the identity of another user,
|
|
usually root unless you specify someone else. (You can remember that
|
|
<code>su</code> stands for Super User, though some say it stands for Set
|
|
UserID.)
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Try this:
|
|
</p>
|
|
<ol type="1" start="1" >
|
|
<li>
|
|
<p>
|
|
Log on as yourself, i.e. not as root.
|
|
</p>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
<ol type="1" start="2" >
|
|
<li>
|
|
<p>
|
|
<samp>whoami</samp>
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Confirm your username.
|
|
</p>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
<ol type="1" start="3" >
|
|
<li>
|
|
<p>
|
|
<samp>su</samp>
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Enter the <samp>su</samp> command. It will prompt for a password; enter the
|
|
root password. If you give the correct password, you should see a new shell
|
|
prompt. By default, root's shell prompt is <samp>#</samp> rather than
|
|
<samp>$</samp>.
|
|
</p>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
<ol type="1" start="4" >
|
|
<li>
|
|
<p>
|
|
<samp>whoami</samp>
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
This should give "root" as your new username.
|
|
</p>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
<ol type="1" start="5" >
|
|
<li>
|
|
<p>
|
|
<samp>exit</samp>
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Exit the root shell. Your prompt will return to <samp>$</samp>.
|
|
</p>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
<ol type="1" start="6" >
|
|
<li>
|
|
<p>
|
|
<samp>exit</samp>
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Exit your own shell.
|
|
</p>
|
|
</li>
|
|
</ol>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
When you're doing system administration tasks, you should do as much as
|
|
possible as yourself. Then <samp>su</samp>, do the part that requires root
|
|
privileges, and <samp>exit</samp> to turn off privileges so you can no longer
|
|
harm anything.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
You can use <samp>su</samp> to assume the identity of any user on the system,
|
|
not just root. To do this, type <samp>su <var>user</var></samp> where
|
|
<var>user</var> is the user you want to become. You'll have to know their
|
|
password, of course, unless you're root at the time or they have no password.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<hr>
|
|
|
|
<h2><a name="s-start-VC"></a>3.6 Virtual consoles</h2>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
The Linux kernel supports <em>virtual consoles</em>. These are a way of making
|
|
your single screen and keyboard seem like multiple terminals, all connected to
|
|
the same system. Thankfully, using virtual consoles is one of the simplest
|
|
things about Debian: there are "hot keys" for switching among the
|
|
consoles quickly. To try it, log in to your system, and type <samp>A-F2</samp>
|
|
(simultaneously press the <samp>Alt</samp> key, and <samp>F2</samp>, that is,
|
|
function key number 2).
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
You should find yourself at another login prompt. Don't panic: you are now on
|
|
virtual console (VC) number 2! Log in here and do some things --- more
|
|
<samp>whoami</samp>'s or whatever --- to confirm that this is a real login
|
|
shell. Now you can return to virtual console number 1, with <samp>A-F1</samp>.
|
|
Or you can move on to a <em>third</em> virtual console, in the obvious way
|
|
(<samp>A-F3</samp>).
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Debian comes with six virtual consoles enabled by default, accessed with the
|
|
Alt key and function keys <samp>F1-F6</samp> (technically, there are more
|
|
virtual consoles enabled, but only 6 of them allow you to log in. The others
|
|
are used for the X Window System or other special purposes).
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
If you're using the X Window System, it will generally start up on the first
|
|
unused virtual console --- probably VC 7. Also, to switch from the X virtual
|
|
console to one of the first six, you'll have to add <samp>Ctrl</samp> to the
|
|
key sequence. So that's <samp>C-A-F1</samp> to get to VC 1. But you can go
|
|
from a text VC to the X virtual console using only <samp>Alt</samp>. If you
|
|
never leave X, you won't have to worry about this; X automatically switches you
|
|
to its virtual console when it starts up.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Once you get used to them, virtual consoles will probably become an
|
|
indispensable tool for getting many things done at once. (The X Window System
|
|
serves much the same purpose, providing multiple windows rather than multiple
|
|
consoles). You can run a different program on each VC or log on as root on one
|
|
VC and as yourself on another. Or everyone in the family can use their own VC
|
|
--- this is especially handy if you use X, in which case you can run several X
|
|
sessions at once, on different virtual consoles.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<hr>
|
|
|
|
<h2><a name="s-start-shutdown"></a>3.7 Shutting down</h2>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
<em>Do not just turn off the computer! You risk losing valuable data!</em>
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
If you are the only user of your computer, you might want to turn the computer
|
|
off when you're done with it. [<a href="footnotes.html#f3" name="fr3">3</a>]
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Unlike most versions of DOS, it's a bad thing to just hit the power switch when
|
|
you're done using the computer. It is also bad to reboot the machine (with the
|
|
reset button) without first taking proper precautions. The Linux kernel, in
|
|
order to improve performance, has a <em>disk cache</em>. This means it
|
|
temporarily stores information meant for permanent storage in RAM: since memory
|
|
is thousands of times faster than a disk, this makes many file operations move
|
|
more quickly. Periodically, the information Linux has in memory is actually
|
|
written to the disk. This is called <em>syncing</em>. In order to turn off or
|
|
reboot the computer, you'll have to tell the computer to clear everything out
|
|
of memory and put it in permanent storage.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
To reboot, just type <samp>reboot</samp>, or press <samp>C-A-DEL</samp> (that's
|
|
Control, Alt, and Delete).
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
To shut down, you'll have to be <samp>root</samp>. As root, just type the
|
|
command <samp>shutdown -h now</samp>. This will go through the entire shutdown
|
|
procedure, including the <samp>sync</samp> command which clears the disk cache
|
|
as described above. When you see <samp>System halted</samp>, it's safe to turn
|
|
off the computer. If you have Advanced Power Management (APM) support in your
|
|
kernel and BIOS, the computer might shut itself off and save you the trouble.
|
|
APM is common in laptops and is also found in certain desktop mainboards.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Some people find it simplest to shut down by typing <samp>C-A-DEL</samp> to
|
|
reboot, then powering off the computer before the Linux kernel begins to
|
|
reload. However, once the kernel begins to load, you have to wait for it to
|
|
finish and then properly reboot or shutdown again.
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<hr>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
[ <a href="ch-introduction.html">previous</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="index.html#contents">Contents</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-about.html">1</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-introduction.html">2</a> ]
|
|
[ 3 ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-basics.html">4</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-docs.html">5</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-shell.html">6</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-files.html">7</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-editor.html">8</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-custom_shell.html">9</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-X.html">10</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-text_tools.html">11</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-file_tools.html">12</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-disks.html">13</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-dpkg.html">14</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-troubleshooting.html">15</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-advanced.html">16</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-next.html">17</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-helping.html">18</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ap-apps_appendix.html">A</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ap-components_appendix.html">B</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ap-booting_appendix.html">C</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ap-misc_appendix.html">D</a> ]
|
|
[ <a href="ch-basics.html">next</a> ]
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<hr>
|
|
|
|
<p>
|
|
Debian Tutorial (Obsolete Documentation)
|
|
</p>
|
|
|
|
<address>
|
|
29 Dezember 2009<br>
|
|
<br>
|
|
Havoc Pennington <code><a href="mailto:hp@debian.org">hp@debian.org</a></code><br>
|
|
<br>
|
|
</address>
|
|
<hr>
|
|
|
|
</body>
|
|
|
|
</html>
|
|
|