Unix notes, for a better tomorrow.

I get the feeling that most of us in the Unix class aren't taking much away from the lessons.  Maybe it's time to take the learning into our own hands, and maybe we'll get further than the 2-steps forward and 1-step back approach we've encountered thus far.

First, let's drop the physical book and find a digital copy, for free.  A simple Google search for the ISBN of the book, and here's a great link:

http://courses.cs.vt.edu/cs2204/fall2007/admin/admin2204.pdfhttp://dump.udderweb.com/Books/unsorted/UNIX_-_Visual_QuickStart_Guide,_3rd_Edition_2006.pdf

It's 6.7 Mb, so don't expect the school network to make it an easy download; I suggest you get it at home if you need/want it.

Now for a decent command listing:

http://www.rain.org/~mkummel/unix.html

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_Unix_utilities

Just in case you are feeling a bit masochistic, I also found a free book about Unix text processing from 1988.  It's old, references things like dot-matrix printers, and has a lot of extraneous information, but it is useful in learning some vi commands and interesting Unix things.  Also useful if you need a nap:

http://oreilly.com/openbook/utp/

So, we've got the text, the reference card, and extra material.  Now, what about a place to practice?  Well, imagine this: an online terminal to try out, without needing to install anything special?

http://sdf.lonestar.org/ (click on "ssh" at the top right of the screen; requires Java)

Now maybe, just maybe, we have a viable environment to learn something on our time.  Good luck, luddites.  ;)

-Jason