Cracking Unix
back...Not really, but it's fun to try! UNIX is too big to take in all at once, but one way to get started is to read a few selected volumes over and over. Each flavor of BSD/UNIX has its' authors and texts. Amazon.com is quite useful in evaluating books. Sometimes choice may be limited.
Read and re-read! Do not expect to understand anything the first time around. Out of repetition certains words and concepts will emerge. UNIX is a giant file system and it uses other files to control and configure itself. Instead of buttons and clicks you have config files, script calls and arguments.
IN THE BEGINNING:
Each book you consult assumes you already know something or that you have a functioning system. You probably won't and probably don't. YOU MAY HAVE TO START FROM SCRATCH!!No problem! UNIX will run on almost anything - old Mac's and PC's are perfect, even floppy-based pentium systems! A functional CD ROM slot or tray is a real boon for installation work. Installation CD's and CD ISO images are available from a variety of sources.CD sales are an important source of funds for the OpenBSD project Other sources include floppies, network installs and ftp.
BOOKSHELF
No single book will make you smart, but if you get enough of them, most of the gaps will eventually get filled-in. The Dummy book is vital for total newbies, especially how to start, stop, run editors and do other basic stuff. After a while you'll prefer the more substantial books but will be glad this one is still around.
INSTALLATION
is the first hurdle. Give yourself a break and don't try for dual boot. One operating system per computer is more than enough to start with. If you ever played with DOS on the Command line it's quite similar. You will need to partition your disk and create a boot record with FDSK -the disk editor. Learn the "Escape program with No Save" command first thing and then you can dive in fearlessly. Just drop out whenever you miscue or get worried. IF you screw up (you will) you simply restart and begin again. You'll need to be able to set your boot parameters - google about your particular machine. (Did I mention - don't try this with your main computer???)
Once you have a system installed you start to play with it. You can't really break it, but you can create learning opportunities with every keystroke. If it all goes SCREEN-OF-DEATH just reboot from the hard disk or use the CD and re-install a fresh system. You will need to change the Boot Device command between hd or cd depending on your choice of bootstrap source. Each cycle will last a little longer, each reboot will (hopefully) yield further understanding.
You need to learn how to log in, and what root access is. You need to be able to move files around and manipulate directories before you can do anything else. You'll need to learn to mount file systems and devices and how to get input and output going.
A big part of the job is learning how your file systems are arranged and how your Operating System configures itself to distribute resources and processes.
The BSD books might be completely incomprehensible at first but some sort of systematic understanding will begin to emerge with repeated readings.
The Secure Architecture book looked as if it was written for ALIEN BEINGS at first look, but has proved invaluable since then. Access to a functioning system is, of course, the key to success.
Unix for Dummies:
This one will get you started. It does assume
you have a working system however.
Super-cheap used from Amazon... There are good books and Internet articles about
installation and beyond for the BSD of your choice...
For OpenBSD I used:
A CD install set from the OpenBSD store... Their text-based Installer is super-simple to use and -IMPORTANT - it's easy to exit with no damage done. Non-intimidating. Full of default choices, just follow the printed instruction card and (mostly) press enter/return.
Essential:
Absolute OpenBSD
by Michael Lucas
Expansive:
Secure Architectures with OpenBSD by Brandon Palmer and Jose Nazario