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Linux Support: Where To Find Help

NOTE: This page has been cross-posted to the New Orleans Linux Users Group wiki by request. That version (which may contain content that I personally do not vouch for) can be found there. If in doubt about information found on that page, please check this one for clarity.

Paid support

• Contracts — many large software packages (MySQL, Samba, etc.) and most major Linux distributions such as SuSE, Red Hat, etc. offer support options.
• Consultants — local techs who can provide professional on-site support as needed. Ask Joey Kelly about this.

Free support

• RTFM (read the fine manual) — project websites, included documentation (README and INSTALL files), etc. often contain adequate documentation.
• User groups — Linux, Java, Perl, and other areas of specialization have user groups (see the New Orleans Linux Users Group). Great for meeting like-minded geeks. Essential if you're wanting more than just a casual knowledge of Linux.
• Newsgroups — many projects, both open- and closed-source, along with programming languages, etc., have usenet groups dedicated to them. Searching the archives may reveal others who had the same problems as you, along with appropriate solutions.
• Mailing lists — ditto. No one big central repository, but several smaller ones are available. Check project websites for URLs.
• Geek sites — slashdot is king in this jungle, and is an excellent place to stay current on a wide range of IT topics.
• News sites — keep abreast of the latest news regarding Linux and open source. LWN.net is an excellent weekly digest of current news highlights. By contrast, newsforge posts news at it happens.
• IRC (Internet Relay Chat) — most open-source projects will maintain an official or unofficial irc channel. OpenProjects (irc.freenode.net) used to be a favorite for developers, but was cheapened by server politics. Many projects are still located there, however. Others such as Mozilla (irc.mozilla.org), Debian and Perl have their own networks. IRC offers free support from developers and power users, provided you understand that they are doing you a favor when you ask for help: they owe you nothing. Courtesy, respect and netiquette go a long way on IRC.
• Linux Documentation Project — great site. Shorter HOWTOs and longer guides. Look here first, perhaps.
• The Linux System Administrators' Guide
• The Linux Network Administrators' Guide
• The Unix and Internet Fundamentals HOWTO
• Introduction to Linux - A Hands on Guide
• Dead-tree book publishers
• O'Reilly — publishes books on most *nix-related subjects.
• Addison-Wesley — ditto. Generally higher in quality (read: more professional) than O'Reilly, but fewer titles. Several of these are published as college texts.
• How To Ask Questions The Smart Way.
• Netiquette.
• How to ask questions and not be ignored.
• Last but not least: give back to the community. If you gain knowledge, share it with the newcomers. If you don't do this at least occasionally, you're just a leech.

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