We assume that you use a UNIX computer. We assume that you know some basic things about using UNIX, such as changing directories and editing files. If you need help with basic UNIX commands, we recommend you have another book on hand as a reference.
We assume that you aren’t working by yourself, but are in an environment with other users and with an available administrator.
UNIX can wear many different hats. There are several vendors of UNIX systems, and each system has its own peculiarities. Don’t be alarmed if the output of a command on your system looks slightly different from the output shown in this book. For the most part, the differences are only cosmetic. When there are serious discrepancies between different versions of UNIX, we cover both versions.
Some users may work under a graphical user environment, usually based on the X Window System. We don’t cover issues involved with using X in any great detail, because there are so many different implementations of X that you may be using. Since most X users have access to a terminal emulator, we orient the book to running programs from the UNIX command line. Trying to cover X environments in this book would be like trying to write a generic book about how to program your VCR: every manufacturer does it differently, so in trying to be useful to everyone, the book would be useful to no one.
What if you use UNIX only occasionally — if you are a Macintosh or PC user who “has to” use UNIX for mail or downloading files? Although this book isn’t written for Mac or PC users, we’ll try to point out contextual stumbling blocks you might run into: how UNIX treats issues differently than the system you’re used to. If you understand some of the philosophy of UNIX, you’ll be able to make more sense of the parts of UNIX you need to use.
We don’t assume any particular interest in UNIX, but we expect a willingness to try to figure it out. We promise not to try to make you love UNIX if you promise not to be determined to hate it.
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