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CLASS="SECT1"
><H1
CLASS="SECT1"
><A
NAME="INTRODUCTION"
>1. Introduction</A
></H1
><P
> Are you a Linux newbie ? Are you a Linux guru ? In both cases, you will find
this checklist of great help to you. How many times have you found yourself
fumbling in the middle of a Linux installation process, because some vital
information about the target hardware is not known ?
</P
><P
> Have you ever crossed your fingers when you were asked by the installation
procedure, a simple question, like: to which COM port is the mouse
connected ?
</P
><P
> Let's face it, all of us have, at one time or another, felt we should have
been better prepared before starting to install Linux. Here is a simple
solution, brought to you by Algologic Research & Solutions
</P
><DIV
CLASS="SECT2"
><H2
CLASS="SECT2"
><A
NAME="COPYRIGHT"
>1.1. Copyright Information</A
></H2
><P
> This document is copyrighted (c) 2000
<A
HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~algolog/index.htm"
TARGET="_top"
>Algologic Research & Solutions</A
>
and is distributed under the terms of the Linux Documentation Project
(LDP) license, stated below.
</P
><P
> Unless otherwise stated, Linux HOWTO documents are
copyrighted by their respective authors. Linux HOWTO documents may
be reproduced and distributed in whole or in part, in any medium
physical or electronic, as long as this copyright notice is
retained on all copies. Commercial redistribution is allowed and
encouraged; however, the author would like to be notified of any
such distributions.
</P
><P
> All translations, derivative works, or aggregate works
incorporating any Linux HOWTO documents must be covered under this
copyright notice. That is, you may not produce a derivative work
from a HOWTO and impose additional restrictions on its
distribution. Exceptions to these rules may be granted under
certain conditions; please contact the Linux HOWTO coordinator at
the address given below.
</P
><P
> In short, we wish to promote dissemination of this
information through as many channels as possible. However, we do
wish to retain copyright on the HOWTO documents, and would like to
be notified of any plans to redistribute the HOWTOs.
</P
><P
> If you have any questions, please contact
<TT
CLASS="EMAIL"
><<A
HREF="mailto:linux-howto@metalab.unc.edu"
>linux-howto@metalab.unc.edu</A
>></TT
>
</P
></DIV
><DIV
CLASS="SECT2"
><H2
CLASS="SECT2"
><A
NAME="DISCLAIMER"
>1.2. Disclaimer</A
></H2
><P
> No liability for the contents of this documents can be accepted.
Use the concepts, examples and other content at your own risk.
As this is a new edition of this document, there may be errors
and inaccuracies, that may of course be damaging to your system.
Proceed with caution, and although this is highly unlikely,
the author(s) do not take any responsibility for that.
</P
><P
> All copyrights are held by their respective owners, unless
specifically noted otherwise. Use of a term in this document
should not be regarded as affecting the validity of any trademark
or service mark.
</P
><P
> Naming of particular products or brands should not be seen
as endorsements.
</P
><P
> You are strongly recommended to make a backup of your system
before major installation and continue to do so at regular intervals.
</P
></DIV
><DIV
CLASS="SECT2"
><H2
CLASS="SECT2"
><A
NAME="TRANSLATIONS"
>1.3. Translations</A
></H2
><P
> This checklist is available in:
<P
></P
><UL
><LI
><P
> Japanese as a <A
HREF="http://www.linux.or.jp/JF/JFdocs/Pre-Installation-Checklist.txt"
TARGET="_top"
>text-only</A
>
or <A
HREF="http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/jeanne/linux/chk.html"
TARGET="_top"
>html</A
> version.
</P
></LI
><LI
><P
> Dutch as <A
HREF="http://www.nl.linux.org/~hccnoord/checklist.html"
TARGET="_top"
>html</A
>.
</P
></LI
><LI
><P
> French as <A
HREF="http://www.freenix.org/unix/linux/HOWTO/mini/Pre-Installation-Checklist.html"
TARGET="_top"
>html</A
>.
</P
></LI
></UL
>
</P
></DIV
><DIV
CLASS="SECT2"
><H2
CLASS="SECT2"
><A
NAME="ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS"
>1.4. Acknowledgements</A
></H2
><P
> Algologic acknowledges with gratitude the useful suggestions
and inputs from many members of the Linux community, for
preparation of this checklist. This checklist is proof of the
cooperation and goodwill which exists between Linux users.
Algologic submits this checklist to the Linux community, as a
humble tribute to the spirit of Linux. Many thanks to the following people:
</P
><P
></P
><UL
><LI
><P
> Mrs. Chie Nakatani for the translation into Japanese. You can also
visit her home page by clicking <A
HREF="http://web.kyoto-inet.or.jp/people/jeanne/"
TARGET="_top"
>here</A
>.
<TT
CLASS="EMAIL"
><<A
HREF="mailto:jeanne (at) mbox.kyoto-inet.or.jp"
>jeanne (at) mbox.kyoto-inet.or.jp</A
>></TT
>
</P
></LI
><LI
><P
> Pierre-Charles David for the translation into French.
<TT
CLASS="EMAIL"
><<A
HREF="mailto:david (at) essi.fr"
>david (at) essi.fr</A
>></TT
>
</P
></LI
><LI
><P
> <A
HREF="http://nl.linux.org/~hccnoord/index.html"
TARGET="_top"
>Linux werkgroep HCC afdeling Groningen</A
>
for the translation into Dutch.
</P
></LI
><LI
><P
> Jesse Goerz for converting the document to docbook sgml.
<TT
CLASS="EMAIL"
><<A
HREF="mailto:jgoerz (at) linuxfreemail.com"
>jgoerz (at) linuxfreemail.com</A
>></TT
>
</P
></LI
></UL
></DIV
><DIV
CLASS="SECT2"
><H2
CLASS="SECT2"
><A
NAME="AUDIENCE"
>1.5. Who should read/use this?</A
></H2
><P
> If you are planning to install Linux on somebody else's machine, or
in a location which is not your own work place, you must absolutely get
this checklist completed in advance. It is important to get this
questionnaire answered by your host, so that you go adequately prepared
for the installation.
</P
><P
> If you are planning to organize an "Install fest" (we Indians
call it "Linux mela"), ask your participants to come with this
checklist answered.
</P
><P
> Conversely, if you are going to an Install fest (aka Linux mela), to get
Linux installed on your machine, do your home-work. Go with answers to
this checklist.
</P
><P
> If you are going to ask someone to come over and install Linux for
you, send him/her this questionnaire with as many responses as you know.
</P
><P
> If you are the D-I-Y type, you must start by answering all these questions,
so that you can save time for enjoying your Linux!
</P
></DIV
><DIV
CLASS="SECT2"
><H2
CLASS="SECT2"
><A
NAME="GOALS"
>1.6. What does this checklist (aim to) achieve?</A
></H2
><P
> This is a memory aid which may make installation of Linux a pleasant
experience for you. It fills an important role in the promotion of Linux.
</P
><P
> It will help you to be prepared with all the answers which may be needed
during the course of installation of Linux on your machine or on anybody
else's machine. Sometimes, it is very inconvenient and even impossible
to find out some details in the middle of an installation procedure. This
becomes all the more difficult when you are installing Linux on somebody
else's machine, and in somebody else's office.
</P
><P
> This checklist, when filled up, will help you go through your Linux
documentation and verify in advance whether certain hardware is supported
by the distribution you are planning to install. It will also help you
to be prepared with the packages you would need to install, and the
configuration choices which need to be done.
</P
><P
> The idea is to reduce the chances of frustrating surprises.
</P
><P
> This checklist is only for installing Linux on PCs. You may use this
checklist as a model for other classes of machines (e.g.SUN, Alpha, ...)
also.
</P
></DIV
><DIV
CLASS="SECT2"
><H2
CLASS="SECT2"
><A
NAME="MOREINFO"
>1.7. Where do I find more about Linux?</A
></H2
><P
> If you want professional (PAID) help with Linux -- <A
HREF="http://members.tripod.com/~algolog/tools.htm#linux"
TARGET="_top"
>ask Algologic</A
>.
Algologic Research & Solutions is listed in the official CONSULTANTS-HOWTO of the
<A
HREF="http://www.linuxdoc.org"
TARGET="_top"
>Linux Documentation Project</A
>.
</P
><P
> This checklist does not give any details about hardware compatible with
Linux, or other details about actually procuring or installing Linux.
If you want details, please reference the
<A
HREF="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Hardware-HOWTO.html"
TARGET="_top"
>Linux hardware howto</A
>,
the <A
HREF="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Distribution-HOWTO.html"
TARGET="_top"
>Distribution howto</A
>,
and the <A
HREF="http://www.linuxdoc.org/HOWTO/Installation-HOWTO/index.html"
TARGET="_top"
>Installation howto</A
>,
which are all located online at the Linux Documentation Project.
</P
><P
> If you are the impatient type, and want help on installation directly,
please reference <A
HREF="install.html"
>Section 3</A
> and skip the pre-installation checklist.
</P
><P
> <I
CLASS="EMPHASIS"
>ATTENTION:</I
> We are actually overwhelmed by the number of general
inquiries about procuring, installing and using Linux. We DO NOT answer such general mail. We strongly
advise you to check out the <A
HREF="http://www.linuxdoc.org"
TARGET="_top"
>Linux Documentation Project</A
>
for finding other sources of help. Please DO NOT send us any general Linux questions.
</P
></DIV
><DIV
CLASS="SECT2"
><H2
CLASS="SECT2"
><A
NAME="CONVENTIONS"
>1.8. Conventions used</A
></H2
><P
> <DIV
CLASS="WARNING"
><P
></P
><TABLE
CLASS="WARNING"
BORDER="1"
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><TR
><TD
ALIGN="CENTER"
><B
>WARNING!</B
></TD
></TR
><TR
><TD
ALIGN="LEFT"
><P
> Warnings are admonitions which if disregarded,
will result in an inoperable <I
CLASS="EMPHASIS"
>system
</I
>, which may or may not be recoverable.
</P
></TD
></TR
></TABLE
></DIV
>
</P
><P
> <DIV
CLASS="CAUTION"
><P
></P
><TABLE
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BORDER="1"
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><TR
><TD
ALIGN="CENTER"
><B
>Caution!</B
></TD
></TR
><TR
><TD
ALIGN="LEFT"
><P
> Cautions are admonitions which if disregarded,
will result in an inoperable <I
CLASS="EMPHASIS"
>application
</I
> or cause the loss of data, configuration
files, or leave the system in an unbootable state.
</P
></TD
></TR
></TABLE
></DIV
>
</P
><P
> <DIV
CLASS="NOTE"
><BLOCKQUOTE
CLASS="NOTE"
><P
><B
>Note: </B
> Notes state important facts which may be necessary
to perform an operation.
</P
></BLOCKQUOTE
></DIV
>
</P
><P
> <DIV
CLASS="TIP"
><BLOCKQUOTE
CLASS="TIP"
><P
><B
>Tip: </B
> Tips provide shortcuts or foresight to make performance
of operations easier.
</P
></BLOCKQUOTE
></DIV
>
</P
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