the simple answer to the question 'how do i know what files are
in the package i installed?' was
dpkg -L <pkgname>
things like this are standard knowledge among debian folk who
have been on this list for a few weeks--but for the new folk,
it's a complete mystery, but each one of us has had to ask
the same questions... again and again.
i know that the questions i've asked have often been 'one too many'
for some of you. :)
perhaps we could add, to the 'unsubscribe' tag at the end of each
message sent by the list-server (see the bottom of this message),
an URL pointing to one DEBIAN-SPECIFIC newbie-like page containing
pointers to such stuff as
'what's slink, potato, sid, & such?' --> http link
'how to upgrade your debian software' --> apt-get
'how to configure apt-get' --> /etc/apt/sources.list --> http link
'why we retch all over those *.rpm files' --> http link
'what package uses file XYZ' --> dpkg -S <XYZ>
'which files are in package Q' --> dpkg -L <Q>
'know what's in a *.deb package before you apt-get it' --> http link
--
plus, pointers to linux-general stuff, perhaps...
'apache configs' --> apache.org
'email configs' --> fetchmail, sendmail, exim, &c
'samba configs' --> samba.org
&c
if we don't wanna add another line to the 'unsubscribe' tag at
the end of each message, perhaps post a monthly (or periodic, at
least) newbie pointer-list?
might help cut the friction/grease the wheels?
[ our site isn't stable yet or i'd volunteer. (politics and procedures
impede, for the moment.) ]
--
currently, www.debian.org has a few pointers to 'getting started':
-support:
- subscribe to this mailing list (and here we are! aaugh!)
- contact package maintainers (they have nothing better to do)
-documentation:
- faq-o-matic <== PLEASE CONTRIBUTE! <==
- faq
- "getting debian" mentions 'apt-get' near the bottom
- "archives" describes distribution directories
- debian guide (still rather intimidating)
- debuan tutorial (chapter 14! mentions configuring apt-get)
-release info
great for the tech-heads who understand it
(say, someone who was a newbie four months ago)
even the useful links here are buried three deep or so. why not have
these links be at the top level of a 'debian newbie' site, the URL
of which is added to the 'unsubscribe' tag below?
