widespread use around the world. However, many different Linux distributions are available for download. One of the best places to start looking for a new distro or new version of your favorite distro is http://www.distrowatch.com. Typically each distro will have a x86_64 version available for download:
> http://www.xandros.net — The new home of the original and improved version of Corel's Debian-based Linux
> http://www.debian.org — The Debian Linux distribution, consisting only of software distributed under the GNU GPL license
> http://www.slackware.com — The home page for download of the newest version of one of the oldest Linux distributions, Slackware
> http://www.opensuse.com — The home page for SuSE Linux, also available for the PowerPC and x86_64 platforms
> http://www.ubuntu.com — A popular Linux distribution that is based on Debian
> http://www.mandrivalinux.com — A Pentium-optimized, RPM-based distribution, originally based on Red Hat's Linux distribution
PowerPC-Based Linux Distributions
> http://penguinppc.org/ — Home page for the PowerPC GNU/Linux distribution
> http://www.opensuse.com — SuSE PPC Linux
> http://www.yellowdoglinux.com — Home page for Terra Soft Solutions' Yellow Dog Linux for the PowerPC, which is based on Fedora
Linux on Laptops and PDAs
One of the definitive sites for getting information about running Linux on your laptop is Kenneth Harker's Linux Laptop site. Although not as actively updated as in the past, this site (http://www.linux-laptop.net) still contains the world's largest collection of Linux and laptop information, with links to user experiences and details concerning specific laptop models.
Another site to check is Werner Heuser's Tuxmobil-Mobile UNIX website at http://www.tuxmobil.org. The site contains links to information about topics such as IrDA, Linux PDAs, and cell phones. Linux Zaurus PDA users can browse to http://www.openzaurus.org to download a complete Open Source replacement operating system for the Zaurus 5000 and 5500 models.
If you want to purchase a laptop with Linux already installed, then we highly recommend Emperor Linux, one of the leading suppliers of Linux laptops. They take laptops from the likes of Dell, Sony, and Lenovo and install a customized version of Fedora (called EmperorLinux) that fully supports the capabilities of the laptop. You can find them at http://www.emperorlinux.com.
X
Although much technical information is available on the Internet regarding the X Window System, finding answers to specific questions when troubleshooting can be problematic. If you are having a problem using X, first try to determine whether the problem is software or hardware related. When searching or asking for help (such as on Usenet's comp.os.linux.x newsgroup, which you can access through Google's Groups link; see the next section for other helpful Linux newsgroups), try to be as specific as possible. Some critical factors or information needed to adequately assess a problem include the Linux distribution in use; the kernel version used; the version of X used; the brand, name, and model of your video card; the names, brands, and models of your monitor and other related hardware.
This section lists just some of the basic resources for Linux XFree86 users. Definitive technical information regarding X is available from http://x.org:
> http://www.lesstif.org/ — Home page for the GPL'd OSF/Motif clone, LessTif
> http://www.motifzone.net — Site for download of the open source version of Motif for Linux, Open Motif
> http://www.rahul.net/kenton/index.shtml — Ken Lee's X and Motif website with numerous links to tutorial, development, and other information about X
> http://www.x.org — Home page for X.org, the X server used in Fedora
> http://www.xig.com/ — Home page for a commercial version of X for Linux (along with other software products)
Usenet Newsgroups
Linux-related Usenet newsgroups are another good source of information if you're having trouble using Linux. If your ISP does not offer a comprehensive selection of Linux newsgroups, you can browse tohttp://groups.google.com/.
The primary Linux and Linux-related newsgroups are the following:
> alt.os.linux.dialup — Using PPP for dialup
> alt.os.linux.mandriva — All about Mandriva Linux
> alt.os.linux.redhat — Alternative discussions about Red Hat Linux
> alt.os.linux.slackware — Using Slackware Linux
> alt.os.linux.suse — Using SuSE Linux
> alt.os.linux.ubuntu — Using Ubuntu Linux
> comp.os.linux.advocacy — Heated discussions about Linux and other related issues
> comp.os.linux.alpha — Using Linux on the Alpha CPU
> comp.os.linux.announce — General Linux announcements
> comp.os.linux.answers — Releases of new Linux FAQs and other information
> comp.os.linux.development.apps — Using Linux development tools
> comp.os.linux.development.system — Building the Linux kernel
> comp.os.linux.embedded — Linux embedded device development
> comp.os.linux.hardware — Configuring Linux for various hardware devices
> comp.os.linux.m68k — Linux on Motorola's 68K-family CPUs
> comp.os.linux.misc — Miscellaneous Linux topics
> comp.os.linux.networking — Networking and Linux
> comp.os.linux.portable — Using Linux on laptops
> comp.os.linux.powerpc — Using PPC Linux
> comp.os.linux.redhat — All about Red Hat Linux
> comp.os.linux.security — Linux security issues
> comp.os.linux.setup — Linux installation topics
> comp.os.linux.x — Linux and the X Window System
> comp.windows.x.apps — Using X-based clients
> comp.windows.x.i386unix — X for UNIX PCs
