Linux Mentor Wanted

[Robert Atkinson]

For my sins, I manage a simple Debian Linux VM server, but my numerous years of VMS experience is failing me. I'm looking for someone that's willing to help me through the basics over email.

For instance, I'm currently struggling to create an account where I can manage config files over FTP.

Is there anyone out there with some Christmas spirit that would help me out?

Cheers, Rob.

[Steven Schweda]

> [...] Debian Linux VM server [...]

What's a "VM server"?

There is a whole Linux forum, you know:

http://forums.itrc.hp.com/service/forums/familyhome.do?familyId=118

> [...] to create an account where I can
> manage config files over FTP.

I don't know what that means. Some coherent
explanation of your actual goal(s)/problem(s)
may be needed before you can get much help
from anywhere.

[Robert Atkinson]

Steven, if you can manage it without having your nappy changed, take a look at this link :-

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Virtual_machine


As for the rest of your response, if you insist in constantly flaming me, at least make it relevant. These stupid replies are best left to COV, not here where some of us are trying to get some _real_ work done.

Rob.

[Steven Schweda]

Sorry to bother you. (I suppose that it
would be pointless to mention that "I'm
currently struggling" doesn't say much about
what you did, or what happened when you did
it.)

Irregardful, if anyone else can explain what
the actual goal(s)/problem(s) here were, I'd
still be interested.

[Hoff]

Well, there's the obligatory:

http://mattgemmell.com/2008/12/08/what-have-you-tried

As for your more general question, forget what you know of VMS when you're learning Unix. That way lies pain and frustration. Unix is a very different beast from VMS, and your knowledge of VMS will largely detract from your efforts to learn and use Unix.

http://www.debian.org/doc/

Debian has various support resources, including IRC:

http://www.debian.org/support

Learn bash or another shell. Here's a bash scripting guide:

http://tldp.org/LDP/abs/abs-guide.pdf

Yes, I use both VMS and Unix. More Unix these days, but that's another discussion. And no, not Debian Linux.

[Robert Atkinson]

Thanks for the reply Hoff.

That fact of the matter is that I'm not really looking for individual answers to specific problems. I'm looking for someone to hand-hold me through the whole learning process.

At this point I'm sure lots of people will be screaming Books, Courses, Online Tutorials, etc, etc.

Agreed - and it's what I've been doing for a few years now. However, I'd really like to bring my capabilities up to a decent standard, and the only way I'm going to be able to do that with $0 finances is to find a virtual Mentor.

Rob.

[Hoff]

I'll leave this to the folks more knowledgeable in what Linux reading and training and coursework suggestions might be available, and for what Linux user groups might be available in your area. And for any Debian mentor that you might encounter, should you be incredibly lucky with your quest.

I know how I'd approach this (and am working through the roughly 32 gigabytes of training materials - reading podcasts and Stanford and other courses - that's resident on the reader, and the rest of the materials resident on the server), but that's very clearly not the path you're seeking here, and clearly not how you approach your questions.

[Steven E. Protter]

Shalom Rob,

ITRC can be your mentor.

Post specific questions here and tap into the hundreds of minds who contribute here daily.

SEP

[Robert Atkinson]

Disappointing, but a way of the world now I guess. Very few people want to do anything for what they perceive as nothing.

I'm glad I don't fall into that bracket. I've spent the last 5 years teaching someone in South America how to go from a HTML GUI Editor to Notepad to JavaScript to Google/Facebook API's, and beyond. I've never once spoken to or met the person, probably never will, and expect nothing in return. All that I asked is that they were happy and willing to learn something new.

I know it's only been a day, but it's such a pitty there's nobody here that seems to fit that profile.

[Robert Atkinson]

Apologies to this Linux group. HP kindly moved my post from the VMS forums without telling me, so my latest comments are not aimed at you.

Hopefully someone here can help?