Hi Everyone:

Those of you who were there toward the end of the
class noticed that I ran into a glitch while trying to
pass on a tip about emergency video configuration (in
the event that  RH Linux 9 fails to set up your video
card/monitor).

In versions of Red Hat prior to 9, a command-line
utility called XF86Config allowed you to run a
text-based configuration of the video card (as well as
a number of other system defaults).    As Michael Jang
points out on page 436 of our textbook, this utility
is no longer bundled under RH Linux.

Fortunately, the utility has been replaced with a new
one, called redhat-config-xfree86 (all lowercase). 
You can run this program from any directory in a
text-based login as root (the Superuser).  It reprobes
your video configuration and allows you to reselect
alternate video drivers.


The alternative to using this utility is to find a
replacement on the Internet for the XF86Config text
file that contains all of the settings for the Linux
X-Server.  Often, if you have problems with a video
card, you can find someone who's posted a version that
works.   The XF86Config file is stored, by default, in
the /etc/X11 directory.  A description of it appears
on p. 430 of the Jang book.

If you're uncomfortable with the EMACS or VI text
editors, and have the need to modify a Linux
configuration file from a text prompt, the ED program
actually does work.   Before running it, you can enter
the command  "Man Ed" to learn how it works.

(Basically, if you type  "ED  [Filename] the program
starts up in command mode.   In order to shift it to
text entering mode, you enter the command ",a" without
the quotemarks at the beginning of the line.  This
permits you to make text changes.  To shift back to
command mode, you enter the command ",c"   and to save
the file, you enter the command ",w [filename]. ",Q"
quits the editor and returns the command prompt.)

All of you can feel free to send me e-mail at this
address if you encounter difficulty installing Linux
at home.  I apologize for biting off more than I could
chew in class.

For class, next week, I'd like you to scan chapter 3
(Installing Linux Locally) and chapter 16 (The Basic
Gnome Interface) in the textbook. 

If you have more time, look over the notes in the
handout and take a look at Chapter 6 (Starting at the
Command Line).  This isn't required.