I have a (Virtually) new computer!

[BigV]

Thank you dar. I've read through the teaser pages of the first edition (2nd ed not avail) through your link. I like it. I will explore my options for getting a copy ($50.00 right now... I'm gonna shop around a little, you understand). I found this at the library; do you have an opinion here? Linux Problem Solver
Hands-on Solutions for System Administrators. It's available for checkout electronically only, which is new to me. Reading hundreds of pages online of a paper book will be a challenge. I'm going to check out the material now. I mean check it out from the NetLibrary, not just cruise the sample pages. I'll let you know, and I'll keep looking. Thanks again dar.

Oh, forgot. The RHCE deal sounds good, thorough but I'm in a spot where I have the time but not the dime. On my wish list though. (Are you listening, Santa?)

[dar512]

Don't forget your local library and university libraries. University libraries will often give you a borrowing card if you can show local id. I borrowed the first edition of the handbook from a local library. And I've seen RHCE books on the shelves.

I'd browse the card catalog and look for everything they have on Linux and Unix. Take all that seem interesting.

[BigV]

I am searching our local library, online. They have a magnificent online presence. Ironically, the search tool and the advanced search tool are the ones I struggle with the most. Perhaps that is because I use them the most. But there are excellent tools for reserving, checking out, renewing, paying fines, researching resources, etc. It has reciprocal links to the county and regional library systems. I'm very happy with my access to these precious resources.

Your suggestion about getting a University library card is wonderful! I'll let you know this morning about that one. I'd love to get to those libraries. God tip, thanks!

[BigV]

Update:

Since I am not affiliated with the University of Washington, I can only obtain borrowing privileges at $90.00/yr. Can't do that right now. Oh well.

I'll check out the community colleges' policies too.

[mbpark]

Oops.

Otherwise, I run Virtual PC on this Mac here, as well as VMWare ESX Server and other programs.

Virtual PC is OK, and it lets me run multiple OSes at once (I use it to run Linux and OpenBSD on my Mac for network utilities OS X doesn't have yet).

VMWare has much better Linux and BSD support .

Otherwise, both run by emulating a complete machine in one main process, with VMWare utilizing several device drivers to improve performance. Virtual PC does the same on OS X (which is why you can't run it on the Intel Macs just yet, it utilizes kernel extensions). I don't know how it does kernel-level extensions on Windows.

My apologies for getting this one a little wrong .

Mitch