FAQ

[Stefan Farestam]

>Too bad I can make a constructive contribution, but I will
>use a FAQ directory if it has some kind of index !

   Well, I have a primitive idea of how it could work, which is
   best illustrated by an imaginary listing:

faq/unix:
   How_do_I_remove_a_file_whose_name_begins_with_a_-_?
   Removing_a_file_starting_with_funny_characters
   How_do_I_get_a_recursive_directory_listing_?
   How_do_I_get_the_current_directory_into_my_prompt_?
   .
   .
   .
faq/sgi
   How_to_set_up_anonymous_ftp
   How_to_set_up_sendmail.cf
   Changing_the_name_of_an_icon_or_window
   .
   .
   .

faq/install-tips
   gnu-emacs_ver18.55_on_4D20_3.2.1
   gnu-emacs_ver18.55_on_4D20_3.3.2
   tex_ver3.0_4D220_3.2.1
   patch_ver2.0.12_4D25TG_3.2.1
   .
   .
   .


      The idea would be that people who had a contribution to make
   put it their themselves, this would be especially true for the
   install-tips directory. In fact one could imagine a fourth directory
   of the type install-tips-wanted, where people just put an empty file
   with the name of the file indicating the software they wanted. However
   this might be to overdo things as these questions are probably better
   handled by just posting a request on info-iris. Consider also that it
   is just as valuable to know that a piece of software is available
   from somewhere and compiles in one minute, as having the complete
   directions for a 5 hour installment session.

      Concerning the two first directories, I'm assuming that they need
   some kind of responsible person that is (hopefully) very knowledgeable
   about both unix and sgi-issues, in order to avoid mistakes to spread
   around. The raw material of faq/sgi would be the outcome of the
   discussions held on info-iris. As to faq/unix, there probably exists
   a lot of material already available. I made a telnet to archie
   (quiche.cs.mcgill.ca, login archie, a great service !) and searched
   for 'requen'. This brought up:

venera.isi.edu:		images/frequently_needed_info.doc

ucsd.edu:		netinfo/frequently-asked-questions-about-internet.txt

nic.cerf.net:		cerfnet/cerfnet_info/frequently-asked-questions
			-about-internet.txt

rascal.ics.utexas.edu:	misc/unet/Frequently-asked_Q+A

expo.lcs.mit.edu:	contrib/FrequentlyAskedQuestions -> FAQ

andy.bgsu.edu:		pub/India/frequent.info

e.ms.uky.edu:		pub/unix/help/Frequently.asked.questions.Z

f.ms.uky.edu:		pub/unix/help/Frequently.asked.questions.Z

dftsrv.gsfc.nasa.gov:	pub/X11/Frequently-Asked-Questions

monu6.cc.monash.edu.au:	pub/Win3.0/misc/frequently.ask

cica.cica.indiana.edu:	pub/pc/win3/misc/frequently.ask

mcsun.eu.net:		windows/X/contrib/FrequentlyAskedQuestions

van-bc.wimsey.bc.ca:	misc/unix.frequent

pprg.unm.edu:		pub/info_on_Usenet/Frequently_Asked_Questions

terminator.cc.umich.edu	unix/frequently-asked-questions

   I didn't have the time to browse through all these files, for sure some
   of them will contain redundant information, but if edited and collected
   in some usable form (maybe as described above), they would be very useful !


   /Stefan


   .................................................................   
 .             Stefan Farestam    <farestam at cerfacs.fr>              .
.   __ __  __ _  _ _                                                  .
.  /  |_ )|_ /_\/ (          European Centre for Research and         .
 . \_ |__\| /   \__)    Advanced Training in Scientific Computation  .
   .................................................................