1. Mandriva Linux-Specific Documentation

1.1. Mandriva's Own Documentation

Some of these manuals may be available in your Mandriva Linux pack, in the mandriva-doc-MANUAL_NAME-en package. Once installed, menu entries of the form More Applications+DocumentationMandriva Linux MANUAL_NAME in English are available, choose them to open the manual in the browser and select the format you wish to use.

If you have the Beagle package installed, searching the manuals is even easier:

  1. Choose System+File ToolsSearch from the main menu to open Beagle search dialog.

  2. In the Find field type the keywords you are looking for.

  3. Click on Find now.

[Note] Note

If you do not get results immediately, it may be because Beagle hasn't finished its indexing of files. Please try the search again after a few minutes. You can open a terminal window and run beagle-status to get information about current Beagle activities.

Figure 1.1. Beagle Search Example

Beagle Search Example

All Mandriva Linux Control Center tools have online help by choosing HelpHelp from Mandriva Linux Control Center's menu: the browser is opened with Mandriva Linux Control Center's help.

1.2. Internet Resources

Internet information sources are widespread and many web sites are devoted to GNU/Linux and its use or configuration. However, some sources of information are better than others.

Your preferred source of information should be the Mandriva Linux official web site. In particular, check out the support section.

On the other hand, many unofficial sources will also be of value. For one there is the Mandriva Community Twiki. It offers a lot of resources and gives information and documentation which can certainly interest Mandriva Linux users.

1.2.1. Mandriva Club

If you're familiar with Mandriva Linux's web sites, you probably know about Mandriva Club. It's the meeting point for all Mandriva Linux users. On it you will find questions along with their answers, suggestions and news related to Mandriva Linux and GNU/Linux. You will be able to express your opinions and influence future development of Mandriva Linux. If you're not a member yet, we encourage you to join.

One specific area of the Club is of particular interest: the Mandriva Club Knowledge Base is the Mandriva Linux user's database. It is probably the largest collection of Mandriva Linux-related documentation on the web.

It collects submissions by Mandriva Linux users. It also features a discussion forum and a community newsletter. These articles are meant to be practical and to target beginner and intermediate users.

Topics range from administrative issues, such as the handling of the shell, to the tweaking of X, GNU/Linux's graphical subsystem.

1.2.2. Mandriva Security Advisories

The Mandriva Security Advisories web site is Mandriva's very own security site which covers package vulnerabilities.

1.2.3. Mandriva E-training

The Mandriva E-Training web site allows you to buy quality GNU/Linux training in order to improve your Open Source knowledge. You can access this web site by using your Mandriva Club account. A free demo on Samba is available.