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downloadopie-56578578855d48629a31877c7346c5b0cf6a7d21.zip
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@@ -1,53 +1,54 @@
1\documentclass[12pt,letterpaper,oneside, openany]{book} \usepackage[latin1] {inputenc} 1\documentclass[12pt,letterpaper,oneside, openany]{book} \usepackage[latin1] {inputenc}
2\usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb} \usepackage[pdftex]{hyperref} 2\usepackage{amsmath} \usepackage{amsfonts} \usepackage{amssymb}
3\usepackage[pdflatex]{hyperref}
4\hypersetup{bookmarks=true, bookmarksopen=false,pdftitle={Opie User Manual},pdfauthor={The Opie Team}}
3\title{Opie User Manual} 5\title{Opie User Manual}
4\author{The Opie Team} 6\author{The Opie Team}
5\hypersetup{bookmarks=true, bookmarksopen=false,pdftitle={Opie User Manual},pdfauthor={The Opie Team}}
6\begin{document} 7\begin{document}
7\maketitle 8\maketitle
8\tableofcontents 9\tableofcontents
9\part{Getting Started} 10\part{Getting Started}
10\chapter{What is Opie?} 11\chapter{What is Opie?}
11Opie is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for the Linux operating system (and might work on other OSes as well). It was originally designed for handheld computers (such as the Compaq/HP iPaq and the Sharp Zaurus), but which could probably function well in other environments requiring a light GUI, such as an old laptop, or an internet kiosk. It is bassed upon QT/Embedded from Trolltech, which is in turn a graphical environment designed for embedded applications, based upon the QT toolkit. 12Opie is a GUI (Graphical User Interface) for the Linux operating system (and might work on other OSes as well). It was originally designed for handheld computers (such as the Compaq/HP iPAQ and the Sharp Zaurus), but which could probably function well in other environments requiring a light GUI, such as an old laptop, or an internet kiosk. It is bassed upon QT/Embedded from Trolltech, which is in turn a graphical environment designed for embedded applications, based upon the QT toolkit.
12 13
13Opie has been designed for devices with small screens, and a touchscreen input device (ie, only one mouse click, and no constant mouse position), as well as designed to fit in a relatively small amount of storage space (about 5 megabytes for the base libraries and the launcher). 14Opie has been designed for devices with small screens, and a touchscreen input device (ie, only one mouse click, and no constant mouse position), as well as designed to fit in a relatively small amount of storage space (about 5 megabytes for the base libraries and the launcher).
14\chapter{Installation} 15\chapter{Installation}
15\section{iPaq} 16\section{iPAQ}
16To install opie on an ipaq, you will need a fresh familiar installation (ie, install familiar, and stop before you do ipkg install task-complete or ipkg install task-x), go to http://familiar.handhelds.org to get the latest version, and to get installation instructions. 17To install opie on an iPAQ, you will need a fresh familiar installation (ie, install familiar, and stop before you do ipkg install task-complete or ipkg install task-x), go to http://familiar.handhelds.org to get the latest version, and to get installation instructions.
17 18
18Note: If you had qpe/qtopia installed previously, \emph{completely} remove it, and remove the src line for it from your /etc/ipkg.conf file before attempting to install opie. 19Note: If you had qpe/qtopia installed previously, \emph{completely} remove it, and remove the src line for it from your /etc/ipkg.conf file before attempting to install opie.
19 20
20Once you have familiar installed, set up a network connection between your ipaq and the ouside world (ppp, usbnet, or some network/modem card), and then run this command: 21Once you have familiar installed, set up a network connection between your iPAQ and the ouside world (ppp, usbnet, or some network/modem card), and then run this command:
21\begin{verbatim} 22\begin{verbatim}
22 echo src opie "http://131.152.105.154/feeds/ipaq/unstable/" \ 23 echo src opie "http://131.152.105.154/feeds/ipaq/unstable/" \
23 >> /etc/ipkg.conf 24 >> /etc/ipkg.conf
24\end{verbatim} 25\end{verbatim}
25then, run: 26then, run:
26\begin{verbatim} 27\begin{verbatim}
27 ipkg update && ipkg install task-opie 28 ipkg update && ipkg install task-opie
28\end{verbatim} 29\end{verbatim}
29If you have a 3100 or 3800 series iPaq: 30If you have a 3100 or 3800 series iPAQ:
30\begin{verbatim} 31\begin{verbatim}
31 ipkg install qt-embedded-rotation 32 ipkg install qt-embedded-rotation
32\end{verbatim} 33\end{verbatim}
33finally: 34finally:
34\begin{verbatim} 35\begin{verbatim}
35 /etc/init.d/opie start 36 /etc/init.d/opie start
36\end{verbatim} 37\end{verbatim}
37 38
38Opie should now be running (if you should have to reboot, which is rare, Opie will start automatically). From here, you can use either OpieOipkg (``Software'' in the settings tab of the launcher) or ipkg from the command line to install other opie apps. Check out the various task-opie-* ipkgs to install various sets of apps at once (you can always uninstall individual apps individually). You will probably want to install opie-embeddedkonsole first, so you have access to the command line in Opie. 39Opie should now be running (if you should have to reboot, which is rare, Opie will start automatically). From here, you can use either OpieOipkg (``Software'' in the settings tab of the launcher) or ipkg from the command line to install other opie apps. Check out the various task-opie-* ipkgs to install various sets of apps at once (you can always uninstall individual apps individually). You will probably want to install opie-embeddedkonsole first, so you have access to the command line in Opie.
39 40
40\section{Zaurus} 41\section{Zaurus}
41 42
42To install Opie completely on the Zaurus, you will have to install OpenZaurus, which includes Opie. However, individual Opie apps will work fine on the default Zaurus rom. Do not install Opie's launcher on a default Zaurus ROM though. 43To install Opie completely on the Zaurus, you will have to install OpenZaurus, which includes Opie. However, individual Opie apps will work fine on the default Zaurus rom. Do not install Opie's launcher on a default Zaurus ROM though.
43 44
44\chapter{Using Opie} 45\chapter{Using Opie}
45Now that Opie is installed and running, it's time to start using it. When you first start Opie, you will see the ``Launcher'' where you start all your applications from, and the ``Taskbar'' along the bottom, where you can see all the running applications, select an input method, and where all the ``Applets'' show up. 46Now that Opie is installed and running, it's time to start using it. When you first start Opie, you will see the ``Launcher'' where you start all your applications from, and the ``Taskbar'' along the bottom, where you can see all the running applications, select an input method, and where all the ``Applets'' show up.
46 47
47\section{Getting Around} 48\section{Getting Around}
48 49
49Getting around in Opie is very easy, you simply click your stylus on whatever icon or button you want to click on. The main difference between using the stylus and using a mouse is that you cannot right click with a stylus, so things that require a right click are kept to a minimum. However, it is necessary to right click sometimes, and this is implemented with a ``press and hold''. Any time you want to do something that you think would require a right click on a normal pc, try pressing the stylus down and holding it still for a few seconds. This usually opens up a context sensative menu, much like the right click usually does on a desktop interface. 50Getting around in Opie is very easy, you simply click your stylus on whatever icon or button you want to click on. The main difference between using the stylus and using a mouse is that you cannot right click with a stylus, so things that require a right click are kept to a minimum. However, it is necessary to right click sometimes, and this is implemented with a ``press and hold''. Any time you want to do something that you think would require a right click on a normal pc, try pressing the stylus down and holding it still for a few seconds. This usually opens up a context sensative menu, much like the right click usually does on a desktop interface.
50 51
51\section{Launcher} 52\section{Launcher}
52 53
53The launcher functions like the ``desktop'' on most PC GUIs. When no applications are running or visible, you will get to the launcher. You can also map a hardware key to bring the launcher to the top without closing any of the running applications (this is similar to ``minimising'' all the applications that are running). 54The launcher functions like the ``desktop'' on most PC GUIs. When no applications are running or visible, you will get to the launcher. You can also map a hardware key to bring the launcher to the top without closing any of the running applications (this is similar to ``minimising'' all the applications that are running).
@@ -91,49 +92,48 @@ The address tab lets you edit their buisness and home addresses (select which on
91 92
92The Details tab is used for miscelaneous things like the persons position, the name of their spouse, etc. 93The Details tab is used for miscelaneous things like the persons position, the name of their spouse, etc.
93 94
94When you are done, click ``Ok'' in the top right of the screen (you can always edit their profile later), click the ``x'' to cancel, and not add the contact. 95When you are done, click ``Ok'' in the top right of the screen (you can always edit their profile later), click the ``x'' to cancel, and not add the contact.
95 96
96\section{Editing Contacts} 97\section{Editing Contacts}
97 98
98To edit the contacts, select the person you want to edit, anc click the pencil icon, or go to ``Contact'' and then ``Edit'', and it will open up the same dialog used to add a user, except their information that is already entered will already be filled in. To finalise the changes, click ``ok'', or to cancel them, click ``x''. 99To edit the contacts, select the person you want to edit, anc click the pencil icon, or go to ``Contact'' and then ``Edit'', and it will open up the same dialog used to add a user, except their information that is already entered will already be filled in. To finalise the changes, click ``ok'', or to cancel them, click ``x''.
99 100
100\section{Deleting Contacts} 101\section{Deleting Contacts}
101 102
102To delete a contact, select the person from the list of contacts, and click the trash can icon, or go to Contact then Delete. A dialog will pop up asking if you want to actually delete that contact, click yes to delete them, no will cancel. 103To delete a contact, select the person from the list of contacts, and click the trash can icon, or go to Contact then Delete. A dialog will pop up asking if you want to actually delete that contact, click yes to delete them, no will cancel.
103 104
104\section{Editing Contacts} 105\section{Editing Contacts}
105 106
106To find a specific person, click the find icon (green magnifying glass), or go to Contact->Find. A dialog will pop up, and in the ``Find what'' input, enter the string you want to search for. You can also select if you want the search to be case sensative, or if you want it to search backwards from the currently selected user. The Category drop down menu lets you search only a specific category (``All'' to search all of them). When you click ``Find'', it will start search for the string in all the fields in all the contacts. When it finds a match, it will highlight the user in the main view. You can use this to search for (as an example) who a certain phone number belongs to, by entering the phone number in the ``find what'' field, and clicking ``Find''. 107To find a specific person, click the find icon (green magnifying glass), or go to Contact->Find. A dialog will pop up, and in the ``Find what'' input, enter the string you want to search for. You can also select if you want the search to be case sensative, or if you want it to search backwards from the currently selected user. The Category drop down menu lets you search only a specific category (``All'' to search all of them). When you click ``Find'', it will start search for the string in all the fields in all the contacts. When it finds a match, it will highlight the user in the main view. You can use this to search for (as an example) who a certain phone number belongs to, by entering the phone number in the ``find what'' field, and clicking ``Find''.
107 108
108 109
109\section{Viewing Contacts} 110\section{Viewing Contacts}
110 111
111To view only the contacts in a certain category, go to the View menu, and check the categories you want to view. 112To view only the contacts in a certain category, go to the View menu, and check the categories you want to view.
112 113
113The list of letters on the bottom of the window lets you look at only the contacts whos names begin with that letter. These work much like entering text on a mobile phone. For example, to view all the contacts whos name starts with ``B'', press the ``ABC'' group twice (since ``B'' is the second letter in that group). To go back to displaying all of the letters, click it two more times (pressing it four times brings you back to all the letters, so you pressed it 2 times to get to ``B'' and 2 more times to get back to all letters. 2+2=4). 114The list of letters on the bottom of the window lets you look at only the contacts whos names begin with that letter. These work much like entering text on a mobile phone. For example, to view all the contacts whos name starts with ``B'', press the ``ABC'' group twice (since ``B'' is the second letter in that group). To go back to displaying all of the letters, click it two more times (pressing it four times brings you back to all the letters, so you pressed it 2 times to get to ``B'' and 2 more times to get back to all letters. 2+2=4).
114 115
115
116\section{Personal Details} 116\section{Personal Details}
117 117
118Change your personal details by going to Contact then My Personal Details. This is used in today to display who the device belongs to, as well as other apps. 118Change your personal details by going to Contact then My Personal Details. This is used in today to display who the device belongs to, as well as other apps.
119 119
120\chapter{Calendar} 120\chapter{Calendar}
121The calendar is a way to keep track of all your appointments, birthdays, meetings, or any other even that you would put in a calendar. 121The calendar is a way to keep track of all your appointments, birthdays, meetings, or any other even that you would put in a calendar.
122 122
123\section{Navigation} 123\section{Navigation}
124 124
125Navigation in the calendar is simple. along the top are five different buttons that allow you to set the type of view, which correspond to the five items in the ``View'' menu. Each one (except for ``Today'') changes the amount of time shown on the screen. ``Day'' shows one day, ``Week'' one week, etc. Today is the same as Day, except that it automatically sets the view to the current day. 125Navigation in the calendar is simple. along the top are five different buttons that allow you to set the type of view, which correspond to the five items in the ``View'' menu. Each one (except for ``Today'') changes the amount of time shown on the screen. ``Day'' shows one day, ``Week'' one week, etc. Today is the same as Day, except that it automatically sets the view to the current day.
126 126
127\subsection{The Day view} 127\subsection{The Day view}
128 128
129The day view shows your day divided up into blocks representing each hour. At the top is the navigation bar, wher you will see a row of buttons, which represent the days of the current week, and on the left and right sides of the navigation bar are arrows, which allow you to move one day in that direction. If you are on the last day of the week, pressing the arrow will bring you into the first day of the next week (or vice-versa if you are going backwards). There is also a button that lists the current day, which you can press to select a day to view from a callendar dialog. 129The day view shows your day divided up into blocks representing each hour. At the top is the navigation bar, wher you will see a row of buttons, which represent the days of the current week, and on the left and right sides of the navigation bar are arrows, which allow you to move one day in that direction. If you are on the last day of the week, pressing the arrow will bring you into the first day of the next week (or vice-versa if you are going backwards). There is also a button that lists the current day, which you can press to select a day to view from a callendar dialog.
130 130
131In the main view, there is a collumn of buttons, each of which represents one hour. If you select one, any new appointments will automatically default to begining at that time and ending an hour later (which you can, of course, change when you create the appointment). 131In the main view, there is a collumn of buttons, each of which represents one hour. If you select one, any new appointments will automatically default to begining at that time and ending an hour later (which you can, of course, change when you create the appointment).
132 132
133Clicking on an appointment will open a menu that lets you edit, delete or beam the appointment. Beam will beam the appointment to any device supporting the Obex protocol (palm devices, cellphones, etc). libopieobex must be installed to use this feature. 133Clicking on an appointment will open a menu that lets you edit, delete or beam the appointment. Beam will beam the appointment to any device supporting the Obex protocol (palm devices, cellphones, etc). libopieobex must be installed to use this feature.
134 134
135\subsection{The Week view} 135\subsection{The Week view}
136 136
137The week view allows you to see your week divided up into collumns, representing each day of the week, and rows, representing each hour of the day. In the navigation bar at the top, there are two scroll boxes, the one on the left shows the current year, and the one to the right shows which week it is of thar year. To the right of both of those is a label which shows the date range for the currently selected week. 137The week view allows you to see your week divided up into collumns, representing each day of the week, and rows, representing each hour of the day. In the navigation bar at the top, there are two scroll boxes, the one on the left shows the current year, and the one to the right shows which week it is of thar year. To the right of both of those is a label which shows the date range for the currently selected week.
138 138
139In the main view, you see the week divided up into rows and collumns representing the days of the week, and hours of the day. In each cell, you will see a blue square which represents an appointment, which you can press to see details of the appointment. If you press anywhere in the free space, you will go to the day of the column that you clicked in. 139In the main view, you see the week divided up into rows and collumns representing the days of the week, and hours of the day. In each cell, you will see a blue square which represents an appointment, which you can press to see details of the appointment. If you press anywhere in the free space, you will go to the day of the column that you clicked in.
@@ -233,48 +233,48 @@ To change a file's name, first bring up the input method you want to use (unless
233To create a directory, first bring up the input method you want to use (if you are using one), and then click the new directory button (an image of a file folder with a ``+'' sign). A new folder will be created with the name ``New Folder'', and the folder name will be editable. Enter the name you want and then click another file to create the folder. 233To create a directory, first bring up the input method you want to use (if you are using one), and then click the new directory button (an image of a file folder with a ``+'' sign). A new folder will be created with the name ``New Folder'', and the folder name will be editable. Enter the name you want and then click another file to create the folder.
234 234
235\section{Viewing Files} 235\section{Viewing Files}
236 236
237To view a file, press and hold on a file, and the menu that comes up will contain two entries for vieing the file, the first depends on the filetype, but usually lets you open the file in a specific program. The second is ``view as text'' which will open the file up in TextEdit (regardless of whether or not it is actually a text file). 237To view a file, press and hold on a file, and the menu that comes up will contain two entries for vieing the file, the first depends on the filetype, but usually lets you open the file in a specific program. The second is ``view as text'' which will open the file up in TextEdit (regardless of whether or not it is actually a text file).
238 238
239\section{Adding to ``Documents''} 239\section{Adding to ``Documents''}
240\label{docadd} 240\label{docadd}
241To add a file to your ``Documents'', press and hold the file, and select ``Add to documents'' from the menu. This will add the file to the documents tab, which you can use to quickly open the file (simply click on the icon for the file in the Documents tab). Some programs also use the Documents list to aid in quickly opening files. 241To add a file to your ``Documents'', press and hold the file, and select ``Add to documents'' from the menu. This will add the file to the documents tab, which you can use to quickly open the file (simply click on the icon for the file in the Documents tab). Some programs also use the Documents list to aid in quickly opening files.
242 242
243 243
244\section{Sorting Files} 244\section{Sorting Files}
245 245
246To sort the files, use the ``Sort'' menu to select wich field you want to sort the files by (``by Name'', for instance, will sort the file alphabetically by name). If ``Ascending'' is checked, the files will be sorted in ascending order, if it is not, they will be sorted in descending order. 246To sort the files, use the ``Sort'' menu to select wich field you want to sort the files by (``by Name'', for instance, will sort the file alphabetically by name). If ``Ascending'' is checked, the files will be sorted in ascending order, if it is not, they will be sorted in descending order.
247 247
248\section{Viewing Options} 248\section{Viewing Options}
249 249
250The ``View'' menu lets you choose which files you view. If ``Hidden'' is checked, hidden files will be visible (in Linux, hidden files start with a ``.''). If ``Symlinks'' is checked, symbolic links (files or directories which are merely links to other files or directories) will be visible. 250The ``View'' menu lets you choose which files you view. If ``Hidden'' is checked, hidden files will be visible (in Linux, hidden files start with a ``.''). If ``Symlinks'' is checked, symbolic links (files or directories which are merely links to other files or directories) will be visible.
251 251
252\chapter{EmbeddedKonsole} 252\chapter{EmbeddedKonsole}
253EmbeddedKonsole is Opie's terminal emulator. From here you can do pretty much anything in (since Linux is actually a command line based OS by itself). I will not go into much detail on using the linux command line, as that is covered in many other places (http://www.tldp.org is a good place to start, or read O'Reilly's \underline{Running Linux} for a comprehensive look at Linux for the beginner). I will, however, give a quick overview of using a Linux shell. 253EmbeddedKonsole is Opie's terminal emulator. From here you can do pretty much anything in (since Linux is actually a command line based OS by itself). I will not go into much detail on using the linux command line, as that is covered in many other places (http://www.tldp.org is a good place to start, or read O'Reilly's \underline{Running Linux} for a comprehensive look at Linux for the beginner). I will, however, give a quick overview of using a Linux shell.
254 254
255\section{What is a shell} 255\section{What is a shell}
256 256
257A shell is a program that accepts input from a user, and runs commands. Each ``command'' in the shell is actually a separate program (unless you are using a shell like BusyBox, which makes some of the more common commands part of its own program in order to save space). Shells can actually be very powerful, and many of them allow you to write something called ``shell scripts'' which are just a sequence of commands, sometimes with some flow control statements. For the most part, the average user does not need to know about any of this, though. If you are running Opie on your iPaq, it is advisable to install the bash shell (ipkg install bash) because it offers things like tab completion, use of the backspace key, and a command history, as well as offering a more advanced scripting languauge than most other shells. 257A shell is a program that accepts input from a user, and runs commands. Each ``command'' in the shell is actually a separate program (unless you are using a shell like BusyBox, which makes some of the more common commands part of its own program in order to save space). Shells can actually be very powerful, and many of them allow you to write something called ``shell scripts'' which are just a sequence of commands, sometimes with some flow control statements. For the most part, the average user does not need to know about any of this, though. If you are running Opie on the Familiar distribution, it is advisable to install the bash shell (ipkg install bash) because it offers things like tab completion, use of the backspace key, and a command history, as well as offering a more advanced scripting languauge than most other shells.
258 258
259\section{Running Programs} 259\section{Running Programs}
260 260
261To run a program or a command (remember, a command is just a program), you simply type the name of the program and hit ``Return'' (in Linux, program names do not have a special suffix like they do in windows, in fact the ``.'' character has no special meaning unless it is at the begining of a filename). When you type a program name and hit ``Return'' the shell looks in a special list of directories called your ``path'', and if it cannot find it in any of those directories, it stops looking and tells you it could not find them. If you want to run a program that is not in your path, you must specify a absolute or relative path to that program. For instance, to run a program that is in the directory you are currently in, you would type \verb+./program+ (``./'' is a special directory that is explained below), or to run a program in /home/username/ you would call \verb+/home/username/program+. 261To run a program or a command (remember, a command is just a program), you simply type the name of the program and hit ``Return'' (in Linux, program names do not have a special suffix like they do in windows, in fact the ``.'' character has no special meaning unless it is at the begining of a filename). When you type a program name and hit ``Return'' the shell looks in a special list of directories called your ``path'', and if it cannot find it in any of those directories, it stops looking and tells you it could not find them. If you want to run a program that is not in your path, you must specify a absolute or relative path to that program. For instance, to run a program that is in the directory you are currently in, you would type \verb+./program+ (``./'' is a special directory that is explained below), or to run a program in /home/username/ you would call \verb+/home/username/program+.
262 262
263Most programs take ``arguments'' when run from the command line. An argument is a string that contains no spaces that changes how the program behaves (a text editor, for instance, might take a single argument, which would be the name of the file you wish to edit). Usually, you can use the arguments ``-h'' or ``--help'' to get a list of the common arguments that that program takes, along with a short usage description, and a short description of what each argument does. 263Most programs take ``arguments'' when run from the command line. An argument is a string that contains no spaces that changes how the program behaves (a text editor, for instance, might take a single argument, which would be the name of the file you wish to edit). Usually, you can use the arguments ``-h'' or ``--help'' to get a list of the common arguments that that program takes, along with a short usage description, and a short description of what each argument does.
264 264
265\section{Basic Navigation} 265\section{Basic Navigation}
266 266
267The command that you will use most often in the shell is probably the ``cd'' command, which stands for ``change directory.'' With this command, you can move around in the file system, by issuing the command like this: \verb+cd [new directory]+, where \verb+[new directory]+ is the directory you want to move to. This directory name does not have to include the entire directory structure, but can be ``relative'' which means it assumes you are talking about directories relative to the directory you are in. For example, if you are in a directory called /home/username and you want to move to the directory /home/username/other/dir you could simply type \verb+cd other/dir+ and you would end up in /home/username/other/dir. You can also specify a full, or ``absolute'' path, by specifying the entire path name starting with / ( / is a special directory called the ``root'' directory, and does not have a ``parent'', which means that it is not in any other directory). There are also two special directories called ``./'' and ``../''. The ``./'' directory is the current directory you are in, and you will probably never use this in conjunction with the cd command (why would you want to move to the directory you are already in?). The ``../'' directory represents the parent directory of the directory you are currently in, so if you are in /home/username, ../ is the same as /home. You can string several ../'s together, so if you are in /home/username/dir/ ../../ represents /home. There is one other special directory, called ``$\sim$/'' that points to your home directory (usually /home/username or /root for the root user). 267The command that you will use most often in the shell is probably the ``cd'' command, which stands for ``change directory.'' With this command, you can move around in the file system, by issuing the command like this: \verb+cd [new directory]+, where \verb+[new directory]+ is the directory you want to move to. This directory name does not have to include the entire directory structure, but can be ``relative'' which means it assumes you are talking about directories relative to the directory you are in. For example, if you are in a directory called /home/username and you want to move to the directory /home/username/other/dir you could simply type \verb+cd other/dir+ and you would end up in /home/username/other/dir. You can also specify a full, or ``absolute'' path, by specifying the entire path name starting with / ( / is a special directory called the ``root'' directory, and does not have a ``parent'', which means that it is not in any other directory). There are also two special directories called ``./'' and ``../''. The ``./'' directory is the current directory you are in, and you will probably never use this in conjunction with the cd command (why would you want to move to the directory you are already in?). The ``../'' directory represents the parent directory of the directory you are currently in, so if you are in /home/username, ../ is the same as /home. You can string several ../'s together, so if you are in /home/username/dir/ ../../ represents /home. There is one other special directory, called ``$\sim$/'' that points to your home directory (usually /home/username or /root for the root user).
268 268
269\section{Moving Files} 269\section{Moving Files}
270 270
271To move files around, you need to use the ``cp'' (copy) and ``mv'' (move) commands. Both of these are run the same way: \verb+command originalfile newfile+. The only difference is that cp creates a new file without touching the old one, while mv deletes the original file. The two path names can be either absolute or relative. If you only specify a directory for the destination, and no filename, it will use the filename for the original file. 271To move files around, you need to use the ``cp'' (copy) and ``mv'' (move) commands. Both of these are run the same way: \verb+command originalfile newfile+. The only difference is that cp creates a new file without touching the old one, while mv deletes the original file. The two path names can be either absolute or relative. If you only specify a directory for the destination, and no filename, it will use the filename for the original file.
272 272
273\section{Deleting Files} 273\section{Deleting Files}
274 274
275To delete a file, run the ``rm'' command, and to delete a directory, run the ``rmdir'' command, each of them take the file to be removed as their only argument. 275To delete a file, run the ``rm'' command, and to delete a directory, run the ``rmdir'' command, each of them take the file to be removed as their only argument.
276 276
277\section{Linking Files} 277\section{Linking Files}
278 278
279In Linux, you can have a special file called a ``symbolic link'' that acts just like a copy of another file, except it takes up less space. This is convinient if two applications are looking for the same file in two separate places, because the file can be in both places at once, without taking up any extra space, and any change to one is automatically applied to the other (really, there is no other, one of them is just a file pointing to the other one). This is also usefull for naming applications independant of their version number. For instance, you could have a link called ``application'' that points to ``application1.0''. To create a link, use the following command: \verb+ln -s originalfile link+. 279In Linux, you can have a special file called a ``symbolic link'' that acts just like a copy of another file, except it takes up less space. This is convinient if two applications are looking for the same file in two separate places, because the file can be in both places at once, without taking up any extra space, and any change to one is automatically applied to the other (really, there is no other, one of them is just a file pointing to the other one). This is also usefull for naming applications independant of their version number. For instance, you could have a link called ``application'' that points to ``application1.0''. To create a link, use the following command: \verb+ln -s originalfile link+.
280\end{document} \ No newline at end of file 280\end{document} \ No newline at end of file