Is this site for me?

Hello, I am new here and my name is Robert. I was actually looking for a forums website where I can go with questions regarding Linux and embedded Linux applications. I am fairly new (6 months) to the world of Linux and embedded Linux applications and the the learning curve is steep. When I am not busy crying from the pain of banging my elbows against every sharp edge in the kernel I actually have found that I enjoy the Linux environment. That being said, Linux seems fraught with danger and I find myself needing help very often. I was hoping for a quick rundown of unix.com, could it be a good resource for me?

Hi Circuits...
(Apologies for any typos.)

Welcome to UNIX.COM.

Well Linux is catered for inside the OS section of the forums but judging by your post you are into, using an AMIGA term, 'banging the metal', much like myself.
This site is a *NIX related site and is primarily to help people with *NIX related problems, usually programming problems.
Having said that many here are electronics minded and can help solve HW, SW and other problems related to *NIX OSes.

Read the rules first and when asking questions be as accurate as you can and stick to said rules:

there are some remarkably bright guys and gals on here and have a deep understanding of the *NIX environment.

If it is more HW related then these forums might be of interest:

If you don't get an answer to your post then it could be that no one has an answer, not that we are ignoring you.

Enjoy you stay and never post with the word 'urgent' or any synonym of it in the title. It could well be ignored and locked.

Bazza...

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Just a few questions. I have heard the term "hacker" in many different contexts in my lifetime. I suppose here it is referring to Linux kernel development?

(12) These are not hacker boards so hacker related posts will be promptly deleted or moderated.

Also, what are bits?

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I know the word used to mean better things, but the war for that term is pretty much lost. Hacking now means blatantly, unapologetically criminal computer activities.

So, linux kernel is fine.

Bits are a measure of a poster's activity here, more or less. Positive things like useful posts earn bits which you can spend by posting in the emergency forum.

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This means please do not ask questions like how to circumvent legal licensing or how to break into a system that you don't have legitimate administrative access to.

Yes, you have come to the right place for discussions on Unix/Linux. The expertise available in this community is awesome.

As already said, ensure you describe your problem accurately. Always post the distribution and version that you are using and, if there is an error message, cut and paste the whole thing in your post. If you are running code that you have written then post that entirely too (within code tags so that we can all appreciate that it is code).

Accurate questions generate accurate answers.

Welcome to the forums.

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Okay, thanks for the help guys. Off to the shell scripting forums for me!

Yeah, that's for you man!
It is official website of unix, linux and you can find all the solution and tips for any problem.

I agree with the earlier post that mentioned that the term "hacker" as a positive term for software engineering, is long dead. Hacking is unprofessional, often malicious and unlawful activities (as far as software and IT goes). Maybe two decades ago, hacking was often a positive term, but there are way way too many professional, expert, amazing good software engineers in 2018 and to glorify the term "hacking" is to debase all the great, highly talented and skillful IT professionals in the world.

That's my view, whatever it's worth.

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IMO not entirely true, AudioScope Project. is probably one of the biggest hacks you have on here... ;oD
It bends a few bash scripting rules... <wink>

But yes, 'tis true hack(ing)(er) is now generally a derogatory term and anyone asking for help to access systems without the required permissions is asking for trouble on here and certainly would not get any help. The same as people asking for reverse-engineering advice to gain access to systems will get the same cold shoulder.

Bazza...

You're the first user in a forum I ever met, who really read the Forum rules! :b:

Why are you calling it "hacking"?

Are you engaging in criminal activity?

That is what the word means.

That's what it's meant for 30 years.

Yes... it also has been clear at the unix.com forums for 20 of those 30 years.

We do not support "hacking" which means "illegal activity of any kind including software piracy, breaking into systems without authorization, yadda yadda yadda...)\

Doing "creative legal things" is not "hacking"... hacking is illegal or unethical related activity; and has been that way for unix.com in our rules since 2000.

Well the confusion is most likely my fault. I have encountered the term hacking in various documentation inside the Linux kernel; usually in reference to altering drivers or kernel code. So I believe I was the only one who was genuinely confused; like I said, I am new to Linux.

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The fight over the term has been long and bitter. Some places have attempted to revive its positive use. But if you ask an average person what 'hacking' means, you know what they will say.

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