UNIX

Although the GNU/Linux kernel was written from scratch, it relies heavily on the UNIX tradition of computing (like any other serious operating system).
Learning about UNIX will therefore will help you a lot with understanding how things work in GNU/Linux. Most renowned entry-level books are:

• 'Unix for the Impatient' by Abrahams/Larson (Addison-Wesley)
• 'Unix Power Tools' by Peek/O'Reilly/Loukides (O'Reilly)

• The Unix Introductory Course
• The FAQ of the newsgroup comp.unix.questions
• UNIXhelp provides "helpful information for users of the UNIX operating system".
• The UNIX System - History and Timeline gives a short introduction into the long history of UNIX operating systems.
• Unix History contains much useful information and links but it is most recognized for its reallyhuge graphical timeline of the history of Unix systems.

For more links concerning UNIX, check out Geek-Girl's UNIX Reference Desk.

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Humor

Let's face it: there are times when GNU/Linux does its best to annoy the hell out of you (believe me, I know how you feel ...). Good to have some funny links at hand then:

• The Brunching Shuttlecocks. My personal favorite. I mean, where else on the 'Net can you read ratings of Israeli snack food? This site features a very British, Pythonesque (as in Monty) sort of humor. If you are in that sort of thing, don't miss it!

• Humorix.Lots of funny GNU/Linux stuff! And your typical Slashdot-pun, of course (although more devoted to the original than 'Segfault').

• Laugh along with GNU. Another addictive archive, covering a wide range of topics from religion over computing (of course) to the Free Software Song sung by R.M. Stallman!

• LinuxSucks. We all know it, this Linux thing is just a conspiracy to increase suicide rates all over the world ... ;-)

• BBspot is a geek humor news site, complete with horoscopes and a Slashdot story generator.

• Something Awful. A wealth of articles, cartoons and more, ranging from funny to downright cynical. Some excellent stuff!

• The Unix Haters Handbook. Although the book is out of print since '97, this web page will provide you with "some information that will help you hate Unix." Featuring among others an article Why you should not use Unix by some Stallard Richman... You should definitely read the chapter about 'X-Windows'! ;-)

• Userfriendly. Geek humor de luxe. Every day a new strip about what happens at a small Internet provider. You won't believe it until you've seen it... All cartoons are available online - highly addictive.

• What do killer kittens, an alien working as a secretary and Lord Horribus from the Dimension of Pain have in common? They all make their appearance inSluggy Freelance. Start from the beginning - really ...

• Sinfest. Another webstrip? No, not by any means. You possibly shouldn't visit this if you are easily offended. Tatsuya Ishida has drawn some of the most funny, hysterical, sad, philosophical, nonsensical, irreverent strips I've ever seen.

• Speaking of comic strips, here's the obligatory link tothe Dilbert archive. If you've ever worked in the IT sector, however, you'll find some strips just to be too true to be funny ...

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