Notes to Myself as I Learn Linux

[Satoru-san]

I use a notebook! Not the computer kind, the kind where you used an pen (with ink in it) and write with your hand!

It's not the best way to have super organized notes, but you'll always have it if your computer isn't working properly.

Now I'll probably be made fun of for this...

I have been using linux for since 2001 and I still find myself writing things that I dont know down on a piece of paper that I store under my keyboard, the only problem is that I can never find a pen >_<

Writing on paper is fast, efficent, and is EXTREMLY handy.

I do agree that it is nice to be able to show your notes to others if you type them/ blog them, but nothing is easier and more effective then a simple piece of paper that you store under your keyboard with stuff that you are trying to remember..

Once you have it memorized you can file the sheet and get a new sheet

cheers.

[jamesisin]

This thread reminds me of another question... is there a way to "export" a thread to save locally on my computer in it's original format (or any other format)?

Most browsers allow you to save a Web page as an archive (.mht). Though for multiple pages of a single thread you'd have to save each page.

[SoFl W]

1) Tomboy notes
2) Mind mapping software (Freemind) Freemind is available in the package manager along with others)
3) FireFox has a notes plugin.
4) a pad of paper.

[kgarbutt]

I too use the pad & pen method, It is highly effective. When I was first learning linux, I issued a command from the terminal that pretty much wiped out my hard-drive. Since I keep my linux notes in a pad, I was able to recover pretty quickly.

[shawnboy]

I'm surprised at how many of you use paper for this. Sometimes the simplest solutions are the best. In my case, however, I have an aversion to writing. I don't know why. It's partly because my hand cramps easily when writing, partly because I'm a little obsessive about making perfectly-shaped letters, and partly because after a few pages I'd have to rummage around to find things instead of electronically searching based on keywords.

I'm not putting down the method; I'm just saying I'll probably gravitate toward something computer-generated. I do like the availability of paper notes in case of system problems, so my solution to that would be to generate the notes on the PC (usually will involve copying and pasting already-typed material), enter into web format, Tomboy notes, or whatever, then print them out and file them in a physical notebook... best of both worlds... searchable on the computer, able to be shared on the web, and available independent of my computer (all in perfectly-formed letters). I know, I know... I have some quirks.

I think I'll play around with Tomboy notes and look for a tutorial on it to see if I'm missing something there (it just seems so ... unorganized... like a stack of sticky notes lying around everywhere). I may end up entering each note into Tomboy until I have time to pretty it up for web format, then put it in a basic and clean web layout, and somewhere along the way hit the print button.

[john newbuntu]

A cheatsheet for stuff that you will be required to do when you do not have an internet connection.
Links on your favourite browser for the rest should do it. Put the links on your blog or website or social networking site. Cos' there's tons of stuff out there on forums that will help you more than what you can find in handbooks.

[awlinux]

Zim is nice and easy.

Also could use wiki on a stick can be save locally, on thumb drive or to web space. I have started using this for work stuff as can be edited using any browser.

http://stickwiki.sourceforge.net/

[NFblaze]

This thread reminds me of another question... is there a way to "export" a thread to save locally on my computer in it's original format (or any other format)?

Yea, there's mht like someone earlier stated. I've only seen it supported in IE browsers tho, and theres MAFF which is a Mozilla firefox add-on, which can be opened by any Firefox client with the addon.

[jamesisin]

there's mht like someone earlier stated. I've only seen it supported in IE browsers tho

Opera will both save and render .mht files. Firefox will support both with an extension (there are at least two). Other browser support is sketchy (Safari dropped it in 2008). It's a proposed standard:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/.mht

[redhorse]

I've been doing this for quite some time using KeepNote (http://rasm.ods.org/keepnote/). Not only is it useful for notes to myself, but it is also a great program for storing tips and tricks from web pages and forum messages so that I have everything in one neat and tidy package.