The Linux documentation is critical to the use of Linux and most of the documents mentioned here should be included in recent versions of Linux, from any source I know of.
If you want to get the documentation on the Internet, here are some example sites. These should be mirrored at most of the major FTP sites in the world.
A simple and effective explanation of what Linux is. This is one of the things that you should hand over when you want to explain why you want Linux and what it is good for.
The Linux Info Sheet is available on the World Wide Web from http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/HOWTO/INFO-SHEET.html and other mirrors.
A list of other information resources, much more complete than this one. The meta FAQ is available on the World Wide Web from http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/HOWTO/META-FAQ.html and other mirrors
The list of software available for Linux on the Internet. Many of the packages listed here were found through this. The LSM is available in a searchable form from http://www.boutell.com/lsm/. It is also available in a single text file in all of the FTP sites mentioned in section Linux Documentation.
The HOWTO documents are the main documentation of Linux. This Access HOWTO is an example of one.
The home site for the Linux Documentation Project which produces this information is http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/linux.html. There are also many companies producing these in book form. Contact a local Linux supplier for more details.
The Linux HOWTO documents will be in the directory HOWTO in all
of the FTP sites mentioned in section
Linux Documentation.
A list of `Frequently Asked Questions' with answers which should solve many common questions. The FAQ list is available from http://www.cl.cam.ac.uk/users/iwj10/linux-faq/ as well as all of the FTP sites mentioned in section Linux Documentation.
There are two lists that I know of covering these issues specifically for Linux. There are also others which it is worth researching which cover computer use more generally. Incidentally, if a mail is sent to these lists I will read it eventually and include any important information in the Access-HOWTO, so you don't need to send me a separate copy unless it's urgent in some way.
This is a general list covering Linux access issues. It is designed `to service the needs of users and developers of the Linux OS and software who are either disabled or want to help make Linux more accessible'. To subscribe send email to <majordomo@ssv1.union.utah.edu> and in the BODY (not the subject) of the email message put:
subscribe linux-access <your-email-address>
This is a mailing list covering Linux use for blind users. There
is also a list of important and useful software being gathered in the
list's archive. To subscribe send mail to
<blinux-list-request@redhat.com> with the subject:
help. This list is now moderated.
The World Wide Web is, by it's nature, very rapidly changing. If you are reading this document in an old version then some of these are likely to be out of date. The original version that I maintain on the WWW shouldn't go more than a month or two out of date, so refer to that please.
Linux Documentation is available from http://sunsite.unc.edu/mdw/linux.html
Linux Access On the Web http://www.tardis.ed.ac.uk/~mikedlr/access/ with all of the versions of the HOWTO in http://www.tardis.ed.ac.uk/~mikedlr/access/HOWTO/. Preferably, however, download from one of the main Linux FTP sites. If I get a vast amount of traffic I'll have to close down these pages and move them elsewhere.
The BLINUX Documentation and Development Project http://leb.net/blinux/. "The purpose of The BLINUX Documentation and Development Project is to serve as a catalyst which will both spur and speed the development of software and documentation which will enable the blind user to run his or her own Linux workstation."
Emacspeak WWW page http://cs.cornell.edu/home/raman/emacspeak/emacspeak.html
BRLTTY unofficial WWW page http://www.sf.co.kr/t.linux/new/brltty.html
Yahoo (one of the most major Internet catalogues) http://www.yahoo.com/Society_and_Culture/Disabilities/Adaptive_Technology/
The Linux Lab Project http://www.fu-berlin.de/~clausi/.
The BLYNX pages: Lynx Support Files Tailored For Blind and Visually Handicapped Users http://leb.net/blinux/blynx/.
This is a UK supplier for the Braillex.
Alphavision Limited
I think that they are a manufacturer? RNIB only lists them as a supplier, but others say they make the Braillex.
Alphavision Ltd Seymour House Copyground Lane High Wycombe Bucks HP12 3HE England U.K.
+44 1494-530 555
The Braille Lite was supported in the original version of
BRLTTY. That support has now been discontinued. If you have one
and want to use it with Linux then that may be possible by using this
version of the software.
Blazie Engineering 105 East Jarrettsville Rd. Forest Hill, MD 21050 U.S.A.
+1 (410) 893-9333
+1 (410) 836-5040
+1 (410) 893-8944
Digital Equipment Corporation P.O. Box CS2008 Nashua NH 03061-2008 U.S.A
+1 800-722-9332
+1 800-722-9332
+1 603-884-5597
KTS Stolper GmbH Herzenhaldenweg 10 73095 Albershausen Germany
+49 7161 37023
+49 7161 32632