Important Information Resource Links
Appendix C, Online Version
The Web is so crowded with Java and Linux resources that any list is destined to be woefully incomplete. This is my own "favorite hits" page - a list of resources I rely on for help during development work.
The Linux Online Home Page (http://www.linux.org) is a popular first-line resource for Linux support. The site includes an excellent collection of How-To and Mini-How-To documents with advice on hundreds of Linux configuration and administration issues.
Metalab, at the University of North Carolina, formerly known as SunSITE, is home to huge Linux software repositories. The home page is http://metalab.unc.edu and includes a search service for Linux software. Metalab's FTP repository, at ftp://metalab.unc.edu/pub/Linux, offers access to extensive collections of Linux software and distributions.
RPMFind (http://rpmfind.net/linux/RPM/) offers a large index of RPMs published for Red Hat, SuSE, Caldera, and other RPM-enabled Linux platforms.
FirstLinux (http://www.firstlinux.com) publishes the Linux Guide, a Linux-focused online dictionary and documentation repository.
The Linux Software Encyclopedia (http://stommel.tamu.edu/~baum/linuxlist/linuxlist/) provides a huge list of descriptions and pointers to projects throughout the Linux world.
Linux.com (http://www.linux.com), sponsored by VA Linux Systems, focuses on current events in the Linux community and hosts a repository of support articles.
Linux Links (http://www.linuxlinks.com) is a well-organized repository of links to all matters Linux.
The Linux Center (http://www.portalux.com/) provides extensive, well-organized collections of links to articles about Linux tools.
FreshMeat (http://www.freshmeat.net) is a large application repository focused on open source software (OSS). The FreshMeat home page is probably the Web’s most important announcement site for new OSS releases.
Cygnus Solutions (http://www.cygnus.com) is the publisher of the GNU compiler suite and the site of some of the best available online documentation for gcc and related tools.
And, of course, the distribution vendors discussed in Chapter 8, "Installing Additional Linux Software," all provide product support and knowledge bases on their own Web sites.
The Blackdown site (http://www.blackdown.org) is the home of the Blackdown JDK port for Linux. In addition to information about the port, the site contains extensive links to sites of interest for Java/Linux developers.
Sun's main Java site (http://java.sun.com) is the source for all distributions from Sun, including many Java-only packages that are usable on Linux. The site also boasts a wealth of documentation and some excellent tutorials on all areas of Java development.
Sun's Java Developer Connection (http://developer.java.sun.com) focuses on Sun development tools and on the development of Java itself. Using the site requires you to become a member (no charge) and includes access to the Java Bug Parade, described in more detail in the next section.
Netscape's DevEdge Online (http://devedge.netscape.com/) supports all aspects of Netscape Navigator technology. This includes Java, JavaScript, HTML, and other technologies important to the Web. Technologies of particular interest are the Open Java Interface (discussed in Chapter 11, "Choosing an Environment: 1.1 or 1.2?" in the section "Option 2: Netscape Open Java Interface"), the Plug-in SDK (if you need to develop Netscape plug-ins), and tools for signing objects (to create trusted applets).
The Microsoft Developers Network (http://msdn.microsoft.com) is the launch point for information about Microsoft technologies. Technologies of particular interest include Java/ActiveX integration (discussed in Chapter 51, "Crossing Platform Component Models: Bringing Java to ActiveX") and tools for signing objects (to create trusted applets and ActiveX controls).
IBM's AlphaWorks Site (http://alphaworks.ibm.com) hosts some of the most interesting Java development activity on the planet. IBM provides early access here to many of its leading-edge Java development efforts. Even if you cannot use any of IBM's technologies, this site provides insight into some truly exciting Java work.
JavaLobby (http://www.javalobby.org/) devotes itself to representing the interests of Java software developers. The site provides current Java news unslanted by Sun or its competitors and many links to Java technologies and information.
Behind its explosive growth, Java is still a young technology. One of the best inside views of the state of the art is the Java Bug Parade, which is part of Sun's Developer Connection site. After you have become a member (http://developer.java.sun.com/), you can access the Bug Parade at http://developer.java.sun.com/developer/bugParade. When you encounter a bug in the Blackdown Linux port, this is the first place to look for known problems.
The main Bug Parade page is a query form: specify a category and some keywords to search for bugs. The information on a particular bug report includes details about the bugs and an opportunity for user input. You can add information, read input from other users, and even vote on bugs. Sun uses the information to create prioritized lists of defects and enhancement requests.
Sun's record of responsiveness to the Bug Parade is mixed; some high-priority defects have been known to hang around for a long time. But it's also a remarkable phenomenon. Few commercial products dare put their defect reports on public display for public discussion. It's an example worth noting.
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