Unix for the Beginning Mage

If you want to learn the OS X command line, but find the available books intimidating, bristle at the thought you should read anything for "dummies," or just worry that you may by eaten by a grue while plumbing the depths of /dev/random, Unix for the Beginning Mage may be just what you're looking for. The book, available as a free PDF download, takes a humorous approach to learning some basic features of the unix shell and environment. The premise is that you are a mage in some D&D inspired world learning to cast "spells" from the command line. The better your spellcasting becomes, the farther you advance through the "Tower of Nix." Best of all, the example commands are all executed in the OS X Terminal.app, although it's basic enough the examples should work without too much effort on other unices as well. So if you've been avoiding the command line, you're officially out of excuses; drop by and read this very, very gentle introduction to Unix the Unix Mages have put together.

Just keep a Scroll of Kill -9 ready and watch out for that grue.

[thanks Scott!]

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Source: http://unixmages.com/

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Humor UNIX / BSD Terminal Tips

If you want to learn the OS X command line, but find the available books intimidating, bristle at the thought you should read anything for...

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Alan

Hahahaha... GREAT Zork reference!

October 17 2005 at 12:12 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

MacOtto

I did download it and tried it out. (Read the whole thing and did all the lessons.) It is a fun and easy way to learn unix. I would like it to go further, it only covers the basics. But all in all it is a nice walkthroug for a mac newbie like me :) (Any other links like this is appreciated)

October 17 2005 at 10:30 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Kris

Yup, that's the one. Baen compiled the series into two books - The Wiz Biz and The Wiz Biz 2. http://www.baen.com/author_catalog.asp?author=rcook Incidently, nice work on the unix book, Joe! I've only skimmed the PDF at this point, but I'll definitely be picking up a hardcopy.

October 17 2005 at 8:14 AM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Joe

I believe this is what you're referring to: http://www.baen.com/library/0671878468/0671878468___0.htm I forget where I saw that link, but it was after I wrote the book. Been meaning to read it since to get some new ideas!

October 16 2005 at 10:48 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

Kris

Not mac related, but there are a couple books by Rick Cook in the Wiz Biz series about a programmer that revolutionizes a magic world by reorganizing magic spells into easy to use scripts and programs. Its pretty nerdy, but its a fun read.

October 16 2005 at 8:24 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply

-Alex-

I downloaded it, did the first lesson, and i'm very excited, I've always wanted to learn unix, and this is perfect!

October 16 2005 at 7:35 PM Report abuse Permalink rate up rate down Reply