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#1 2005-04-30 22:26:23

kcy29581
Member
From: CA
Registered: 2004-12-23
Posts: 231

encyclopaedia for linux?

Hi all,

Is there a good encyclopaedia for linux? I'm going to try and introduce people (girlfriend's parents, my family members, etc) to Linux, but I don't know of any encyclopaedia's for Linux. Most of them (and me funnily enough but I've never thought of it till now!) use encyclopaedia's for homework, quizes etc. Any suggestions?

Disclaimer for potential "clever boys/gals": Yes, I know I/they can use the internet but try and assume that's not an option. Not everyone has the internet you know!


There is no spoon in Arch...

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#2 2005-04-30 22:37:33

Gullible Jones
Member
Registered: 2004-12-29
Posts: 4,863

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

Ultra-low density storage still has its uses, particularly in cases when software is lacking...

(Yes, I'm talking about paper.)

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#3 2005-04-30 22:38:55

kcy29581
Member
From: CA
Registered: 2004-12-23
Posts: 231

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

So I should take that as a big fat no?  lol


There is no spoon in Arch...

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#4 2005-04-30 23:31:11

xerxes2
Member
From: Malmoe, Sweden
Registered: 2004-04-23
Posts: 1,249
Website

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

go to amazon.com and search for linux,
they got everything from n00b stuff to kernel development,


arch + gentoo + initng + python = enlisy

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#5 2005-05-01 00:00:59

kcy29581
Member
From: CA
Registered: 2004-12-23
Posts: 231

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

Thanks xerxes but maybe I didn't make myself clear: I'm looking for alternatives to encyclopaedias such as Encarta or Britannica.


There is no spoon in Arch...

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#6 2005-05-01 00:47:13

iphitus
Forum Fellow
From: Melbourne, Australia
Registered: 2004-10-09
Posts: 4,927

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

www.wikipedia.org

its got more entries in it than encarta or britannica and is constantly growing.

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#7 2005-05-01 00:49:44

kcy29581
Member
From: CA
Registered: 2004-12-23
Posts: 231

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

like I said in the first post, I'm not interested in internet-based knowledge...


There is no spoon in Arch...

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#8 2005-05-01 00:55:58

phrakture
Arch Overlord
From: behind you
Registered: 2003-10-29
Posts: 7,879
Website

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

ah, I get it - he's looking for an installable encyclopedia to use locally - hmmm I don't know any... with the advent of the internet, that type of software kina lost it's use... maybe locally mirror wikipedia?

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#9 2005-05-01 01:03:18

kcy29581
Member
From: CA
Registered: 2004-12-23
Posts: 231

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

yeah I thought of something like that. The biggest reason I'm interested in an installable version are my gilrfriend's parents. They always join quizes and they have a ton of obscure encyclopaedias on almost everything.

I was initially going to try them through wine, but I wondered if there was a linux-native encycloaedia, either open-source or not. Just a thought.


There is no spoon in Arch...

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#10 2005-05-01 12:25:44

i3839
Member
Registered: 2004-02-04
Posts: 1,185

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

Eh, perhaps I'm way off (and also blatantly ignoring your request), but why not just buying an internet connection for them? It isn't that expensive anymore (at least here), and it's awfully useful now and then.

Anyway, getting wikipedia seems the best. Very useful link with info about how to do it:

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Download

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#11 2005-05-01 14:29:40

kcy29581
Member
From: CA
Registered: 2004-12-23
Posts: 231

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

The main thing is not just the internet, it's also showing that Linux can work for them, for their specific needs. I've had a few successes with Wine in the past and impressed a few non-believers  8)  but they asked about native encyclopaedias.

I know I can make them comfortable with Wine and their existing stuff if they choose to use it over the internet (whether they have it at home or not), but they asked me if I know of any commercial encyclopaedias. I think the y're trying to see how support is with Linux right now.

Anyways, I've actually emailed Britannica just yesterday and when I get my answer I'll post it here for all to see.

Thanks for all the suggestions guys! I think if I encounter any problems with a pc without internet, I'll try the Wikipedia downloading trick.


There is no spoon in Arch...

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#12 2005-05-01 15:36:26

Kern
Member
From: UK
Registered: 2005-02-09
Posts: 464

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

is this what you're after ?
"Linux Compendium: Linux Encyclopeadia & 6 CD Set Limux Pro: 6 CD-Roms"    [sic]
Amazon Link

way out of date tho. Linux maybe too fast changing for true Encyclopaedia format.

also click John Purcell link above the content. similar sorts of books

Maybe try looking for Linux "Reference" rather than "Encyclopaedia". Quite a few have CD's included  which can be searched from an index, or handbook/manual/guide format if you would like them to have a working knowledge and guide for moving across to Linux.

Book and LiveCD.

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#13 2005-05-01 21:57:00

Michel
Member
From: Belgium
Registered: 2004-07-31
Posts: 286

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

Heya,

http://tldp.org/ allows you to donwload the documentation if that can help you.

Maybe others allow it too, ofcourse you could always mirror the site if possible.

Michel

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#14 2005-05-01 22:31:42

xerxes2
Member
From: Malmoe, Sweden
Registered: 2004-04-23
Posts: 1,249
Website

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

hmmm, I think this guy is looking for a regular encyclopedia not just a linux one,


arch + gentoo + initng + python = enlisy

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#15 2005-05-01 22:34:58

phrakture
Arch Overlord
From: behind you
Registered: 2003-10-29
Posts: 7,879
Website

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

ok, everyone's missing the point: he's not looking for an encyclopedia about linux - he's looking for a comprehensive encyclopedia that is locally installable on linux - he doesn't want to lookup the history of samba, but would like to lookup the history of Zorastrianism...

i.e. Encarta

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#16 2005-05-01 22:39:40

xerxes2
Member
From: Malmoe, Sweden
Registered: 2004-04-23
Posts: 1,249
Website

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

why doesn't someone write one in xhtml or something, I'm to lazy but maybe some company could do it,


arch + gentoo + initng + python = enlisy

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#17 2005-05-02 00:17:07

Gullible Jones
Member
Registered: 2004-12-29
Posts: 4,863

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

Wine + Encarta?

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#18 2005-05-02 00:17:23

kcy29581
Member
From: CA
Registered: 2004-12-23
Posts: 231

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

wow... everyone DID miss the point!  lol

Sorry all, didn't mean to confuse you! Didn't realise that I could with the word encyclopaedia.

Well thanks phrak for explaining it!  big_smile  I'm basiacally looking for equivalents in linux of Encarta, Britannica, Grolier, any other encyclopaedia available in windows and mac. Even if there is a commercial one (for example if Microsoft made a linux version of Encarta...) I'd get them to buy it if needed, price is not an obstacle, just the software availability.

Again sorry for the confusion!


There is no spoon in Arch...

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#19 2005-05-02 00:18:59

kcy29581
Member
From: CA
Registered: 2004-12-23
Posts: 231

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

I tried that Jones, didn't work. Although I think Encarta 95 works like that...

I tried version 2005 which if I'm reight relies wayyyy too much on IE and other Windows stuff... That must be the problem.

Haven't tried any other encyclopaedias though... none available here.


There is no spoon in Arch...

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#20 2005-05-02 00:33:14

Kern
Member
From: UK
Registered: 2005-02-09
Posts: 464

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

ok, everyone's missing the point: he's not looking for an encyclopedia about linux - he's looking for a comprehensive encyclopedia that is locally installable on linux

duuuuuuuuuh
ok slap meh - im dumb smile

sorry ! im a tech head, its not my fault really ..... looked like an "about linux" on the "convert the family " front

sorry dude !
thx Phrak. at least someones awake , wish it was meeeh


:?

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#21 2005-05-03 17:59:53

markw
Member
From: US
Registered: 2005-03-17
Posts: 14
Website

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

I have thought about this before. Brittanica is mostly html (I think) if someone could make a Linux reader for the information, you could just buy the CDs to get the data. Just a thought.


"power corrupts, and absolute power corrupts absolutely" -Lord Acton

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#22 2005-05-03 18:22:23

Moo-Crumpus
Member
From: Hessen / Germany
Registered: 2003-12-01
Posts: 1,487

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

I think a man to html wrapper could do, couldn't it. smile Uh, I was wrong, too. Nerds.

How about http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia:Download . If they inisist on a commercial one, just pay me. That's an offer!


Frumpus addict
[mu'.krum.pus], [frum.pus]

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#23 2005-05-03 18:34:49

i3839
Member
Registered: 2004-02-04
Posts: 1,185

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

I posted that url days ago in this thread...

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#24 2005-05-06 10:31:56

Daenzello
Member
From: Brussels
Registered: 2005-05-02
Posts: 12

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

The latest Hachette, a french encyclopaedia, runs on linux; even more, it uses a mozilla-based engine for rendering.
There is also a german cd/dvd-version of wikipedia http://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wikipedia: … stribution

I guess it doesn't help you, but heih, at least things are moving...

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#25 2005-05-06 19:03:18

kcy29581
Member
From: CA
Registered: 2004-12-23
Posts: 231

Re: encyclopaedia for linux?

That's the main thing. It would be nice to see interest in such areas, as Linux would be a great solution for schools. Especially for those that cannot afford any sort of internet connection.


There is no spoon in Arch...

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