Manpage interpreter

[Sally Hines]

I want to thank everyone for offering me good information on automating the
ports update. My real question, though, is how to read and understand
manpages. Where is the interpreter? I know I am not the only noob to ever
have this problem? I can solve my own problems much better if I can
interpret the instructions.

Thank you again,

Sally Hines

-----Original Message-----
From: owner-freebsd-newbies at freebsd.org
[mailto:owner-freebsd-newbies at freebsd.org] On Behalf Of Sally Hines
Sent: Thursday, December 23, 2004 1:16 PM
To: 'Tyler Gee'; 'Mervin McDougall'
Cc: freebsd-newbies at freebsd.org
Subject: Manpage interpreter


Hi,

I've been subscribing to this list for over 3 years. I initially subscribed
to the -questions list also, but I couldn't handle the volume, and also
couldn't interpret the language used there. I need to learn in a language
that I know, or at least get an interpreter for the manpage-ese that's used
in replies to questions on that list. 

I ask a simple question, how do I automate ports update? I get "read the
manpages" or quoting from the manpages which is written in a language
foreign to me, but masquerades as English. Where can I get at least a good,
simple glossary for the terms used in the manpages and on the questions
list?

I asked questions here, and got yelled at, at great length. I have not
posted to this list for over a year because of that.

Sally Hines
With a broken FreeBSD box


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