The Linux/GNU CAD CAM design document cannot describe everything; sometimes the user has to venture out on the net to get more information or just updates. There is wealth of information one should go through when setting up a CNC system.
Some of the most interesting news groups are:
Most newsgroups have their own FAQ that are designed to answer most of your questions, as the name Frequently Asked Questions indicate. Fresh versions should be posted regularly to the relevant newsgroups. If you cannot find it in your news spool you could go directly to the FAQ main archive FTP site. The WWW versions can be browsed at the FAQ main archive WWW site.
These are several e-mail lists which discuss CAD, CAD, EDM, DRO, hobbyist casting, hobbyist pattern making, blacksmithing, etc. Some relevant lists are:
Mailing List: gnu_cad_cam
Purpose: To provide a forum to hold open discussions concerning the design of the Linux/GNU CAD CAM software.
You do need to be a subscriber to send mail to this list. To subscribe, send mail to <majordomo@blauedonau.com> with the following in the body of the message:
subscribe gnu_cad_cam
To unsubscribe, send mail to <majordomo@blauedonau.com> with the following in the body of the message:
unsubscribe gnu_cad_cam
Mailing List: emc
Purpose: To provide support to questions and feedback from emc end-users.
Purpose: To provide a forum to hold open discussions concerning the design of the Linux/GNU CAD CAM software.
You do not need to be a subscriber to send mail to this list, although you do need to subscribe to receive mail from this list. To subscribe, send mail to <listproc@nist.gov> with the following in the body of the message:
subscribe emc
To unsubscribe, send mail to <listproc@nist.gov> with the following in the body of the message:
unsubscribe emc
Mailing List: cad_cam_edm_dro
You do need to be a subscriber to send mail to this listc. To subscribe, send mail to <cad_cam_edm_dro-subscribe@egroups.com>
To unsubscribe, send mail to <cad_cam_edm_dro-unsubscribe@egroups.com>
Mailing List: kunstschmiede
You do need to be a subscriber to send mail to this list. To subscribe, send mail to <majordomo@blauedonau.com> with the following in the body of the message:
subscribe kunstschmiede
To unsubscribe, send mail to <majordomo@blauedonau.com> with the following in the body of the message:
unsubscribe kunstschmiede
Mailing List: theforge
You do not need to be a subscriber to send mail to this list, although you do need to subscribe to receive mail from this list. To subscribe, send mail to <majordomo@qth.net> with the following in the body of the message:
subscribe theforge
To unsubscribe, send mail to <majordomo@qth.net> with the following in the body of the message:
unsubscribe theforge
These are intended as the primary starting points to get the background information as well as show you how to solve a specific problem. Some relevant HOWTOs are EMC Handbook, Installation, EMC archives. The main site for these is the Linux CNC Project.
To be filled in at a later date.
There are a huge number of informative web sites available. By their very nature they change quickly so do not be surprised if these links become quickly outdated.
A good starting point is of course the Linux CNC Project home page, an information central for documentation, project pages and much more.
The Cathedral and the Bazaar : Analysis of how and why the Linux development model works!
Homesteading the Noosphere : A followup to The Cathedral and the Bazaar: the property and ownership customs of the open-source culture.
The Magic Cauldron : The third paper in the series analyzes the evolving economic substrate of the open-source.
What is Unicode? : An excellent description of unicode and why it is important to include unicode support in any project.
: The Enhanced Machine ControllerExcellent starting place for information about the emc software.
G Codes : G and M Codes for Milling and Turning
Bay-Com : Online catalog featuring products for the home machinist
The Home Shop Machinist : The Home Shop Machinist magazine is the very first publication to emerge for the individual whose principal passion is the shaping of metal into valuable items and visually beautiful objects.
Lindsay Publications : Unusual technical books, past & present.
Machinist's Workshop : Sister publication of The Home Shop Machinist
Sherline Products : Online catalog for machinists and hobbyists
Taig Tools : Manufacturer of quality machining tools
Please let me know if you have any other leads that can be of interest.