LinuxCNC Users Manual for Beginners

My installed system is Linux Debian 10 Buster with LinuxCNC version 2.8.2Have been using Mach3 for the last 15 years or so and would like to learn LinuxCNC. I have downloaded these 2 manuals:LinuxCNC User Manual, 208 pagesLinuxCNC V2.8.4-1-gb7824717b, 956 PagesAre the above two documents the only ones available for beginners or perhaps there are other ones I should start with?Noticed one thread here mentions a Guide for MX Linux 19.4, would this Guide be useful for my Debian 10 Buster?Thank you

Thanks for your time, I will print the Users manual and get going.

I do have a 3 axis 4 motors table router CNC running on Mach3 and this will be my experimental cnc to start learning. Obviously first I will have to learn the basic config of LinuxCNC and then remove Mach3 and install LinuxCNC

I have already install the LinuxCNC in my desktop along with Linux Mint and that’s where I do my learning now. When I feel more comfortable, I will buy a new (used) desktop dedicated for my workshop where my cnc is located and then the REAL learning will start. As far as I know I see no need to have the ISO on a USB since there is only one LinuxCNC to learn, I mean there is no alternative.

My 3 axis 4 motors cnc runs now on Mach3. When I remove Mach3 and install LinuxCNC would all electronics I now have be suitable or LinuxCNC requires special electronics (like stepper motors, motor drivers, breakout board and spindle control?)

I found a link here dated April 2015 and it talks about parts I’m not aware.

If I need new electronics for the LinuxCNC where should I look for them in USA/Canada?

I prefer the documentation in the HTML format: linuxcnc.org/docs/2.8/html/
And the docs of the current development version 2.9 have been improved a lot the last time, so for general understanding I would recommend that: linuxcnc.org/docs/2.9/html/
It hasn't changed that many, mostly new functionality and hardware support was added.

When I remove Mach3 and install LinuxCNC would all electronics I now have be suitable or LinuxCNC requires special electronics (like stepper motors, motor drivers, breakout board and spindle control?)

If you continue using the parallel port, you can use exactly the same hardware.
If you are going to use a FPGA IO card later, you might have to adapt its bitfile, but that's a more advanced topic.

Thanks so much HansU, I also prefer HTML format,

My current cnc has 4 Stepper motors, 4 motors drivers, a C11G BOB (breakout board) and a ESS (Ethernet Smooth Stepper). I was referring to these electronics since I read somewhere that LinuxCNC uses different electronics.

This is my first time I use ESS and I have been not happy with it so when I switch to LinuxCNC I will not use the ESS, I will just plug a parallel cable from my BOB to the PC.

If you want to use Ethernet, this board might be interesting for you: store.mesanet.com/index.php?route=produc...oduct&product_id=374
It is quite common/popular here in the community and recently supported in 2.8.4.

But if you want to stick to your BOB, you can replace your parallel port at some point by this card e.g.: store.mesanet.com/index.php?route=produc...ct_id=58&search=6i25

Many thanks again HansU, very happy to know about Mesa and their products.
The Ethernet and Parallel port boards looks very interesting