Help coming up to speed

[don fisher]

Sorry for the length:-) I have used RedHat/Fedora since the company 
started. But for the last few years (since F9) I have been doing 
science. I tried to install F14 and found many changes. Much of what one 
used accomplish by editing configuration files is now done using GUIs 
under Gnome.

I would like to know how the system works at the configuration file 
level. What are the switches that can be included on the kernel command 
line? Is there any way to control Plymouth so that the commands are 
visible and one drops to a login prompt at the end? What is upstart 
calling and what files does it modify? When one configures a dual head 
display under gnome, what tools are used and what files are modified? 
What auto configurations are controlled by HAL and udev and whatever?

Is there a document or book that can purchased/downloaded that explains 
what is going on under the covers? I have found fragments via Google. 
The software development I preform does not lend itself well to the 
desktop environment. Most of my work is done from the command line 
and/or under emacs. I currently use fvwm2 with a 6X6 grid of desktops.

If this query is not appropriate for this list, please suggest the 
alternative.

Thanks,
don