How do I go about learning linux?

[coolred]

I have tried linux before on numerous occasions. But have only used live CD's, or installs under VMware. And I always end up back using windows. I know it is because I am familiar with windows, and have trouble doing things under linux. Obviously I know using it is th ebest way to learn it, but I am looking for more help.

I think ditching windows for linux alone is probably the only way to get myself to stick with it. But not sure how the wife and kid will feel about that. And I am worried that even I won't adjust and will end up bakc with windows before long, in which it will require a whole new install, no thank you.

I am just wondering how someone new to linux should go about learning it. I mean even some of the simplest things to do in windows, while possibly just as easy if not more so in linux, still require the average linux beginner to search the web in order to figure them out.

I would consider myself an expert windows user, but some of the commands in linux seem so foreign. I have heard that once you figure the linux commands out, they are actually easier to use then windows. But it all just seems hard to figure out.

Any advice would be great

 

[xtknight]

I went back to Windows maybe 20 times and have tried over 15 distros. I always kept it dual-boot.

But guess what? I'm a permanent Ubuntu user now, and I'm not changing. I have XP for games, and that's it.

There are books for Ubuntu and an official guide online. Besides that there's an IRC channel (#ubuntu irc.freenode.net) that can help you with most any problem you'll ever have with it. The main trouble you'll have is just finding drivers for all your stuff (they're still working on improving driver support and user experience). But actually a lot of your devices work right off, more so than Windows. The ones that don't work right off are the problem children.

I learn by doing, so I just tried different stuff under Linux. I don't remember ever losing any data...I kept my experiments within reason of course. 😉

 

[travisray2004]

The best way to learn it is to only use it. When i first learned windows 95, i had to reinstall it about once a week, because of the file system, and deleting useless snit. There are plenty of forums for just Unix/Linux distros. The main one i go to for help is LinuxQuestions.org. Everyone in the community is a big help.

 

[xtknight]

Originally posted by: travisray2004

The best way to learn it is to only use it. When i first learned windows 95, i had to reinstall it about once a week, because of the file system, and deleting useless snit. There are plenty of forums for just Unix/Linux distros. The main one i go to for help is LinuxQuestions.org. Everyone in the community is a big help.

Sounds exactly like my experience. 😉

 

[soonerproud]

Ubuntu is a good choice in a distro that is both easy to use and also allows you to do more advanced computing. I would not recommend ditching Windows to start off with. Dual booting is a better solution just in case you mess things up while experimenting with the command line.

My suggestion is to just install Ubuntu in a dual boot configuration with Windows. Then use Ubuntu for your every day computing task. Also avoid programs like Automatix (This is not a slam on Automatix. Automatix is an excellent program regardless of the FUD spread by some in the community.) and manually install all the missing bits by using the incredible documentation on the Wiki and ubuntuguide.org.

Don't be afraid to screw things up experimenting. Windows will still be there if you do and it is easy to reinstall if things are really screwed up. I also suggest buying Running Linux from O'Reilly press. You should be able to find it at your major chain bookstore or online at Amazon.com. The book is a little outdated in areas, but has excellent information on the file structure of Linux and the most essential commands.

The only way to really learn Linux is to just jump on in and get your feet wet.

 

[timzak]

When Ubuntu 7.04 came out in April, I decided to give it a try. I was still a Win2k holdout and couldn't afford XP, let alone Vista. I too have a family and felt guilty having the same copy of Win2k on 3 computers...but felt handcuffed because finances are so tight. I then got an old work laptop for free when it was obsoleted, along with its own Win2k CD. I installed Xubuntu on the laptop and my garage computer, and am using the laptop Win2k CD and my original Win2k CD for two legal installs---one on my wife's computer, one as a dual boot with my main rig (along with Ubuntu). Three months later, I spend 95% of my time in Ubuntu. Since starting a family, gaming has gone out the door, so the only thing I use Windows for now is MS Money. But I've found open source financial programs that I just have to find time to learn and reinput all my financial data into, then I will be able to wipe Windows from my main rig forever. There are only a few areas I've found where Linux is still weak:
1) gaming. It's getting better with Wine and Cedega, but unless OpenGL makes a big comeback, this won't get much better. I find the free Linux games that are available are more than enough to entertain me in the brief spurts I get to play.
2) DVD backups. It can be done, but it's much easier and trouble-free in Windows at this point.
3) specialized programs like Mapsource and other GPS-related software don't seem to have an open source equivalent (yet).

Most of my computing involves internet, email, and Office apps. All three are easily done in Linux. OpenOffice.org is completely compatible with MS Office with the exception of Access. I use Access at work and cannot use my work files in OpenOffice's database. But Word and Excel files are completely backwards compatible.

The biggest help for me so far has been Ubuntu's forums. You don't always get an answer to your questions, but they have a huge HOWTo category:
http://ubuntuforums.org/forumdisplay.php?f=100

where you can search and find almost any situation you're looking for.

My suggestion is to take advantage of the forums at whatever distro you decide on. There's also a lot of great websites dedicated to helping beginners learn the ins and out. Take it slow...do what you can on your own and when you hit a snag, just search the forums and the web sites.

And the best part is, once you get your OS set up how you like it, your learning curve is basically done. Using the apps are pretty easy...it's just getting the OS set up the way you want it that's the hard part for beginners.

The freedom is liberating...no more guilty conscience over using my Windows illegally, and tons of legally free software at my finger tips. And no need for anti-spyware or anti-virus software. The time I used to spend running Adaware, Spybot, CCleaner, and antivirus, I now use for learning more about Linux.

Good luck!

 

[Brazen]

best user documentation I have found is the official Ubuntu documentation at help.ubuntu.com. Install Ubuntu and just start using it and when you have a question, go to help.ubuntu.com first. If you still have questions you can go to the forums (linked from thta same site I believe) or the IRC channel. Personally, I prefer to the forums over irc, but your preference might be different.

And of course, after checking the ubuntu docs, you can still ask questions here, too.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: Brazen
best user documentation I have found is the official Ubuntu documentation at help.ubuntu.com. Install Ubuntu and just start using it and when you have a question, go to help.ubuntu.com first. If you still have questions you can go to the forums (linked from thta same site I believe) or the IRC channel. Personally, I prefer to the forums over irc, but your preference might be different.

And of course, after checking the ubuntu docs, you can still ask questions here, too.

I would have to second Brazen on this. The forums (www.ubuntuforums.org) are probably the best place to go for help.

 

[coolred]

I have tried Ubuntu before, what makes it so great? I mean maybe I am missing something because I didn't give it enough time, or maybe I just don't have much else to compare it to, but I didn't see the big deal about. I have been toying with PClinuxOS 2007 here the past couple days

 

[lxskllr]

Originally posted by: coolred
I have tried Ubuntu before, what makes it so great? I mean maybe I am missing something because I didn't give it enough time, or maybe I just don't have much else to compare it to, but I didn't see the big deal about. I have been toying with PClinuxOS 2007 here the past couple days

One of the things that makes it great imo is that it's the "MS Windows" of the Linux world. It has a very large base of "regular" users, and tons of documentation, and combined user experience to give you backup. I would say that Ubuntu comes the closest to a standard Linux desktop of all the distros.

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: coolred
I have tried Ubuntu before, what makes it so great? I mean maybe I am missing something because I didn't give it enough time, or maybe I just don't have much else to compare it to, but I didn't see the big deal about. I have been toying with PClinuxOS 2007 here the past couple days

The OP wants to learn Linux and PCLOS is just not the distro for someone that wants to learn the innerworkings of Linux. If you want a distro that has everything including the kitchen sink and you don't want to learn Linux then PCLOS is a good choice.

 

[coolred]

Originally posted by: soonerproud
<div class="FTQUOTE"><begin quote>Originally posted by: coolred
I have tried Ubuntu before, what makes it so great? I mean maybe I am missing something because I didn't give it enough time, or maybe I just don't have much else to compare it to, but I didn't see the big deal about. I have been toying with PClinuxOS 2007 here the past couple days</end quote></div>

The OP wants to learn Linux and PCLOS is just not the distro for someone that wants to learn the innerworkings of Linux. If you want a distro that has everything including the kitchen sink and you don't want to learn Linux then PCLOS is a good choice.

That makes sense, I guess when I was reading the reviews, they kept saying how easy pclinuxos was to use for someone new to linux. I guess I didn't think it meant easy to use for a non techie. I think I am still looking at linux as a techie's OS, but I guess thats not the case any more, average everyday people are starting to use linux now.

My next question, what makes ubuntu any better then kubuntu? Is gnome that much better then kde? Are there any other differances?

 

[soonerproud]

The main thing that makes Ubuntu a better choice over Kubuntu is Ubby is a little more stable and less buggy. Kubuntu is a second rate KDE desktop compared to Suse or Mepis.

I really don't believe either Gnome or KDE are better than one another in the long run. It all depends on what you want out of your desktop.

1. KDE - More resembles Windows in it's look and it's interface guidelines. KDE also allows you to configure everything under the sun through the GUI. If you love to tweak every little setting on your operating system then KDE is right for you. A lot of the default applications are the most advanced and polished in KDE. (Such as Amarok and K3b.)

2. Gnome - More resembles the MAC in it's look and interface guidelines. Gnome has basic configuration tools and limited options in the GUI but has a much cleaner interface. Gnome is less confusing for new Linux users and is the choice for many that want to just get to work without being distracted by too many controls, buttons and applets. Businesses mainly use gnome because of it's simplicity and power. Gnome can be configured if you need to through gconf-editor or by editing system files.

There are more differences, but these are the main ones.

 

[coolred]

Alright, so it seems most agree Ubuntu is a good distro for me and most others to start with. I have downloaded and burnt fiesty fawn to am posting from the live CD right now. I am thinking of installing. But here is my next problem. I have a 36GB WD raptor and another 250GB drive in my system, both are pretty full. I maybe able to clear some and fit it onto one of those, most likely the 250. My windows install is on the raptor. If for some reason I can't get enough room on those, would it be possible to install it on my external WD my book premium? And how would it run? It is using a firewire connection. Thanks

 

[soonerproud]

Originally posted by: coolred
Alright, so it seems most agree Ubuntu is a good distro for me and most others to start with. I have downloaded and burnt fiesty fawn to am posting from the live CD right now. I am thinking of installing. But here is my next problem. I have a 36GB WD raptor and another 250GB drive in my system, both are pretty full. I maybe able to clear some and fit it onto one of those, most likely the 250. My windows install is on the raptor. If for some reason I can't get enough room on those, would it be possible to install it on my external WD my book premium? And how would it run? It is using a firewire connection. Thanks

It would be possible but you will have to set your bios to boot from the external drive. Also it would be quite slow since it would be running through USB 2.0.

If you can clear 10 gigs of space for the Ubuntu install and a gig for swap then you should be fine. You can even do this through the Ubuntu installer so there is no need to download a second partitioning tool.

You will want to defragment the hard drive you decide to put Ubuntu on before you start. I suggest running the Windows defragmenter about 2 or three times in a row before starting.

 

[coolred]

Its actually running over firewire as I stated, but I assume it will still be slow. I think I can clear up that much space on my other drive.

 

[agathodaimon]

So, if I wanted to install Xubuntu on a spare computer, what do I do with hardware drivers?

Are there specific drivers to install for everything? (video card, sound card, motherboard...)
Or will Xubuntu install all of the necessary stuff for me?

I'm clueless.

 

[kylef]

Originally posted by: agathodaimon
So, if I wanted to install Xubuntu on a spare computer, what do I do with hardware drivers?

Are there specific drivers to install for everything? (video card, sound card, motherboard...)
Or will Xubuntu install all of the necessary stuff for me?

I'm clueless.

Depending on your system, these distributions ship with lots of inbox drivers which will "just work" without your assistance, and you don't need to download or install anything.

A few drivers may need your help, however. It is common to need to work a bit to install accelerated video drivers, possibly using the package management program that comes with your distro. And wireless networking drivers can also be a pain sometimes. And AC97 sound usually works easily, but anything more sophisticated (surround, 5.1 output) may need your help.

 

[Bateluer]

I'll add my two cents, if you don't have any back ground in Linux, then you probably should avoid the Linux boot camp training 'seminars'.

Though they give you a ton of information, its usually in too short a time, and usually very expensive. Some of them are good for refresher training, but if you know next to nothing, look elsewhere.