Linux newbie looking for help

[Bglad]

I have an old machine laying around that I use for various test and things. So I decided I wanted to learn Linux awhile back.

I got it installed and started figuring out how to use it but got really stuck trying to install drivers such as my nic, compiling etc.

Can anyone point me to a good newbie tutorial that I can read to learn these things. I picked up an armload of books at the library some time ago but some were too simple and some were extremely detailed and I never did get the answers I was looking for. I finally gave up but I want to try again.

Thx all.

 

[StuckMojo]

i'd say you're better off to ask a specific question here to get your feet wet, then look for docs once you kinda know your way around.

 

[Heisenberg]

The Linux Documentation Project is always a good place to start. But yeah, asking a specific question might lead to more useful answers.

 

[Bglad]

Hmmmm...
Ok, I'll have to get into it again and ask questions then.

I was hoping to A. not drive everyone here crazy with stupid newbie questions and B. find a useful book to read while in the can.

 

[Heisenberg]

Originally posted by: Bglad
Hmmmm...
Ok, I'll have to get into it again and ask questions then.

I was hoping to A. not drive everyone here crazy with stupid newbie questions and B. find a useful book to read while in the can.

If you really want to get a book to read, then I'd suggest anything by O'Reilly. I read a couple of their books years ago when I was first starting to mess with linux and found them to be helpful.

 

[darktubbly]

This site has pretty good tutorials on some Linux basics + troubleshooting.

 

[StuckMojo]

this is the place for stupid newbie qestions
also, take a look at the *NIX faq thread here...used to be pinned to the top. maybe they moved it into the actual anantech faq...

 

[Booty]

When I started using Linux (~3-4 months ago) I just followed along with Linux for Dummies, and it was sufficient to get me started... but it concentrates on Red Hat. To learn how to do other things, I basically had to rely on poking around the web, which can be frustrating, because there's almost *too* much information out there... but hang in there. Eventually, someone will answer your questions in a way that makes it click for you.