• We’re currently investigating an issue related to the forum theme and styling that is impacting page layout and visual formatting. The problem has been identified, and we are actively working on a resolution. There is no impact to user data or functionality, this is strictly a front-end display issue. We’ll post an update once the fix has been deployed. Thanks for your patience while we get this sorted.

need programming skills to use linux?

J

Jinny

Senior member
I just downloaded mandrake 8.0, I couldn't install it though, must some iso problems or something. Perhaps I should try Slackware 8.0. I'm new to linux though. Do you really need programming skills to full enjoy the OS? I'm quite good with windows but looking for something 'different' to play with.
 


<< I just downloaded mandrake 8.0, I couldn't install it though, must some iso problems or something. Perhaps I should try Slackware 8.0. I'm new to linux though. Do you really need programming skills to full enjoy the OS? I'm quite good with windows but looking for something 'different' to play with. >>



No but it helps. I havent really been programming much (working on learning some C because I cannot find a program I really want 😛 ), but I have been using linux/*BSD for several years now without any real problems.
 
I picture linux (as well as any new operating system) as being a box with pretty buttons on the outside. After a while, you might get bored with just pressing the buttons and would then want to open the box, fool around with what the buttons are connected to, and maybe even rewire the buttons' functions. If after a while you think you want to get &quot;more&quot; out of the box, then learning to program and getting into the guts would be more fulfilling. Otherwise, if you're happy pressing buttons, then by all means just keep on pressing.

The same was with windows, right? I mean, start->programs->word kept you happy for a time. Then you started registry editing, tweaked your video settings, etc., etc.
 
You don't need any programming, but it does help. A lot a people are frightened beyond belief when they see a text-based configuration file. That just ain't right to them (some of them just aren't meant to do that). However a coder isn't nearly as picky. Afterall, we're the ones who start with nothing and make the programs we/you all know and love. I've been programing in BASIC since I was 10. I started using linux when I was 17. I didn't really learn any heavy programming till I went to college but after learning more languages (Java, C, C++, Fortran 90, SPARC asembly), the stuff really falls into place. In a similiar respect, if you do/will have the chance to take any college courses, I'd recommend a basic computer/cpu archetecture class. Just as programming makes Linux easier/better understood the archetecture class just makes you understand more about your computer and how it/they work. Really good stuff.
 


<< You don't need any programming, but it does help. A lot a people are frightened beyond belief when they see a text-based configuration file. That just ain't right to them (some of them just aren't meant to do that).
*snip*
 >>



Yeah, some of us are meant to keep all of our configurations in one binary file that can easily be corrupted. Not to mention since it is binary we can only look at it through one program of the OS vendorr's design 😛
 
you don't neccisarly need to be able to program, but you need to be able to read and understand the concepts of programming.

bart
 
na, you need no programming language knowledge. haha yeah get either slackware or debian (i would get debian if you are a first time user) and NOT mandrake


well. don't install linux on your main system

that is all
 


<< I just downloaded mandrake 8.0, I couldn't install it though, must some iso problems or something. Perhaps I should try Slackware 8.0. I'm new to linux though. Do you really need programming skills to full enjoy the OS? I'm quite good with windows but looking for something 'different' to play with. >>



Just write down the error messages and post for help. That is a much better approach 🙂. Just be clear to get *all* of the error messages.
 


<<

<< I just downloaded mandrake 8.0, I couldn't install it though, must some iso problems or something. Perhaps I should try Slackware 8.0. I'm new to linux though. Do you really need programming skills to full enjoy the OS? I'm quite good with windows but looking for something 'different' to play with. >>



Just write down the error messages and post for help. That is a much better approach 🙂. Just be clear to get *all* of the error messages. >>



Working to figure it out on your own and learning something is overrated, just let us do all the work.
 


<< Working to figure it out on your own and learning something is overrated, just let us do all the work. >>

Just because someone else shows him what to do dosn't mean he dosn't learn. Learning by example is the most common way in which human beings learn.

Of course, in this case the helper has to make an effort to explain why they do what they do; and the helped must make an effort to understand why what was done was done.

When I first was starting with linux I had a ah heck of a time getting my ethernet card to work. So I asked someone down the hall (college dorm). He told me the commands to type verbatim, I learned by asking what each command did.
 


<<

<< Working to figure it out on your own and learning something is overrated, just let us do all the work. >>

Just because someone else shows him what to do dosn't mean he dosn't learn. Learning by example is the most common way in which human beings learn.

Of course, in this case the helper has to make an effort to explain why they do what they do; and the helped must make an effort to understand why what was done was done.

When I first was starting with linux I had a ah heck of a time getting my ethernet card to work. So I asked someone down the hall (college dorm). He told me the commands to type verbatim, I learned by asking what each command did. >>



Well here is how I am different than most people I guess. I was raised to work on something and only when I get through most of my sources then ask for help. Learning by example is a cop out. Ok it is easier, but there are other ways to do it which will not inconveniece anyone. Most of the linux questions I see are in the range of &quot;I want 2 b 3r337 and install linux because windoze sux, is my hardware good enuff?&quot; A simple search (less than 5 min) will give you the answer. The tougher questions I enjoy because I can learn something from them. But there are too many: &quot;I am too lazy to read a man page, give me the answer&quot; questions floating around. Ok, maybe I am an elitist, but I dont think you should try linux or any operating system other than windows (even mac os X would be out of your league) if you are not willing to read and learn a little.
 
I think it's okay for one to ask all the questions they want to, so long as once they get the answers they stick around to give those answers back when someone asks these questions again. It's this spirit in itself that has gotten Linux where it is today. These people asking will my hardware run Linux today might be cranking out the replacement to X-windows (not that it needs replacing, just using it as an example) in 3 years.

 


<< I think it's okay for one to ask all the questions they want to, so long as once they get the answers they stick around to give those answers back when someone asks these questions again. It's this spirit in itself that has gotten Linux where it is today. These people asking will my hardware run Linux today might be cranking out the replacement to X-windows (not that it needs replacing, just using it as an example) in 3 years. >>



Not if they continue on the &quot;ask first use windows later&quot; mentatlity. Oh well, Im just the type of person that wants to figure it out on my own. X windows doesnt need replacing. Its big, slow, buggy, just like a good gui should be.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

TRENDING THREADS

Back
Top