narzy
Elite Member
I know some of us are trying Ubuntu for the first time and want to get the most out of it. One problem I have is there isn't really a quick "cheat sheet" to make it easy to "tweak" little settings that make it easier to run Linux for a windows user, but can be hard to find.
Tip #1: Be Patient
Your learning a new system, you're not going to get it on the first go, Linux is not Windows nor is it Mac OS#. It is not going to behave the same exact way as your native OS. Trying to compare what you know about your native OS to linux generally doesn't work and may end up confusing you more then helping. It took you a while to learn Windows (or Mac OS#) It is going to take you some time (probably not as much) to learn Linux.
Tip #2: The Linux File System
The *nix file system is a bit of a beast the first time you look at it. Don't try and remeber everything, take notes of imporant locations, and don't try to rationalize every folder name you see in /, you're probably wrong 😉. Print and keep this next to your screen, it will help.
Tip #3: Know where to get help
And don't be afraid to ask. That being said it's generally a good idea to type what your trying to do in to Google first, before you ask for help just to show you made an effort. Some times you need to string a few different idea's / problems together to solve your problem so don't be afraid to "think outside the box." Also don't be afraid to be wrong, or admit that you don't know somthing.
Where to get help (Use in this order):
Ubuntu Tip #1: Update Your system
As with any OS, it is important to keep your Ubuntu system up to date. On ubuntu this is fairly easy to do, when you first log in Ubuntu will go out on to the internet and look for updates, they will show up in your top panel (in Gnome) as an exclamation point (!) with a red "no smoking" sign type thingie (technical term.) It looks like this (/)!. There will be an information baloon that shows up telling you that new updates are ready to install. Once you click "install updates" it will ask you for your root password. Enter your password and follow the prompts.
There is another way!
As with anything in linux, there are other ways to update your system. you can update your system through the terminal window by typing the following commands.
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get upgrade
Ubuntu Tip #2: Enable Multiverse
Tip #1: Be Patient
Your learning a new system, you're not going to get it on the first go, Linux is not Windows nor is it Mac OS#. It is not going to behave the same exact way as your native OS. Trying to compare what you know about your native OS to linux generally doesn't work and may end up confusing you more then helping. It took you a while to learn Windows (or Mac OS#) It is going to take you some time (probably not as much) to learn Linux.
Tip #2: The Linux File System
The *nix file system is a bit of a beast the first time you look at it. Don't try and remeber everything, take notes of imporant locations, and don't try to rationalize every folder name you see in /, you're probably wrong 😉. Print and keep this next to your screen, it will help.
Tip #3: Know where to get help
And don't be afraid to ask. That being said it's generally a good idea to type what your trying to do in to Google first, before you ask for help just to show you made an effort. Some times you need to string a few different idea's / problems together to solve your problem so don't be afraid to "think outside the box." Also don't be afraid to be wrong, or admit that you don't know somthing.
Where to get help (Use in this order):
- The distro's Mailing List (gmail is great for managing mailing lists if you don't already have a gmail account and would like one E-mail me for an invite.
- The distro's Forums
- The distro's IRC Channel
- Your Local Linux Users Group (LUG)
- E-mail a Linux buddy
- AnandTech Forums
- Ask Me. (note: I'm a newb but I can try and point you in the right direction)
Ubuntu Tip #1: Update Your system
As with any OS, it is important to keep your Ubuntu system up to date. On ubuntu this is fairly easy to do, when you first log in Ubuntu will go out on to the internet and look for updates, they will show up in your top panel (in Gnome) as an exclamation point (!) with a red "no smoking" sign type thingie (technical term.) It looks like this (/)!. There will be an information baloon that shows up telling you that new updates are ready to install. Once you click "install updates" it will ask you for your root password. Enter your password and follow the prompts.
There is another way!
As with anything in linux, there are other ways to update your system. you can update your system through the terminal window by typing the following commands.
$ sudo apt-get update
$ sudo apt-get upgrade
Ubuntu Tip #2: Enable Multiverse
