I am trying to figure out how some of the people here and in other forums have gotten to know so much about using linux. It just seems everytime i want to do something like move a bunch of files around, have full 3d functionality, write a script, etc i run into more questions than i had when i started.

I am ok with that i guess. I am just starting to wonder what i am NOT doing right. is learn BASH fist then all the other stuff ( find, mv, stdin, sed, awk, iptables, PERL )? I hate to post such a dumb question; however, it just seems so overwhelming.

While i like to believe that learning can be best done free-form, I find myself wondering if there is an approach. I have a funny feeling that other people getting into using Linux and other OSS feel the same way.

Its funny when I think of it. Leave using Windows to gain more freedom over what my PC does and maybe make myself more valuable in the workplace just to hit a wall of 30 commands and -- with ()\*. I am not trying to be funny in any way. I really am trying to figure out what to learn first. Its one thing to install an rpm and get compiz working. its another thing altogether to make the box actually make my life easier.

sorry for the rant.

I don't think there is any specific method that anyone could prescribe to you. Just keep working at it until you get it, that is really all you can do. If every time you try and do something you hit a wall, figure out how to handle that problem and remember it for the future. It is just like learning anything else in life.

That said, you should have at least a functioning knowledge of how the command line operates (things like pipes, command switches, etc) before trying to do anything else. You also don't need to try and learn everything possible, you aren't going to need all of that. You don't need to learn PERL, or even iptables, to just use your computer as a basic desktop machine.

actually, I had been studying the LPIC-1 exam book. what i have noticed is that doesnt touch half the stuff i have see used by many of the senior members here at LQ. i understand pipe, some of the switches for a few tools, etc. however, i have seen some switches shown that i have never seen in the man pages. perhaps thats letting bash interact as a switch itself, i dont know.
My goal was to be able to work in a production environment with linux outside of normal " desktop" usage ( see LPIC-1). i just started keeping notes using basketcase to track everything i am learning. still, it seems daunting. Thanks for your reply.

EDIT: cool site by the way>>gamecube clusters? wow

Hi,

If you could get representation of the age within the LQ forums you would find that a lot of the experienced users have been associated with the field for a number of years.

I've been in my field of study for over forty years. That includes Electronics and Computing along with other interests. We all start somewhere, no instant pill or wonder drug but just plain hard work and study.

Knowledge is something you acquire and not free but does require commitment to your chosen field of study. Intelligence doesn't hurt but good old fashion hard work along with curiosity and the will to follow through will gain you the wonders that some miss or just plain skip.
Add to the mix a little common sense and boy will you ever have a ride.

I've had students who some would class as book smart and very high IQ but could not practically perform a given task. While other students with average intelligence, a little common sense along with a little drive would run circles around that wise guy. Took instructions well and would understand the tasks and perform them very well. Some stumbled but took the lesson learned to improve and prepare for the next experiment.

Just remember one thing: It's not just what you know but knowing where to look to learn the answer to the problem. Then to use that to gain a understanding of the means to solve the problem.

Education is something no one can take from you. Even if education is self learned with midnight oil. Don't try to hard grasshopper. Wax on, Wax off! Simple but true. Seriously I could not help that one but it shows that you need to start somewhere and then build on that.

There's loads of information out there to aid you to understanding but be selective and choose wisely;

Linux Documentation Project
Rute Tutorial & Exposition
Linux Command Guide
Bash Reference Manual
Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide
Linux Newbie Admin Guide
LinuxSelfHelp
Getting Started with Linux

Just a few links to start investigating.

The above links and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links' .

2 members found this post helpful.

You can't beat working your way through a book. Googling will tell you what you want to know, but a good book will tell you you never knew existed. Experiment is the rule. So long as you make backups (and have a rescue disk), it won't matter if you make mistakes. You may find that some things are just too much like hard work; if so, move on, unless you have an exam to pass!