The first step in learning Linux
 

I am completely ignorant in the use of Linux.I need advice on what the first step should be?
I am able to navigate around Windows with reasonable ability but am certainly not an expert.
Can anyone advise me please?
Antonga

The first step in learning Linux is to install and use it. There are some Linux distributions out there specifically aimed at new users to make the first steps easy, like Linux Mint, PCLinuxOS, Mepis, or Zorin OS. On the surface there is not really much difference, you will do almost the same things like in Windows, for example, if you use Firefox, Opera or Google Chrome to browse the web you can do it with the same browser in Linux. Some things are different. For example, if you want to install a software, for example the VLC mediaplayer, you will not go to their website and download it. You will open an application called "package manager" or "Software Center" and just choose to install it, the rest will be done automatically.

Just give it a try, it is not all that hard. Just remember, Linux is NOT Windows.

Member response
 

Hi,

Welcome to LQ!

First, you will need to decide which Gnu/Linux you wish to use. Look at: Get Your ISO, LiveCD & Pocket OS section and you will find 'The LiveCD List'.

A LiveCD is a good way to test drive a Gnu/Linux to see what fits for you. KNOPPIX (Debian based) & Salix(Slackware Based) are two good LiveCD that are very good/reliable.

Once you select your Gnu/Linux then the fun begins! :)

Just a few links to aid you to gaining some understanding;



1 Linux Documentation Project

2 Rute Tutorial & Exposition

3 Linux Command Guide 

4 Bash Beginners Guide

5 Bash Reference Manual

6 Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide

7 Linux Newbie Admin Guide

8 LinuxSelfHelp

9 Utimate Linux Newbie Guide
10 Linux Home Networking
11 Virtualization- Top 10

The above links and others can be found at 'Slackware-Links'. More than just Slackware® links!

Many thanks
Antonga

Thanks for the help
Regards antonga

Don't forget that most distributions have documentation on their web-sites: installation guide, wiki, sometimes even a down-loadable pdf manual.

One thing that's very different to Windows is that you get to choose your GUI: plain and basic, or packed with functions and eye-candy. Look at Kubuntu and Xubuntu (and Ubuntu, for that matter) and you'll see what I mean. Everyone has their own tastes: this is what my desktop used to look like when I was using Fedora Linux http://img694.imageshack.us/img694/7168/desktopoq.png

I like the picture of the girl. :-) LOL

Nice one. Please make a post with that in the screenshot sub-forum. If you don't mind, I would like to know details.

The very first step in learning linux is to prepare your mind set towards linux and forget about windows. Pick any of the linux OS and keep on learning about that OS as much as you can. And don't forget to take first help from Google Uncle, he is very helpful. :)

Well I'm new to Linux as well. Just switched a few weeks ago :)

I've picked Linux Mint together with KDE as it's desktop environment. KDE is very similar to Windows. So you'll be able to find your way around quite easily.

If you choose to use Mint, I'd recommend to download the DVD iso version. Not the CD one. Because it comes with all the required codecs. So you can watch youtube movies and play mp3 music files right away :)

And if you're a normal everyday user, like me, chances are you won't be needing Software Manager that much. Since programs like Firefox, Thunderbird, VLC Media Player and a full Office suite (LibreOffice) are installed by default. I've only used Software Manager to install a few games and an astronomy program called Stellarium :)

Have fun :)

Thankyou

It's Uma Thurman. I've also got Charlize Theron and Zhang Ziyi, but it's not all pin-ups; there are also kittens and (of course) penguins.