Where to start
 

Hello everyone, Im new to linux and i am very eager to learn. The problem I am having is that i dont exactly know where to begin as far as learning.

Hi,

the best way to start is usually just to start using it for your normal daily computing tasks.

Cheers,

Evo2.

Agreed :0) Assuming no extra machine, just install VirtualBox and throw a few different distros on until you find one you like working in. Then start using for daily tasks as mentioned above.
Once you have a handle on your everyday tasks, rip off the bandaid and either install along side of your current OS or knock it all over and use as main system :)

I would go thru the exercise and labs for linux+ certification. Pratice with it. CBTs and youtube there are alot of stuff as well.

Get the Linux Mint User guide from here
http://www.linuxmint.com/documentation.php
That tells you how to install and use it. Mint is one of the most recommended distros and a good place to start. I wouldn't recommend trying a lot of different distros to start with: it's more likely to confuse than enlighten!

If you're looking for a great distro to start with, try Manjaro or openSUSE. Both are extremely user friendly and don't include spyware.

Manjaro is very beginner friendly, has a wide variety of packages, and you don't have to reinstall every time you want to upgrade. For the gamers among us, it comes with Steam preinstalled. It has it's bugs and querks, but it's pretty good all around.
openSuSE is fairly beginner friendly, has a decent repo, and is rock solid (which is why I use it).

Also, if you're having trouble installing Linux on your computer (from drivers, whatnot) and you still want to use it, get a Raspberry Pi that is built to run Linux.

You could try running the 'distro' live from a CD/DVD and copying to a pendrive to see how it went, will not be as fast and will not have all the updated features but will allow you to test hardware and "likeability".

Fred.

Hi. Have fun...

Hey guys thanks a lot that really helpeed

it depends on what you want to do

for me back in 2001 and 2 i was finding that almost all of the software i was building on Visual studio or in MinGW were LINUX programs

with experience building Microsoft .exe. and .dll files using mingw and VS

it was a breeze to move to fedora 4 ,then 5,6,7,8,9....

BUT
i WANTED !!! to build and debug the software i was using daily
as well as everyday use


you do need to define what you want to DO

if that is play FPS games

use windows 7 or 8

I don't game much but find Linux games more atractive on many levels (no pun, altho... :) )

More art in Linux, creators,,, hello.

art ??? well science ,knowledge , and creativity do go hand in hand
i am NOT musically inclined so....

Some of the images i have in the public domain
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1...8562941/albums

--- artistic renderings ---
the comet that made a close approach to Mars on Oct. 19
https://plus.google.com/u/0/photos/1...86839134120529


being able to edit and change software to meet my needs IS REALLY NICE !!!!