Y'know, Jimmierock, the way you're going about this thing, you're
destined to fail. You've thrown all of your dice into this one cup and you're trying to make one big throw .. with a system that you've never used before and (at this point) know essentially nothing about. By saying this, and saying it frankly,
I do not mean
anything "personal," and
I am not trying to embarrass you in public! But let's step back from this thing and look at what
is a good way to get started with Linux while "stepping out on the right foot."
You
are a newbie .. but so what .. aren't we all?
First of all,
don't start with "your Windows box." That's the system that you know best and you're going to need to have access to it at all times. So, pick up
another computer... one that was made, say, in the last three years. It doesn't have to be new or greatest.
Now, start surfing. Surf here. Grab a "Big Dummies" guide.
Don't just fire-up the computer right away and start plinking at it. Linux is too different. Linux is too big. You need to gather some information first.
When you are ready to proceed, get a CD-ROM with a current "distro" on it. Umbuntu seems to be one of the favorites these days. Grab a book on the "distro" that you chose, and before you start trying the install,
skim the book.
I also want you to get a loose-leaf notebook and a few number-two wooden pencils and
start keeping a diary of your experiences. Got a question? Write it down. Once you've done that, you have now "captured" the question, and you can now proceed to look for an answer for it
at your leisure, without having to "chase the rabbit" down first one rabbit-hole and then another. Write the answer, or more questions as the case may be, down also.
You have stumbled upon one of the very best Linux resources on the web. We're here to help. But, put
method to your madness. This is going to be a sometimes-very-rocky learning experience, with no teacher.
