Just curious how the knowledgeable people here learned how to be proficient with Linux. I'm sure most people used a mixture of the following, but things like: Books, Internet, Hands On, Official Documentation, Took a Class, Forum/Usenet etc.

I would say what got me started was picking stuff up on forums to add to what I already knew from my UNIX experience at work. At this stage, I'm beginning to look at doing some serious studying with a view to getting a certification at some point.

Mostly just by getting my hands dirty. I installed the distro of my choice and went from there. In the beginning I had one PC with Windows and one with Linux, and very gradually migrated everything over to Linux as I learned. Eventually I was able to ditch the Windows install completely and now run Linux on both systems. (Well, actually it was after one of Window's periodic failures where, rather than reinstalling yet again, I decided that I didn't need it anymore and replaced it with a second Linux installation. )

At first I spent a lot of time reading up on Linux on the net, starting with a few basic primers and how-tos. The biggest learning experiences came whenever I had a problem or wanted to do something new, and I would use a combination of internet research and trial-and-error until I figured it out. I'm still at it even now, of course. If you take a look at my posting history you'll see that I rarely post questions here. I don't like to ask until I've done as much as I can on my own.

Another thing I credit with my knowledge is the distro I chose. I first started with Mandrake Linux, but for various reasons it kept frustrating me. Then I switched to Debian, and while I had to do more on my own, I also learned much faster. A hand-holding distro may be a good introduction for beginners, but in the long run if you want to be a swimmer you really need to start diving into the deep end of the pool.

Simple. Reading about it and using it. I'm still learning and still regard myself as a relative newbie.

Same here. I wanted to learn, and I knew the best way for me was to immerse myself in it. So I installed Linux as my primary OS and forced myself to research problems as they arose, rather than crutch myself by going back to Windows.

I, like BrianL, still consider myself a relative newbie.

The key step is: Use it.

I always start out with a new thing by experimenting with it---trying things to see what happens. Only then will I read the manual. (Often it is not necessary)

By some combination of hand-on work and reading a book, get as far as you can----then chase down specific problems using Google searches and of course---LQ.

I think it's the same for all of us: documentation, internet, and books, but above all "suck it and see". I've certainly never been to any sort of class.

I remember when I was given my first PC at work in 1982. It was just assumed that I'd get the hang of it and I did: even edlin and debug. Like BrianL, I belong to the generation of 1945. I think those of us who can remember when computers were mainframes still feel a secret glee that we now get to play with them in our own homes!

Installed slackware, and spent next reading docs, scripts and configuring it.

I have to completely agree with this post. It really is the only way to learn in my opinion... Jump right in and start installing and break things.. and install and break things... Until you learn what not to do... So eventually you learn what the limits are and how to fix certain problems... If you want to learn quick. follow a LFS guide and maybe do a Gentoo install. These distros give you complete control over the OS and configuration.

Install it, use it, break it. Start again.

Play with it. Read about it (LQ is a good resource, as is http://tldp.org/ )

If you are bored read LQ: trying to solve other peoples problems is a great way of learning.

I'll read a thread title, think "What the ?ell is that?", read about it (I have a couple of books, but generally just use a search engine), experiment with it, learn something new and maybe even end up helping someone else.

I can remember a KDF-9, algol and when "cut & paste" really meant that (paper tape)

That is a good idea I never thought of that. I always figured since I didn't know what I was doing I shouldn't even try to solve others problems. If I can solve my own sometimes though I may as well try helping others too and learn in the process.

I had a head start I was using unix via a shell account back in 1993.

You should always try. That's how everyone learns.

For example, there are many, many threads on LQ that the gurus just aren't going to be interested in:
for example.

You could probably already answer that hypothetical Q, and explain, or give links for the person to learn about, linux privileges and permissions. Really, it is very "appropriate" for you to do just that: The gurus can then spend their time answering more complicated stuff about nmap or udev rules or whatever.

LQ has this very useful "Thread Tools" -> "Subscribe to this thread" option. Look for it near the top of this page. That way you can follow a thread, without actually having to contribute to it (you can "lurk"!). It's great when you find an interesting thread discussing something you know nothing about, but would like to learn more, and can then watch how it develops. Try to understand the problem they are discussing. Maybe, in time, you'll be able to contribute something to it. You will have learnt, and so might they.

The very best way to learn about something is to try to explain it to someone else. Before you post, try asking yourself these questions:

- How are they going to interpret what I am telling them?
- Is there the potential for them to misunderstand something I am about to say?
- How could I rephrase it better?
- Am I patronising or belittling them?
- Will they understand what I am saying?
- Do I understand it? (And if you realise you don't them it's time for some more research ... .. . )

To sum it up: The biggest penguins teach the big penguins who teach the ordinary penguins to teach the little penguins to teach the "newbies"

So give it a go!
Good luck with learning linux, I like it.

I actually started in school...

In school it was required to take 2 Linux classes (1 into, and 1 admin class). And I fell in love

I started with Fedora 4 and been on Red Hat since then

Now I'm RHCE ;-)

So I guess I just took it and ran with it...

-C

That's an excellent point. I also learn a lot by trying to help others. Sometimes I know generally what's needed to help answer a question, but I need to do a bit of reading and testing to give an exact answer. Often by the time I get it right, it's too late to actually answer the original question; another poster has beaten me to it. But at least I was able to hone my skills.

Don't be afraid to try to help others. But you should always make it clear how well you understand it, so that the receiver knows how reliable the answer is. I always try to add something like "I'm no expert in this, but I think...", when I'm not confident of the answer. On the plus side, someone with more experience will usually come along and correct you if you give bad advice, leading to more "learning opportunities".

Remember, there's also a "Success Stories" forum where you can post what you've learned so that others can learn from your experiences. I really ought to be posting a few things to it myself.