I was just wondering how all of you experts learned the ins and outs of linux and what tips you have for us newbies about learning linux. Any great sites any bad ones? Thoughts on best linux versions?

If you do any amount of searching on this site you will likely find several score topics about each of your questions.

I would definitely recommend perusing the Newbie forum (this one), as well as Distributions, where there are many (many) threads about which linux distribution people think is 'best' for their particular setup (the real answer: whatever works for you and your preferences).

As to how to learn, it's all a matter of actually using it and having an open mind to exploring and learning new things. That and not being afraid to break a box -- if it happens, it happens and you learn not to do that again.

Like any computer thing, fiddling. First in Red Hat Linux 8 then for a while all I had was Knoppix, now I learned with Fedora. Do not be frightened to experiment. If you are not in Root you can not cause that much damage. A good way to learn Linux is to use Live CD's like Knoppix first, they can show you the ropes with very little risk.

As for distribution, judging by your name you use a Mac, is it an Intel Mac? If not I suggest PowerPC Fedora, normal Fedora might run on Intel Macs I am not sure.

Good luck with the wonderful world of GNU/Linux.

I'm not exactly an expert, but here goes..

Method: Trial and Error
Hint: Make Notes - or regret

Although I am a new user to Linux, but I still installed Fedora 8 on my laptop, and Vector Linux on my desktop (along with Mint) to take the challenge of learning game.
I am now fully switched to Linux and outside of Windows world.
I believe - Linux is freedom.

My first linux distro was Caldera eDesktop back in 1995. What led me to linux was using unix via a shell account in 1993. Today, I use only linux and no windows. And what get smart would say, "And, loving it..."

The only tip I can give you is to read, study and practice. Practice setting up a server, writing shell scripts,...etc.

Experience is the key...

Here are some popular linux podcasts

http://www.linuxreality.com/
http://goinglinux.com/
http://www.linuxactionshow.com/

I picked SuSE, and that's pretty much a no brainer. I think I'll write a post today for real beginners.

I learned Linux best after I switched to Slackware. Before I was using FC4 and 5, but I didn't really learn too much from it. Slackware makes you learn and even want to learn (at least for me).

Keep it simple stupid!
Slackware, because it works!

Well, I'm new to linux, I've been using slackware since oct 2006. Before, i was using (k)Ubuntu, fedora, mandriva, kurumin (from Brazil), Fenix (from brazil) and Gentoo.

So, use it, pick up one and use it.

Well, I am a Linux user since 2005. However, I have been using Slackware since the beginning and I have forced myself to use Linux all the time and make all the work in the command line. I don't even have Windows in my personal computer anymore.
So, in other words, that's basically how I learned:

1. Reading
2. Studying
3. Practicing building a home server, shell scripts, etc... (very fun! )


By the way, nowadays I'm studying for the LPI test and I really need a new job.

Not an expert but...



I started with Ubuntu Hoary, while I was reading the hoary guide, in some point I decided to try Debian Sid (because I was looking for newer packages that sarge didn't have)

That was a nightmare! as it says in some part of the debian sid faq, sooner or later the system will break, and many times did, but from every error/fix I started to learn this and that, that's how I started (and keep learning)




Regards

i am not an expert but i taught myself linux by working my way through various distributions. i started with redhat, then fedora, then knoppix, then ubuntu, then slackware, then linux from scratch. my most recent distribution is gentoo which was really a breeze after learning on linux from scratch. i also had a brief foray into unix with freebsd, openbsd, and netbsd. i still occasionally use openbsd to keep my unix skills sharp. i highly recommend linux from scratch it was a real epiphany for me. hope that helps. good luck!

I don't class myself as an expert, but I learnt a lot (and still do) by trial and error. I also read a lot and try things out on my computers at home.

No expert either but read man pages, use google, ask and learn. I think using a distro like slackware has taught me a great deal too.

I have leaned alot by installing, crasing and reinstalling different distributions a number of times. Eventually you will "crash" Linux and know how to fix the problem without reinstalling.

I also learn alot by just browsing this forum and reading interesting topics.

And, maybe the most important thing. I bought a small, inexpensive computer which I wanted to set up as a media center in my home. Having a project to work on and trying to get it the way you want is really a good thing Just as in programming I find that it is easier to learn if you do something that you have a big interest in.

So basically, you'll learn alot by trial and error and browsing the forum.