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11-17-2016, 06:02 PM
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#1
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LQ Newbie
Registered: May 2014
Posts: 3
Rep:
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I have no idea how get started
what to download and what to do with it after i do, have heard about this OS, but am an idiot about computers
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11-17-2016, 06:05 PM
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#2
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Senior Member
Registered: Sep 2010
Location: Lawrence, New Zealand
Distribution: Slackware
Posts: 1,077
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You probably want to do some research first. Maybe visit a Library or Bookstore and read up about Linux, what it is, and how you can use it. Otherwise, do some research online.
Once you're satisfied that you understand what Linux is and whether or not you want to use it, go to a Linux distribution's website, such as http://ubuntu.com, and follow the steps to download and install.
Reading will be one of your greatest friends.
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1 members found this post helpful.
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11-17-2016, 06:25 PM
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#3
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LQ Guru
Registered: Sep 2013
Location: Somewhere in my head.
Distribution: Slackware (15 current), Slack15, Ubuntu studio, MX Linux, FreeBSD 13.1, WIn10
Posts: 10,342
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or go to distrowatch. where you can select whatever you want to try for free
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1 members found this post helpful.
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11-17-2016, 06:28 PM
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#4
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LQ Sage
Registered: Nov 2004
Location: Saint Amant, Acadiana
Distribution: Gentoo ~amd64
Posts: 7,675
Rep:
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Or if you just are confused with too many choices get Linux Mint Mate Edition, it will run on practically any computer, old or new. You can always get something else if you change your mind. Mint is newbie friendly, installing it is easy and using it is easy, too.
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1 members found this post helpful.
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11-17-2016, 06:47 PM
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#5
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LQ Guru
Registered: Sep 2013
Location: Somewhere in my head.
Distribution: Slackware (15 current), Slack15, Ubuntu studio, MX Linux, FreeBSD 13.1, WIn10
Posts: 10,342
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Slackware is easy too, just got a know how to follow instructions.
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11-17-2016, 08:16 PM
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#6
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LQ Guru
Registered: Feb 2004
Location: SE Tennessee, USA
Distribution: Gentoo, LFS
Posts: 10,827
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Start by watching videos on YouTube.
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1 members found this post helpful.
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11-17-2016, 09:04 PM
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#7
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LQ Guru
Registered: Jan 2006
Location: Virginia, USA
Distribution: Slackware, Ubuntu MATE, Mageia, and whatever VMs I happen to be playing with
Posts: 19,545
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Going Linux is also an excellent resource.
Lifewire has a pretty good Linux section. (linux.about.com now redirects to that location.)
I suggest that, after you pick some distros that interest you, you boot to them in live mode (the OS loads in RAM without having to be installed--it's slower than an installed version, but you can see how it acts and feels) and pick the one you feel most comfortable with, then install that. Stick with it for at least three months before you decide to "distro-hop" to something else. I would also recommend sticking to a major distro, such as Mint, Mageia, OpenSUSE, Ubuntu, Debian. Fedora is a nice job of work, but it is too bleeding edge and has too quick a release cycle for my taste.
Me, I started with Slackware.
The Youtube suggestion is an excellent one. Behind the kittens, the movie trailers, and self-aggrandisement, there are lots of good how-tos about many subjects on YouTube (lots of bad how-tos also).
Last edited by frankbell; 11-17-2016 at 09:07 PM.
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1 members found this post helpful.
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11-17-2016, 09:55 PM
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#8
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LQ Veteran
Registered: Feb 2015
Location: USA
Distribution: Lubuntu 14.04, 22.04, Windows 8.1 and 10
Posts: 6,282
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Quote:
Originally Posted by stoney1666
what to download and what to do with it after i do, have heard about this OS, but am an idiot about computers
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Hi...
That doesn't make you "dumb" at all, we all have areas where we are inexperienced or may not have the same aptitude as others in understanding it. God does not bless each of with the same gifts, abilities or skill sets. It doesn't make you "less than" if you happen to not know as much about computers as someone else.
In addition to the other suggestions, if you need more "hands on" help, there also may be Linux users group (LUG) where you live that might be willing to lend you a hand with getting up and running, or you can take your system to a local computer repair shop or technician who is knowledgeable with Linux.
Regards...
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1 members found this post helpful.
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11-18-2016, 12:59 AM
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#9
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LQ Addict
Registered: Mar 2012
Location: Hungary
Distribution: debian/ubuntu/suse ...
Posts: 22,702
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(you have already started)
I would ask you first what do you want to know? what is your goal? Probably you can download a live iso and run it in a VM (virtualbox) to see.
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1 members found this post helpful.
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11-18-2016, 04:35 AM
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#10
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LQ Veteran
Registered: Jan 2011
Location: Abingdon, VA
Distribution: Catalina
Posts: 9,374
Rep:
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1 members found this post helpful.
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11-18-2016, 04:48 AM
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#11
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Member
Registered: Jun 2016
Distribution: any&all, in VBox; Ol'UnixCLI; NO GUI resources
Posts: 999
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Dup of OP's 2014!
http://www.linuxquestions.org/questi...rt-4175505697/
What model computer do you have? How much 'ram' memory?
Last edited by Jjanel; 11-18-2016 at 01:41 PM.
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11-18-2016, 12:58 PM
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#12
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LQ Newbie
Registered: Nov 2016
Distribution: Linux Mint, Opensuse
Posts: 5
Rep:
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A little help
For the operating system, it depends on your computer. If you like windows and want nice starter OS, Linux mint is nice. If you prefer macs, then ubuntu is a good choice. As for software, Libreoffice is my word processor of choice, it is free and is beter than ms word in my opinion. Firefox is my favorite browser. VLC is a great free media player. If you like the macos doc, then docky can add that for you.
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1 members found this post helpful.
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12-18-2016, 11:39 AM
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#13
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Senior Member
Registered: Nov 2005
Location: USA
Distribution: Mageia 7 - Debian 10 - Artix Linux
Posts: 1,142
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I would suggest have a look at Q4OS if you still deciding on an easy to use OS.
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1 members found this post helpful.
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12-18-2016, 05:22 PM
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#14
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LQ Veteran
Registered: Mar 2008
Location: Waaaaay out West Texas
Distribution: antiX 23, MX 23
Posts: 7,255
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Quote:
Originally Posted by Jjanel
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Long Term Memory Loss? Or just plain lonely <needs attention>?
I have no suggestions that have not already been covered.
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