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Just starting out and have a question?
If it is not in the man pages or the how-to's this is the place!
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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.
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.
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).
what to download and what to do with it after i do, have heard about this OS, but am an idiot about computers
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.
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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