Hello I'm new here and trying to learn more about Linux. I don't know much about Linux my boyfriend thinks this is a good place for me to start learning things by asking questions. Any help will be good for me. Thanks

first question :
what do you want to learn about Linux?
then comes the HOW TO's questions from you.

Hi and welcome to the forums.

Best way to learn is to dive in and start. Distrowatch will show you some of the choices you have for downloading your new operating system. The one that's best for you will depend on your experience and preferences - are you new to computers or do you have some experience with Windows/Mac?

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I know a little bit of computers. I know more about Windows then any thing

This is a good place to learn, yes.

Is there something particular you would like to learn how to do (edit photos, write documents, read and send emails)? I'd suggest picking out something you'd like to do and concentrating on learning how to do it.

One of the most bewildering things to persons new to Linux is the sheer number of distributions. I'd suggest that you pick one of the mainstream distros and start with it. I'd suggest starting with Mint or Mageia, but that's just me--we all have our favorites. Then stick with it for a while before you decide to try a new one.

You might also consider installing a distro to a virtual machine; your boyfriend should be able to help you with that.

You could also burn some Live CD/DVDs of distros you are interested in, boot to them without installing them to the hard drive to see how they feel, then pick the one that seems the best fit for you.

And don't be afraid to ask questions. We were all newbies once.

1 members found this post helpful.

Linux is like windows but then again no it is not.

you will find that the install is different in ways.
you will find that you can do things in Linux you can do in window. copy cut paste are the same both with a mouse and keyboard.
opening up a file manager and using it are very similar
you will find that windows does not like Linux but Linux tries to tolerate Windows.

in other words Windows does not use and cannot understand Linux files hard drive, where as Linux can.

Windows uses exe (executables ) to start its programs,

Linux uses executables to start its programs

but the executable is different.
Linux is programname
windows is programname.exe

they both are Operating systems
but one allows the user to do whatever he or she wants to it.
the other one does not. Freedoms are removed by that one which is Windows.

if Linux will not do what you want it to do then we do something called a work around to show it whos boss and make it do what one wants it to.

SU - or root is GOD in Linux whereas sudo is pseudo god in Linux.
its servant is everything in Linux/GNU therefore it does whatever you tell it to do. if not then do a work around to get it to do what you want.


I got a go for now. I do hope you have a logical side about you. if true you'll get far in Linux. if not LQ is heer to help you.

yes I spelled heer wrong.

1 members found this post helpful.

I strongly recommend frankbell's suggestion of live CD/DVDs. They'll be slow, but they're a really safe way of getting a feel for the differences between Linux and Windows.

I see Mint frequently suggested as a good learning distribution, I'd suggest also putting PCLinuxOS and OpenSUSE fairly high on the list of things to look at.

Once you've settled on an INITIAL distribution* to try, you need to actually use it to get as much of your normal PC work done as you can; keep the Windows installation for when you hit a (temporary) brick wall on your road to OSS land.

*Linux distributions are like salted peanuts - it's really REALLY hard to stop at just one.

The best way to learn about Linux is to install it and start using it.

Linux for Dummies and the Idiot's Guide to Linux are both excellent books and both available online.
They are multi-level in that even advanced Linux users will find them useful and enlightening.

Just to amplify a little:
With Windows, you browse around the Internet, looking for programs. If you find one that looks interesting and doesn't cost you money, you download, unzip and install it. Then, too late, you find it's infected your computer with viruses or back doors. In Linux, you have a program called a package manager. You tell it to install a program you've heard about. It does it safely.
Yes, what you do with your mouse and keyboard inside applications is very similar. It's what's under the hood, and how that makes you feel about your computer, that's completely different.

Linux does use suffixes on some files, particularly media, but it isn't dependent on a suffix to determine the file type as Windows is. Instead, it looks at the "magic number" at the start of the file contents. Also, for extra security, scripts and programs in Linux are not executable unless they have a specific flag set.
Which makes you feel quite different about your computer!
So don't use either unless you really need to do something that only the root user can do. And then do it carefully.

Shame those "facts" are mostly not true!!

Hi dave@burn-it.co.uk,

Lately a lot of your comments which I've seen are one-line, non-relevant, and difficult to discern the meaning of their purpose, style of comments.

Please try to stay on topic, and consider reviewing the LQ Rules for further guidance on the content of comments within technical threads.

Regards,

- RTMistler

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Barnes and Noble has great monthly'ish periodicals.
They cover the basics for most topics.

carrollshaffer,

Welcome to LQ.

Make sure that you BACKUP your Windows system and personal data first, just in case!

Top 10 Linux distributions here:

https://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major

Route 1:

NB This does NOT actually install Linux. You are only running Linux from a Live DVD.

Download and burn an ISO image of Linux Mint MATE 18.1 to a DVD.

You will probably need to change the Boot Order in BIOS/UEFI so that the DVD boots before the hard drive (HDD).

BIOS access keys:
https://www.lifewire.com/bios-setup-...ystems-2624463

With the Live DVD inserted, start up the computer.

The Live session should log you in automatically. If it doesn't, or if you need to login manually, you can use the following credentials:

For the username, type:

For the password, if asked, just press Enter.

Click on Menu (bottom left) and view the various applications.

Search around and use Firefox, LibreOffice Writer etc.

Route 2:

Download and install VirtualBox in Windows:
https://www.virtualbox.org/wiki/Downloads

Select Windows hosts link for VirtualBox 5.1.14.

Save the .exe file and then Run as administrator.

Then install Linux Mint, or whatever Linux distro you prefer, into VB.

Install Linux Mint as a virtual machine using Windows:
http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/201...s-virtual.html

Ubuntu on VirtualBox:
http://cybrwrld.blogspot.co.uk/2012/...rtual-box.html

Good luck.

And what comments that refer to the immediately prior post can you not follow??

I said that most of the "facts" that were quoted as such, are not true.

I would not want Linux users to think that the forum condones falsehoods in its posts.