Self-introduce

ple0415 · 12-21-2011, 02:38 PM

Hello everyone!

Glad to join this forum. I have always been a Windows fan but now want to join Linux family as well.

Ple
Tampa, FL

colucix · 12-21-2011, 03:33 PM

Hi Ple and welcome to LinuxQuestions! Enjoy Linux!

ple0415 · 12-21-2011, 03:39 PM

Hi Colucix:

Thanks for the welcome. Since I am completely new with Linux. If you don't mind, would you care to advise where should I start? (I mean beside buying books...).

I am now researching the differences between Mint - Ubuntu - Fedora (that I know thus far) and will try to download the OS to test it. Therefore, any documentation/tutorial on the subject is greatly appreciated.

Thanks,
Ple

colucix · 12-22-2011, 12:37 AM

Generally when you choose/install Linux, the first manual to read is the official documentation of that specific Linux flavor. Usually it may enlighten you about the items/usage of desktop environment and the software management.

When you are ready to deepen into the command line, I suggest the following book:
http://linuxcommand.org/tlcl.php.

Another great resource is The Linux Documentation project http://tldp.org hosting the official Linux HOWTOs. Check the longer in-depth Guides section for some useful reading.

Enjoy!

Aquarius_Girl · 12-22-2011, 12:52 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ple0415

where should I start?

Start what?

Selecting distribution?
Installing Linux?
Learning commands?
Configuring Linux?
Programming the kernel?
Programming the GUI?
Programming something else on Linux?

If you tell us that in which matter you want to get started,
perhaps we'll be able to help.

ple0415 · 12-22-2011, 02:53 PM

Hi Colucix & Anisha:

Thank you very much for follow-up. To be honest, I am still not sure where to begin since I have zero knowledge about Linux other than its history. I am about to accept a system administrator job and although the job requirements are mostly in Win. servers, there will be some admin tasks related to Linux as well; therefore, I'd like to learn how to install/config/administer at least two versions of Linux, that is desktop and server.

I've search for some Linux Administrator job to see which flavor is more popular and "in demand" but can't really tell.

So, if you could help in that direction as well, I'd be greatly appreciated.

I've just download the "Introduction to Linux - by Machtelt Garrels" to start.

Thanks,
Ple

colucix · 12-22-2011, 03:04 PM

If by chance you install a Red Hat based distribution or one of its (free) clones (e.g. Centos that is really suitable for server tasks) I suggest the rich and well written Red Hat documentation, here.

Good luck for your new job!

Aquarius_Girl · 12-22-2011, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ple0415

I am about to accept a system administrator job and although the job requirements are mostly in Win. servers, there will be some admin tasks related to Linux as well;

Rute: For understanding the command line basics http://rute.2038bug.com/index.html.gz

So, after you get familiar with basics, you can straight way head for reading and understanding this Michael Jang's book: http://www.amazon.com/RHCSA-Linux-Ce...dp_ob_title_bk
That book is used often by those people who aim to clear those certification exams.
IMO, that book is though based on Red Hat, but if you "understand" even that much then it won't be difficult for you configure other distributions too.

They say that CentOS is similar to RedHat and is free. Just install it and get started.

Shell scripting: Bash: http://www.gnu.org/software/bash/