I am new to Linux and am only a user in the windows environment. I would like to learn Linux but when I ask questions or review posts in the newbie section the answers seam to be for people who already know how to use the command line, know how to edit and seam to have knowledge of programming. The answers seam to start in the middle rather than the beginning from my level. Would you concider a new section for true beginners with no programming experience and could you who answer the questions take it from the begining not the middle....(you know,,,left foot in front of right foot kind of thing). I know that someone is going to say I need to do some research or reading but I have and it all is the same.

I don't mean for this to sound mean but in your post, just mention that you need step by step in grave detail...that way those helping have an Idea of just how detailed the need to make there replies...and as for when we say edit the reason we don't specify with what is because there are so many tools you can use its just a matter of personal pref. just let us know that you need step by step and we are more then welcome to walk you though it one step at a time

Have a good one

I know I could probably do that but you have to admit that when you look at any item in the section not one is for a true newbie. Take for example the first one (discounting the one suggesting making linux easier). How to set up APACHE server. You dont even have to open it to recognize its not for a newbie. What true newbie has ever setup a web server. Then open it, most users dont even know what an IP address is. They get a disk from there provider put it in and away they go. I submit that the current newbie section is for people administrators, designers and programmers that have made the switch to linux. I dont fit that category as most dont. I would like to see a section for the average USER maker the switch

The newbie section is for newbies. Unfortunately, for you and others like you, often people are given a Linux job and told, for instance, that they have to look after an apache server. We do try to move threads that are blatantly in the wrong place, but sometimes a newbie just has an advanced question to ask.

When you post a thread, it may be worth your while to explain briefly that you don't know what you are doing or that you don't know what the best tool is for the job. We all look at other's posts through our own experiences and that means that we assume that others can start from where we started from.

Also at times, people who have been using Linux and know their way around ask questions like How to set up Apache in the newbie section because they are newbies to Apache. So don't be ahssled by it.

Most of the users here take their time in answering posts and explaining nicely step-by-step of how to go about things. But their are users who get offended by this. Saying things like, I know how to do this...

So it's always good to describe how much you know and how much you want to know.

You have to learn to walk before you run, and seriously, the best thing you can possibly do right now is to spend some time with a quality Linux book, like O'Reilly's "Running Linux" or Scheer's "Rute". Believe it or not, the Newbie forum really does concentrate on newbie questions, but if you are coming into LQ totally cold, meaning that you know almost nothing about Linux, then it's only to be expected that a lot of what you see will look unfamiliar and strange and way above your head.

It really isn't though -- once you invest a little time in yourself and spend some time learning the basics. In many ways, LQ is a 2 way street, people here are willing to go out of their way to be helpful, but there is an equal expectation that you will do a little work too. Basic Linux tutorials geared towards total newbies are widely available both in books and online, and I can virtually guarantee that if you spend a few hours a day reading up on them, then probably in only a week or so, some of what now seems confusing will suddenly start making sense. Good luck with it -- J.W.

robby737, I had the same problem when I started using linux 2 years ago. I was lost in alot of the information that was given. You have to give it time, and if you do, the teminology will start to fall into place. You do not have to be a programmer to run linux. Look below for some sites for help with the command line. I was lost when I first started, but it does get easier with some patience and time. Keep reading and trying out the suggestions from your readings here and from tutorials.
Good luck