Kali Linux sticky thread?

Originally Posted by Randicus Draco Albus A short list of the main distros should be sufficient. Like Debian, Mint, Suse, Ubuntu. (My list is in alphabetical order, not order of preference.) Perhaps add a "be prepared to read documentation, especially if you want to advance your skills" warning.

I like these suggestions too. And agree with the choice to alphabetize as well as potentially point out that detail to the reader. Not unusually, I expect they will not be reading critically, but instead literally and one really will need to point out the arbitrary order chosen for that list to emphasize that they should use their mind to review what they really like as opposed to accepting another persons preference order. Maybe Fedora joins that list, maybe not.

Note, novice Kali users do not create users, they use Kali as root.

Thanks guys!

I think I'll do both (a list of distro's and distrowatch) for the suggested "newbie" distro list (and add Fedora as well). I was thinking about the title, but I'm not really too sure on what it should be so.... Suggestions please!

Originally Posted by Emerson Note, novice Kali users do not create users, they use Kali as root.

While I understand your point, could you suggest some content, as per your suggestion?

Yeah, this is an evergreen theme, why noobs run as root. No, I have no universal fix for it. Usual excuse is: this is my computer, I do what I want. And another vulnerable box is put online. It may be a drop in the sea, considering there is a popular desktop OS which cannot be secured. So they can do what they want, but not with my help.

Originally Posted by jsbjsb001 Thanks guys!

I agree with your draft. It makes the point. Well done. Be sure to keep it short and to the point even after changes as result from other inputs. Credits are not usually put in those threads.

jlinkels

A sticky for this seems like a good idea and the one posted seems like a reasonable start. We can probably point to http://iso.linuxquestions.org/ which includes a list of "popular" distributions. If you'd like to post this I'll sticky it (and possibly make a couple edits). Thanks for the contribution. If any other members have additional suggestions, feel free to post them.

--jeremy

Firstly, I would like to very much thank the following members for their expert and very, very helpful suggestions/input's to the "proposed" Kali Linux sticky; 273, Randicus Draco Albus, Timothy Miller, ondoho, Emerson, jlinkels.

I would also like to pay a special thanks to rtmistler who not only provided some expert suggestions for the sticky, but who also give me expert direction and guidance, both in thread and though private messages.

I do not believe that I would have gone ahead with this nor do I believe this "proposed" sticky, could have been as helpful to other members without this feedback, from the above mentioned members! Very much thank you all again!!!

My suggestions for possible titles are as follows; "Downloaded Kali Linux? PLEASE READ!!", "Having trouble with Kali Linux? PLEASE READ!", "Using Kali Linux? PLEASE READ!!" or a mix of all three.

I'm not too fussed about the title, as, like a guy by the name of Martin Luther King once said; "...but by the content of their character" or in this case, "sticky". So I'll leave that up to Jeremy to decide on the best title for the sticky.

I'd still recommend the "Newbies" forum for where it should be placed, as it is aimed primarily at the "newbie", maybe also in addition, in the "Linux - Distributions" forum as well, but in any case, I'd say the "Newbies" forum first, if nothing else.

I'll put together a final draft hopefully sometime within the next couple of days and post it, in my next post to this thread.

Thank you to everyone who has replied once again!

And thank you jsb!!! I'd suggest a 'sub-forum', simply with the word Kali, under Newbie.
That says it all: Newbie & Kali. (not distro support, nor security/network expertise)

Now/next comes the 'sticky', which can evolve (be changed).
I'd suggest jsb start with a quick LQblog, where any&all can be edited, and even deleted.

I notice most-all mentions of Kali receive some form of "No" in reply (many 'hostile').
Of #1 importance is keeping sticky maximally polite and 'professional': an LQshowcase sticky!!!

Maybe LQ would automatically put any 1st-time-post mentioning Kali
here (if not in IntroForum); Mods could liberally move threads here.

A separate tho similar idea: sub-Newbie-forum: First_Question:HOW_to_Ask_Questions
Separate forum makes it easiest for those who don't want to even see/think-of such.

Preamble

The purpose of this sticky is to advise people who are new to Linux and have downloaded Kali Linux and/or who have installed it or who are having problems with it; on what Kali Linux is, is meant for, as well as the best course of action in the event of problems.

What is Kali Linux?

Kali Linux is a Linux distribution based on Debian Linux, and is developed by Offensive Security Ltd. Kali Linux is designed for digital forensics, penetration testing and other network security auditing.

Who should be using Kali Linux?

Because of the above, Kali Linux has been designed for ICT security professionals and is not recommended for Linux newbies/beginners. This is because Kali Linux requires a good understanding of both networking and the administration of Linux based operating systems.

If you are not well-versed in administrating Linux based operating systems, you are strongly advised to choose a far more suitable Linux distribution, as Kali Linux will not be suitable for the newbie/beginner.

In addition, it can be highly frustrating for members of LQ to answer Kali Linux related questions such as (but not limited to) configuring an internet connection, creating user accounts, fixing graphical environment issues, etc. As a consequence, most LQ members may be unwilling to assist people seeking help with basic configuration issues.

You need to learn to walk before you can run

Where can I get some help for my Kali Linux issues??

The best places to start are the following, in the following order;

https://www.kali.org/kali-linux-documentation/
https://forums.kali.org/

OK, Kali Linux is not suitable for me, what do I do??

You would need to choose a Linux distribution that is suitable for the Linux "newbie". As Linux can be very big learning curve, particularly when coming from non-UNIX based operating systems such as (but not limited to) Microsoft Windows. As, there are fundamental differences between Microsoft Windows and Unix-like operating systems.

It can take some time to understand such fundamental differences depending on things like your IT knowledge, generally speaking and can be difficult to understand, to begin with.

A very good place to find some "newbie" friendly Linux distributions, is right here, at LQ! See this for a list of suitable Linux distributions (listed under "Popular Linux Distributions").

More Resources:

https://docs.kali.org/introduction/s...use-kali-linux
https://www.kali.org/
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Kali_Linux
https://distrowatch.com/

Great work. I still suggest you include some warning about using Linux as root - this is what Kali defaults to. Not to mention it renders the system rather defenseless, novice user also will not get the correct UNIX experience and skills. The policy everything is denied by default is important cornerstone of computer security - and totally missing in Kali Linux.

Maybe shorten/simplify first paragraph to:
...who are new to Linux, and are having a problem with, or question about, Kali.
(they tend to have a 2-second, 2-short-line max attention span)

Otherwise SUPERB!!! Maybe add link to Kali site's topic: "is Kali for me?"
(1st under "Who should be using kali?" Direct from "the horse's mouth")

Originally Posted by Emerson Great work. I still suggest you include some warning about using Linux as root - this is what Kali defaults to. Not to mention it renders the system rather defenseless, novice user also will not get the correct UNIX experience and skills. The policy everything is denied by default is important cornerstone of computer security - and totally missing in Kali Linux.

I do agree with you but, I could not think of how to add your suggestion without confusing the sticky, so I'll let Jeremy do the final clean up (and maybe add your suggestion - if he agree's, of course).

I'm sure he'll see your comment and act accordingly though. Thanks again for your help and thanks for your comment as well!!

I agree about details being TMI. You might sneak them into next-to-last paragraph (which has two of word "understand")
Re: root ... defenseless security policy ...

I'd suggest this sticky be simply Titled: Kali (&be 2nd post under newbie forum)
(tho beginners who think they aren't, may skip even glancing at newbie and go directly to sec/net etc. It could be simply added to other forums, as needs arise)

One more grammar-nit (you could edit #24 if my thot is useful; sorry for PMing it):
In the "what do I do", the two "as" words are gramerically redundant & could be removed.
Also, the "You would need to" could be omitted.

Update: rather than this repeated nit-picking, I copied the GREAT #24 to a blog,
for my minor edit ideas.

jsbjsb001, well done, but it MUST include a link to this: http://docs.kali.org/introduction/sh...use-kali-linux !!!

...

[rant]
Problem is, a 15 year old who found their Idol (is that series still on btw?), and thinks they know how to get on top of the world, won't read it anyway.
Or worse: they'll read, but it will only increase their opinion of themselves, their mission, and all the boring old farts populating the internet forums...
[/rant]

Originally Posted by ondoho jsbjsb001, well done, but it MUST include a link to this: http://docs.kali.org/introduction/sh...use-kali-linux !!! ... [rant] Problem is, a 15 year old who found their Idol (you-know-who), and thinks they know how to get on top of the world, won't read it anyway. Or, worse, they'll ready but it will only increase their opinion of themselves, their mission, and of all the boring old farts populating the internet forums... [/rant]

Yup, I forgot allllll about that one!