what is linux?

[MKSanic]

so i just watched linus's video on why linux is better. but i do not understand exactly is linux. and what can linux do that windows cant. and where would a beginner start( soemone that does not have an ounce of skill). where does one install linux from? pls give me answers thank you

[Enderman]

It's an operating system, like windows or OSX.

If you 'don't have an ounce of skill' then you should probably learn how to do research and use google, because there is no way you should be using linux without even knowing what an OS is.

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux

And yeah if you want to learn, you're going to need to know how to google stuff, like literally all the time.

[Slottr]

Linux is an umbrella term for the many distributions which use its kernel

 

This site is fantastic for learning Linux:

https://linuxjourney.com/

[MKSanic]

3 minutes ago, Slottr said:

Linux is an umbrella term for the many distributions which use its kernel

 

This site is fantastic for learning Linux:

https://linuxjourney.com/

thank you

[G0dSpeed]

For a beginner you should probably sick to the most used one Ubuntu or one of its flavors like Linux Mint (which is what I mainly use).

[Lady Fitzgerald]

Linux Mint is probably the easiest one to start with if used to Windows, especially Win 7. This is a good video to watch.

[vanished]

The best tips I can give are:

1. Most programs come from the built-in "app store", rather than downloads from a website like they do on Windows
2. You will use the terminal a lot, and often you'll simply be given the commands to run so it's not something to be afraid of
3. Google a lot.  You will need to, but you will get good help if you do it.  Do it for every little thing.  You will be alright

[Lady Fitzgerald]

4 hours ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

The best tips I can give are:

1. Most programs come from the built-in "app store", rather than downloads from a website like they do on Windows
2. You will use the terminal a lot, and often you'll simply be given the commands to run so it's not something to be afraid of
3. Google a lot.  You will need to, but you will get good help if you do it.  Do it for every little thing.  You will be alright

2. For most day to day operation, you do NOT need to use the terminal a lot, if at all. Some distros, such as Mint Cinnamon, have programs that have GUIs that reduce or eliminate the need to use the terminal.

 

3. Even better, find a forum you can go to for help. Linux Mint has a good one.

[vanished]

4 hours ago, Lady Fitzgerald said:

2. For most day to day operation, you do NOT need to use the terminal a lot, if at all. Some distros, such as Mint Cinnamon, have programs that have GUIs that reduce or eliminate the need to use the terminal.

 

3. Even better, find a forum you can go to for help. Linux Mint has a good one.

"a lot" may have been the wrong phrase.  I would say it's frequently though, at least in my experience.  For someone used to Windows and with no prior Linux experience, even what seems like almost nothing to a seasoned user can be jarring, so I want to ease that transition and encourage getting into it since sooner or later it will be useful if you stick with Linux for any period of time.

 

For more complex, nuanced issues and/or very specific, unique situations, absolutely.  In the early days there are going to be a ton of questions which are extremely simple though (ex. how do I install Chrome) and have already been answered on forums and had guides made about them en masse, so simply finding those will be faster for the user and easier on people answering (or not answering, as it were).

[lal12]

5 hours ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

"a lot" may have been the wrong phrase.  I would say it's frequently though, at least in my experience.  For someone used to Windows and with no prior Linux experience, even what seems like almost nothing to a seasoned user can be jarring, so I want to ease that transition and encourage getting into it since sooner or later it will be useful if you stick with Linux for any period of time.

I would argue that the most users won't need the terminal at all. Most people want a browser and maybe Office. Both can be installed via app center (if not pre installed) and used in the same way. I installed Linux on the computer of multiple people in my family and nobody did ever needed to use the terminal.

[vanished]

5 minutes ago, lal12 said:

I would argue that the most users won't need the terminal at all. Most people want a browser and maybe Office. Both can be installed via app center (if not pre installed) and used in the same way. I installed Linux on the computer of multiple people in my family and nobody did ever needed to use the terminal.

You may not need it, but a lot of existing guides/help will use it so being comfortable with that at a minimum I think is a good idea, and no difficult so no real reason to avoid it.  It's also just the easiest/fastest way to do certain things.  I agree that for some people who only do the basics and have the system setup for them they will never use it, but anyone who's going to do it themselves, it's going to come up sooner or later.

[lal12]

5 minutes ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

You may not need it, but a lot of existing guides/help will use it so being comfortable with that at a minimum I think is a good idea, and no difficult so no real reason to avoid it.  It's also just the easiest/fastest way to do certain things.  I agree that for some people who only do the basics and have the system setup for them they will never use it, but anyone who's going to do it themselves, it's going to come up sooner or later.

I think this applies more to the (tech) interested user. But most people do not want to learn that, they see it as a hurdle. Obviously you kind of also learn a GUI, but in a much flatter learning curve since it is mostly intuitive. Or in case of a browser/office barely is different from windows. And I am not even sure if it makes life of those people easier, because I just don't see a general problem where it could help, if you are a person only watching Youtube or looking at Facebook.

That being said in a forum like this you probably can imply that the users are tech savvy or at least tech interested, so your advice is obviously a well placed one ^^. Just disagreeing you disagreeing with Lady Fitzgerald in a general way ^^.

[Lady Fitzgerald]

7 hours ago, Ryan_Vickers said:

You may not need it, but a lot of existing guides/help will use it so being comfortable with that at a minimum I think is a good idea, and no difficult so no real reason to avoid it.  It's also just the easiest/fastest way to do certain things.  I agree that for some people who only do the basics and have the system setup for them they will never use it, but anyone who's going to do it themselves, it's going to come up sooner or later.

It's the misconception that Linux involves using nothing but the terminal or even just frequently using the terminal that scares a lot of people away from trying Linux. The truth is most people (maybe not most people here) would be far more receptive to using Linux if they knew that it is possible to use it with little to no use of the terminal, especially once it has been set up,

 

Granted, the terminal is probably Linux's most powerful tool. But it is not necessary for average users once the installation has been set up and fully configured. Even if and when the terminal is needed, directions with commands that can be copied and pasted into the terminal are available.

 

Mint Cinnamon, Zorin, and PopOS are probably the easiest distros for Windows refugees to learn how to use. However, one caution is, though it may appear to work like Windows, it is NOT windows. It is completely different under the hood. As long as people realize that, learning how to use it is a lot easier.

[sp331yi]

Quote

Mint Cinnamon, Zorin, and PopOS are probably the easiest distros for Windows refugees to learn how to use. However, one caution is, though it may appear to work like Windows, it is NOT windows. It is completely different under the hood. As long as people realize that, learning how to use it is a lot easier.

Anyone try ferenos?