How to start linux

[nekomata]

What do I need to know in order to use linux properly? I'm currently using xubuntu on my mac though I'm gonna be trying out Elementary, Korara, and Fedora on my PC. So far I can only install stuff using sudo apt-get and make fortran programs.

[Razzaa]

What do I need to know in order to use linux properly? I'm currently using xubuntu on my mac though I'm gonna be trying out Elementary, Korara, and Fedora on my PC. So far I can only install stuff using sudo apt-get and make fortran programs.

You just need to know how to use Linux if you want to use Linux properly. 

[Geekazoid]

What do I need to know in order to use linux properly? I'm currently using xubuntu on my mac though I'm gonna be trying out Elementary, Korara, and Fedora on my PC. So far I can only install stuff using sudo apt-get and make fortran programs.

Maybe you should try Windows LE (Linux Edition). Heard it's quite good. JK

[SGK2014]

You just need to know how to use Linux if you want to use Linux properly. 

 

And now i try to install flash. download this go i to console use this command and this command and this command and there you go you just apent 15+ min as a new person trying to just install flash. fuck it was confusing my first time. not recommened for new people who dont want to either learn or have the time.

 

than nvidia drivers same thing. took to long not enough output for when i tried. that was 2 years ago things might have changed a bit though.

 

i love linux because god damn my computer has never started up so fast or run so well for its specs but its so hard to get people into it. for a mainstream usage it needs wizards not console commands to open and extract than run a file.

[Kabini]

I recommend you do some more reading on linux before trying out all of these new distributions. Not all distros are similar in terms of features, programs used and general structure of the OS. While apt-get works on the Xubunu(Debian based) it will not work on Fedora(RedHat based) which uses yum.

 

The Arch Wiki is a great place to start : https://wiki.archlinux.org

[Ginz]

Ubuntu Server 12.04 was my first distro. I think it helped a lot that I learned on command line instead of an interface such as Unity or xfce.

[bradscoolio]

I recommend you check out LevelUpTuts Command Line Basics videos:

He provides some really useful info about getting around, file and directory modification and keyboard shortcuts which will familiarise you with the interface and maybe take edge off the learning curve.

 

Next I recommend reading through the linuxcommand.org site. It's owned by WIlliam Shotts Jr, the author of The Linux Command Line book.
On his site he has range of short tutorials on the major components of linux/unix like operating systems such as piping commands, I/O redirection, permissions etc.

He goes into more detail in his book, which is a great read by the way, I read it myself and it's free on his site.

 

I believe a good knowledge of how the command line operates will provide you with a comprehensive understanding of what commands user GUI programs are issuing to achieve things that I once thought were magic.

Once a good understanding is achieved it makes tasks that were once thought of as impossible (ie. making thousands of directories and subdirectories named according to an alphabetical series with a single command. Try creating it manually in GUI, it will take you hours)

 

Also, to kick you off with configuring and compiling your own linux kernel I recommend you check out OhHeyItsLou's 3 part tutorial, he makes the whole process very simple:

[firepants]

Command Line might be confusing at first, but once you play around with it, you can understand it. Maybe google some commands which might be useful and try to make a server on linux (there are tons of tutorials out there on youtube)

[SteveGrabowski]

Back in my day when I walked to school uphill both ways through the snow in 100 degree heat we used Slackware without all the user-friendly crap. But honestly, I learned Linux mostly from using Linux From Scratch as my main operating system for years.

 

http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/

http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/blfs/

 

Well that, and having to write lots of Linux software studying CS in school.

 

With that said, once multilib (e.g., 32-bit and 64-bit libraries and executables in parallel) hit, LFS and BLFS became a huge pain to use as a main OS, and I went to nice and user friendly Ubuntu (though after upgrading my system into a gaming rig I have been forced to install Redmond's garbage for the first time since I last had a gaming rig, in the early XP days).