How to Learn Linux

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Learning Linux isn't a one-day task, but it isn't overly challenging either. Linux can be a reliable operating system for home and enterprise users if it fulfills their required roles. Keep in mind that there is more than one Linux variation; each is fine-tuned for specific reasons. The first step to learning Linux should be establishing and making decisions based on your needs.

Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and elementary OS are suitable for beginners due to having graphical and user-friendly interfaces, package stability, and community support.

Choosing your Linux distribution

Pick the proper distribution for you.

Distributions such as Ubuntu and Linux Mint are designed to satisfy new home users. Thus, they are designed with interfaces and tools to assist users with operations that may otherwise require better knowledge. Examples include a graphical installer, software center, desktop environment, etc.

  • Both are derivatives of the Debian distribution.
  • Popular distributions such as Arch Linux focus on power users rather than beginners. Therefore, you should carefully research how well a distribution is suited for your needs.
  • For server-level operations: Ubuntu, CentOS/Fedora, and OpenSUSE are among the most popular, free, and more straightforward choices to use compared to other popular options such as Gentoo.
  • It’s essential to understand Ubuntu offers a desktop version and a server version.Get the desktop version if you are a home user planning to use Linux for your desktop.Get the server version if you are an enterprise user planning to use Linux for your server.
  • Get the desktop version if you are a home user planning to use Linux for your desktop.
  • Get the server version if you are an enterprise user planning to use Linux for your server.

Choosing a Desktop Environment

Learn about the desktop environments you can use with your Linux distribution.

In Linux, the user can choose what their desktop (and related bits and pieces) looks like. Distros like Ubuntu or Mageia give you the choice. The most popular desktop environments include kde and gnome. These can be chosen during installation.To switch between desktop environments (assuming they are there!) the command switchdesk is used. (e.g. Open Terminal and type in switchdesk kde to switch to kde.

  • Below is a picture of Gnome 3.

Familiarize Yourself with the Applications

Browse the applications that came with your OS.

In Gnome 3, one has to click on “Applications” to view applications. In Kde, there is a type of ‘start menu’ in the bottom bar. Thus the installed applications can be viewed. To open an application, click on it once. To surf the web, there may be an application titled ‘web’ or ‘browser’, or some distros even come with Firefox bundled. All the fundamental applications usually come bundled with the distro. Installation of extra applications are covered in the later sections of this article.

Use the internet:

  • Chances are your broadband has been set up during installation.
  • If you are using a wireless dongle in your laptop, then after installation of the OS, connect it and follow the instructions given in your dongle’s manual to install it.
  • Open the browser from the list of applications. It may be Firefox, Midori, or just Web/Browser.
  • Access the internet!

Learn How to Use the Terminal

Download and view files.

You can download files and applications via the terminal.

  • File downloads are similar to Windows, but you must keep in mind the type of file you are downloading. If it is an application, make sure it is meant for Linux and not Windows or Mac.
  • If you are trying to open a document (e.g. a text document) and there is no inbuilt application for opening it, try opening it in the browser (e.g. Firefox can open a text document).To do this, right click on it and then select Open With. Then choose your browser and set it as the default. Usually, there are options for this at the top or bottom of the window.
  • To do this, right click on it and then select Open With. Then choose your browser and set it as the default. Usually, there are options for this at the top or bottom of the window.

Install applications that you want or need.

The first place you should always look is in the Software Center that came with your OS. This is the application that will help you find new apps you can install; it will also help you install and uninstall them easily. If you can’t find the application you want in the Software Center, then you may be able to find it on the internet and install it using the Terminal.

  • Applications may come in a binary package(installation without compiling – this is easier) or in a tar.gz/tar.bz2/tgz package (this is more difficult).
  • The image below shows the downloading of a binary package from a repository.

Install applications that aren’t in the Software Center using the Terminal.

Follow these steps to install a tar.gz/tar.bz2/tgz package.

  • The first thing you need to do is extract it to a folder. For this example, let’s make it your desktop. You can extract an archive right-clicking on it and choosing the appropriate entry. It should create a new folder with a similar name, e.g. program-1.2.3. Now you need to open your terminal and then go to that directory: cd /home/yourusername/Desktop/program-1.2.3. Make sure you first read a file called INSTALL or INSTALL.txt or README. Check if there are any of these files with the ls command, then display the right one with: (type these in the terminal. Note: please make sure you have root/superuser privileges. Become root first. Do this by typing sudo -s in distros like Ubuntu. In distros like Mageia, the “su” command works.)
  • xdg-open INSTALL
  • The file will contain the right indications to go on with the compiling process. Usually the three “classical” steps are:
  • ./configure
  • make
  • sudo make install
  • You may also need to install some dependencies, generally after a configure error that will tell you what you are missing. You can also use check install instead of make install.

Install a simple binary package using the Terminal.

  • For Ubuntu/Debian/distros based on either (e.g. ElementaryOS) the binary package comes with a .deb extension. Go to the Terminal and type dpkg -i /home/yourusername/directory/filename.deb
  • OR you can right click on the file, go to properties, copy the directory given and type:
  • dpkg -i
  • Make sure there is a space and a slash (/) before the directory. The directory looks like this:
  • (space)/directory

Familiarize yourself with the file system

Learn where common directories are.

You should not have problems finding files and documents and downloads in linux because they are generally listed as follows:

  • Downloads can be found under Downloads (unless the user specifies). The Downloads folder is /home/username/Downloads (generally it is this one) or it may be /username/home/Downloads for your distro. (Then you are not using Ubuntu, Linux Mint, etc.)
  • Documents can be found under Documents.The directory is /home/username/Documents.
  • You can always see the directory of a file by right clicking on it and then selecting “Properties”.

Share files and folders with other users.

One can easily set up their Dropbox account or sync their bookmarks and open tabs via the browser.

  • [Update: Ubuntu One has been discontinued] Use Ubuntu One. Ubuntu users get Ubuntu One, which gives them free cloud storage. This can be used for sharing of files across multiple platforms. Below:Ubuntu One

Tips

  • Remember, as the pros say, “There is an app for everything”, but it may time some time to find it – be prepared to do some research to find the right one for your situation.
  • If all else fails, try common logic, or try analyzing what may be causing the problem (if there is a real problem). You can type the error that is displayed into Google, or better still, seek help in Linux forums.
    Remember, in the forums, there may just have been someone with a similar problem who may have asked about it earlier. Search for and read these first. Only if you are convinced that the problem is unique and has not been faced before by a lot of people before, seek help at the forums or else you may just be given links to those other posts as replies!
  • If you choose to use Ubuntu, Ask Ubuntu is an excellent source of information on almost any question you may have about using Ubuntu.

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