I really want to give Linux a run BUT!!

[pmrid]

Following on from a recent thread about an Astro Distro that operates under Linux and having seen the YouTube videos of the program Ekos, I am extremely keen to get my head around all things Linux. What an opportunity to escape from the clutches of the evil empire. But, there are traps for young (and old) players stemming from the open-source nature of the OS and its infinite variability among flavors, versions, supporting libraries and dependencies and so forth.

I live in the bush. So popping down to my friendly neighborhood TAFE for a course is out. Can anyone suggest an entree route to learning enough about Linux to be able to operate in that OS with more or less the same level of comfort that one has with OSX and Windows? Linux for Dummies - OK that's about my level at the moment for sure but anything else?

Peter

[Astro_Bot]

I tend to see this more as a strength than a weakness - the code is free to modify and re-distribute, which is an enormously powerful characteristic. Ffrom the perspective of teh end user, the variability is handled through "distro" developers who do the hard work for you in gathering, configuring and compiling everything to work properly together. There are hundreds of distros - some highly specialised, some generic - and the biggest task that you, as a potential user, need to undertake is choosing the right distro for your needs. Afer that, learning a few basics is straightforward, though it'll take a certain investment of time and neurons on your part as with any other new endeavour.


It's funny you should mention Linux for Dummies, because there are such books - check Dymocks, Amazon, etc. for one that suits your needs. Try to get something generic, as the distro-specific books tend to become outdated quickly. For distro-specific info, online sources are generally better.

I spent three years as an admin on a major Linux forum, with much of my time helping new users find their feet. There are many online resources and a search for "Linux new users guide" ought to get you started.

Once you've chosen your preferred distro, join that distro's user forum and read, read, read! There's a wealth of information there, and mostly not too hard to find. Usually, questions are answered promptly. One word on attitude: Linux forums can be enormously helpful, but thay can also heap scorn on those who don't appreciate the help by being arrogant, or not reading up first. Read first, frame your question intelligently, and be patient - everyone on those forums is an unpaid volunteer giving their free time to help others, so cut them some slack.

Overall, Linux is best described as: different, not harder. There are some things that will be surprisingly familiar to the ex-Windows user, and even more so to the ex-Mac user, but there are others that are new. The power you have to do things your way in Linux is outstanding, but it also means that there are pitfalls to avoid - but even then, the modern desktop GUIs that come with Linux are pretty safe for the average user.

If you want to ask me a few questions in a PM, I can probably direct you a bit more usefully, less generically. Most importantly, you need to work out what you want to do with Linux and whether there are any legacy Windows/Mac apps that you simply can't do without.

Linux: Freedom, baby, yeah! :thumbsup: :)

[lazjen]

I've been using Linux for so long now that I can't really say what would be the best way to go about learning it new. I also started with more of a Unix-type background rather than PC, so my mindset is different there too.

I think a good place to start is to actually perform an installation and/or play with a live disk. If you do an installation, you'll see details about how your disk is setup, etc.

When you've got something installed, you also have something to mess around with. It's at this point I'd look to have a goal in mind, e.g. like the Distro Astro stuff. Maybe work out how to connect up some gear like a camera, etc. You'll learn how to install software (usually via some package management system) and how to configure it.

As Linux is an operating system like Windows, you can do just about anything on it. With some of the distributions around these days, you could probably get by with as much administration knowledge as you currently have for Windows. I think the common stuff like wireless config, graphics cards, etc have GUIs these days, so it's not that difficult. There's also lots of sites out on the net to learn bits of linux or to find answers to problems.

So, after all this, the summary is: play with it, work towards a goal.

[iandix]

I agree with most of what was said before me. I Also have started a few friends on to the Linux road, without any issues.

When a friend says he plans to buy a new computer because the old one is having trouble running the latest version of windows, I tell them "seeing you are going to dump the computer why not install linux first and see how it is". Well all that have done this had no real problem moving over and are very happy with how much faster the computer is. One who had very basic windows skills he now wants to move his wife's laptop to Linux.

As to what flavour to use, the most common is always the safest road to take. That would be Ubuntu at the moment. Also just about (not all) windows programs you will find a Linux version (for free) it's as easy to install a new programs as it is to download an app to your phone.

Just for interest sake I install MS Office on my Linux box using a system called wine. Office runs without any problems, so believe it or not many windows programs (not all) can still run on Linux.

If you can find a old computer someone wants to throw away, grab it and install Linux on that, there is a lot of online information to help solve most problems.

http://www.techradar.com/au/news/software/operating-systems/beginner-s-guide-to-linux-where-to-start-1066778#articleContent

http://www.linuxinsider.com/story/79177.html

http://lifehacker.com/5778882/getting-started-with-linux-the-complete-guide