Learning Linux

xiaomhome · May 7th, 2007, 11:37 PM

Quote:

What is the best way to learn Linux? As more and more computer users embark on their first tentative steps in an unfamiliar environment, questions like that often found their ways into the DistroWatch inbox. Is there a fast and painless way to learn about this alternative operating system? While there is no sure way of making quick progress and become instantly at home on a new desktop, as a maintainer of a popular web site dedicated to open source software, I thought I would share my own experiences with learning Linux by recommending two excellent resources. After all, there was a time when I was a complete novice myself. The first resource is a book called LPI Linux Certification in a Nutshell by O'Reilly. Several years ago I used the first edition of this book to prepare for my LPI (Linux Professional Institute) certification exam and I found it an excellent resource. Although I was already quite familiar with Linux, by following the book, I learnt so many new things, I was astonished at how much useful stuff I had not known. Yes, it's heavily biased towards command line skills, which might be discouraging to some readers, but I honestly believe that only after learning the essential commands and becoming familiar with the underlying system you'll truly appreciate the power of Linux. It took me about two months to go through the portion of the book that covered the LPI 101 exam. I did pass the test - not with a 100% mark (can you really remember whether the correct name of the command is "dmsg" or "dmesg"?), but I found it exciting to do the course, to find courage to sign up for the exam, and to confirm to myself that I really am a competent Linux user. The book I used has now been superseded by the second edition (released last year) and expanded to cover not only LPI 101 and 102, but also 201 and 202. Even if you'll never take the exam, LPI Linux Certification in a Nutshell is a fantastic reference book to have around and to consult whenever you get stuck. The second resource I want to recommend -- especially to those who absolutely refuse to learn the command line -- is Linux Format, a UK-based magazine by Future Publishing. Now, I have to come clean and mention what many of you know already: I write a monthly column for the Linux Format. However, the fact remains that recommending it here won't bring me any incentives at all and the only reason I write for the magazine is because I honestly believe that it's the best English-language Linux publication available anywhere. I've been a subscriber to Linux Format since August 2000 and I've been writing the DistroWatch column in the magazine since late 2005. The reason I recommend it here is that it taught me a lot over the years. Unlike the above-mentioned LPI Certification book, this is a magazine with many tutorials for graphical applications, including office and graphics suites. Sure, there are also parts that are written for programmers and hard-core geeks, as there are those for absolute beginners, but most of the articles are geared towards your average Linux user who simply wants to be productive and get the work done. Best of all, the magazine carries very little advertising, so if you are used to one of those mainstream technology publications where the advertising-to-content ratio is about 100:1, you are once again in for a pleasant surprise. Linux Format really is good value for the money.

Source: "Distrowatch"
Link: http://distrowatch.com/weekly.php?is...070507#feature

Really interesting reading, i didnt realise that there are so many magazines / books around teaching linux in diferente ways. Its so easy to learn linux now...

IModAmd · May 7th, 2007, 11:52 PM

Well interesting but consider linux at open source ... so somethimes people try to make an good linux but ... they are CRAP ... i tryed one distribution with my old computer and ... i need to format the hdd well

Really interesting bro

gen.Rage1991hrv · May 8th, 2007, 12:17 AM

nice info xiaomhome
thanks

p.s.i was using SUSE and its very good but to be honest i dont know a shit about linux
know to use it but dont know how to install things like wireless and to add new drivers or that shit

and there si lack of games, programs and books about linux (in my country)

xiaomhome · May 8th, 2007, 12:31 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gen.Rage1991hrv

nice info xiaomhome
thanks

p.s.i was using SUSE and its very good but to be honest i dont know a shit about linux
know to use it but dont know how to install things like wireless and to add new drivers or that shit

and there si lack of games, programs and books about linux (in my country)

If you cant find books just google for help, there are a lot of guides around teaching how to do things, or you can even post a question in my thread. About the wireless drivers it can be sometimes a pain, but linux communities are amming now the development of wireless drivers since there are just a few supported products.

IModIntel · May 8th, 2007, 12:45 AM

Well i'm really not familiar with Linux, buy hey who nows one day i might give it a try. It's just the fact that Linux is open source that freaks me out a bit.

Mac Daddy · May 8th, 2007, 12:46 AM

Nice post xiaomhome Cheers Bro

gen.Rage1991hrv · May 8th, 2007, 01:04 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by xiaomhome

If you cant find books just google for help, there are a lot of guides around teaching how to do things, or you can even post a question in my thread. About the wireless drivers it can be sometimes a pain, but linux communities are amming now the development of wireless drivers since there are just a few supported products.

nice
but can you tell me what is easiest linux ???
for peoples who dont know

xiaomhome · May 8th, 2007, 01:27 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by gen.Rage1991hrv

nice
but can you tell me what is easiest linux ???
for peoples who dont know

In my opinion the easiest distros are: SuSE, Fedora, Mandriva.
Moderated: Ubuntu (but they have a big community helping everyone), Gentoo (moderated if you dont mind learning how to use console for the first steps of the installation), Yopper.
Hard: Slackware (Very stable, but it does not have a big package repository, only the CDs / DVDs or the apt-get like applications).

Again, about the wireless drivers, opensuse has a repository about it.

Links:
http://www.opensuse.org/ -- looking for help?
http://en.opensuse.org/Additional_Ya...tories#MadWifi -- just add this repo.

Edit:
More links / readings:
http://en.opensuse.org/Wireless_Netw...d_Installation
http://linux.wordpress.com/2007/03/2...ireless-cards/ -- Not recommended