NOOB linux

[Nab]

I am interested in learning Linux, but I have no idea where to begin. I was wondering if you guys can help me by telling me where I can get started in learning. In addition, what is the best Linux that is compatible for beginners. To my knowledge there are different types of Linux?? I may be mistaken. Thanks for your help.

Oh yeah, I want a linux that can dual boot with Win XP. Thank you in advance.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Grab a Linux distribution, install it, and use it consistently for a while.

 

[Nab]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
Grab a Linux distribution, install it, and use it consistently for a while.

My friend installed Linux, when Linux loaded, he had no idea what to do, so i want to find a way to learn it before installing it. I've heard that there are certain linux distrubutions that are more user friendly before i can get into "Real Linux." Someone told me that Knoppix is good for starting out. Thanks.

 

[n0cmonkey]

knoppix is great. It allows you to learn Linux without actually installing it. There are plenty of books on Linux out there. You can pick one up and read through it, but it won't do a whole lot if you aren't using Linux while you read.

 

[Nab]

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
knoppix is great. It allows you to learn Linux without actually installing it. There are plenty of books on Linux out there. You can pick one up and read through it, but it won't do a whole lot if you aren't using Linux while you read.

Alright thanks for the help. Do you know of any online sources for learning Linux? Thanks.

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: Nab

Originally posted by: n0cmonkey
knoppix is great. It allows you to learn Linux without actually installing it. There are plenty of books on Linux out there. You can pick one up and read through it, but it won't do a whole lot if you aren't using Linux while you read.

Alright thanks for the help. Do you know of any online sources for learning Linux? Thanks.

The Linux documentation Project has some how-tos and walkthroughs. Not sure if they have anything on the basics and the philosophy though.

 

[GhettoFob]

I read Running Linux 4th edition when I was starting out.

 

[oldman420]

i tried to learn linux and and had to take a break in frustration i even took the time to install and play with several flavors. i did get the basics but was not able to fine tune my setup or really understand it. this was scary but educational. i still will try more ." ihate microsoft". but my advice would be to get a copy of knoppix. run that and be scairt for a while, then install mandrake this is the one flavor i found to be 1, best with windows with the best boot loader,2, easiest to understand ui with better package support "apps come in packages that have to be extracted compiled copied to the correct folders etc" 3,prettiest gui.
keep in mind that im an average guy and not that smart so i may never be able to get it but im say 50% of the way there now
e me if i can help or if you need a copy of the following installations
knoppix
debian
mandrake 9 "my favorite"
community 10
college live
suse live
suse
good luck and play hard

 

[Sunner]

If you decide to install it(as opposed to running Knoppix or some other live-CD type distro), try Fedora Core(http://fedora.redhat.com).
The install is very easy as long as you read the instructions on the screen, and once you boot, it should be fairly self explanatory, icons are marked things like "Web Browser", "Mail Client" and so on.

 

[Nab]

Originally posted by: oldman420
i tried to learn linux and and had to take a break in frustration i even took the time to install and play with several flavors. i did get the basics but was not able to fine tune my setup or really understand it. this was scary but educational. i still will try more ." ihate microsoft". but my advice would be to get a copy of knoppix. run that and be scairt for a while, then install mandrake this is the one flavor i found to be 1, best with windows with the best boot loader,2, easiest to understand ui with better package support "apps come in packages that have to be extracted compiled copied to the correct folders etc" 3,prettiest gui.
keep in mind that im an average guy and not that smart so i may never be able to get it but im say 50% of the way there now
e me if i can help or if you need a copy of the following installations
knoppix
debian
mandrake 9 "my favorite"
community 10
college live
suse live
suse
good luck and play hard

What do the other programs that you listed do?

 

[Nab]

Originally posted by: Sunner
If you decide to install it(as opposed to running Knoppix or some other live-CD type distro), try Fedora Core(http://fedora.redhat.com).
The install is very easy as long as you read the instructions on the screen, and once you boot, it should be fairly self explanatory, icons are marked things like "Web Browser", "Mail Client" and so on.

I'm not sure if I want to install it quite yet, but when i get better at it, i'll be sure and keep that in mind.

 

[vansouza]

Start with a book and not the software. Get a Linux book at a mall bookstore. Read, reread then read again.

 

[drag]

Originally posted by: vansouza
Start with a book and not the software. Get a Linux book at a mall bookstore. Read, reread then read again.

I did the exact oppisite.

I installed, then use it. If I had a problem I looked it up in yahoo(now google.)

I had a book that I looked thru when I got stuck getting networking going, but as long as I had internet connection, the internet was the best place for me.

But it's different for different people. I learn mostly by doing and making mistakes, then I learn from my mistakes and move on. Other people learn best from directions (from books and such). Some people a combination of both is best.

 

[Basie]

I like Drag learned by doing. There's a enormous wealth of Linux resources on the Web. I started out with
Red Hat 8 and from there have been thru RH9, MDK9.2, Fedora Core1 and now using and very happy with
Mandrake10. It was very easy to install and included my dual boot or XP and WinMe in the Grub bootloader. I would start with Mandrake10 but Knoppix is very good also for a beginner.

 

[CTho9305]

http://www.google.com/linux

 

[n0cmonkey]

Originally posted by: drag

Originally posted by: vansouza
Start with a book and not the software. Get a Linux book at a mall bookstore. Read, reread then read again.

I did the exact oppisite.

I installed, then use it. If I had a problem I looked it up in yahoo(now google.)

I had a book that I looked thru when I got stuck getting networking going, but as long as I had internet connection, the internet was the best place for me.

But it's different for different people. I learn mostly by doing and making mistakes, then I learn from my mistakes and move on. Other people learn best from directions (from books and such). Some people a combination of both is best.

I read up on Unix/Linux for a year, year and a half before I had a chance to use it.

But I didn't really learn anything until I started using it.

I don't think there is a way to really understand it, without reading about it. It's just too different from what most people grew up with.

 

[Nab]

Thanks a lot for all your help. I basically got the idea that trial by error is the best way for me. I'm going to start out with knoppix then work my way to the harder ones.

 

[cjr22]

I think the most important thing is to set yourself a goal, and then work towards that. Otherwise you'll install it, it'll run great, you'll fiddle with something, and it'll break. Then, you'll just go back to using windows rather than go through the effort of fixing the linux. Well, that's what happened to me the first time, anyway. This time, however, I decided to set myself the goal of getting UT2k4 running (after being inspired by a post by drag on these forums). As it turned out, that in itself was almost disappointingly easy to do, but I've found plenty of other things to keep me interested and off windows in the meantime.

 

[Nab]

Originally posted by: cjr22
I think the most important thing is to set yourself a goal, and then work towards that. Otherwise you'll install it, it'll run great, you'll fiddle with something, and it'll break. Then, you'll just go back to using windows rather than go through the effort of fixing the linux. Well, that's what happened to me the first time, anyway. This time, however, I decided to set myself the goal of getting UT2k4 running (after being inspired by a post by drag on these forums). As it turned out, that in itself was almost disappointingly easy to do, but I've found plenty of other things to keep me interested and off windows in the meantime.

That sounds like a good idea. I think i'm going to do that. I got a copy of Knoppix and i'm going to start doing this stuff from tomorrow. I'll be back to ask you guys questions, dont worry

Thanks.

 

[Matt84]

If you like Knoppix and want to install Linux to your hard disk, i highly recommend Suse since you are new. I know may people will recommend power user distros like debian or gentoo to you but, i found them hard to install and configure as a relative noob myselft a year or so ago. Suse installation in just as easy as your average windows install and quite stable with a good selection of software in the pro version.

 

[Nab]

i decided going with mandrake and i'm experimenting with everything here.....