How Easy is it to Learn Linux?

I'm thinking about installing the Linux operating system on an old PC I have in the house. How easy is it to install Linux? I ask because I saw a book about the using the Linux operating system in a bookstore and thought about buying it and installing it. Please keep in mind that I have never used Microsoft Windows before, I have only worked with Macintosh. So that might make learning Linux more difficult for me. What is everybody's thoughts on this?

 

Have you used Macintosh OS X?

OS X is actually based on Unix (which Linux is based off of).

The transition would probably be far easier than you think.

But, if I'm not mistaken, Linux doesn't work well with certain kinds of hardware, so you could potentially have problems with drivers and such ...

 

True, OS X is mostly based on FreeBSD which is derived from Unix the same way Linux is. In reality you will not notice any similarities in the interface unless you use the command line in OS X, which not many people do.


OS X is the best in term of user friendliness and hardware/software compatibility. If something is designed for Apple, it is going to work. Windows is in the middle - software/hardware installation usually works, but not always. Linux is last - software and hardware installation and configuration can be a major hassle.

If it were your only PC, I would say set up a dual boot with Windows and Linux, which is hardly any more difficult than setting up just Linux. But if it is just for experimentation, go ahead and try Linux.

Installation is easy. Just pop in the CD and follow the menus. It helps to know all your hardware (graphics card, monitor resolution, etc) so you can select them from menus if they aren't auto detected. Older desktop systems shouldn't give you too many hardware detection hassles.

Most newbies (like me) just keep installing distros until they find one that works. I hope you give it a try - let us know how it goes!

Also, you could try "Live" CDs or installing to a USB key- these run in RAM and don't require you to install anything to the hard drive, so they are the easiest way to give it a go.

 

ps - aux | grep -ir "process" | more

 

If you use a distribution like Ubuntu (as opposed to, say Gentoo), if your hardware is nicely supported and there are no nasty surprises (try a LiveCD to check this before installing), if your computer is powerful enough to run Gnome or KDE smoothly (a Pentium 2 will run it, but you'd want a Pentium 3 for it to be nice and responsive) - then you may very well find Linux to be easier than Windows and nearly as easy as Mac OS.

If all of the above conditions are met, here is what you can expect to see:

- Installation will be pretty much just clicking "next" a couple of times, and selecting your language.
- Most of the programs an average user needs would already be installed. A media player, Open Office, etc.
- Networking can be configured through a simple GUI, like in Windows or Mac OS.
- Installing new software is often easier than in other operating systems, through apt-get. You can select the free software you want to install from a central database without even searching for it on the internet.
- Internet and file browsing is the same as in Mac OS or Windows.

So, basically, everything can be nice and smooth, very user friendly.

But what to do if something goes wrong? Your best bet is to port your question on an official forum for your distribution, or ask in a chatroom . Likely, the gurus will quickly solve your problem.

My advice is to get an Ubuntu LiveCD and put it in. What you see is pretty much a slightly slower version of what you'll get after installation.

 

They have distros for USB keys? Like what? I should grab one.

 

The two I know are both mini-Linux distros. Damn Small Linux (DSL) and Puppy Linux. DSL sells a USB for $60 pre loaded but of course you can create your own. Basically download the regular version .iso and then it has a utility for creating a USB boot device. It is super fast (like a Live CD distro, since it runs in RAM, plus these are very small distros, i.e. under 60MB including apps!).

http://damnsmalllinux.org/

http://www.goosee.com/puppy/

I think these mini distros are among the most innovative in Linux. New versions of these USB distros can run "inside" windows, i.e. you can emulate Linux within Windows

What I think is possibly more cool is the multi-session Puppy live CD/DVD. you can save each session and all your settings onto the DVD/CD. Eventually you'll fill up the CD/DVD but it just prompts you to put in a new one and start again. And it doesn't need the CD/DVD except when saving - so you can boot up and then watch a movie or play a CD, whatever. Its something completely new - read about it here:

http://www.goosee.com/puppy/multi-puppy.htm

 

In this day and age of Graphical User Interfaces, it really just a matter of finding the icon or the menu item for whatever it is you want to do. There is no reason why virtually everyone can not be knowledgeable in all three major desktop operating systems.

 

i used mandrake when i started out , now im settled on Suse, gotta love suse. Hardware is nearly always detected and it runs on the laptop. Also i like usung whax and knoppix std for wardriving/securiteeeeeeeeee........

 

If you want a generall feel try a Live cd of something easy to use like Knoppix.

 

Most people i know dont know their ass from their elbow when it comes to computers much less installing linux. All they know is how to get on teh interweb and look at porn and maybe email. good luck

 

Actually, if all you do is get on teh interweb and look at porn, Linux would be easier to use than Windows. I mean, Windows might be nice for the first 10 minutes of porn surfing, but once the spyware kicks in, it requires a true hacker to fix.

To surf porn on Linux: install by bashing the return key a couple of times. Click on the big globe. Masturbate.

 

I saw all in all your should just go with Window xp home edition...I have that it it does cause me any problems

 

I'm thinking of setting up a Fedora Core box in these summer holidays!

 

thinking of it but then i run to much software i dont need hassle of not being compatible. but i well try it on my next " left over from parts computer". could you tell us the website to download Linux?. "im lazy now".
.

 

mmmm.

 

This might be a good spot to start: http://www.linux-directory.com/newbie/ - I downloaded the 4 Fedora CDs a while ago http://fedora.redhat.com/ - if I set up a box it would just be a demo on the school network, we tried this 6 months ago and it was amazing how well it ran, smoothly compatible with the w2K server network, all free software and no problems....

 

Lately, it's Ubuntu Linux that I recommend for newbies. The advantages are the following:

- Free CD. Not just a download, they will actually send you a free CD. No shipping fees or anything.

- LiveCD and install CD. This means that before installing, you'll be able to boot from a CD and check if your hardware is compatible, or even if you like what you see.

- Easy installation, most hardware is detected by default.

- Compatible with the Hippy philosophy (even more so than other Linuxs).

- Easy to install new software using Synaptic.

- Not only is it a good newbie distro, but it's also good for experts. So, your learning of Linux can go as far as you want it to (as opposed to distros like Linspire).