this post was submitted on 13 Aug 2023
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Linux

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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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I just started using Linux... any great tips? (sh.itjust.works)
submitted 1 year ago by Classy@sh.itjust.works to c/linux@lemmy.ml
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I just installed Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS (Cinnamon) on an empty laptop a couple days ago and have been experimenting a lot. I'm coming from being a Windows user since I was just a little kid playing old DOS games on my grandpa's Win-98 PC back in around 2000. My daily driver is currently running Windows 10 but I am pretty adamant on not going with Win-11. I've been wanting to experiment with Linux for a while and Cinnamon so far seems like a lot of fun to navigate. Terminal is amazing. The fact that you can custom-write keyboard commands that can be hand-tailored to individual programs on your computer via the OS... that's powerful.

I have not tried running WINE yet but I plan on doing so soon. I also have not done much of anything, honestly, except for learning how to search for programs with gnome-software --search=. I have also used sudo a couple times to download software here and there, but I know I am not tackling this in as systematic of a way as I ought to be to really figure this machine out.

What are some really important basic commands I can use to start branching out into Terminal command structures and learning more about how I can edit and customize my computer? And if Cinnamon has shortfalls or weaknesses that I may run into eventually, what are some good alternative distros that I could leapfrog to eventually? I do not have any coding experience (currently), but I do consider myself a semi-power-user on Windows, having messed with CMD many times and digging through all the damn menus to access drivers and alter ports.

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[–] jlh@lemmy.jlh.name -5 points 1 year ago (1 children)

Personally, I think Arch Linux is the best way to learn the command line. It throws you off the deep end and you have to learn things like how to navigate the file system, how to edit files with the command line, and useful tools like partition editors and package managers. If you're serious about learning command line, just go install Arch Linux from the command line.

Otherwise, I think you can learn a lot about the Gui on Ubuntu by just using it. You can run some windows-only apps with WINE or you can start learning how to use Linux-native apps like GIMP, Libre Office, and other various Flatpaks.

[–] Lanthanae@lemmy.blahaj.zone 13 points 1 year ago (2 children)

OP, do not use Arch as a beginner unless you're already a very techy person.

I know people may disagree with this, but y'all, we forget sometimes how confusing even following something like the Arch Wiki can be when you aren't familiar enough with tech.

[–] gamey@feddit.rocks 5 points 1 year ago

I am happy others try to work against those awful recommendations for new users too!

[–] jlh@lemmy.jlh.name 1 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago)

If I was not a very techy person, then I wouldn't be trying to learn the command line.