Topic: Best way to really learn linux? (Read 1963 times)
Try installing a distro that's fun an easy like Pinguy OS. It has lots of software already set up and it's based on Ubuntu so it will be easy to set up and operate. Just play with it for a while. That's the best way to learn. You will be installing compiz fusion and spinning 3d boxes on your computer in no time.
Are you masters figuring it all out on your own or are there specific classes a person could take? I'd like to learn how to write scripts and do anything and everything through the terminal window.
RTFM
That's it.
I'll toss in a vote for VirtualBox as well. I was thinking Ubuntu (using WUBI) would be the best option for a newbie, but since you won't be doing graphical things (like gaming) on it most likely while you're learning, VB will work better. It allows you to run Linux alongside your other OS, kind of like a hybrid system. The only downside is it sucks for gaming, but if you decide to move to that later you can just do a full Linux swap.
Another vote for Virtualbox.
The other added benefit is if you're already set up with encryption (eg with Truecrypt), then you don't need to do that all over again for your new installs, just keep all your Virtualbox stuff on your encrypted container.
The other added benefit is if you're already set up with encryption (eg with Truecrypt), then you don't need to do that all over again for your new installs, just keep all your Virtualbox stuff on your encrypted container.
You could always do 'Linux from Scratch'.
Should know your stuff by the end of that.
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/
Exactly what I was going to recommend.Should know your stuff by the end of that.
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/
Start with mastering LFS. If you keep it up at some point you'll get tired of doing everything manually and will have accumulated a collection of Bash scripts that kind of almost halfway automates the build and install process for you. This is about the time where you've learned enough to graduate to Gentoo because Portage does the exact same thing except much better.
First, I figured out stuff on my own, then I took a class in college.
Are you masters figuring it all out on your own or are there specific classes a person could take? I'd like to learn how to write scripts and do anything and everything through the terminal window.
RTFM
That's it.
Are you masters figuring it all out on your own or are there specific classes a person could take? I'd like to learn how to write scripts and do anything and everything through the terminal window.
Learn by doing! Find something you want to know, Google it, and just do it. Over time you will become more adept at it. Just make sure you keep practicing.
You might also want to take a look at creating a LiveCD or two. They're really handy to learn things on because you can't mess up your install, you just reboot and everything's fresh again.
its a lot more convenient to install virtualbox and hack around with a Linux virtual machine..
Thank you very much to everyone in this thread, & Thank you Missionary.
Those are all great tips, and sites
I saved all the links and info, I am going to dive in and get my hands dirty. This is exciting.
Those are all great tips, and sites
I saved all the links and info, I am going to dive in and get my hands dirty. This is exciting.
You might also want to take a look at creating a LiveCD or two. They're really handy to learn things on because you can't mess up your install, you just reboot and everything's fresh again.
If you want quick and easy, then installing Ubuntu will teach you a few things.
If you are a new user of Linux and you are just starting out, then I would recommend http://linuxcommand.org/lc3_learning_the_shell.php as a start.
After that, do a full installation of Arch Linux. They have really good documentation.
When you are comfortable in Arch Linux, go do a Gentoo installation. They have even better documentation.
When those are mastered, install Debian and relax. These three distros will give you a good understanding of the GNU/Linux operating system.
After that, do a full installation of Arch Linux. They have really good documentation.
When you are comfortable in Arch Linux, go do a Gentoo installation. They have even better documentation.
When those are mastered, install Debian and relax. These three distros will give you a good understanding of the GNU/Linux operating system.
+1, it has some easy to follow instructions.
A great way to learn is setting up specific things, like Apache webserver, or the typical PHP/MySQL setup in addition to that.
Also, you can get Virtual Machine images for most distributions and utterly ruin them - knowing you can always go back to a fresh install.
Just dive in and mess with commands, "man" is your friend, as is other tools like gedit or vi for text files - dirty way for output on short text files like "cat", how to untar a tar archive - or under debian how to use "sudo apt-get install".
Just those kinds of things. Wreck a few virtual machines with "rm -rf" just so you know how dangerous it is under root.
Get your hands dirty, you'll learn pretty quickly.
Also, you can get Virtual Machine images for most distributions and utterly ruin them - knowing you can always go back to a fresh install.
Just dive in and mess with commands, "man" is your friend, as is other tools like gedit or vi for text files - dirty way for output on short text files like "cat
Just those kinds of things. Wreck a few virtual machines with "rm -rf" just so you know how dangerous it is under root.
Get your hands dirty, you'll learn pretty quickly.
Don't really know if it's worth the hassle if he is not aiming to create a new distribution. 
My general approach is that: "Anything can be done in Linux, I just have to figure out how." Going with that approach has taught me a lot.
My general approach is that: "Anything can be done in Linux, I just have to figure out how." Going with that approach has taught me a lot.
+1 for this.
"Anything can be done in Linux, I just have to figure out how."
Just like Zombo.com
Anything is possible. Anything.
Don't really know if it's worth the hassle if he is not aiming to create a new distribution.
My general approach is that: "Anything can be done in Linux, I just have to figure out how." Going with that approach has taught me a lot.
My general approach is that: "Anything can be done in Linux, I just have to figure out how." Going with that approach has taught me a lot.
You could always do 'Linux from Scratch'.
Should know your stuff by the end of that.
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/
Should know your stuff by the end of that.
http://www.linuxfromscratch.org/
If you are a new user of Linux and you are just starting out, then I would recommend http://linuxcommand.org/lc3_learning_the_shell.php as a start.
After that, do a full installation of Arch Linux. They have really good documentation.
When you are comfortable in Arch Linux, go do a Gentoo installation. They have even better documentation.
When those are mastered, install Debian and relax. These three distros will give you a good understanding of the GNU/Linux operating system.
After that, do a full installation of Arch Linux. They have really good documentation.
When you are comfortable in Arch Linux, go do a Gentoo installation. They have even better documentation.
When those are mastered, install Debian and relax. These three distros will give you a good understanding of the GNU/Linux operating system.
Are you masters figuring it all out on your own or are there specific classes a person could take? I'd like to learn how to write scripts and do anything and everything through the terminal window.
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