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How To Use Linux

1. The document provides instructions for becoming familiar with Linux by first downloading and installing it on your computer or running it in a virtual machine without installing. 2. It recommends testing your hardware compatibility using a "Live CD" which allows booting Linux without installing to avoid risks, as supported by many Linux distributions like Ubuntu. 3. The instructions suggest attempting common tasks in Linux and noting what works and what needs solutions, before fully switching from another operating system like Windows.

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Mitsuru Senpai
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Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
32 views

How To Use Linux

1. The document provides instructions for becoming familiar with Linux by first downloading and installing it on your computer or running it in a virtual machine without installing. 2. It recommends testing your hardware compatibility using a "Live CD" which allows booting Linux without installing to avoid risks, as supported by many Linux distributions like Ubuntu. 3. The instructions suggest attempting common tasks in Linux and noting what works and what needs solutions, before fully switching from another operating system like Windows.

Uploaded by

Mitsuru Senpai
Copyright
© © All Rights Reserved
Available Formats
Download as TXT, PDF, TXT or read online on Scribd
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ecome familiar with the system. Try downloading and installing it on your computer.

If you're not sure, be aware that it's possible to keep your current operating
system and dedicate part of your hard drive to Linux (and you can even run both at
the same time if you run one on a virtual machine.)
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Test your hardware with a "Live CD" that is supplied by many of the distributions
of Linux. This is helpful if you feel uncomfortable with installing a second
operating system on your computer. A live CD will allow you to boot into a Linux
environment from the CD, without the need to install anything on your computer.
Ubuntu and some other Linux distributions also offer CDs or DVDs that allow you to
boot into a Live mode, and then install from the same disk.
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Attempt the tasks you usually use your computer for. Search for solutions if you
can't word-process or burn a CD for example. Make a note of what you want to do,
can do and cannot do before you take the plunge.
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Learn the distributions of Linux. When referring to "Linux", this most often means
a "GNU/Linux Distribution." A distribution is a collection of software that runs on
top of a very small program called the Linux kernel.
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5
Consider dual-booting. This will help you understand partitioning as well as
letting you continue to use Windows. But be sure to back up all your personal data
and settings before you try to set up a dual boot.
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Install software. Get used to installing and uninstalling software as soon as you
can. Understanding package management and repositories is good for fundamentally
understanding Linux.
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Learn to use (and enjoy using) the command-line interface. This is known as
'Terminal', 'terminal window', or 'shell'. One of the primary reasons many users
switch to Linux is because it features the terminal, so don't be intimidated by it.
It is a powerful ally that doesn't have the same limitations of a Windows command
prompt. You can just as easily use Linux without ever using a terminal as you would
on Mac OSX. Using "apropos" can help you find a command that does a certain task.
Try "apropos user" to see a list of commands that have the word "user" in their
description.
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Familiarize yourself with the Linux file system. You will first notice that there
is no longer the "C:\" you are used to in Windows. Everything starts at the root of
the file system (aka "/") and different hard drives are accessed through the /dev
directory. Your home directory, which you typically find in C:\Documents and
Settings in Windows XP and 2000, is now located in /home/(your user name)/.
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Keep investigating the potential of your Linux install. Try encrypted partitions,
new and very fast file system (like btrfs), redundant parallel disks that increase
both speed and reliability (RAID's) and try to install Linux on a bootable USB
stick. You'll soon discover that you can do a lot of things!

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