I’ve been using Windows since the days of 3.1, practically my entire life. So I’m really comfortable with how windows operates and how to do the things that I want to do.
I’ve dabbled around with Linux over the years, but am now considering trying to make a full switch to it.
What are some resources to “learn” Linux properly? Such as understanding the filesystem, basic security practices, essential tools or commands, etc?
Start using it. Look up anything that bothers you.
Don’t make it your work or main computer yet. That might create too much frustration.
“Out of the box” security is decent at this point.
Maybe don’t look up ANYTHING that bothers you. Thats a rabbit hole.
This. Install a VM or throw it on some old box you have lying around. Don’t sweat “learning it”. Just do it. If you know your way around a computer, you’ll figure it out. Having said that, there are lots of resources out there. Just watch some “how do I install X” videos, where X is your distro of choice. That choice should be Mint, BTW.
I know there’s a meme and I have been downvoted to shit for arch…
I think any popular Debian/redhat derived distro (mint counts) is a great introduction to Linux.
However, I didn’t really learn Linux until I installed arch. It wasn’t as… stable… as it was now. And learning how to deal with the instability helped a LOT.
Without that dive, things that could really get you down the path is trying to make Linux work for you: change the gui to your liking, and learn to use terminal.
That gets you into X/sway/DM/WM/etc. there’s plenty to learn there
It depends on what you want from your OS. I just want it to work. I don’t have to know every detail of what’s under the hood. And I never do a lot of customising. So for me, Mint is perfect. If you want to have control over everything and know how everything works, Arch is great.
you really want to learn linux?
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bullshit, it’s perfect for a beginner
From the “Prerequisites” section of LFS:
Building an LFS system is not a simple task. It requires a certain level of existing knowledge of Unix system administration in order to resolve problems and correctly execute the commands listed. In particular, as an absolute minimum, you should already know how to use the command line (shell) to copy or move files and directories, list directory and file contents, and change the current directory. It is also expected that you know how to use and install Linux software.
Did you even read what the OP requested?
Did you? You’re suggesting that someone who wants to learn how to maintain a car build one from scratch. It’s drastically overshooting the assignment.
In my experience: By bashing your head against it and looking up things online you cant figure out on your own. If that means having to google how to navigate the folder structure, so be it.
It really depends on your approach to learning things. If you’re looking for a systematic approach, I really like No Starch Press books for that sort of thing: How Linux Works or Your Linux Toolbox (for a more playful approach).
But in the end there’s really no substitute for installing Debian on bare metal and tinkering with it. I would really recommend Debian, because it’s the archetype of how Linux systems have been working for the last 30 years or so. Arguably, this is currently changing, but come to grips with Debian before you dabble in more modern approaches to system management.
Linux Mint or vanilla Ubuntu. They’re nice, we’ll developed and stable with lots of software available. Never need to use a command line unless you want to
The file system takes some getting used to, but it’s similar to Mac. The only folders you need to worry about most of the time are /Home and /Media. Home is where all your stuff is. Media is where you find all your drives and partitions
there isn’t actually that much to read, at the user level. Nowadays, on a “user friendly distribution” you should be able to launch firefox to browse lemmy, and open a pdf without much difficulties. Even printer aren’t anymore a nightmare to install.
Main stuff to know IMO.
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Linux distribution came with app store long before it was cool, for 99% of the case should just use-them, no need to worry (at first) about how to install an app which doesn’t come from an official repository
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While you can choose among many Desktop environment, just take the one coming with the distro you choose and get used to it.
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Terminal is a pretty neat tool once you know-it, but so is a Torque-wrench for your car. You do not have to know how to use-it to use a PC.
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I don’t know if it still exists, but following along with the Gentoo Linux install guide where you build everything from the ground up. I definitely wouldn’t daily drive something like that now (I had a lotore free time (and no money) back then), but learning what the commands did was great for learning not just about commands but a number of Linux concepts.
I had a tiny bit of very basic previous experience, mostly with common command line tools like CD, ls, etc.
Doing a dual boot for Windows and Linux Mint is shockingly easy. Mint will do the work for you from the install USB. I think I did that about a year ago, and haven’t been back over to Windows in months. 9/10, would recommended.
At this point, troubleshooting, when/if needed, can start with ChatGPT for very basic stuff, then the Linux Mint forum if you happen to come upon a real head scratcher. That’s most likely to come from your computer having some obscure or super new component that doesn’t have quite the right drivers yet. Which isn’t a common experience anyway.
Install arch the old fashioned way using the installation guide and then maintain it for a year or so. It’s not hard but it’ll take you some hours to get going if you are just used to buttons which tell you what they do.
My personal journey:
Install random Linux distro as virtual machine or dual boot, use it until you run into something you can’t fix. Look for an alternative.
Do this a couple of times, my path was: Ubuntu, Manjaro, PopOS, Zorin, Debian, Mint. I ended up replacing windows completely with Mint. It’s nice, easy, customizable, and I can play my games on it when I need to 👍
Learning the terminal is easily done on linuxjourney.com!
I dabbled for a few years before I made the switch.
You learn after you switch. Not before. Because then it’s easier to search for a Linux solution than it is to reinstall windows and get it done in the way you’re familiar.
If you can dual boot and do your daily needs you are good enough to make the switch.
For learning about the filesystem layout, you can type
man hierinto a Linux terminal.Or read the same online: https://www.man7.org/linux/man-pages/man7/hier.7.html
Sorry this does not answer your question but zorin os it a great out of the box distro that tries to look and feel like windows and has almost everything you need as part of the installation including wine and play on linux and an rdp client. it has the ubuntu software gui interface but if you use it I would prioritize learning to use apt at the command line as I feel the gui software thing as a bit pants. I used unix extensively in my tech career but did not use it as a daily driver (for a variety of “reasons”) till under a year ago where windows 11 just made it necessary to do. I have future plans to go to an immutable but man zorin is great for a quick and dirty up and running thing. Also if you have an old laptop throw it on that. You will be amazed at how it may outperform your newer machine with windows.
