Linux for Dummies

[howto]

Well I'm *nix dumb.

Time to seriously start the windoze to *nix migration.

Went the the local bookstore at rangsit...

- everything is in Thai.

Swam in the bay...

- many versions of the book offered.

What is recommended.

* of course i can and will DL the man file,

* however I would choose to get a book or DL.

Thanks

[Morakot]

Go here: http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

Download image, burn DVD, install, and use.

Easy

Read a little bit here: http://www.linux.org/forums/beginner-tutorials.53/ while you install.

[jpinx]

Assuming you have a working system at the moment I'd suggest you install some virtual machine system (maybe vmware) and run debian or a debian based OS on that while you learn the ropes. Debian has the best support of all linux distros -- both forums and irc

[thaimite]

RTFM is for wimps Seriously I suggest you download some linux 'Live CD's and boot them up and see what you think. I am sure you will find it is not that hard to get stated and only if you really want to master the command line wil you need to start reading manuals.

Booting from a Live CD will give you the option to experiment with Linux without there being any danger to your existing setup although it may be slow.

For a windows user I would suggest Lubuntu or Mint or any of the other 'buntu flavours as being easy to get started, but others here wilhave their suggestions.

Once you have a versiopn of Linux running then answers to specific questions can be found on the web.

Once you have found a distr0 that you think you may like then either create a virtual machine or install it as a dual boot system and play away to your hearts content before fully migrating. Once you have a distro in mind many hee will offer guidance on how to install in a virtual machine or dual boot.

However if you are determined to read up on Linux, PM me and I can probably provide you with a few ebooks that I have acquired over the years (but never actually read).

edit

If you have trouble sleeping and really want to read up before starting, then look at this free download https://ubuntu-manual.org/

[JSixpack]

I'd go for something simple and newbie friendly, already Windows-like. Mint has been mentioned.

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=handy

http://distrowatch.com/table.php?distribution=zorin

http://handylinux.org/

http://www.zorin-os.com/

With these, a lot is done for you already, docs are good on the sites, and you can easily figure everything out just going thru the menus. Linux issues, unless you're trying to use software normally Windows-only, generally fall into getting the wifi working, getting videos, music, and flash working, updating, getting new software packages, and getting your peripherals, notably the printer, working. If the peripherals are linux-friendly--and you can check at some linux sites or on the mfg's sites, google around--then you should have no problem.

[yoslim]

install gentoo or arch linux, it will force you to learn

[Morakot]

install gentoo or arch linux, it will force you to learn

[Paul944]

There are many Linux distributions out there. It almost like religions, they all are supported by fanatics, extremists, believers and pragmatic users. Which distribution to choose I can not tell you. Just try one and if you don't like it try the next one.

I have experience with Ubuntu and Fedora. Mint would be a good choice too I think. You probably want to be able to watch movies, access flash sites. Installing the necessary software for this is quite challenging on some Linux distributions, especially Debian. Which I would not recommend to an inexperienced Linux user.

Most Linux distributions offer a run from USB stick image. If you have an empty USB stick, 2Gb would be fine, access to reasonable reliable and fast internet you can download

http://www.ubuntu.com/download/desktop

http://fedoraproject.org/en/get-fedora

Boot from the USB stick and give it a try. If you can not manage to create a bootable USB stick or to boot from it you have to ask yourself if you really want to pain yourself with this.

The problem with books about Linux is they already outdated before they leave the printer. I would stick to the documentation you can download and maybe use an e-reader to read it.

https://ubuntu-manual.org/downloads

http://docs.fedoraproject.org/

[Cloggie]

Go to: https://www.edx.org/ and sign up for "Introduction to Linux" - course started August 1st so you are not that far behind.

You can follow the course behind your own computer at any time you like - free of charge.

Have fun!

[howto]

Wow, thanks for the replies...

I did 'live boot' Mint-Debian-Gnome-Cinnimon back in 2011 [LMDEx64].

Was mostly impressed,

especially compared to 1994 Red-Hat.

I noted a couple of devices did not work.

Every 'flavor' has a diff in command line structure.

I do know how to use the command line.

And all of u know I will have to use it, at some point.

Anyway, thanks for all the replies,

Your replies do open up several other issues.

- VIRTUALIZATION

Some of you mentioned virtualization.

This is a topic for a new. thread.

- INSTALL A DT ROUTER/FIREWALL

This is a topic for a new thread.

BTW, that 'Star Trek FacePalm' is priceless

Anyway im gone now fer a'while. I'll be back.

[jpinx]

Go to: https://www.edx.org/ and sign up for "Introduction to Linux" - course started August 1st so you are not that far behind.

You can follow the course behind your own computer at any time you like - free of charge.

Have fun!

Good enough idea, but very broad brush.

Shame the website for linux is so riddled with third-party scripts that it requires an insecure browser.......

[RichCor]

Go to: https://www.edx.org/ and sign up for "Introduction to Linux" - course started August 1st so you are not that far behind.

You can follow the course behind your own computer at any time you like - free of charge.

Have fun!

I decided to audit that course.

It felt like they took a shotgun to what once may have been cohesive training material. It's certainly not for beginners, not comprehensive and comes across feeling like a recruitment tool. I would rate it a 2 out of 5.

I wouldn't recommend it unless you're already familiar with Linux and are looking for a certificate.

[howto]

Thanks again,

@RichCor I also scoped that free course, thought the same.

So Mint will be re-tested,

just which one and which desktop

Linux Mint 17 Qiana Cinnamon Edition

*Linux Mint 17 is based on Ubuntu 14.04

^^ I DL'ed this, will toss it on the Flash this weekend.

Linux Mint 17 Qiana MATE Edition

Linux Mint 17 Qiana KDE Edition

Linux Mint 17 Qiana Xfce Edition

I also noted...

Qiana “v2″ ISO respins

This article was posted on: Sun, 29 Jun 2014 11:55:05 +0000

The ISO images for the Cinnamon and MATE editions

of Linux Mint 17 “Qiana” were updated and labelled “v2″.

All the links were updated on the website and in the announcements

to point to the new ISOs.

If you’re already running Linux Mint 17, you don’t need to reinstall.

The new ISO images provide fixes [...] Read more

I also noted this thread...

Linux Mint high power consumption?

http://www.thaivisa.com/forum/topic/750403-linux-mint-high-power-consumption/

I think I should start a thread...

[JSixpack]

Good review of newbie-friendly HandyLinux here: http://www.everydaylinuxuser.com/2014/08/handylinux-16-sample-of-what-you-can.html

[dharmabm]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of any 'just like windows' distros for Linux newbies... If you want to take the jump you need to be willing to get your hands a little dirty try lubuntu, mint or if you really want the experience, crunchbang or archbang. All can be run from livecd or a virtual machine, and will quickly give you a taste for what to expect. Come over from the dark side and see what freedom really means!

Sent from my SlimKat OnePlus using Tapatalk

[jpinx]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of any 'just like windows' distros for Linux newbies... If you want to take the jump you need to be willing to get your hands a little dirty try lubuntu, mint or if you really want the experience, crunchbang or archbang. All can be run from livecd or a virtual machine, and will quickly give you a taste for what to expect. Come over from the dark side and see what freedom really means!

Sent from my SlimKat OnePlus using Tapatalk

I appreciate your sentiments, but there's no need to make life too difficult. Debian is the basis of so many distros and has such a good support system that I recommend it as a starter for anyone wanting to make the break from windows. Run it in a vm and see how you get on.

[howto]

Weird, could not get Mint Deb 16 to run off the thumb.

Same thumb I used before.

Sumptin 'bout 'non-contigious' memory'.

I need a dvd and burn it.

The previous Mint Deb 16 did not

- work with the Realtek NIC

- the HDMI did not work.

Thanks for the link JSixpack, was interesting.

dharmabm, I've been geek for 30+ years,

At 60, really I've not the time nor inclination

to re-geek and do *nix (on your level).

20 years in Thailand, 3 children,

DVT resulting in 4 PE's,

Flood, 3 million in damage,

snake-bite [russell's viper] resulting in an "Ischemic event",

which paralyzed my leg for 3 months,

plus just getting older,

I guess can do that to one.

I'm not the work-alcoholic I once was.

I want to follow the KISS method, for a while,

and I know there is very likely

- the 10 most commonly used 'command line commands'.

I just don't know what those are.

Hey, thanks very much for your help.

jpinx, thanks,

I don't have hardware to run a vm in.

Guy's,

got a list for the 10 most used command line stuff?

[jpinx]

Weird, could not get Mint Deb 16 to run off the thumb.

Same thumb I used before.

Sumptin 'bout 'non-contigious' memory'.

I need a dvd and burn it.

The previous Mint Deb 16 did not

- work with the Realtek NIC

- the HDMI did not work.

Thanks for the link JSixpack, was interesting.

dharmabm, I've been geek for 30+ years,

At 60, really I've not the time nor inclination

to re-geek and do *nix (on your level).

20 years in Thailand, 3 children, DVT, Flood, snake-bite,

plus just getting older, I guess can do that to one.

I'm not the work-alcoholic I once was.

I want to follow the KISS method, for a while,

and I know there is very likely

- the 10 most commonly used 'command line commands'.

I just don't know what those are.

Hey, thanks very much for your help.

jpinx, thanks,

I don't have hardware to run a vm in.

Guy's,

got a list for the 10 most used command line stuff?

You don't need "hardware" it's a virtual machine You install vmware on your windows machine and run debian inside that. Peripherals will work same as they do for windows. Read the vmware instructions, they're pretty clear.

Command line stuff depends on what you are trying to do. You can google any of the many command line guides and select a category of your preferences. If you have ever used command line in windows then you're already familiar with the concepts. You can find the man pages online if you want a preamble.

Also - learn about irc -- that's where you will get the best help and support.

[crabdog]

There's nothing difficult about using Ubuntu or Mint. Make a bootable USB drive or if that proves too much for you burn an ISO onto dvd. Running from a USB flashdrive is much faster than running from dvd however so I would recommend that.

As for hardware compatability, I have tried and tested a shltload of different distros on my 3 desktop computers and my DELL laptop. Have not had any hardware or driver issues on ANY of them.

I still use Windows 8.1 as my daily driver because of the fact that I play a lot of games. If you're not a serious gamer and do not need to use any specialized software then Linux has everything you need.

Here are some of my recommendations for people new to Linux. I have used all of these with no issues whatsoever:

Zorin OS

Ubuntu (Lubuntu, Xubuntu)

Mint (Cinnamon is my preferred DE)

Voyager

Elementary

PCLinuxOS

Manjaro

[howto]

Thanks for the info jpinx and crabdog.

[JSixpack]

Personally, I'm not a big fan of any 'just like windows' distros for Linux newbies... If you want to take the jump you need to be willing to get your hands a little dirty try lubuntu, mint or if you really want the experience, crunchbang or archbang. All can be run from livecd or a virtual machine, and will quickly give you a taste for what to expect. Come over from the dark side and see what freedom really means!

Sent from my SlimKat OnePlus using Tapatalk

http://www.techrepublic.com/article/can-we-please-stop-talking-about-the-linux-desktop/

[DumbFalang]

Go here: http://www.linuxmint.com/download.php

Download image, burn DVD, install, and use.

Easy

Read a little bit here: http://www.linux.org/forums/beginner-tutorials.53/ while you install.

Just wanted to say Thanks for posting this. You made it sound easy but I honestly didn't believe you. I was wrong. I downloaded the image, burned it to a DVD and I am now a proud Linux Newbie ;-)

[siam2007]

since many years I had hoped for an English-language course in BKK "Linux for beginners/Dummies/morons" but to no avail :-/

[JSixpack]

Zorin is getting a lot of love these days. The black theme really looks good.

http://linuxaria.com/recensioni/zorin-os-9-core-review-as-good-as-linux-mint-17

[JohnnyJazz]

since many years I had hoped for an English-language course in BKK "Linux for beginners/Dummies/morons" but to no avail :-/

Go to: https://www.edx.org/ and sign up for "Introduction to Linux" - course started August 1st so you are not that far behind.

You can follow the course behind your own computer at any time you like - free of charge.

Have fun!

I've started the above course and found it quite ok. You need some basic computer knowledge and some personal work is also useful. Each lesson (there are 18) takes me around 2 hours, including searching on Google each technical term I don't fully understand. I don't have any hope to become a professional Linux programmer but thanks to this course I now feel much more confident using Linux.

[siam2007]

Thanks for your input Johnny Jazz, but those online Tutorings as well as books don't work for me. I need someone I can talk to and ask Hundreds of meaningful or silly questions.... usually when I try to teach myself with a book or an online course, it doesn't take longer than 5 minutes until I get stuck. whereas if I have a human being teaching me and explaining things, I learn very quickly

[JohnnyJazz]

^ I'm like you. A while ago I posted an offer in this forum to start a club where like minded people can meet and learn from each others. No reply so far.

[BKKdreaming]

if you HAVE a working Windows running now WHY would you want to try Linux ?

[JohnnyJazz]

if you HAVE a working Windows running now WHY would you want to try Linux ?

It's called "evolution". Not everybody believe that the world was created by Bill Gates.

[jpinx]

^ I'm like you. A while ago I posted an offer in this forum to start a club where like minded people can meet and learn from each others. No reply so far.

A club of individualists is a bit of an oxymoron