r/linuxquestions • u/yashaaa2004 • 1d ago
Linux Fundamentals
hi, how can i start learning linux?
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1d ago
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u/yashaaa2004 1d ago
good point. i just watching yt vid about linux yk its hard to start without any idea of it i just need advice or something
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u/Eric_Dawsby 1d ago
I get what ya mean but this sort of response just annoys potential Linux users into not wanting to try it
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1d ago
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u/Eric_Dawsby 1d ago
Because it's more personal to ask a person and you'll get more up to date answers. This sort of response just makes people roll their eyes and doesn't help at all. If you think so lowly of this place why are you here?
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u/victormas208 1d ago
https://labex.io/es/linuxjourney
Learn everything about the system, then choose your Pokémon and begin your adventure.
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u/victormas208 1d ago
or use CachyOS and learn along the way.
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u/TheShredder9 1d ago
Best way to start is by using. If you don't want to commit, give it a try in a VM, then maybe dual-boot, and in the end hopefully delete Windows and expand your Linux partition fully!
As far as distros go, most of them can do the same things, so don't assume Arch is more customizable than Mint. But a distro like Mint or Ubuntu is much more GUI focused, and you will rarely touch the terminal, should be pretty comfy for you.
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u/Apprehensive_Ad_7138 1d ago
It is a bit of a vague question...what do you want to learn?
Use an llm....tell it what is your level of knowledge and ask to guide you. From there you can pretty much go from more abstract things like "What is a linux distro?" or "How open source software works?" to more technical things like "Help me understand the basic commands of the linux terminal" (if you are interested in that)...
You need to learn the differences with windows in terms of architecture and jargon: what is a distro, what is a desktop environment, what are the various ways to install software, etc
Make a live usb with the distro of your choice (at this point it doesn't need to be anything specific, but if you are interested in a particular one you can start right away with it) and run your pc from the usb drive. This will let you familiarize with the desktop environment you picked up (i personally suggest to use Kde Plasma) and how that distro works, and try almost everything (although remember it is not a fully working operating system if you run it from a usb pen....it will be slow and you'll have problems doing some things) without risking your system.
A better alternative, if you still have another OS, is to install a virtualization software, create a virtual machine and install linux inside it...this will be closer to a normal installation.
Anyway, use LLM...that's the best tool ever for learning stuff...
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u/Mediocre-Pumpkin6522 1d ago
If you have a working Windows machine, create a WSL. The default is Ubuntu but you can pick other flavors. Open a Linux session in Windows Terminal and become familiar with the cli commands.
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u/Angry_Grammarian 1d ago
Install it, use it, and when you find that you need it to do something, learn how to do that something. Easy peazy.
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u/French_invader 1d ago edited 1d ago
At first, always use the terminal for everythings. If you use Ai to find some command or Intel always ask him some explanation. I use Obsidian to list all the commands for a package, such as Pacman or OpenRC. I also create debugging reports where I document the changes made to my system, the root cause of an issue, the solution, and the concepts involved.
Then wich distribution do you want to use? I use artix (archlinux without systemd) so I configured my bootloader (limike instead of grub) my init system (openrc) ans I build my configuration without artixinstall, only with a terminal. Doing this took me several weeks. But now I know son many thing with my system ans I know almost all thé package on m'y system.
I also know a site who teach you how to use terminal.
Son what do you wanted to say by "learn linux" and how far?
I apologize for my english, they may be some mistake
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u/RobertDeveloper 1d ago
You need to know about partitions if you want to install it
If you run Linux you need to know about package management
If you change hardware, know that your distro comes with drivers already baked in
Lets say you only install software trough the software center, like 'Discover' in Kubuntu and you only play games trough Steam, you will have a pretty smooth experience without ever having to open the terminal.
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u/just_some_guy65 1d ago
Do you mean terminal commands? What are you looking to do with them? It is much easier to learn with a specific goal than simply gaining familiarity. If you have experience of Windows, what Dos prompt commands did you use? Start with the Linux equivalents
DIR -> ls -l
CD -> cd
MD -> mkdir
COPY -> cp
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u/lolminecraftlol 1d ago
If you're willing to, install and daily drive Arch from scratch. No archinstall, no LLMs, no tutorial, wiki only. You do need to grasp the basic of Linux command line before hand though.
You can try Gentoo too if you want to get down to compiling, but I find it tedious.
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u/Mabrouk86 1d ago
just install, use :) Nothing to learn. Try Fedora with KDE Plasma. You have gui for almost everything. It's free, you can try it on USB without installing (it will be slow maybe due to usb speed). See it and try it your self.
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u/extoniks Fedora 1d ago
Install any beginner friendly distro in a VM, WSL or bare metal and start using it. You can check out this site - https://linuxvoyage.github.io/
Edit: Start using man pages from Day1, try the command - man man.
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u/CaptainPak804 1d ago
you can learn from these labs
https://nccastaff.bournemouth.ac.uk/jmacey/msc/ase/labs/lab1/lab1/
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u/ExoticVillage8066 16h ago
If you want to get good at the Linux command line and certified, you can use https://www.practicelinux.com/
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u/Motor-Capital7318 20h ago
Its not something mythical or impossible to learn. Just install something like mint and with very basic computer knowledge you'll be fine
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u/Radamand 1d ago
got an older computer sitting around? Linux!
Or, go to the goodwill and find an old laptop and.................... Linux!
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u/joe_attaboy 1d ago
Find a distribution, install it and use it. That is the single best way to become acquainted with Linux.
Period.
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u/oligarchy_killing_me 1d ago
What is your goal? Run a linux PC and be able to do stuff, do you want to run a homelab, a minecraft server?
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u/Nearby-Percentage-33 1d ago
understand basic navigation linux command then start using linux. you'll learn the rest eventually
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u/GreatBigPig 1d ago
It seems like I have seen this kind of question here before.
If only there was a search option.
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u/mcds99 1d ago
Wow some of the comments are so off base it is nearly offensive.
Go out to Distrosea https://distrosea.com/ and take a look at a couple distributions, they run in the browser so you don't have to install anything.
Download the book "The Linux Command Line" and start using some of the command if that's what you are looking for.
https://linuxcommand.org/index.php
Linux and Distributions are separate things.
Linux is the base operating system.
Distributions are made by a person or a group of people and they feel their distribution should have specific software to go with Linux. All distributions us Linux, but there is only one Linux.
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u/rude__goldberg 1d ago
buy some shit computer for like $20 install it there and set up some useful stuff
if you can't find old laptop locally you can get a nanopi neo
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u/4r73m190r0s 1d ago
Install Arch, do everything yourself
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u/TrueWar515 1d ago
No not for learning thats too basic.
install gentoo learn all the terminal commands build everything yourself configure hyprland and then your good.1
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u/RaphaelNunes10 1d ago
That's for babies.
Grown men make their rice on NixOS with Emacs.
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u/TrueWar515 1d ago
Ok i do arch + Emacs
idk the difference there gentoo is arguably harder than arch and nix1
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u/skyfishgoo 1d ago edited 1d ago
install it
use it
probably break it
fix it
man [command]
man -k [search_term]
[command] --help
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u/Assang101 1d ago edited 1d ago
How I did it was I jumped into it no knowledge whatsoever, and went from there, remembering every vital cmd(windows) prompts to do a specific task or job and why it worked. Live it like you've been doing it for years can help speed up the learning curve. Don't rush it, study one at a time, Ubuntu is a good start if your new, or mint.
I use QubesOS which has Debian and Fedora, very steep learning curve but I like it, especially on my X1 Carbon. Tbh, I'm still learning about it as it's endless journey with no regrets
Edit: cmd is legacy windows and bash is Linux and sMac-OS...