HOME
FORUM
LINKS
CHAPTER INDEX
 

The Ultimate Linux Newbie Guide

Chapter Overview


    1. What is Linux?
    If you are completely new to Linux, or any Operating system for that fact, this chapter covers all of the main primer aspects including:
    2. Why Linux - What are the benefits?

    Chapter two answers the burning question that you really need to know before going out and just installing a new operating system: Why? ....

    3. Choosing a distribution

    If you have not yet Installed Linux on your computer, you might want to have a look at this chapter for information on choosing a distribution (a flavour of Linux) that suits you.

    4. Preparing to install Linux.

    This chapter deals with ascertaining what you need to do to prepare for installation of Linux, including ensuring all your hardware is ok for Linux.

    There is also information about how different versions of Linux work with regards to software/package management.


    5. Installing Linux.
    This chapter gives a full guide to installing a popular Linux distribution (Ubuntu 5.10).

    It shows screenshots of each stage and gives full details of all the choices along the way, including information about partitioning your hard disk drive. There is also a video of an Ubuntu installation which you can watch as you go along!


    6. What's this GNOME Thing?

    Gnome is another extremely popular GUI for X. It has a very clean interface and whilst it is possibly slightly less newbie-friendly than KDE, it offers better speeds and native GTK+ interoperability. This chapter covers the reasons that you may want to choose Gnome as your GUI.

    7. What's this KDE thing?

    KDE is a GUI that sits ontop of X, It is a very popular GUI and Window manager throughout the Linux (and some Unix) market, and is heralded for it's ease of use amongst newbies. This chapter introduces the K Desktop Environment to you, and let's you know about all the things that makes it attractive as a GUI/WM.

    8. How do I get software?

    Okay, you've installed Linux, you've chosen you're GUI, and you've picked up a few basic commands. You're probably feasting for some software now. Linux has an abundance of software out there, mainly available over the net, mainly for a zero fee. This chapter covers how and where to get software.

    9. How do I install software?

    You've downloaded the software that you want, and you discovered that you don't know how to install it. This chapter covers installing .RPM, .DEB packages and tar.gz files.

    10. Using Linux every day for work and play

    Linux offers so many different uses, and finding out how to do it all can be a difficult task. This chapter makes it easy to find out how to do all the things you want to do with your computer in one easy page. From listening to music, watching TV, using office software and even playing games, this chapter covers all the standard desktop uses of a home or small office PC.

    11. Managing files and directories

    Ever wondered what the /etc /home /usr /bin /dev /proc /mnt /tmp /var and /boot directories in your root directory ( / ) are actually for, and what goes where? This chapter covers that.
    It also covers how to keep your files in good order, moving files, copying files, renaming files and very importantly, the security part of files (or permissions). It is important that you don't give permission for everyone to run, read or execute on certain files, be they private to you, or files that are sensitive to the security of the system. This chapter covers the usage of the chmod, chgrp and chown utilities to manipulate permission of files.

    12. I don't know any commands

    This chapter covers the one thing newbies love to hate: Linux (bash shell) commands. Commands are not a necessary skill for all users, but many other Linux people use them because of their versatility, so by the time you finish this chapter, hopefully you won't mind doing basic commands as much.