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?

  • HubertManne@piefed.socialEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    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.

  • VivianRixia@piefed.socialEnglish
    2·
    3 days ago

    Before I swapped to linux full-time, I used virtualbox to create test environments from various distros to see which one I liked best.

    After testing: EndeavorOS, Manjaro, PopOS, Nobara, Ubuntu, and openSuse
    I settled on Endeavor as my main driver and have been running it for over a year now. openSuse came close second for me, and Nobara was a distant last, I really did not like it. The important thing for me was to try several of them in a safe way that would let me experiment on if this was really something I wanted at all.

  • LandedGentry@lemmy.zipEnglish
    13·
    3 days ago

    Find an easy distro (my recc is mint if you’re coming from windows, elementary if you’re coming from Mac) and just do it. Follow the install guides and just start trying to use your computer. Look up things when things aren’t working. If you get frustrated or justconsistently don’t like your distro, find a different one. Most people don’t know the exact distro they like with their first attempt. It’s very common to bounce around to different ones for a while or even have multiple.

    Some will allow you to do a live environment off a USB stick, but I don’t know. I never found that really told me whether not it was going to be a good daily driver. But it does give you an easy way to check out the “vibes” of one without having to actually commit to it

  • MNByChoice@midwest.social
    62·
    3 days ago

    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.

    • Diplomjodler@lemmy.world
      15·
      3 days ago

      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.

      • hddsx@lemmy.ca
        3·
        3 days ago

        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

        • Diplomjodler@lemmy.world
          2·
          3 days ago

          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.

          • hddsx@lemmy.ca
            1·
            3 days ago

            Oh. Desktop user? Servers are a particular hobby of mine, so……

            Maybe they don’t need to walk my path. I considered Linux From Scratch but haven’t had the time to dedicate

  • kaerypheur@lemmy.world
    3·
    3 days ago

    If you ask me:-

    I use a combination of my instincts, including distro-hopping, since I began using Linux in 2017, reading articles online about Linux tutorials, and even watching YouTube videos. I gave up on Linux and returned to Windows many times, but it ultimately made me return to Linux because it is meant to be my forever operating system. There are so many Linux tutorials available online, including on YouTube. Indian channels taught me how to install Ubuntu, and that was my most memorable beginning with Linux. I also recommend chatting with current viral technologies such as generative AIs; they’ll provide you with answers. So, keep exploring Linux. 😎👍

  • zxqwas@lemmy.world
    19·
    3 days ago

    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.

    • sem@lemmy.blahaj.zone
      2·
      3 days ago

      This is a key point.

      I didn’t realize this until years later, but man is not just for programs, it’s also for concepts like hier, and probably other stuff too.

        • verdigris@lemmy.ml
          41·
          3 days ago

          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.

            • verdigris@lemmy.ml
              11·
              2 days ago

              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.

  • eric5949@lemmy.world
    3·
    3 days ago

    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.

    • SavoryBaconStrip@lemmy.ml
      1·
      3 days ago

      I can’t believe how far I had to scroll to find this. This is what I used to get started. All the important stuff in an easy to digest tutorial. Highly recommend.

  • tiredofsametab@fedia.io
    2·
    3 days ago

    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.

  • verdigris@lemmy.ml
    14·
    3 days ago

    Just start using it. Set up a dual boot if you really need access to Windows still, but try not to use it as much as possible. You learn by running into problems or holes in your knowledge, and solving those issues will fill in other gaps.

    There are plenty of video series if you want to listen to advice before diving in, but there’s no teacher like experience.

    • some_guy@lemmy.sdf.org
      3·
      3 days ago

      It’s worth emphasizing that keeping it dual boot until you’re comfortable will let you take a break if you get frustrated rather than wiping Linux and going back to Win full time.

      Get a book on Linux, if you’re the type who likes learning from books (I do). There’s so many to choose from. Check reviews before you order or go to a book store and flip through some until you find one you like.

    • Jakeroxs@sh.itjust.works
      5·
      3 days ago

      This, I learned out of necessity when I was a teen, parents were divorcing and my dad only had an extremely old laptop, it was literally unusable on XP, was lookin around online on how to possibly speed it up and found Linux.