top 10 tips for beginning linux users
DESCRIPTION
Linux, a free and open-source operating system, runs more than 100 million websites and it is getting more and more popular running laptop/desktop computers. Windows and even Macintosh users are usually intimidated by Linux because they think that you must be a computer scientist or hacker to install and use it proficiently. This is not true anymore! In this session, Chad Mairn will provide 10 tips to help Linux newbies and/or users thinking of making the switch to become more confident running Linux on their computers.TRANSCRIPT
Top 10 Tips for Beginning Linux Users
http://www.slideshare.net/chadmairn
@cmairn
Agenda• Discover what open source software is.
• Learn what an operating system does.
• Cover a brief history of Linux
• Acquire 10 tips to help users who are making the switch to Linux become more confident using it.
• Heresy: I am using Windows today, but will show Linux in action via VirtualBox. (More later)
According to the Open Source Initiative,
“open source is a development method for software that harnesses the power of distributed peer review and transparency of process. The
promise of open source is better quality, higher reliability, more flexibility, lower cost, and an end to predatory vendor lock-in.”
Source: http://www.opensource.org/
An Operating System takes care of the basic operation of a computer system. It is a set of programs that manage computer hardware resources and provide common services for applications. Without an operating system nothing would get done! Applications would have to do all the work.
Source: http://goo.gl/MYdU
Brief History of Linux• MULTICS (Multiplexed Information and Computing
Service).
• UNIX was developed by computer scientists at AT&T/Bell labs in 1969.
• Minux created by Andrew Tannebaum.
• Linus Torvalds continually e-mailed modification requests and later decided to rewrite the kernel and share the code. Linux was born!
Tip 1: Pick a distribution that best fits your needs.
A distribution is an “operating system” that also includes a collection of software applications (e.g., word processors, spreadsheets, media players etc.)
Check out Top Ten Distributions from Distrowatch.com
http://www.ubuntu.com
I am currently using …
10.04 LTS (Long-term Support)
KDEGnome
Gnome Desktop Environment
Image source: http://goo.gl/y5oSZ
KDE Desktop Environment
Image source: http://goo.gl/YPt0w
http://infrarecorder.org/
Tip 1.5: Use InfraRecorder to burn the .ISO image file.
Tip 2: Use a LiveCD and try Linux before installing it.
Having a LiveCD can help you gain access to a crashed non-Linux system!
Download VirtalBox at: www.virtualbox.org
Tip 3: Use VirtualBox to run Linux
inside Windows or
OSX
Tip 3.5: Use Wubi (Windows-based UBuntu Installer)
http://www.ubuntu.com/download/ubuntu/windows-installer
Wubi will setup a dual boot system.
Tip 4: Explore GNOME Desktop (panels, menu bar, drawers
etc.)
Quick Demo
http://ubuntu-tweak.com/
Tip 5: Use Ubuntu Software Center
Tip 6: Use Synaptic Package Manager to find/update software packages.
Finding Programs
Quick Demo
Tips 7 and 8:
Understand the Linux File System Hierarchy.
Learn to change file permissions.
Tip 9: Start playing with the command line interface.
Image source: http://goo.gl/4ClAj
Get the Android apps! http://goo.gl/qyIAw
Get the iPhone app! http://goo.gl/DIyzE
Tip 10: Have Fun and Explore
Video source: http://goo.gl/BNSqe
Compiz/Fusion 3D Desktop in Ubuntu
http://www.ubuntu.com/tv
Select Linux Resources
• http://www.ubuntu.com/• https://www.linux.com/• http://www.linuxjournal.com/• http://www.linux-tutorial.info/• http://www.linuxselfhelp.com/• http://www.youtube.com/ (Search for Linux)
Let’s Hangout!
gplus.to/chadmairn