Recommended resources for Linux novice?

TheArTcher

Limp Gawd
Joined
Dec 9, 2007
Messages
242
I've had all I can take from Microsoft (satan) and I don't want to switch to Google (lucifer) so I decided to switch to Linux for many of my computers. So far, I've used Mint on one computer and it seems to be adequate. But I need to get up to speed on Linux so I can maintain my own computers. And I need to do it without wasting a lot of time. Can you recommend any learning resources or books that will teach me what I need to know, to setup and maintain Linux systems, with the least amount of pain?

Thanks,
ArTcher
 
The forums and wikis (if the distro of choice has one) are the best resources. Even though you may not use a specific distro, the info on the associated forum/wiki often times is more or less the info that you need.
 
The forums and wikis (if the distro of choice has one) are the best resources. Even though you may not use a specific distro, the info on the associated forum/wiki often times is more or less the info that you need.

I spent a few hours on the Mint forum and several others but most of the info is above my pay grade. I think what I need is a crash course on Linux 101.
 
O'Reilly's Linux in a Nut Shell. The LPIC 1 and LPIC 2 are pretty good as well. Pretty much anything from O'Reilly is a good choice.

Also:

LinuxQuestions.org
howtoforge.com
linuxtopia.org/online_books/linux_for_beginners_index.html
nixtutor.com/linux/all-the-best-linux-cheat-sheets/
 
I spent a few hours on the Mint forum and several others but most of the info is above my pay grade. I think what I need is a crash course on Linux 101.

It may seem like a lot at first but once you start to digest the fundamentals, your learning will increase very rapidly if you let it.

I also forgot to mention going to your local library. The books may be a few years out of date but the fundamental concepts are still very relevent and will provide valuable context. :cool:
 
The Arch Linux Wiki @ https://wiki.archlinux.org/ is a great resource even if your not using Arch Linux. I find myself referring to it a lot even when I'm using other distros. Mostly because in Arch Linux you manually configure a lot of things its a good reference for lots of components in a general sense not just for Arch Linux.
 
O'Reilly's Linux in a Nut Shell. The LPIC 1 and LPIC 2 are pretty good as well. Pretty much anything from O'Reilly is a good choice.

Also:

LinuxQuestions.org
howtoforge.com
linuxtopia.org/online_books/linux_for_beginners_index.html
nixtutor.com/linux/all-the-best-linux-cheat-sheets/


Look like some great resources, Thanks.
 
+1 to anything O'Reilly. Learning Linux is pretty good. I'm not sure what edition they're up to now, but even the first edition should be good enough to get your feet wet. If you REALLY want to learn it and immerse yourself try www.linuxfromscratch.org
 
You can google just about anything you encounter; e.g. If you got some problem, copy-paste the command line output and you are almost guaranteed to get a step-by-step solution online
 
You can google just about anything you encounter; e.g. If you got some problem, copy-paste the command line output and you are almost guaranteed to get a step-by-step solution online



That is a good idea. However, I must strongly caution against copy and pasting commands into your terminal from the inernet. If someone gives you commands, to run, do a little research and if the commands are legit, always type them in.

Light reading on the topic
http://thejh.net/misc/website-terminal-copy-paste
 
I would do two things:

1. Install CentOS and buy a corresponding book about RHEL for their entry-level cert. Read the book and browse the corresponding config files. It's worth tinkering inside a VM with a VM image backup and actually let yourself break things. If you break things reload the backup and continue.

2. Spend a weekend installing Linux From Scratch in a VM once you know the basics. Doing this will teach you about the low-level detail, i.e. kernel compilation, kernel modules, libraries etc.
 
2. Spend a weekend installing Linux From Scratch in a VM once you know the basics. Doing this will teach you about the low-level detail, i.e. kernel compilation, kernel modules, libraries etc.

This is what I was going to suggest.
 
LFS is a good idea to walk through once you enough, but it can be nerve-racking if you try to do it too early. The reason why I recommend the CentOS + RHEL cert books first is that there are actually pretty good books for RHEL, since there's more demand for it in the job market RHEL being the number one enterprise Linux distribution.

Another fairly useful way to learn Linux is to get to know the shell very well. One recommendation is the book:

http://www.amazon.com/Learning-bash...TF8&qid=1376335001&sr=8-1&keywords=bash+shell

The shell is probably the best way to approach Linux if you have programming experience. If not, then there are better ways of diving into the system.
 
Last edited:
As an Amazon Associate, HardForum may earn from qualifying purchases.
Arch or Gentoo are a good middle ground to LFS.. you still have to create a file system, install the kernel and base system, chroot into the new environment, and then set everything up.

They both also have outstanding documentation
The Arch Wiki
Gentoo Wiki
 
I Like "Essential System Administration" from O'reilly to understand the concepts. It's VERY good at that, although a bit old (yet sitll relevant!).
 
I've had all I can take from Microsoft (satan) and I don't want to switch to Google (lucifer) so I decided to switch to Linux for many of my computers.

In all honesty - we welcome you to learn and use Linux as it's a wonderful technological tool but you're doing it wrong...

Switching to Linux based on your first sentence is usually why 99% of people who try Linux never get anywhere. They come to try Linux because they're exhausted with another vendor and it just doesn't go well. Seriously Linux is older than Windows so the best reference is Google, Linuxquestions.org, distribution mailing lists, and whatever else you can break / fix yourself. Just know that every question you have about Linux has been asked / answered multiple times over and over on the Internet. It's just a matter of you finding it and applying the mechanics even if the exact question doesn't fit your exact problem...

Good luck.
 
A used copy of the Linux + guide should be good. It's very thorough, and geared toward passing the Linux + exam. Perhaps a little more in-depth than you would prefer to go, but a good reference nontheless.
 
Back
Top