Linux beginner's guide

At first glance, people when they intend to start using Linux often feel somewhat overwhelmed, because they think it is extremely complicated and complex. Today we want to show you that this is not the case. We have made our post: Beginner's Guide to Linux, which covers several sections, this in order that you can install and configure your Linux to get the most out of it.

Index of contents

Beginner's Guide to Linux

Section 1: Why install Linux?

If we change the question to: Why not try Linux ?, it would make more sense. Without noticing it, the reality is that we already use Linux, since Android is based on Linux, a large number of servers in the world use Linux, including NASA and CERN as well. This is because in critical cases, experts prefer to use much more stable, efficient and safe systems.

So why not use Linux on our desktop computers or on our netbooks / notebooks? The answer is simple, Windows comes installed by default due to several agreements signed with the hardware manufacturers and all have become accustomed to it. But that does not mean it is better than Linux.

Here are some of the reasons why you should be using Linux:

It is safer:

This is one of the main reasons to use it. With a switch to Linux, you will leave behind fears of adware, spyware, worms, Trojans, or viruses. In addition, not only is there practically no malware, but it also has its own characteristics that make it a system and in turn imposes much healthier behaviors, both on programs and users, both users and programs, which provides greater security.

It is faster:

The speed of Linux will depend on the distribution, desktop environment, etc. that you choose according to your activities on the computer. However, it has structural characteristics that make it a much lighter system. For example, the centralized system of libraries to prevent each application from running a different instance, the little (almost null) fragmentation of the disks, the storage of configurations in files, and in single registers, etc.

It is more stable:

Linux stability varies according to distribution. But, in general terms, it can be said that Linux is much more stable. Simply put, it doesn't hang the same way windows does, particularly when facing heavy workloads.

It is portable on USB or on a DVD

Linux provides the option to be run from a hard disk, a USB or a CD / DVD. This means that even if the installed operating system stops working, it would still be possible to recover the files stored on the computer.

He's a computer reviver

Linux will allow you to get the best out of your computer, whether you have the latest generation or if you have an old computer. All this will depend on the distribution. There are even mini-distributions for computers with less than 50MB of RAM, so that old computer that you loved so much, you can "resuscitate" it.

It's FREE, yes FREE.

In Linux, not only is the system free. Also most of the programs available. Forget about continuing to download software illegally, putting even your computer at risk. With Linux you will surely find alternative applications for the functionality you require.

It's free software

Linux is free but it is also free software. Which means that once you get it, you can freely use it, copy it, study it, modify it and redistribute it. This also applies to your applications.

It is the best way to learn computing

This is a reason already for more advanced users. And it is that really learning about computing goes much further than learning a sequence of steps to follow to get a task done. Certainly not easy at first, using the command line will help you understand the basics of any operating system today. On the other hand, it offers you a free software library, whose source code can be downloaded, explored and modified, which will serve as the basis for your own program experimentations.

Can be customized to exhaustion

One of the basics of Linux is choice. Not only does it allow you to install new programs, but you can customize all the elements of your desktop environment, to achieve optimized versions according to your tasks.

Finally, if you want more information about Linux, you can read this article on our blog.

Section 2: Choosing the Right Distribution

The first step to understand what a distribution is, is to be clear that Linux is the kernel, kernel or heart of the operating system. We could say that it is the mediator between the requests of the applications / software and the hardware. The kernel by itself is useless, what we use every day is a Linux distribution. That is, a kernel + a group of programs that use the hardware through a request to the kernel.

So, we can define a distribution as a set of small pieces of software, where each piece has a particular task assigned as: system startup, another offers the visual environment, another manages the visual effects of the desktop, etc. Therefore, the differences between the different versions consist of the kernel they use, the set of programs that perform their routine tasks (system startup, desktop environment, window management, etc.), the configuration of each program, and the set of applications that complement (internet, office automation, chat, image manipulation, etc.).

That said, we must decide the distribution that we want to use. Certainly there are several factors that influence, it could be said that there are distros adapted for each need (security, education, design, audio and video, etc.), but an important point that you must take into account as a “beginner” is to make a choice It has a wide community that can contribute to solving the doubts and problems that may arise.

What are the best distros for beginners?

Let's say that there is a certain meeting point regarding distros considered ideal for beginners, among them are: Ubuntu (and the Kubuntu, Xubuntu, Lubuntu, etc. remixes), Linux Mint, PCLinuxOS, among others. This does not mean that they are the best distros, that will depend in the first instance on your needs and also on your abilities (level of experience in Linux).

In addition to your needs and capabilities, there are two other elements that will influence your choice: the desktop environment and the processor.

Processor

In this selection process you will discover that most distros you get in two versions: 32 and 64 bits (also called x86 and x64). The main difference is associated with the type of processor they support. The correct option will depend on the type and model of processor you are using.

Desktop environment

A desktop environment is the implementation of the graphical user interface of the operating system. It is responsible for offering ease of access and configuration, stationery, window management, etc. The best known and used environments are GNOME, XFCE, KDE and LXDE.

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The most popular distributions come in different "flavors" (an elegant way to call it), that is, for each distribution you will find versions with different desktop environments. For example, the most recognized "flavors" for Ubuntu are:

• Traditional Ubuntu environment: UnityKubuntu Ubuntu + KDE environment Ubuntu Ubuntu + XFC environment Ubuntu Ubuntu + LXDE environment

Making these points clear, it is up to you to start the search for the distribution that suits you. In our blog we give you a hand, leaving you comparative of the most popular distributions, and some compilations: The best Linux distributions, the best light Linux distributions and Best portable USB Linux distributions.

Section 3: Install Linux

First of all, you should know that prior to installation, Linux allows you to test and explore the distributions without installing it. This will serve to verify if it adapts to your needs, if it is fully compatible with your hardware and to clear any doubts you have about it.

Both to install and to test, you must perform some preliminary steps so that the computer boots from the CD / DVD / USB. You can consult the following tutorial that can help you in this step: How to modify the boot sequence in the BIOS

Finally, we go to the installation process of the chosen distribution. As a general recommendation, you can choose to carry out a search on YouTube that indicates how to install the distribution you have chosen step by step. In this blog you will find several of these installation guides, For example: Ubuntu.

Section 4: What to do after installing

Since you installed the Linux distribution of your choice, it's time to customize it. Unlike other operating systems, in Linux you can configure and modify EVERYTHING according to your needs and tastes. In our blog you will find several guides to know what to do after installing some of the most popular distributions. Following the example: Ubuntu Tips.

Section 5: Install apps

All Linux distributions come with an established application package. However, most of the time, this will not be enough to meet your needs. In our blog, you will find a range of tutorials to install applications in various distributions and even how to make Windows applications run on Linux.

Section 6: Where and How to Get Help

The first places you should go when you need to solve a problem are the Wiki or support communities of your distribution. Depending on the popularity of the distribution of your select, these forums may be in multiple languages, currently many include documentation in Spanish. There are also forums and communities open to support and provide assistance in solving very specific problems. Finally, on our blog you can also make inquiries about any questions, concerns or problems you have related to Linux, we are fully available to provide support. Another place to ask for help may be the free software communities in your respective country / region.

It should be noted that when asking for help, it is not only important to know where to ask for it, but also how to do it. Therefore, you require a minimum knowledge of specific Linux features. For example: knowing the structure of the files and where the system logs are stored, you also need to master some basic commands and commands to identify the hardware used and their respective configuration. The sum of all this information, will facilitate the identification of the problem in the system to those who decide to help you, because in this way there will be a clear idea in the configuration of the system.

Finally, we hope that this Guide for beginners in Linux has been very useful for you to clear doubts and concerns and finally make the decision to "take the leap", surely you will not regret it?