this post was submitted on 09 Aug 2023
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Linux
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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
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Here's a tl;dr of my Linux learning curve -- from 0 (Windows pleb) to hero:
Start with a "user-friendly" distro (Linux Mint, ZorinOS) and get used to its package manager (i.e How to install, uninstall and remove stuff. Also, your best friend.).
Then go for a more "serious" distro like Debian. And from Debian... Arch. Keep at it until you've got the most interesting commands (and "whom is whom" regarding video graphics, audio, etc... the "basic" stuff) written on your forehead.
After that, "duckduckgo" about "Minimal linux installation" or "Baremetal linux installation". Follow the instructions closely and at heart. PS: You are gonna suffer a bit.... but that is perfectly fine. Once again, you are gonna have to get used to it and to witness "your own distro" booting up for the first time. Yes, the nerdgasm feels quite great.
At this point, there is nothing "much" to learn other than to add more "depth" to the stuff you learned by "duckduckgo" about "Linux how do I improve my network", "Linux how to improve performance", etc until you are used to all that.
Now, you've reached the "average user" status and there is nothing "strictly necessary" to learn -- so start your own github, send your .dotfiles/scripts in, and go take a break. Congrats, you are now a penguin.
"duckduckgo" is a horrible verb holy moly. We have to give that credit to google, "google it" sounds way way better than "duckduckgo it" "bing it", "yandex it" etc
Now that you mention it....yep. That was horrible.
idk, how about "duck it"? Or "dduck it".
Or just "dd it"
Yep, dd is way better.
I'm not wanting to dive into programming specifically (only dipped my toes in the past for school/work as needed but certainly not experienced) so I'm not interested in maintaining scripts and a GitHub if that is necessary for Arch or what you mentioned as "serious" distros. That's good information though, thank you!
I think the above comment was a but of a joke but it’s not wrong. You will eventually develop the urge to customize your experience heavily and some scripts and dotfiles (these are just files that hold your configurations for various programs) will be necessary for that. But don’t worry about that right now. Just start small with the suggestion here like Mint or Ubuntu and enjoy. You will get frustrated, you will learn a bunch and you will have a fun time (eventually)
Okay thank you for clarifying!