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Linux Quick Intro: System Folders Explanation, Proton, Apps Install&Remove

Linux Usage Quick Intro: From Confusion to Clarity

If you're new to Linux, especially coming from Windows, the operating system can feel like a completely different world. The lack of C:\ and D:\ drives, the terminal-centric approach, and the different file system hierarchy can be overwhelming at first. This guide aims to demystify Linux usage, focusing on Arch Linux (though most concepts apply universally), and help you understand the why behind the system's design.

The Core Philosophy: Order Over Chaos

Unlike Windows, Linux follows a unified, hierarchical file system that starts from a single root: /. There's no concept of separate drives in the path structure. When you install programs, they go into standardized, predictable locations by default. Why?

  • Interoperability: Program A can reliably find files from Program B.
  • Predictability: You (and the system) always know where to look for things.
  • No manual path selection: You don't need to choose "install locations" for each application.

The rare exception? Massive games or datasets that don't fit on your primary drive. For these, you use symbolic links (advanced "shortcuts") to redirect from standard paths to other locations.

Navigating the File System: Key Directories

Open your file manager, type / in the address bar, and press Enter. Welcome to the root. Here's what matters:

  • /home/ – Equivalent to C:\Users\. Your personal folder is /home/your_username/. This is typically where your file manager opens.
  • /etc/ – The configuration hub. Contains config files for most system-wide applications. Crucial: If you edit configs here, they might get overwritten on updates. The proper way is to copy them to your user config directory (more on that later).
  • /tmp/ – Temporary files. Browser caches, app temp data, etc.
  • /usr/ – User programs and data (despite the name).
    • /usr/bin/ – Main executable binaries for installed programs.
    • /usr/share/ – Shared data: icons, .desktop files (menu entries).
  • /opt/ – Optional/third-party large applications (Steam, some proprietary software).
  • /var/ – Variable data like logs (/var/log/).
  • /bin/, /sbin/, /lib/ – Essential system binaries and libraries. Rarely need manual interaction.

Your Home Directory: The Hidden Power

Inside /home/your_username/, you'll find visible folders (Downloads, Documents) and hidden ones starting with a dot (e.g., .config). Enable "Show Hidden Files" in your file manager (Dolphin: Ctrl+H or View menu).

Key hidden directories:

  • .config – Your personal configuration center. Copy and edit config files from /etc/ here. They won't be overwritten by updates, and they're portable between installations.
  • .cache – Local cache (browsers, apps). User-specific version of /tmp.
  • .local/share/ – Your personal AppData\Roaming.
    • .local/share/applications/ – Place custom .desktop files here to add programs to your application menu.
  • Templates – A brilliant feature. Whatever files you put here (e.g., New Image.png, Resume.docx) will appear in your file manager's right-click "Create New" menu. No more cluttered context menus!

Installing Software: Repositories Are Your Friend

Forget downloading .exe files from websites. Linux uses package managers.

Official Repositories (pacman in Arch)

Thousands of vetted, maintained packages.

# Search for a package
pacman -Ss package_name

# Install
sudo pacman -S package_name

# Remove
sudo pacman -R package_name
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AUR (Arch User Repository) via yay

A community-driven repository with virtually every program imaginable. If it's not in the official repos, check AUR.

# Install yay (if not present)
sudo pacman -S yay

# Install from AUR
yay -S package-name-from-aur
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Pro tip: yay will show multiple options. Usually pick the first one, especially if it has a -bin suffix (pre-compiled, faster installation).

How AUR works: Community members create PKGBUILD scripts that automatically:

  1. Download the program from its official source (even .deb files for Ubuntu)
  2. Compile or extract it
  3. Place files in correct Linux paths
  4. Create a native Arch package

Gaming on Linux: Steam & Proton

  • Steam typically installs to ~/.local/share/Steam/ or /opt/.
  • Proton is a compatibility layer (Wine) optimized for games. It's not emulation – it translates Windows API calls to Linux on the fly.
  • To enable Proton: Right-click a Windows game → Properties → Compatibility → Enable Steam Play → Choose Proton version.
  • Check game compatibility at protondb.com.
  • Steam's new behavior: With "Enable Steam Play for all titles" checked, your library shows ALL games regardless of OS. The Linux filter (penguin icon) won't change counts – Steam assumes everything can run via Proton.

Essential Software Replacements

  • Graphics:
    • sudo pacman -S krita – Digital painting (great with tablets)
    • sudo pacman -S gimp – Photo editing (with Photoshop-like extensions)
    • sudo pacman -S inkscape – Vector graphics
    • sudo pacman -S pinta – Simple image editing
  • Office Suites:
    • sudo pacman -S libreoffice-fresh – Full-featured free suite
    • yay -S onlyoffice-bin – Best MS Office format compatibility

The Mindset Shift

Yes, there's a learning curve. You need to remember paths and get comfortable with the terminal. But this is an investment that pays off:

  • Predictable system behavior
  • Easy configuration backup (just copy .config)
  • Clean software management (no registry, no scattered files)
  • No context menu bloat

Don't try to force Windows patterns onto Linux. Embrace the standardized paths, trust the package manager, and within a couple of months, you'll not only understand the system – you'll appreciate its elegance.

Final tip: When you need software, first search your package manager (pacman -Ss or yay). If it's not there, search "program_name arch linux" – you'll usually find it in the AUR. This approach keeps your system clean and manageable.

Welcome to Linux – where things make sense once you understand the logic!

Top comments (1)

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sephyi profile image
Sephyi •

Arch as a beginner distro isn’t a tutorial, it’s a stress test 😅

You meant well, but the post says “Linux” while mostly covering Arch — and even there, topics stop just before they get useful. That’s rough for beginners and thin as stratospheric air for experienced users.

This would work far better as a focused post on one concrete topic instead of a Linux speedrun.

Also: the Filesystem Hierarchy Standard is surprisingly good reading 🤓 Anyone serious about Linux packaging or server hygiene should know it. Many clearly dont.