Linux operating systems are powerful and can be used all around your home and office. Whether you switch to Linux full-time or use it alongside Windows and macOS, there are some things you should know.
1. Linux comes in distributions 😁
Linux and related software come in distribution. A Linux distribution is an operating system, while Linux is the code that makes the operating system work (the kernel).
These distributions have a different user experience and target. Some distributions are very beginner orientated while others are oriented towards the power user. There are many different Linux distributions
Some of the more popular Linux distributions are Ubuntu, Mint, Fedora and Suse. Each Linux distribution has a different target audience, such as Kali which is very security orientated.
2. Try Linux without installing
These days a Linux distribution will often detect your drivers automatically. There are live usb distros that let you run Linux without installing.
You download a Linux live image (.iso) and put it on a USB drive. Then you restart the computer and boot from the USB drive. Sometimes it's necessary to change to "boot from USB" in the computers BIOS.
You can also order preinstalled live USB disks from the internet. Then you just plug it into your computer.
3. Drivers: Drivers Are Easy to Install 💻
The biggest reason people avoid Linux is because they're worried about drivers. For anyone who's ever opened up a computer, the process of installing some drivers can be intimidating, but Linux makes it easy. In fact, most of the time it's not even needed to install drivers.
This has changed a lot in the last 15 years. While 15 years ago it was quite a hassle, these days it usually works out of the box.
4. Linux command line can help you.
You can add new software, delete old software, manage your file system, login to other computers (ssh) and a lot more.
The default command line in Linux is called the Bash shell and this is the same in all Linux distributions and even similar on Mac OS X.
There are many different Linux commands. If you want to learn them quickly, you can use these exercises.
5. Linux is free
There is no free lunch in life, but there is a free operating system, and it’s called Linux.
Linux allows you to get things done without having to pay to use products from companies like Microsoft, Apple, Adobe, and others.
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