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anubhav_sharma
anubhav_sharma

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Beginner's guide to Linux

Once upon a time I installed Ubuntu, and here is a summary of how it progressed. Here I am trying to write in laymen's terms, and suggestions are welcomed.

Why did I install it?
My computer at the time was low on ram, and quite slow so as a workaround, I decide to install Linux.

Which Linux to install as a beginner.
There are many easy to install and use, I found Ubuntu a good one.

Also GUI of Ubuntu is same as Windows with some difference like you won't find Microsoft office here, instead Libre office, for music you can use Vlc,and for Web browsing Firefox.

There are all alternative tools available for all sorts of work.

What is ubuntu.
Leaving behind the technicals terms, It is just an operating system like windows but it is Open Sourced.
Go to https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop for more information.

Alt Text

How to Try ubuntu
Create a bootable device. How?
Go to https://rufus.ie(Rufus link) and download the software.

Proper Installation is not mentioned here you can look for it on youtube or blogs.

Since you wish to use ubuntu, you may want to learn more than a normal user would.

1. Terminal

This is the place where all the magic happens.
To access the terminal you can press ctrl+atl+t or press windows button and search terminal
Terminal Image

2. Updating and Upgrading through terminal

sudo apt-get update && sudo apt-get upgrade

little background:

sudo: gives Root privileges
apt-get: is a package manager. you can find the software you need here.
update: gets an updated list from the repository
upgrade: install the updated list to your computer

3. Installing software.

sudo apt-get install software_name_here

example: sudo apt-get install firefox

4. Basic commands to use in terminal

Start a Program from terminal
Open terminal and vlc and enter

cd: change directory eg. cd ~/Downloads

mkdir: make a new directory eg. mkdir dev

cp: copy command eg. cp fileNameYouWishtoCopy DestinationWheretoCopy

rm: remove a file eg. rm fileToRemove

Pro tip

when writing command try to use Tab and most time it will autocomplete commands.
Most commands are written in smallcase.
eg. cd and CD are different things.
smallcase cd vs capital case

A general tip:

Even after experiencing it for years I still face issues, don't worry just search them online, In most of the case, there will be people similar to you, who already had that issue and got it resolved.

If this is not the case then no need to fear.
Your all-new best friend Stack Overflow is here. Just log in and put up your question there. ( Remember, always check if any similar question already exits or not)

or sometimes help from a friend is also useful.

Thanks to @chrisachard for inspiring me to write my first blog.

Top comments (6)

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egilhuber profile image
erica (she/her)

Ubuntu is IMO the best distro for Linux newbies. The UI is extremely user-friendly and you don't even really have to use the terminal for most day-to-day computing, especially with the snap store being a thing.

Highly recommend it, especially if you're trying to get a little more life out of a sluggish pc!

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maanuanubhav999 profile image
anubhav_sharma

I totally agree with you and whenever the user is comfortable with the basics he/she can move on to learn more.

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rishitkhandelwal profile image
Rishit Khandelwal

Another advantage to using Linux: save some money.

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maanuanubhav999 profile image
anubhav_sharma

even more control over the device.

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kumarsanskar profile image
Kumar Sanskar

Congrats, on your first post. Well Linux is the kernelπŸ˜…πŸ˜… and the major issue is installing of device drivers I suppose some day ubuntu developers will get that sorted out.

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maanuanubhav999 profile image
anubhav_sharma

thanks @kumarsanskar . Well yes, Linux is a kernel(missed that). Haha, I was trying to install the Realtek wifi driver and It was quite time-consuming.