How to learn Linux and pass an exam

glenimp617

glenimp617

glenimp617

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I need to learn linux but other than a default installation I've no idea what I'm doing. Where on earth do you start?

Ideally I'd like to work towards passing the CompTIA Linux exam, not because I have to, but if I pass that at least I will know I have a basic understanding :D and I wouldn't mind doing it anyway.

so, I'm guessing I need to buy a decent book and read it a couple of times. Then install and generally have a play :confused:

How long roughly will it take from where I am now to passing the exam?

Thanks :D
 
I also did the comptia linux+ exam a few years ago (self teaching rather than a course) with the purpose of learning linux.

Basically get a book, an installation of Linux (debian, arch, fedora etc but not Ubuntu) and work through everything like book examples and do online practice tests until you're ready. The exam isn't at all bad once you're familiar with the material. The forums & practice tests on TechExams are a great resource.

Linux+ in Depth is a perfectly good book for it.

You could do it in 3 weeks if you work hard, 1.5 months at a steady pace will be better.
 
tntcoder said:
I also did the comptia linux+ exam a few years ago (self teaching rather than a course) with the purpose of learning linux.

Basically get a book, an installation of Linux (debian, arch, fedora etc but not Ubuntu) and work through everything like book examples and do online practice tests until you're ready. The exam isn't at all bad once you're familiar with the material. The forums & practice tests on TechExams are a great resource.

Linux+ in Depth is a perfectly good book for it.

You could do it in 3 weeks if you work hard, 1.5 months at a steady pace will be better.
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Brilliant, do you have a link for the book. I guess linux for dummies isn't the best then :D:D:D

I think I used to have debian ages ago but probably thrown the cd out now

Will I be able to run it in VMWare so I can keep my Win7
 
You say not to use Ubuntu - is that because of the GUI? I assume that the underlying shell and commands are still the same? or is there more to it than that? I have Mint and am very happy with it, but want to look under the hood and learn more, and was assuming I could do this by using a terminal, as it would be the same as using a text based install?

Apologies if some terminology isn't perfect, but I hope you get what I mean :)
 
Phoen1x said:
You say not to use Ubuntu - is that because of the GUI? I assume that the underlying shell and commands are still the same? or is there more to it than that? I have Mint and am very happy with it, but want to look under the hood and learn more, and was assuming I could do this by using a terminal, as it would be the same as using a text based install?

Apologies if some terminology isn't perfect, but I hope you get what I mean :)
Click to expand...

Purely because Ubuntu is a bit of a bodged up bloated mess :p Nothing wrong with the GUI.

You could use it if you wanted, but the aim of these certs it to teach you real Linux at a lowish level and Ubuntu hides a fair chunk of that from you and in some areas deviate off to their own path.

Ubuntu has it's own certifications if you are interested, but for more vendor neutral linux certs you want to be using something like Debian, Arch, CentOS, Slackware or Gentoo IMO.
 
Grab a copy of Debian and away you go. ;)

Don't select the option for the desktop-environment package. :p
 
Jump in, the waters nice... ;)

Start from scratch, download Arch and learn how to install it and run Linux, delete windows from your machine so you're not tempted to go back...

Debian would be a good way to go, but if you want to run it as your main OS, it's a little dated, and won't be as nice once all set up, unless you want to go upgrade Gnome by yourself... Arch however is set up in such a manner where it has all the nice little things but you need to set it up yourself from scratch.
 
Join your local LUG (Linux User Group), if you have one close by of course :)

Hands on advise and full of useful contacts (ok, they may speak in total gibberish to start with but it's another source to tap)
 
r.pointing said:
Hello Dear
The Linux Professional Institute Certification program is designed to certify the competency of IT professionals using the Linux operating system and its associated tools. The LPIC program is designed in multiple levels.
Click to expand...

i hear the best place to find courses on LPIC is with dodgy Indian companies. Hey, I wonder where I can find one of those. Perhaps If i click on a few signatures I might hit a link..

banhammer1.jpg
 
As much as r.pointing was a spammer and dealt with a such, the LPIC exams are quite good general Linux exams. Our company sent a load of us on a weeks course followed by the exam several years ago and it wasn't bad from what I remember.
 
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