hi, i am making this thread as i have my self just turned to linux and would like to explain to others what took me a few days to figure out
* why would you want to use linux?
Linux is an operating system with no boundaries, it can be fully customised any aspect of the os can be changed to meet the users preferences.
“in a world without walls and fences who needs windows and gates?”
linux is the fastest operating platform available to the general public, the reason for this is that linux is composed of lots of different applications that work together rather than a huge heap of applications working as one.
The ever growing popularity of linux has lead to every new distribution and release being improved dramatically.
If you think that linux is just for nerds then you are wrong, the French police now use ubuntu as well as every school in Russia replacing windows with ubuntu
WHAT IS A DISTROBUTION?
2.
here is a little snippet I took from wiki, im sure it can explain it a lot better than I can
“ A Linux distribution, often simply distribution or distro, is a member of the Linux family of Unix-like computer operating systems. Such systems are built from the Linux kernel and assorted other packages, such as the X Window System and software from the GNU project. Distributions optimized for size tend to use more compact alternatives like busybox, uclibc or dietlibc. There are over three hundred Linux distributions, all of which are implementations of the Linux operating system.
Because most (if not all) of the kernel and supporting packages are some combination of free software and open source, Linux distributions have taken a wide variety of forms — from fully featured desktop and server operating systems to minimal environments (typically for use in embedded systems, or for booting from a floppy disk). Aside from certain custom software (such as installers and configuration tools) a "distro" simply refers to a particular assortment of applications married with a particularly compiled kernel, such that its "out-of-the-box" capabilities meets most of the needs of its particular end-user base.
There are currently over three hundred Linux distribution projects in active development, constantly revising and improving their respective distributions. One can distinguish between commercially backed distributions, such as Fedora (Red Hat), SUSE Linux (Novell), Ubuntu (Canonical Ltd.), and Mandriva Linux and community distributions such as Debian and Gentoo. The procedures for assembling and testing a distribution prior to release tend to become more elaborate the larger the user base.”
WINDOWS AND LINUX?
3.
should i keep windows?
i recommend you do until you are fully comfortable with linux.
and definitely keep it if you are a serious gamer
i will always keep windows as there are programs that i want to use that linux cant.
set up a dual boot and then you have the best of both worlds.
GAMES
4.
can i game on linux?
yes you can using programs such as wine or cedega
wine is a more for running all round applications and runs a large amount of windows programs[/FONT] such as photoshop, image ready and many more
cedega is for gamers, it boasts a large game compatibility list and is a revolutionary step for ward in games for linux
however windows is definitely better than linux for games but if you are a light gamer and your games are on the cedega/wine list linux will be fine
Try before you .....get it free
5.
can i try before i commit?
the brilliant thing is you can!
many linux distributions have a live cd, this means you can boot from this cd and run the operating system from the disk without installing. although this feature does not allow the full use of the applications it lets you try out the software before installing it on the hard-drive.
DOWNLOAD
6.
how can i get linux?
once you have chosen what linux you would like ( i will address this later on) you can install it by going to the distributions website, downloading the iso file (live cd) and mounting it to a disk, then boot from the disk by setting it as primary boot device in the bios.
you run from the live cd and on the desktop there should be an icon saying install, click this and follow the steps. Its that easy!
some distributions may not have this option and you may need to boot from the initial text screen. this should be straight forward even for the novice user .
DISTRO'S
7.
what distribution is for me ?
there are many distributions to choose from when it comes to linux
they all have the advantages and disadvantages
the most common distributions are
ubuntu - simple, popular and powerfull
kubuntu - ubuntu with kde
mandriva - uses kde, loosing popularity but still a solid distro
open suse - backed by novell, simple to use
pc linux os - best for absolute computer beginners, kde
gentoo - mostly source applications, for advanced users
slackware - longest running distro, strong following
fedora - 4th in distro watch, kde
xubuntu - ubuntu with xfce
to help you choose use this test but only as a guide line
for a beginner i recommend either ubuntu or pc linux os, both are user friendly and simple to use
INTERFACES
8.
what are gnome, kde and xfce
these are interfaces that linux uses, for example kubuntu, ubuntu and xubuntu are all pretty much the same apart from the interface, the internals are the same but there are some differences
kde - polished from the start, althaugh menu editing is troublesome this will be fixed in kde4 which is available now with the new hardy heron alpha for ubuntu, gnome is less polished but lets you run awn (mac like dock) and xfce is better for modest computers as it takes up less system resources. it is easy to install a different desktop environment so you are never committed to just one, i currently have kde and gnome installed and love them both. you just pick what one you want at start up.
here are a few screen shots of the different interfaces
Gnome - this is my desktop
kde
xfce
remember all of the above screen shots aren't "stock" the users have customises them for their preferences as this is incredibly easy on linux. you can customise anything from the login screen to the icons.
INSTALLING SOFTWARE
9.
is installing the same on linux as it is on windows?
the answer is no
with linux there are a few ways to install files
1. a package, this can be done by going to the package manager and searching for the name of the program you wish to download and install, this is much the same as going to the add remove applications and you can select a category and browse for a useful application held in a repository (server online that hosts application packages for easy download and install)
2. compile source code, this may sound daunting but it really isn't. this is simply done by downloading the source code (usually compressed)/ extracting to desktop/ run terminal (like command prompt)/ navigate to the directory
if you extracted to desktop this will be cd "Desktop/<file name>"
*exclude speech marks " in code
then typing "./config" - this will bring up loads of scrolling text once the text has finished and you don't see any error messages
type "make" - follow the above if no error messages appear
type "sudo" make install
that's it the program is installed, once you have done this a few times it becomes second nature
3. sudo apt-get install, simply type this in terminal followed by the name of the package to install, you will be prompted if you would like to continue type y and hit enter
most 3rd party programs will be in source code although some are compiled into .deb files (ubuntu) and rpm files (cent os and redhat) meaning all you do is set the file to open with package manager when downloading (this should be automatic) and follow the instructions.
EQUIVELENT SOFTWARE
on linux there are many programs that are the equivalent to their windows counter part so be worried if you need to type up a document, spreadsheet, database or presentation all this can be done on open office which is just as good as ms word and free! it can save the files in any format so there should be no trouble with compatibility.
also for all the ipod users, you can play the m4a files in most linux music players and sync your ipod with them
Windows apps that run on linux
thanks to a wonderful program called wine we can now run windows application on linux, one of the newest additions to run flawlessly on linux is photoshop cs2 and dreamweaver (thanks to google's funding). for more info on applications that will work with wine have a look here
READ* i recommend linux for people who are confident with computers as well as beginners it can be tricky at times and damn right confusing, there will be a small amount of text installation and you will have to use some simple commands when setting up, don't fret this is easy and there is lots of help online. Once you grasp the concept its is a breeze from then on and you will lean to love the linux way of life*
if you have any questions please feel free to ask and i will be happy to help
below is a video of my desktop and linux in all its beauty
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_e7c2LPUwR0
* why would you want to use linux?
Linux is an operating system with no boundaries, it can be fully customised any aspect of the os can be changed to meet the users preferences.
“in a world without walls and fences who needs windows and gates?”
linux is the fastest operating platform available to the general public, the reason for this is that linux is composed of lots of different applications that work together rather than a huge heap of applications working as one.
The ever growing popularity of linux has lead to every new distribution and release being improved dramatically.
If you think that linux is just for nerds then you are wrong, the French police now use ubuntu as well as every school in Russia replacing windows with ubuntu
WHAT IS A DISTROBUTION?
2.
here is a little snippet I took from wiki, im sure it can explain it a lot better than I can
“ A Linux distribution, often simply distribution or distro, is a member of the Linux family of Unix-like computer operating systems. Such systems are built from the Linux kernel and assorted other packages, such as the X Window System and software from the GNU project. Distributions optimized for size tend to use more compact alternatives like busybox, uclibc or dietlibc. There are over three hundred Linux distributions, all of which are implementations of the Linux operating system.
Because most (if not all) of the kernel and supporting packages are some combination of free software and open source, Linux distributions have taken a wide variety of forms — from fully featured desktop and server operating systems to minimal environments (typically for use in embedded systems, or for booting from a floppy disk). Aside from certain custom software (such as installers and configuration tools) a "distro" simply refers to a particular assortment of applications married with a particularly compiled kernel, such that its "out-of-the-box" capabilities meets most of the needs of its particular end-user base.
There are currently over three hundred Linux distribution projects in active development, constantly revising and improving their respective distributions. One can distinguish between commercially backed distributions, such as Fedora (Red Hat), SUSE Linux (Novell), Ubuntu (Canonical Ltd.), and Mandriva Linux and community distributions such as Debian and Gentoo. The procedures for assembling and testing a distribution prior to release tend to become more elaborate the larger the user base.”
WINDOWS AND LINUX?
3.
should i keep windows?
i recommend you do until you are fully comfortable with linux.
and definitely keep it if you are a serious gamer
i will always keep windows as there are programs that i want to use that linux cant.
set up a dual boot and then you have the best of both worlds.
GAMES
4.
can i game on linux?
yes you can using programs such as wine or cedega
wine is a more for running all round applications and runs a large amount of windows programs[/FONT] such as photoshop, image ready and many more
cedega is for gamers, it boasts a large game compatibility list and is a revolutionary step for ward in games for linux
however windows is definitely better than linux for games but if you are a light gamer and your games are on the cedega/wine list linux will be fine
Try before you .....get it free
5.
can i try before i commit?
the brilliant thing is you can!
many linux distributions have a live cd, this means you can boot from this cd and run the operating system from the disk without installing. although this feature does not allow the full use of the applications it lets you try out the software before installing it on the hard-drive.
DOWNLOAD
6.
how can i get linux?
once you have chosen what linux you would like ( i will address this later on) you can install it by going to the distributions website, downloading the iso file (live cd) and mounting it to a disk, then boot from the disk by setting it as primary boot device in the bios.
you run from the live cd and on the desktop there should be an icon saying install, click this and follow the steps. Its that easy!
some distributions may not have this option and you may need to boot from the initial text screen. this should be straight forward even for the novice user .
DISTRO'S
7.
what distribution is for me ?
there are many distributions to choose from when it comes to linux
they all have the advantages and disadvantages
the most common distributions are
ubuntu - simple, popular and powerfull
kubuntu - ubuntu with kde
mandriva - uses kde, loosing popularity but still a solid distro
open suse - backed by novell, simple to use
pc linux os - best for absolute computer beginners, kde
gentoo - mostly source applications, for advanced users
slackware - longest running distro, strong following
fedora - 4th in distro watch, kde
xubuntu - ubuntu with xfce
to help you choose use this test but only as a guide line
for a beginner i recommend either ubuntu or pc linux os, both are user friendly and simple to use
INTERFACES
8.
what are gnome, kde and xfce
these are interfaces that linux uses, for example kubuntu, ubuntu and xubuntu are all pretty much the same apart from the interface, the internals are the same but there are some differences
kde - polished from the start, althaugh menu editing is troublesome this will be fixed in kde4 which is available now with the new hardy heron alpha for ubuntu, gnome is less polished but lets you run awn (mac like dock) and xfce is better for modest computers as it takes up less system resources. it is easy to install a different desktop environment so you are never committed to just one, i currently have kde and gnome installed and love them both. you just pick what one you want at start up.
here are a few screen shots of the different interfaces
Gnome - this is my desktop
kde
xfce
remember all of the above screen shots aren't "stock" the users have customises them for their preferences as this is incredibly easy on linux. you can customise anything from the login screen to the icons.
INSTALLING SOFTWARE
9.
is installing the same on linux as it is on windows?
the answer is no
with linux there are a few ways to install files
1. a package, this can be done by going to the package manager and searching for the name of the program you wish to download and install, this is much the same as going to the add remove applications and you can select a category and browse for a useful application held in a repository (server online that hosts application packages for easy download and install)
2. compile source code, this may sound daunting but it really isn't. this is simply done by downloading the source code (usually compressed)/ extracting to desktop/ run terminal (like command prompt)/ navigate to the directory
if you extracted to desktop this will be cd "Desktop/<file name>"
*exclude speech marks " in code
then typing "./config" - this will bring up loads of scrolling text once the text has finished and you don't see any error messages
type "make" - follow the above if no error messages appear
type "sudo" make install
that's it the program is installed, once you have done this a few times it becomes second nature
3. sudo apt-get install, simply type this in terminal followed by the name of the package to install, you will be prompted if you would like to continue type y and hit enter
most 3rd party programs will be in source code although some are compiled into .deb files (ubuntu) and rpm files (cent os and redhat) meaning all you do is set the file to open with package manager when downloading (this should be automatic) and follow the instructions.
EQUIVELENT SOFTWARE
on linux there are many programs that are the equivalent to their windows counter part so be worried if you need to type up a document, spreadsheet, database or presentation all this can be done on open office which is just as good as ms word and free! it can save the files in any format so there should be no trouble with compatibility.
also for all the ipod users, you can play the m4a files in most linux music players and sync your ipod with them
Windows apps that run on linux
thanks to a wonderful program called wine we can now run windows application on linux, one of the newest additions to run flawlessly on linux is photoshop cs2 and dreamweaver (thanks to google's funding). for more info on applications that will work with wine have a look here
READ* i recommend linux for people who are confident with computers as well as beginners it can be tricky at times and damn right confusing, there will be a small amount of text installation and you will have to use some simple commands when setting up, don't fret this is easy and there is lots of help online. Once you grasp the concept its is a breeze from then on and you will lean to love the linux way of life*
if you have any questions please feel free to ask and i will be happy to help
below is a video of my desktop and linux in all its beauty
http://uk.youtube.com/watch?v=_e7c2LPUwR0
Maybe should be added to FAQ or stickyed? Also you forgot Arch from the distro list 
