Tips for Linux BeginnersPosted by Avijit on August 21st, 2010 If you are planning to switch from Microsoft Windows to Linux, this article may help you. This article may help your transition. Okay, let start the article ?What is Linux distribution? Well, unlike other commercial operating systems like Microsoft Windows or Apple Mac OS X; Linux don?t have single version of the operating system. Based on the core components, Linux can be classified under different categories such as ? RPM based, Debian based and many more? each type of Linux called ?Distribution?, for example Ubuntu Linux is a Debian based Linux distribution. Which Linux distribution is best for me? As far as the hardware concern, Linux is less resource hungry then others. So if you are using any older hardware, don?t worry, you can install Linux to get the full performance of your hardware. Most of the Desktop Linux version run with 256 MB of RAM and 4 GB of RAM; If you are using Linux for your PC you can use Ubuntu. As mentioned earlier, Ubuntu is a Debian based Linux distribution and easy to use desktop operating system. They have Server version of their operating system. Live CDs ? Ubuntu, Knoppix and other Linux distribution offers a Live CD facility, that means, you can test, check the whole operating system without installing it into your hard disk. They are directly run form CDROM and ram, they do not touch the original file system. Installing Linux inside Windows ? you can install Linux inside Windows, Wubi is a small utility provide you the feature to install the Ubuntu Linux inside the Windows. Also you can install Linux inside any virtualization software such as ? Microsoft Virtual PC, VMware or Virtual Box. Dual Booting ? you can install Linux without uninstalling the Windows. It needs more expertise on overall systems. It is recommended that- before installing Linux you MUST back up all your data and softwares, because once you install the Linux, there is a chance to completely erase your hard disk and may cause the data loss. Unlike Microsoft Windows, Linux Don?t have drive like C: or D: instead of it they have /var, /root, /boot, /home etc? so it is recommended that, before installing Linux you must take a closer look of their file systems. Software installation can be done through YUM, RPM, and Synaptic etc? Linux offers two type of software installations, they are ? build the software from source and pre-compiled. Each distribution have their own pre-compiled software packages for example Red hat has offers their packages with .rpm extension, on the other hand Debian based Linux has .deb packages. Alongside, you can install any software from their source code. Finally, two more this you must consider, first thing is ? understand the super user privileges or the root privileges and don?t be afraid of terminal (Command line console). Linux have a great power on its console, i.e. you can perform different administrative and other tasks by simply entering some commands. Like it? Share it! More by this author |