I am new to linux

Andrew11 · 2009-10-14 21:23:45

I am new to linux how do I find out more info and where do I get started? Thanks for help.

ZeroCool · 2009-10-14 21:27:16

Hello new Linux member

I think the Wiki is a good start. Have you special questions search in the wiki or forum. You will find the most thing there.

litemotiv · 2009-10-14 21:32:16

don't double post Andrew11

Why shuold I switch to linux?

Ghost1227 · 2009-10-14 23:15:05

litemotiv wrote:

don't double post Andrew11
Why shuold I switch to linux?

Typically I'd agree with you, but in this case I'd say it's not really double posting. In the aformentioned post he's asking for affirmation as to why he should switch. This post seems more geared towards learning more about linux itself. Just my two cents. Either way, welcome aboard Andrew11. The Wiki is always a good place to start, as is our IRC channel. And don't forget Google.

lilsirecho · 2009-10-14 23:33:25

Perhaps the Beginners Guide will give you a good start...............

eDio · 2009-10-15 06:41:52

Arch is, of course, good distro to start. But you should look at some ready out of the box distro before, f.ex. Linux Mint or Ubuntu to understand, what linux can do.
I suppose, terminal on the start of your linux way will confuse you.

And as was said, Arch wiki is your friend You should read Beginners guide and Official install guide almost simultaneously. The second for deep understanding and the first for translating some points, which are unclear from the Official install guide.

FreakGuard · 2009-10-15 11:06:59

Arch is quite a jump into cold water (english proverb?). But you'll really learn a lot of stuff, but probably quite condensed. I'd recommend ubuntu for a start, except you're sure you've got a lot of time

.:B:. · 2009-10-15 11:09:59

And determination .

ASOM · 2009-10-15 16:11:50

I think they may be trying a little too hard to scare you. The documentation in the Arch Wiki is very thorough and very well written, by following the beginners guide you will end up with a working system. Do a little research before hand, search for a mirror close to you so you will be able to select on install and make the process go much faster, find the information pertaining to your video card in the wiki, follow the xorg without a xorg.conf guide and decide on the type of desktop environment you would like to have as there are many possibilities in linux. You have to find what works best for you. Google is usually a good place to start for finding information on those sort of things.

While ubuntu is OK for getting a working linux install without much user intervention, most people that use it eventually leave it, whether for a different distro or back to windows doesn't matter. There is a lot to be said for the sense of accomplishment and pride that comes from deciding exactly which packages end up on your system.

Ghost1227 · 2009-10-15 16:29:46

ASOM's right, Arch might not be an 'out of the box' distro, but you will learn a lot and there are lots of good resources available. I firmly believe that it's entirely possible to start on Arch and stay on Arch. If you have any problems (preferably after consulting the wiki and google) feel free to contact me.

Ranguvar · 2009-10-15 17:01:20

I think Arch is fine for newbies to GNU/Linux, as long as:

-) They know how to use forum and web search effectively.
-) They consult documentation first (man commandnamehere).
-) They know how to politely ask questions on forum and such.
-) They do their best to think for themselves and figure out the methods behind the apparent madness.

Oh, and I'd also recommend doing an install on a VM or throwaway machine first. I re-did my Arch install at least 5 times before I was even close to happy with it, back when I was a super-noob.

Neheb · 2009-10-15 23:05:05

as the others have said, the beginners guide is a good place to start.

I would also really recommend access to a secondary computer for when things go wrong.

quarkup · 2009-10-16 10:35:41

yup..

virtualbox (from http://www.virtualbox.org/)
is a great tool as a VM.

well, another linux distro which may be adequate for linux new users could be the ubuntu - its just easier, but does not provide the same philosophy that arch would provide - simplicity..
you should learn a bit more about the linux shell commands before migrating to arch, or you can do it all if you really install arch in the VM.

I fully agree with Ranguvar.

Arch Linux

#1 2009-10-14 21:23:45

I am new to linux

#2 2009-10-14 21:27:16

Re: I am new to linux

#3 2009-10-14 21:32:16

Re: I am new to linux

#4 2009-10-14 23:15:05

Re: I am new to linux

#5 2009-10-14 23:33:25

Re: I am new to linux

#6 2009-10-15 06:41:52

Re: I am new to linux

#7 2009-10-15 11:06:59

Re: I am new to linux

#8 2009-10-15 11:09:59

Re: I am new to linux

#9 2009-10-15 16:11:50

Re: I am new to linux

#10 2009-10-15 16:29:46

Re: I am new to linux

#11 2009-10-15 17:01:20

Re: I am new to linux

#12 2009-10-15 23:05:05

Re: I am new to linux

#13 2009-10-16 10:35:41

Re: I am new to linux

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