How To Get Started With Linux ?This is a good topic for who wanna start with linux and get out from the stupid systems of Micr@soft. i believe that the windows is easy for use but those any one know how many problems can get with this systems.You must have a big knowledge in the windows problems and who to resolve it. and without talking for virus and other variation of malware. i recommended to start with ubuntu and before start like newbies you must new some basics.
What, exactly, is Linux?
The narrow definition of Linux is "an operating system kernel." But when you install a Linux distribution (or "distro"), you get a lot more.
X Windows: X underlies all the Unix window management, but it leaves the look-and-feel definitions to other programs. As a result, X Windows is highly configurable, and can look very different on different computers. However, X is network aware -- you can run SAS on tigger, and when SAS wants to display a graph, a window containing it automatically opens on your X-enabled PC.
Desktop management software: Gnome and KDE are two popular ones, and provide taskbars, multiple desktops, word processors, …
Lots of utilities: Unix is famous for all sorts of command-line programs. However, there are often GUI wrappers for the important ones, so you get your choice on how you use them.
Applications: Much of the Linux world centers around free, open source applications, and many of them are included in the distro. Word processors, spreadsheets, graphics editors, Web browsers -- truly your hard disk will runneth over. (If you have a small one. But you can install or not install whatever you like.)
I might be willing to try Linux. How should I start?
A knowledgeable friend is always a good asset, and a bit of adventuresome spirit would help. But the installation procedures for many Linux distributions are good enough that most things will work out of the box.
Obviously you'll need a PC, but it needn't be the latest and greatest. Linux can run fine on a smaller machine, but some applications may be a bit more power hungry. If the PC has important files, back them up first. Depending on the install, it may not be necessary, but it sure is prudent.
Yes, but what Linux distribution is best?
Gee, I dunno, what's the best food to eat for dinner? It depends.
A distro is the core Linux OS plus lots of software preconfigured and packaged up for easy installation. The various distros differ in terms of applications they contain and in how they are configured and customized. Many applications, X Windows in particular, are hugely configurable. But if your distro doesn't include a particular program, don't worry, you can add it later. Whether all these choices are a feature or a burden depends on what you select for dinner.
The ACCC happens to use Red Hat for our servers, but different people put different distros on their desktop. Then there's the question of desktop management software such as KDE or Gnome (or none). Don't get sidetracked; it's more important to get started. You can figure out the details of what's best for you later.
You did say it's free? Where do I get it?
Yes, Linux is free if you want download it or if you borrow a CD from a friend. (You can legally install as many machines from each CD as you want.) Or you can buy a CD set, which often will come with limited phone support if you want it. The CDs are not generally expensive and they save you a long download. (As well as coming with some printed, often substantial, instructions.)
And if I'm still nervous?
Most installations require you to repartition your hard disk. Sounds scary, but not a big deal if you are doing a fresh install and don't intend to save any existing files. Even if you are saving files to make a dual-boot system (so you can choose Windows or Linux when you boot), there are partitioning utilities that will save your existing Windows installation. And further, there are some distros that will install in a single (large!) Windows file; performance will suffer, but it's a way of dipping your toe in the waters. There are other distros that can simply be booted from the CD without installing it on the hard disk. That's slow, but if you have trouble with commitments it might be the way to get started.
I understand Linux doesn't get viruses, so I don't have to worry about security?
Um, yes and NO! There are many ways in which Linux security is good and scarcity of viruses is one of them. You pretty much don't need to worry about viruses at all -- at least not yet. But all software has bugs, and Linux is no exception. It has its own susceptibilities, usually of a different kind than Windows. Software written for Linux can have security issues too. A recent example is the Slapper worm that struck Linux machines running the Apache Web server. So for Linux, as for any OS, you must keep current on security patches.
The Linux install procedures have gotten much better in terms of security, so it's easy to set up a personal firewall and turn off unneeded services during the installation. And for the truly paranoid (even paranoid people have enemies), there are kernel modifications that can harden the Linux system at several levels. If that interests you, see your knowledgeable friend.
Some Linux vendors provide a service, sometimes for a fee, that helps you automatically notice and install the patches. You can, of course, just FTP them manually, but for Red Hat users on campus, we've made this a bit easier. We're mirroring the Red Hat patches on a local FTP server. You can set up an automatic process ("cron job" in Unix-speak) that checks the server once a day, downloads what is needed, and installs it. We do this for our own servers, and you're welcome to use it. See Red Hat Linux Downloads on the ACCC Security pagehttp://www.accc.uic.edu/home/SECURITY.html) for details. (
Note that the ACCC also runs a vulnerability testing service, for Windows, Linux, and so on. You can use our scanners to check for known vulnerabilities. To request a scan, click the Security button on the ACCC home page (http://www.accc.uic.edu/), and select Vulnerability Network Scanner. (Your scan must be approved by your department's Net-Sec representative; the scanner will automatically submit your request to her/him.) A routine scan, say once a month, is added peace of mind. And you can use ADSM for backups on your Linux system, just in case. Even without security problems, I occasionally erase the wrong file.
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