Learning about Linux

foozball3000

foozball3000

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End of last year, I took the step and installed Ubuntu 8.10 to see what it's all about.
I fell in love with Linux...

Now I'm running Ibex and Jaunty... and I'm comfortable and bored. What other distributions should I try?
 
Trying another distribution is just a cheap, short-lived thrill. I'd say rather first try go deeper into how the OS functions?
 
Lots of others, not all as easy.

Fedora Core
Suse
Debian (tho Ubuntu is a lot like this one)
Gentoo (not for the feint of heart...so probably skip this one)
Archlinux (almost as hard as gentoo, but lots easier and most rewarding)

Also try other OS's:
FreeBSD
Open Solaris
 
LOL this Linux VS Windows thing can be very entertaining but once again, and this has been said many times before....it all comes down to preferance. Install Ubuntu (think this is the easiest for the general population) and play with it and see if you like it. If you dont just uninstall from your windows (remember to install inside of windows first to try it out)

I like it for the main reason that once I installed the infinity theme its looks sleek and sophisticated. My laptop is much more responsive on it. You can install and uninstall as many programs as you want...the performance of Ubuntu remains constant. No more waiting minutes for something to start if you installation is a bit long in the tooth. Found Linux replacement programs for everything I wanted and its free.
 
Gentoo will learn you. But I would suggest you have a fairly powerful system to reduce the compile times.
 
Learning Linux, music to my ears!

Most people think that installing Ubuntu now makes you a Jedi master of penguin force, but this is just the first step.

What you have to realize is that Linux is the most diverse OS out there. You can do ANYTHING with it, so, what is your interest?
Servers, gaming, GFX, programming, etc. or are you just looking at getting a solid general knowledge of Linux as a whole?

Begin by compiling your own custom kernel. You will be blown away once you see the power that is under the hood of this baby.

One of my friends at HP bragged that their new servers/AP had this encryption with that option to do this and that, and I just showed him the security section of the Linux kernel. Yup, they copied it straight from Linux. Linux had it all and then some.

Once you understand the kernel (kernel = Linux) and you can build a lean mean fighting kernel, then you can move over to another more challenging distro like Gentoo, Arch (not too fond of the manner in which they handle the kernel), Slackware, Sabayon, etc.
 
Thanks for the great responses. :)

@MyWorld, I don't really know what I want my OS to do. I'm not into gaming anymore, and .Net development kinda ran dry. So... I'm open for new suggestions. And I love complex and challenging stuff. :D
 
Veroland said:
If you want to learn Linux go Gentoo! Installing Gentoo and configuring it learned me a lot about Linux.
Click to expand...

Gentoo does not teach you much about Linux, all it teaches you is the Gentoo way of doing things.

If you want to learn linux try LFS.
 
You want a challenge?

How about the ultimate desktop for starters?
E17 + custom kernel + custom theme.

That should keep you busy for a day or two.
:)
 
MyWorld said:
You want a challenge?

How about the ultimate desktop for starters?
E17 + custom kernel + custom theme.

That should keep you busy for a day or two.
:)
Click to expand...

Your optimism isn't funny :p

I'll put that on the shelf for when I'm seriously bored again and have the laptop with me.

What else can Ubuntu do? Compiz kept me busy for a few hours... is there more?
 
Seriously, try a more challenging desktop, if you do not want ot dive right into E17, how about Fluxbox, Openbox?

Is is VERY rewarding to tinker with the desktop ad then have it behave exactly like you want it to.
 
ponder said:
Gentoo does not teach you much about Linux, all it teaches you is the Gentoo way of doing things.

If you want to learn linux try LFS.
Click to expand...

installing gentoo from a stage3 install will at least show where files that deal with aspects of your system live from the onset. with some distros you may never ever have to see most of the install files. for instance for me it was because of gentoo i was able to debootstrap a debian install and be able to do it with the minimal reading.

now of course that does not mean that that is exclusive to gentoo.
 
Try using slackware without a GUI (i though linux is only meant to be used without a gui.Dont get it why people use ubuntu , its just a free version of windows.There's plenty of cracked versions of XP on the internet).Compile your own kernel , and streamline you pc
 
ubercal said:
Try using slackware without a GUI (i though linux is only meant to be used without a gui.Dont get it why people use ubuntu , its just a free version of windows.There's plenty of cracked versions of XP on the internet).Compile your own kernel , and streamline you pc
Click to expand...

NO way mate.. Ubuntu is not Windows.. :mad: it is Linux made easy.

If Ubuntu gave me a BSOD then I'd agree with you.
 
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