Getting started
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[edit] Getting started with GNU/Linux
[edit] Introduction
This tutorial aims at helping those who have a hazy idea of what GNU/Linux is, but don't really know where to go in order to try it out. It concentrates on pointing the reader towards resources where she can learn how to help herself. If you find the introductory section too long and boring, please skip ahead! This is a work in progress, and if you believe you can improve this page, go ahead and do it!
[edit] What is GNU/Linux?
GNU/Linux is an Operating System. It is a set of programs that helps the user perform tasks, which range from editing text files, making documents, manipulating images to writing programs, and compiling and testing them. The GNU/Linux Operating System is often confused with the Linux kernel (written by Linux Torvalds). GNU/Linux has several advantages, compared to certain popular Operating Systems ;). Some of these are listed below.
[edit] Freedom
GNU/Linux started out as an attempt by Richard M Stallman (rms) to develop a completely Free Operating System. By Free, what we mean here is Freedom. Many programs are Non-Free, in the sense that they restrict the user by not giving her the freedom to examine how they work, or distribute and modify the program, and use them as she pleases. These freedoms are intrinsic to GNU/Linux. To read more about the freedom GNU/Linux offers, go here. To know why software in general, should be free, go here.
[edit] Simplicity
Traditionally GNU/Linux distributions tend to keep it simple, in the sense that they do not hide from the user, their inner workings. This tends to usually have a reverse effect on newbies, of appearing to be complicated. For example, editing a text file to make your email client work is not going to appear simple to a newbie. However, as one learns, one begins to appreciate the way things work in GNU/Linux.
[edit] The Community
Generally, proficient GNU/Linux users pride themselves on being able to help others climb up the hill. No matter which distribution you choose, you will find a strong support group online, and offline, that will help you extract the maximum juice out of your system, provided you are ready to work for it.
[edit] How to start?
If you asked this question, you have already started! What you need now is to proceed with what you have started. Let us split up this process into smaller steps.
[edit] Choosing the right Distribution
GNU/Linux comes in several flavours. Each one of them is unique in it's own way. Each flavour or distribution chooses to package the programs differently, and has it's own unique look-and-feel. You must choose one that fits your needs.
Some popular distributions are:
Obviously, when you start out, you have no clue which one you like, so take advice from others. Ubuntu is a good distribution for beginners to start out with (this does not mean that gurus don't use it). So is Fedora. Both are gratis, i.e. they are free of charge.
A great place to find out which distribution fits you best is The Linux Distribution Chooser.
[edit] Get CD/DVD(s)
You can download Ubuntu CDs/DVDs from here, or you can order free CDs here. If you want to try out Fedora, you must get the CDs from here. Most distributions support 32 and 64 bit architectures. Choose one depending on your hardware. If you own a SPARC, chances are, you already know enough to not have to read this document. If downloading is not your cup of tea (it usually is not, in India), try asking someone at in your local GLUG/LUG/FSUG for a copy.
[edit] Burning the CD/DVD(s)
A CD (or DVD) comes as an ISO image (a .iso file, which contains the image of the CD). You can burn this onto a CD (or DVD) using a CD (or DVD) writer. A popular CD writing program that is available to most Windows users is Nero. It has an option to burn ISO images. Read this if you need more help. If you still find yourself lost, or dont have the required hardware, get a friend to help you.
[edit] Installing
This part is a bit tricky. Every distribution has it's own installer program which works differently. We will mainly concentrate on Ubuntu and Fedora.
(TODO: Include links to good installation tutorials for Ubuntu and Fedora. Maybe also to openSUSE and MEPIS. Suggest resources for understanding partitioning, dual booting, and installation related issues)
[edit] Configuring
(TODO: Include links to resources for getting sound cards, wireless LAN, modems, ATI/nVidia graphics cards and the like. Also give pointers on how to get all sorts of restricted multimedia formats working. Namely: mp3, wmv, flash, etc. in both Ubuntu and Fedora)
[edit] Moving Ahead
[edit] Getting Help
From time to time, a GNU/Linux user needs to seek advice and help from others. One must understand that the quality of the help received depends mainly on the way it is asked for. Newbies frequently have trouble getting help because of subject lines that read 'HELP!! PLEASE. MY COMPUTER is SPOILED".
You will find a wealth of information on handling such a situation in Eric S. Raymond's "How To Ask Questions The Smart Way".
In short, what you must do, is the following:
- one Read manuals. Type the following in a terminal, to know how to do that.
[spectre@roamer ~]$ man man
- two Google for a solution.
- three Ask a friend who might know.
- four Search the archives of a relevant mailing list, or forum.
- five Ask on IRC.
- six Ask on the mailing list, or forum, if you don't find anything helpful in the archives, or on IRC.
TODO: Talk about IRC etiquette here
TODO: Complete the next paragraph about mailing lists and forums
When asking, make sure you keep the subject line short, and indicative of the problem, so that the right people read what you posted. The post itself must be detailed enough to clarify the problem, while not giving too much of useless information. Do not attach non-text files to such posts. They are generally not welcome. Be humble, while avoiding putting yourself down for no reason. It is good to say, "I'm new to this, and I tried finding out from blah blah but it didn't seem to help". But you don't need to say, "I know I'm a fscked up loser who doesnt even know how to mount a partition..." (It might seem surprising that a lot of people do make such posts). Do not cry for help.
Wait for an answer. Do not keep replying uselessly in order to bump your post up to the top. If you wait patiently, someone will answer. If you yelp and scream, chances are, people will ignore you.
[edit] The App DB
(TODO: List out free replacements to popular non-free programs. Include hints, if any, on getting them to work on GNU/Linux)
[edit] Killing Time!
(TODO: This section will list out popular free games in all categories)
[edit] Giving back to the community
(TODO: Notes on how to get started with development work, starting with writing smart bug-reports, using GCC, maintaining packages etc. We don't want to make this section too big, as it's not really the kind of thing a newbie wants. However, newbie or not. Bug reports sure help! ;))
