New to Linux? Seven things every beginner should know

Jack Wallen / Elyse Betters Picaro / ZDNET

I tin inactive retrieve the infinitesimal I switched from Windows to Linux. Back then, I didn't person anyone determination to archer maine what to expect. It would person been bully to get adjacent a spot of proposal from idiosyncratic with Linux acquisition successful the cognize to say, "Hey, you'll privation to cognize astir this earlier you commencement down that path."

It would person made things easier. Instead, I took conscionable dove close in, hoping I could fig it each retired arsenic I went.

The bully news: Linux contiguous is not astir arsenic hard arsenic it was backmost then. In fact, Linux is downright easy.

Also: This Debian-based Linux distro is an overlooked and user-friendly gem

Even so, determination are a fewer things you should cognize arsenic you statesman your travel with the open-source operating system.

I'm present to assistance you out. Let's dive in, shall we?

1. Say goodbye to lockdown

This is simply a large 1 for galore users. When Windows oregon MacOS is your operating strategy of choice, you're beauteous overmuch locked into Microsoft oregon Apple's mode of doing things. When you usage those operating systems, you get what you get, and that's that. 

With Linux, you person choices -- tons of choices. If you don't similar the mode your chosen organisation looks oregon works, alteration it. Install a antithetic desktop oregon customize the default to perfectly conscionable your needs.

Also: Want to ditch Windows? This Linux distro makes that modulation easy

Also, you're not locked into utilizing Microsoft's oregon Apple's unreality services. If you prefer, you don't person to marque a unreality work portion of your computing acquisition astatine all.

Again… choices.

You don't person to usage a Windows login oregon OneDrive, iCloud, oregon adjacent the default desktop layout. 

Instead, you tin usage what you want, get escaped of what you don't, and premix and lucifer conscionable astir everything until you person precisely what you want.

2. The terminal is optional (but useful)

Almost everyone I've talked to astir adopting Linux has the aforesaid archetypal response: "I don't privation to person to larn to usage commands." Well, here's a spot of bully quality for you: The Linux terminal isn't necessary. Sure, erstwhile upon a time, it was a requirement, but that was owed to a deficiency of well-designed GUI tools. 

Modern Linux distributions person each the graphical tools you request to get everything done without ever touching the bid line. So you tin acceptable those fears speech and spot that the bid enactment interface (CLI) isn't thing you indispensable use.

That said, the CLI is precise almighty and 1 of the astir businesslike ways to get galore things done. I urge that you don't wholly motion disconnected the CLI; alternatively -- and ever truthful dilatory -- commencement poking astir with it by learning immoderate of the precise basal commands such as ls, cd, mkdir, cp, etc.

Just instrumentality it precise dilatory and bash a spot of probe earlier diving successful caput first.

Also: The archetypal 5 Linux commands each caller idiosyncratic should learn

3. Stick to the main distributions

There are truly chill niche distributions available, immoderate offering astonishing desktops that are each spot arsenic overmuch creation arsenic they are an operating strategy GUI. There are distributions geared toward gamers, admins, creators, and more. 

What's important, however, is that (at first) you instrumentality with one of the main distributions (such arsenic Ubuntu, Linux Mint, ZorinOS, Fedora). Why? Those distributions person a proven way grounds and bash an outstanding occupation of combining user-friendliness, stability, security, and performance. With those main distributions, you tin beryllium definite everything works, updates won't fail, and enactment volition beryllium for a agelong while.

Also: You tin trial each the champion Linux distros close successful your web browser with this site

On apical of that, erstwhile you're utilizing 1 of the main distributions, determination are ample online communities acceptable to assistance you out, and that's hard to enactment a terms on.

4. Don't expect Linux to beryllium Windows oregon MacOS

Sure, determination are distributions disposable that resemble Windows oregon MacOS, but retrieve that these 3 operating systems - Linux, Windows, and MacOS -- are not the same. If you presume that Linux looks and behaves precisely similar Windows, you volition beryllium successful for a surprise. For example, Windows labels the basal straight C:\, whereas Linux uses /. With Windows, you tin bash a batch of things without having to participate a information password. With Linux, each task you effort that requires high-level privileges requires that you benignant your idiosyncratic password.

Also: 5 astir Windows-like Linux distros due to the fact that aged habits dice hard

That doesn't mean each azygous happening volition beryllium different, arsenic determination are plentifulness of similarities (such arsenic drag-and-drop support, GUI tools, record managers, web browsers). But it is important that you not deliberation of Linux and Windows (or MacOS) arsenic the same, simply due to the fact that they are each operating systems.

5. There's an app store

Believe it oregon not, Linux was the archetypal operating strategy to usage an app-store-like feature. In the aboriginal days, determination was Synaptic, a GUI beforehand extremity for bundle managers. You opened Synaptic, searched for the app you wanted to install, and installed it with a mates of clicks. The aforesaid happening holds existent for today, lone the Linux app stores are acold much powerful. 

Also: Want to prevention your aged computer? Try 1 of these 8 Linux distros for free

When you comparison the Linux app stores to those of Windows oregon MacOS, you commencement to spot much flexibility and powerfulness connected the Linux broadside of things. For instance, you tin adhd Flatpak oregon Snap support to immoderate of the Linux app stores (such arsenic GNOME Software and KDE Discover), which vastly expands the magnitude of bundle disposable to install. 

That's yet different country wherever Linux proves it's overmuch much flexible than the competition.

6. You mightiness not find the app you need, but…

On Linux, you mightiness not ever find the app you're looking to install. For example, you can't instal Photoshop connected Linux. However, there's ever an equivalent app for what you need. You tin instal GIMP alternatively of Photoshop and inactive person a precise almighty representation editing tool.

What's important is that, if you find an app that's not disposable for Linux, marque definite to hop connected your hunt motor of prime and benignant thing like, "What's the Linux equivalent to Photoshop?"

Also: How to marque GIMP much similar Photoshop

You'll often beryllium amazed by however galore alternatives determination are from which to choose.

7. Linux is not arsenic hard arsenic you think

Finally, you should cognize that Linux is not astir arsenic hard to larn arsenic you've been led to believe. Modern Linux distributions are arsenic casual to usage arsenic Windows oregon MacOS. With immoderate of the astir astonishing desktop environments available, Linux makes consciousness and doesn't get successful your mode of getting things done. It's efficient, powerful, flexible, secure, stable, and nary of those things compromise the simplicity of utilizing the operating strategy for mundane tasks. 

Also: I recovered a Linux distro that combines the champion parts of different operating systems (and it works)

Sure, determination volition ever beryllium radical who'd person you judge Linux is challenging, but the information is, it's nary harder than immoderate different operating system.

It's clip you driblet those fears and springiness Linux a try.

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