Suggestions for a Beginners Guide

Everyone has their own learning modality and I seem to need to get a big picture overview before moving onto the details. I often have a challenging time reading technical manuals to learn by so I just "Brute Force" it until I've suffered as much brain damage as I can handle. I have two LINUX brain cells and I have to alternate back and forth from time to time (Is that called dual booting?)

Suggestions based upon 2 weeks experience:

General overview of 'what you can do' Understanding basic LINUX commands (so you can do 'what you can do': Example - sudo (what does that mean?) Have some simple, harmless hands on to get the mind/body relationship kicked off. Using the commands to perform basic functions of loading files, installing updates, etc. Basic Setup of printers, Media, Wireless, etc.

I don't know how to get an ISO image loaded onto my system I ftp an application with several strangely named folders - now what?:(

I'm attmpting to get media to work only to find much is unsupported due to licensing. That would be good to learn in 'what you can do' or maybe 'what you can't do'.

Introduction to the concept of virtualization to allow someone to run an application on a virtual Windows environment. Maybe this would be an introduction to more advanced concepts (just to tickle the sweet tooth of possibilities)

I like to learn by watching so maybe a simple video tour with interesting multimedia (I can dream, can't I :-) )

Thanks for listening!

Rocky H Small business owner/Entheusiast Austin, TX

rhardie said:

I like to learn by watching so maybe a simple video tour with interesting multimedia (I can dream, can't I :-) )...

I am sure that this bit at least has been done. I'll see if I can find it....

You can check these out :

http://doc.ubuntu.com/screencasts/

For Multimedia : https://help.ubuntu.com/community/RestrictedFormats

You may also be interested in Mint ~ It is an Ubuntu deriviative + multimedia pre-loaded :

http://linuxmint.com/

Thanks for your ideas and support.

RHardie

I would like to add a request for either a list of commands or a link to an online tutorial that teaches you the basic commands.

I have a little understanding of how Linux works, but the last time I tried it I used Red Hat 6, and things have changed a lot since then. Mostly, my memory has changed, and I have forgotten all the commands.

Just to be able to get a directory list or to know how to change directorys would be helpful, but a comprehensive list of the basic commands would be awesome.

mac173 said: Just to be able to get a directory list or to know how to change directorys would be helpful, but a comprehensive list of the basic commands would be awesome.

Comprehensive list of commands: http://www.oreillynet.com/linux/cmd/

I'm not sure this is what you mean, but

let's say your prompt is

man@Computer:-$

To get a listing of all the directories/files in your home directory,

man@Computer:-$ ls

This should display a list with everything in that folder. Then to change into a directory,

man@Computer:-$ cd directoryname

I hope this helped and didn't cause you more confusion; you're not supposed to type the part before the dollar sign, it's just an extra visual explanation to make sure you get going well. :)

Thank you very much, that is a great resourse.

And no, you did not confuse me more! Some long unused brain cells got a rude wake up call however. Seeing the commands is bringing back some of what I have forgotten.

Again, thanks

mac173 said: I would like to add a request for either a list of commands or a link to an online tutorial that teaches you the basic commands.

I have a little understanding of how Linux works, but the last time I tried it I used Red Hat 6, and things have changed a lot since then. Mostly, my memory has changed, and I have forgotten all the commands.

Just to be able to get a directory list or to know how to change directorys would be helpful, but a comprehensive list of the basic commands would be awesome.

Look here for tips on the command line : http://doc.gwos.org/index.php/CommandLineBeginners

Then google ...

I think it would be helpful to have a basic trouble-shooting guide for newbies trying to install ubuntu. I have not been able to install 7.04 on a Dell Latitude C640 (DVD/CDRW drive stalls out after inital edubutu screen image) & after searching this forum and others, I see that there are many others with a similar problem, but I have yet to fins a fix that works.

Once installed, it would also be helpful to have a "getting started" wiki on basic things like customizing a desktop, installing additional apps, adding drivers for things like printers and webcams, etc.

Thanks for all your efforts!

uburiver said: I think it would be helpful to have a basic trouble-shooting guide for newbies trying to install ubuntu. I have not been able to install 7.04 on a Dell Latitude C640 (DVD/CDRW drive stalls out after inital edubutu screen image) & after searching this forum and others, I see that there are many others with a similar problem, but I have yet to fins a fix that works.

Once installed, it would also be helpful to have a "getting started" wiki on basic things like customizing a desktop, installing additional apps, adding drivers for things like printers and webcams, etc.

Thanks for all your efforts!

Oh, but the is a trouble shooters guide : Look here