Best way to learn a lot.

[nopycckn]

What do you find to be the best way to learn a lot about Linux? It seems to me that using the Internet to learn about things, you have to jump around, look at this site, read this article, read this guide, back at the first site, read a free book, etc. I want to learn a lot about Linux, and know it will take a long time. It seems to me that when you buy a book and read it, or read a good free book, you take so much more away from it. Is the internet a very good place to learn, or would it be a good idea to stick to books? I get the feeling that I'm missing out on the best of the internet, or something. It's like I'm spinning my wheels, here. Also, if you know a lot about Linux, what do you find the most important knowledge? I've learned a decent amount of C, some C++, spent a very small amount of time on Python. A little bash scripting. Some basic system administration. Enough hardware to get me by. I'm sticking to PERL, right now. I've seen some info on the Linux kernel, like IBM's site, Anatomy of the Linux Kernel, etc. Like I said, I feel like I'm spinning my wheels.

[meton_magis]

if you want to learn a lot, install a working Gentoo system. then when you're done with that, install a linux-from-scratch system. if you can do that, and understand it, then you wont need to ask how to learn stuff.

[RFahy]

Hello. You could try out my distro "Anubis", you could help me improve it.
See my sig.

[techieMoe]

if you want to learn a lot, install a working Gentoo system. then when you're done with that, install a linux-from-scratch system. if you can do that, and understand it, then you wont need to ask how to learn stuff.

I second that recommendation. Building a system from scratch or almost scratch (like Gentoo) will teach you an awful lot about the system internals of Linux.

[nopycckn]

Yeah, obviously I always learn something, but I was wondering if there would be a good way to get a lot done at once, something I could take a lot away from at once. I did think about the linux from scratch idea, but I was wondering if anyone would second that opinion, also. It does seem like a good idea to me, but I really haven't been learning about computers for all that long. I thought about trying Gentoo in the future, because of that, but didn't think it would be as good for learning as linux from scratch. It seems to me I'm wanting to learn too much, possibly. I've known as long as I've known anything about computers that to get into technical detail and very advanced topics takes time and can be pretty complex, but I was thinking maybe I could focus on certain things that would be a good enough foundation that the rest would be much simpler to learn. I guess I could've stated it more as a question of the best foundations in your opinion, also. The most far-reaching, important topics. It seems to me - and like I said I have a feeling I'm missing something, for some reason - that everyone has a different opinion of what is important to learn. Also, I don't feel comfortable enough with programming yet, in general, to really be working on a project. I haven't really done all that much for myself, plus I need to learn a lot more about Linux, anyways. I've been using Windows for several years, never really got anywhere with it. I just don't care for it all that much. By decent, I mean I can write what I'm sure would be considered simple programs in C. C++ I need a little refresher on, really. PERL I'm getting somewhere with. Also, very little assembly. I'm spreading myself thin, sort of. Plus to put it to very good use, I'm sure I've got a long ways to go. I haven't spent as much time learning to program as it sounds, and have only been using Linux for a couple of months. I really would prefer a UNIX or Linux OS to Microsoft, for several reasons. I put very little effort into trying Linux years ago, but didn't have a CD burner, hadn't put any effort into reading up on it yet, etc. Then I just sort of forgot about it for a while.

[nopycckn]

As far as free resources, what do you think the best resources are for general learning? Specific areas of learning?

[computerophil]

The best way to learn is to try out and when there comes up a problem or a question you ask here in the forum.

[Jonathan183]

My advice - don't worry about what you don't know ... as others have already said - Gentoo then LFS. Gentoo should give you a system that works and you can learn a lot from the process. The worst that can happen is you learn slightly less efficiently than you could have done

[Crimsonfire]

First thing you could learn would be to type in paragraphs Joking, man. Sorry, Just couldn't resist it

I am in your exact situation too. Always looking for something easy to learn to try and break into this jungle of jargon and differing opinions. What I have found to work for me is try to learn one thing well and stick with that. Once you have a good working knowledge of something then that will make learning other things much easier. The computing world is like one big huge Venn diagram with overlaps everywhere. If you're good at one thing it will help in at least one other discipline.

Currently I am doing a course I found on the Python website. Go to Beginnersguide/Non-programmers page and you will find a wealth of tuts, articles and guides to help you. I resolved to work tirelessly through these articles. When I'm done and I feel there is more I can learn I will move onto something else and see that through to the end. There are a lot of different learning resources on the web yes but you just have to learn to stick with one, learn all you can from that then move on if you feel capable enough to do so.

Basically there is no universal quick fix when it comes to anything IT. Your own learning style is just that, your own. Personally I learn by doing. I want to be shown the code, what exactly the code does, why it does that and finally how to use it for my own means.

[meton_magis]

Let me elaborate on my first suggestion.

You mention you thought you could learn more from LFS then you could from gentoo, and I doubt anyone will disagree, but you are also more likely to get frustrated and give up.

I suggested gentoo first, because the documentation for installing gentoo is VERY good, almost foolproof. If you follow it word for word, you will have a working system 90% of the time. BUT you can change things slowly to learn what happens when you do something different. I wasn't suggesting you install gentoo once, and then move to LFS, I was suggesting you install gentoo 100 times, then move to LFS.

As far as programing languages, all languages server a purpose, but very few will teach you about Linux. I'd suggest you focus on learning as few things as possible at any one time, or you will become mediocre at everything, and good at nothing (I speak from experience on this one, I know parts of C++, java, perl, php, bash scripting, lua, tcl, and probably a bunch of others, when C++, perl, and bash would cover anything I needed.)

I would DEFINITELY learn bash scripting (egrep, sed, and awk included in that). Not only will it be the easiest to learn, but bash will save you more time with a smaller investment then any other. AND as your skill with linux increases, so will your bash scripting skills, and vice verse.

I wont suggest others, because I can't, what works for me wont necessarily work for you.



My last recommendation, is if you don't understand something, even something ridiculously small, Google it, or ask on the forum (in that order, please.) Even a small detail will make your brain click for the "AHA" moment where stuff comes together and you finally get it.