Please Help, new to Linux, trying to Lean more about it

[smullen]

So as I stated, I'm new to linux...

<began long story>

I'll be honest, the only thing I know about linux is a few commands to maybe change directories a bit, delete and copy a file...

Basic commands I learned using FTP from a cmd prompt on a windows box...

So I know nothing...

I don't know how to install stuff, where I should be when I run certain commands... where it puts it when i download it, how to start it when I've downloaded it....

I figure the only way to learn it is by reading some forums and using it...

I have an extra PC to run this on and I want to start using it to do my normal stuff like Email, research crap on the web, telnet to the various cisco devices that I manage, update a few spreadsheets, etc... Hopefully, the more I use it, the more I'll become familiar with it...

But I need a push (or a baby sitter it seems)...

I played with Knoppix for a few days and thought it was sort of cool...

Now I want to take the plunge and do a full install...

I downloaded the latest "Stable" version I could of Debian and made a bootable image out of the ISO and was able to get it installed on the extra box I mentioned...

I ran some get update command and it ftp'ed down stuff for like an hour it seemed...

Now I have a promt that says

silver:home/smullen#

I guess I'm in root/SU mode?...

I figured I should download something and install it to leanr how that works so I thought a ""GUI" so I can run the Apps
I mentioned above...

I randomly picked Gnome... I guess it stuck in my head from readins about stuff???

Not sure if I was in the right place or not I ran a command that downloaded a ton of crap.... Now I'm back at the prompt:

silver:home/smullen#


I tried running a command I found on another page to start it and it failed...

Then I tried running these commands

apt-get install gdm gnome-session gnome-core gnome-control-center gnome-panel sawfish-gnome

apt-get install x-window-system gdm gnome

and I got

bash: apt: command not found

WTF...

can someone point me to an idiots guide that doens't asume I already know linux and tell me how to do it from the begaining... I'll read it a few times, try it and then ask more questions if needed, but at this point... I got nothing... I don't even know what questions to ask to get good answers...

<end long story>

thanks for reading, if you were able to tolerate it and stay awake...

[oz]

I haven't run Debian in quite some time, but the documentation pages were very helpful to me when I did run it:

http://www.debian.org/doc/

There's also the survival guide:

http://www.togaware.com/linux/survivor/

Hope this helps...

oz

[antidrugue]

I'll be honest, the only thing I know about linux is a few commands to maybe change directories a bit, delete and copy a file...

Here is a great generic Linux/Unix command line tutorial :
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/Unix/

Now I want to take the plunge and do a full install...

I downloaded the latest "Stable" version I could of Debian and made a bootable image out of the ISO and was able to get it installed on the extra box I mentioned...

If you want to try Debian, I suggest you try the latest Etch RC 2 (which is much easier then Debian Sarge (stable) :
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/et...2/i386/iso-cd/

Otherwise, if you want a Debian based distribution, Ubuntu might be a good choice for a beginner :
http://www.ubuntu.com/

Now I have a promt that says

silver:home/smullen#

I guess I'm in root/SU mode?...

Yes, if the prompt ends with a #, then you are in the root account. Otherwise (ending with a $), you are in your personal account.

apt-get install x-window-system gdm gnome

and I got

bash: apt: command not found

That's a bit weird, if you just installed it, I suggest you reinstall. Just choose the "desktop" package during installation, that way you will have Gnome installed by default.

Good luck.

[smullen]

Here is a great generic Linux/Unix command line tutorial :
http://www.ee.surrey.ac.uk/Teaching/Unix/



If you want to try Debian, I suggest you try the latest Etch RC 2 (which is much easier then Debian Sarge (stable) :
http://cdimage.debian.org/cdimage/et...2/i386/iso-cd/

Otherwise, if you want a Debian based distribution, Ubuntu might be a good choice for a beginner :
http://www.ubuntu.com/




Yes, if the prompt ends with a #, then you are in the root account. Otherwise (ending with a $), you are in your personal account.



That's a bit weird, if you just installed it, I suggest you reinstall. Just choose the "desktop" package during installation, that way you will have Gnome installed by default.

Good luck.

Thanks for the quick responses and links guys... I'm re-installing it as ""Desktop" now and I guess I'll spend part of the weekend reading...

[lilcuda]

Hi Smullen , I have just installed Sarge 3.1r4 and it is a bit more daunting than something like ubuntu for a first install. If you want a quick intro try ubuntu or mepis or keep going with pure debian you will get up to speed quickly with a search for as much info and tips as possible before installing .

Tip from my new install get x-window-system before getting your prefered desktop mine is KDE and try a vesa driver before you startx and than configure the rest once your are up and running.

Good luck and dont worry about your skill level as we started in the same place .