Learning Linux

[carpediem]

I would call myself an aspiring computer geek and I am sure that Linux is the way to go as far as operating systems are concerned . I was told that the best way to learn Linux is to have a distro installed and pick up stuff as one goes on. So I have installed SUSE on one of my machines and am trying to pick up as much as I can but unfortunately it is a slow process and I would love to pick up the pace. I mean its taking me more than two days to figure out how to install firefox version 2.0 and I feel hopeless right now . Any suggestions as to where I can get detailed "dummy" like info on linux?

Any help would be appreciated.

[devils casper]

download FireFox 2 from here. right click on downloaded file and click 'Extract here'.
this will create a new folder 'firefox'. open this folder and look for file 'firefox'. double click on this file.




casper

[carpediem]

Thanks Casper... I did do that earlier and it worked for sometime. But, I might have deleted the wrong folder by mistake and had to reinstall/update the OS again since after deleting, gunzip wasn't decompressing anything and both firefox and mozilla browsers were showing errors and couldnt be started.

When I first did this, and launched firefox, it didnt appear to be firefox 2.0. ie. each tab didnt have its own close button and neither did "about mozilla firefox" indicate ver 2.0. So I am not sure if I did the right thing.

I will follow your instructions to the T this time and hope it does work. Will post results as soon as I'm done. FYI that is on my PC at home so it might be a while before that happens since I am at work right now.

Much obliged for your help. Thank you.

[smolloy]

The way I learnt was to just keep browsing around the internet. If you want a tutorial on something, then make sure to use the word "tutorial" in your google searches -- someone has almost always written a tutorial on anything you need to do. A lot of the time you'll have to modify the tutorial to suit your needs, but that's a great way to learn.

If you're really serious about becoming a computer geek, then you might want to have a look at Linux From Scratch. These are instructions on how to install a linux operating system from the ground up. It's pretty hard core, and will take a long time, but you'll learn a lot!

The last piece of advice is to use forums like this one. If you're stuck with something, but you've done your research, then you'll probably be able to phrase your question precisely enough that someone here can offer some advice. I've always found this forum to be amazingly helpful.

Good luck

[carpediem]

Thanks Smolloy, very informative!!

[iamme]

I am new to linux as well and I have always been a "Try it first then ask questions" type of person, granted I do sometimes type outloud on the forums.

This is the best linux forum I have found period but, you need to do your homework before posting I learned that real fast.

Good for you for wanting to be a geek we need more

[scrarfussi]

i am new too linux as well and managed to get tutorials on different stuff but the one thing i realised is that it needs patience lots of patience and lots of time alot of things you will only really learn when you need them also u should try irc connect to irc.freenode.com port 667

[baznew1]

Firstly, this forum is very good, most people here are fairly tolerant to newbies.
Obviously, trying yourself and then asking is the best way to go.
I purchased a book 2 years ago that helped me a lot "15 hour weekend crash course"
It'll probably give you a good grounding in the basics.
good luck

[carpediem]

Baz, I know what you mean look at the replies I got here already. I was expecting to see 0 replies next to my post because I would imagine this to be a very simple task for an average Linux user. So, I extend my thanks once more to Casper and Smolloy for their replies.

Oh btw Casper, firefox was up and running. Worked like a charm. But something is wrong with the whole distro and I want to start from scratch again For some reason I am getting a big kick out of reinstalling the whole thing over again.

Iamme, I hear you. And I agree that this is one of if not the best so far.

Scarfussi, I will get on IRC as soon as I get the entire system up and running and a bit more stable than it is now. I am getting quite a few errors while updating and so on. I need to figure that stuff out.

For all you guys info, I actually wiped out my entire MS windows of my pc system so as to stay away from temptation and motivate myself into diving into linux and mastering it. So far I am quite enjoying the experience. I know this is the right choice. LOL, I am feeling a bit smarter now that I have!

Thank you all for your comments and support. I know now for certain that I have made a good choice as far as forums are concerned. Great to be here!

Now back to business...:drown:

[carpediem]

I came across this article at one of the other forums I am registered with and I am sure a lot of you guys have seen it. If not, I would highly recommend this article to all Linux newbies for an idea of the whole Linux and FOSS concept and experienced users for some great reading.

http://linux.oneandoneis2.org/LNW1.htm

Enjoy!