Beginner Links

Contents

1. General_Introduction_to_Open_Source_Software
2. Basic_Computer_Literacy
3. Guide_to_Installing_Linux
4. Picking_a_Distribution
5. How_do_I_get_help
6. Software_Guides_and_Information
7. Training_Materials
8. Certification_Qualifications_in_Linux_Skills

1. General Introduction to Open Source Software (OSS)

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Linux_For_Newbies

Linux for Newbies

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Open_source_software

Open source software

http://www.geocities.com/firsttimelinux/index.html

"an overview of what the first experiences could be like"

2. Basic Computer Literacy

http://www.eacoss.org/dmdocuments/Guide_to_computer_literacy_V3.2.pdf 3.2Mb

This is a guide for basic computer literacy - how to turn on a computer and what the different hardware and software elements are - as well as an introduction to common Free Open Source Software (FOSS) applications including email tools, OpenOffice.org Writer and Calc. The manual overcomes barriers to learning by including a lot of visuals and very little text.

3. Guide to Installing Linux.

http://en.wikibooks.org/wiki/Installing_Linux

But you would be well advised to ask for help rather than just jump in and try it :-)

4. Picking a Distribution

Top 10 Distro's

Top 10 Distro's at Distrowatch.org

5. How do I get help ?

http://www.linuxquestions.org

Register at the forum for your distribution. Recommended, especially for the minority question that does not require master guru status to deal with -- very non-aggressive and they don't get into flame wars

http://www.kubuntu.org/

Kubuntu home (KDE Ubuntu)

http://www.kubuntu.org/docs/kquickguide/C/index.html

Quick Guide

http://www.kubuntu.org/docs/kquickguide/C/ch02s05.html

How do I print?

http://www.kubuntu.org/docs/kquickguide/C/ch02s06.html

How do I get online?

http://www.tuxmagazine.com/

TUX Magazine - The first and only magazine for the new Linux user. It is KDE oriented and the monthly download is around 5 to 10 MB.

The Linux Documentation Project

This is the place to look for comprehensive, extensive and reliable information. Often useful, sometimes a bit old, sometimes too geeky and sometimes what you are looking for is just not there.

troubleshooters.com

Some excellent guides and tips.

Bash Shell Guides

Lots of links to guides for all Bash users. The http://dmoz.org Open Directory Project is well worth a long browse on any subject.

Linux Home Networking

Well presented and covers everything from the basics upwards.

Linux User Groups

Visit your Local Linux User Group :-)

6. Software Guides and Information

http://wiki.linuxquestions.org/wiki/Linux_software_equivalent_to_Windows_software

Linux equivalents to Windows software

The Rute Linux User's Tutorial and Exposition

Rute Linux User's Tutorial and Exposition

Grokking the Gimp

A first class (downloadable) book on free software's answer to Photoshop (site is sometimes down, in which case try here)

OpenOffice training videos

OpenOffice.org 12 free to view training videos from the book: Point 'N Click OpenOffice.org!

Linux Commands

An excellent introduction to the command line

Osde.Info

Open Source Desktop Environment

Fsse.Info

Free Software Server Environment

7. Training Materials

Linux Lessons at 3 levels

Beginner's, Intermediate and .... - Short (?) lessons from linux.org. I think they ran out of complexity. Even the Beginners Level reminds me of my UNIX System Admin course. Proceed with care.

8. Certification / Qualifications in Linux Skills

CompTIA Linux+

CompTIA Linux+ is an almost entry level certification, aimed at those with six months experience as a Linux user.

Linux Professional Institute Certification (LPIC)

There are currently two levels offered, Junior and Intimediate although both are more advanced courses than the Linux+ one. I think the Junior certification is aimed at those with two years of Linux experience.

For both the Linux+ and the LPIC courses you can study on your own with a textbook in your own time, and take the exam when you are ready. There are many exam centres accross the country. The costs of the exams are similar at approximately £200-ish.

--AnthonyR