Beginner Links
Anonymous (not verified) - Thu, 2006-10-19 10:46
Contents
- General_Introduction_to_Open_Source_Software
- Basic_Computer_Literacy
- Guide_to_Installing_Linux
- Picking_a_Distribution
- How_do_I_get_help
- Software_Guides_and_Information
- Training_Materials
- 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
Open Source Desktop Environment
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