Beginner's Guide to Linux

Chances are, if you're reading this guide, you've at least heard of linux. You may want to know what's so great about it, or maybe just how to use it. Maybe Windows is turning out not all it's cut out to be. Whatever the case, I will show you how to use, master, and hopefully love linux.

Step 1: What is Linux?

If you're just starting out, you may want to know where Linux came from. In the 1970's there was a kernel called UNIX. Then in 1984, a guy named Richard Stallman founded the GNU Project. His goal was to create a completely UNIX-compatible Operating system completely out of free software. In 1987, Andrew S. Tanenbaum released a UNIX-like system called MINIX. Altough the source code was available, Modification and distribution were highly restricted. Then in 1991, Linus Torvalds started work on a free replacement for MINIX. That would eventually become the Linux Kernel. Linux is completely free and anyone can modify it and make there own flavor. There are hundreds of flavors out there, but covering them all would not be practical.

Pictured is Linus Torvalds, maker of Linux.

Comments

[MC42]

Excuse me, could you also mention this:
www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/
Works in a similar way, as a alternative?

[bulletBird]

Sure, right away! Thanks for your suggestion :)

[MC42]

Thanks! I didn't make it, but a alternative would make sense right?

[bulletBird]

Yes, of course.

[oicvideos]

Nice tutorial it worked for me. I recommend Ubuntu its what I use .

[bulletBird]

Thanks!

[Computothought]

The more people showing off Linux the better!! But we prefer Mint over Ubuntu for beginners. Two one half dozen or another.

[bulletBird]

OK, thanks for the input. I will edit it to include Mint as a recommendation.

[WWC]

After i install Ubuntu can i then install the Linux CNC program or OS?

[bulletBird]

I assume you mean installing it inside Ubuntu? If so, yes. If you mean you want to install it as an operating system, you'd have to either make a VM or a bootable USB.

[Unnatural]

This parti is incorrect: "If you have an AMD CPU, get the AMD64 kind. If you have Intel, get the x86 version. "

It doesn't matter if you CPU is AMD or Intel, what matters is that it's capable for 64-bit architecture (AMD64) or 32 bit (x86). If you can't tell what your machin is best suited for, just use the x86, should work fine on both cases.

[bulletBird]

Your right, it's just confusing because lots of places call it AMD64 becuase AMD was the first to make a 64-bit CPU.

[Computothought]

I agree.