How to Linux

When I first started the Linux journey I loaded Mint 16 XFCE onto my laptop, it was a wonderful transitioning distribution from Windows.  I believe this is due to the user friendly desktop environment in that with Mint everything just works.  What I didn't like was that it wasn't offering any sort of real challenge forcing me to learn "How to Linux."

As I continued down the path to learning the command line and all the neat tips and tricks I kept reading the same lines repeatedly.

Try this in your terminal.

Play in this application.

Get your hands dirty.

I decided to take the advice I was reading and get dirty. 

Getting Dirty

Step 1: Ditch the user friendly environment for something more basic.  

After running through install after install of a few major distributions, seeing the environments and testing out the interfaces, I knew it was time to switch from Mint.  For your average computer user who just needs to access the internet and the ability to write a couple of documents it is perfect.  For the masochists, i.e. me, who want to get to the basics of Linux and learn from mostly the ground up, it's not so great. 

Kubuntu Review

After testing and reviewing Ubuntu it was a refreshing and pleasant experience getting into Kubuntu.  It was nicely laid out for easy access to pretty much anything I needed.  Kubuntu was indeed user friendly and was a good representation of their slogan; Kubuntu - the GNU/Linux distribution for everyone.

While Kubuntu is still sponsored by Canonical Ltd, they are made up of developers, programmers, and a community who volunteer their time.  Much like Debian these are people that work hard to bring open-source software to the world.  On the flip-side they work very closely with the Ubuntu team to release their products on the same day.  While I saw instability in Ubuntu, I did not see those same instability issues in Kubuntu.  There were no freezing or slow to start issues that I saw.

The desktop environment in Kubuntu is KDE, which is extremely easy to use.  The ability to personalize your desktop with the ease of finding programs quickly is a breath of fresh air compared to Unity and Gnome.  While I personally am not a widget fan I do like that they offer them as a way to easily glance at information you need.

As I mentioned in previous reviews; having a software center installed with the distribution makes it easy to locate and install programs that a user would need to go about their daily lives.  Like most distribution, Kubuntu offers many of the programs that an average user would need.  Mixed with the ease of categories offered by KDE the average user would easily be able to log in and use the computer with little to no issues.

With Kubuntu being a derivative of Ubuntu, it would be a likely assumption that it came with Zeitgeist installed.  Good news, Zeitgeist is not installed in Kubuntu.  As previously mentioned in my Ubuntu 14.04 review, Zeitgeist is a program that logs your keystrokes and sends them back to whatever company requested them.  Ubuntu comes with this program installed, but thankfully Kubuntu does not. Which means you are free to search anything you would like without having the eyes of big brother looking over your shoulder.

Overall, Kubuntu was a very nice Linux distribution. It was easy to use, easy to understand, and stable enough for the needs of an average user.  I would recommend it as a good choice in a distribution.  If you would like to try Kubuntu or learn even more about the distribution or the community please visit their website.

Debian Review

Over the last couple of posts I played with Debian, ran through the install, showed the desktop environment; which is Gnome 3, and went through some of the programs.  I learned a lot about Debian during the past week; their philosophy, how they manage their releases, and who creates the new releases.  Debian has a lot to offer in an operating system for Linux, but what I liked the most is the way it is put together.

Debian is not some fancy company sitting in an office building collecting money.  Debian is everyday users who donate their free time to programming, testing, documenting and fixing bugs.  You read that right. People all over the world help in the process of creating Debian.  Debian also doesn't shove out new releases before they're ready thus leaving you to install update after update in hopes that the bugs that you face are fixed during these updates.  When a new version of Debian is released you can be sure that it has gone through a very long process of testing and that you are getting a very stable version of the operating system.

Debian Wheezy Programs

And the final section of my exploration through Debian Wheezy is the programs.  By the end of this section you will see what is available upon install and how to get other programs based on your needs.

Go ahead and click on Activities and then Applications.

Debian Wheezy: Gnome 3

Debian Wheezy comes with a default of Gnome 3 as their desktop interface.  If you find you don't like Gnome 3, Debian allows you to change your desktop interface in the very beginning of the install under the advanced settings you can change your desktop interface to one you may like better.  For purposes of this blog you will be seeing the default desktop interfaces that come with the basic installs.  For most new Linux users the desktop interface is what will be the deciding factor.  So without further ado lets get into the Gnome 3 desktop interface and personalization.

Go into your system settings, which you can find this by clicking on the username in the top right corner of the desktop.

Debian Part 2

As you know I am currently doing a run through of distributions for Linux.  The first one is Debian.  In my last post I showed you how the install went.  In this post I will show you the default set up for the desktop.

 Obviously you'll enter the password that you entered during the install.

Debian Install

Hello everyone! In my previous post I explained that I would be going through each of the Linux distributions to give everyone a taste of what they offer.  The first Linux distribution that I am diving into is Debian Wheezy.  First I will show who what happens during the install and how to install it.  I am using Virtual Box to play with each distribution.  Visit them here https://www.virtualbox.org/ if you would like to try it out.  I will go into an in depth blog about the Virtual Box program at a later date.

This is the beginning of the install, fairly simple.  As a beginner I recommend going with Install and pressing enter.

Hurdles

When I initially set out to write this post I thought the best thing I could do was show my readers how to boot Linux from a thumb drive or CD.  As I started the process of collecting information, screen shots, and whatever else I would need for the post it dawned on me.  How can I inform my readers when they may not know yet which distribution they should go with.  It was an easy choice for me, I saw and tried Mint XFCE and fell in love.  It may not be as easy for you.

After getting into a conversation about the different Linux distributions with my very patient boyfriend, who is a wealth of knowledge when it comes to anything computer related it suddenly dawned on me. The issue that Windows or Mac OS users face when making decisions about Linux distributions or Linux in general is "How do I choose?"  

It became apparent that when you are on an operating system like Windows or Mac OS you are confined to your apartment, you can go into the kitchen, the living room, the bedroom, or the bathroom. When switching to Linux you realize that every apartment in the building is now accessible and each apartment has it's own pros, cons, and special amenities.  How do you choose which apartment you now want to live in?

So I am skipping the thumb drive post for at least a little while, instead I will be entering into the great wide world of distributions.  I will be testing out, comparing and writing about each of the major distributions.  Mint, Debian, Ubuntu, Fedora, and Suse to name a few.  I'll even go into their respective derivatives.  At the end of each one I will give my own personal opinion, because this is my blog and I can share my opinion.  

My reasoning behind approaching it this way instead of just putting you on my personal favorite is because I do not want anyone who reads this blog to feel like they are trapped in yet another operating system.  While I don't personally believe any distribution could really limit you nearly as much as Windows or Mac OS has, I do want you to make your own choice on what may or may not work for you.  I want you to leave your apartment, become my roomie in other apartments before you make your decision on what would be best for you.  Sorry only virtual bacon can be shared, is there anyone working on being able to get food through the computer screen yet?