I've been using Linux for 2 years now. When I started it was difficult to find a truly optimal guide or some reasons as to why should I even bother using Linux when Windows "just works".
Well through this post I'm going to explain Why YOU should use Linux and How to get started with it. So without further ado, here is my guide to help boost you up in your Linux Journey
I'll keep it short, Linux is NOT an Operating System, Linux itself is a Kernel. GNU/Linux(Usually Pronounced as Ganoo-slash-Linux) is the combination of GNU Software and the Linux Kernel both together forming an Operating System.
So If you are ever using a Linux Distro you are actually using GNU/Linux and not just Linux
There are many reasons to learn Linux. Linux is a high-performance operating system way faster than most of the other Operating Systems
Linux is interesting to learn. It will not stop surprising you when it comes to learning something “new.” Did you Know?: You usually don't have to find "EXE" files to install packages, 90% of the software you want is already available in your distro's software repository.
The Linux Kernel and the GNU Software are Free to use and OpenSource hence you don't have to pay a penny to use them. Unlike Windows or any other paid Operating System there is no license fee
Programmers Love Linux as they can modify their system on a whole another level and play around with things they were usually restricted from in their old OS.
Linux supports all the Major Languages and companies prefer to use Linux as their Primary OS when it comes to developing software
You can automate everything in Linux using simple 10 line shell scripts.
I have some handy shell scripts like a shell script to upload any string of text, a file, or an Image to an online file hosting service(0x0).
#!/bin/sh
[ -f "${1}" ] && op=cat
${op:-echo} "${1:-`cat -`}" \
| curl -s -F file='@-' 'http://0x0.st' \
| tee /dev/stderr \
| xclip -sel clipI even have a small script that warns me whenever my battery level is low and making all these scripts wasn't hard you just need to know a bit of shell scripting and even you can make them
You aren't just limited to automation. You can even customize your system to work/look/feel however you want.
You might be thinking there must be some limit but no there is none! It is YOUR system you can do whatever you want. Also, before you start thinking you will have to pay for software to get that type of customization then no you are wrong!
You can achieve every bit of customization for absolutely free. You can browse some setups on r/unixporn and here are some of My setups: Here
I hope you all are convinced by now and want to get started. Here are some of my tips and to get started:
The distro doesn't matter:
Yes, Unless you have very special requirements like pentesting usually distros don't even matter. You can do everything you do on one distro on some other distro
The key difference is about the ease of use, No. of packages in repos, and Stability of packages.
Ease of Use:
If your priority is the ease of use then I would recommend starting with something like Ubuntu, Linux Mint, or Pop_OS.
All of these distros are known for their ease of use and Windows-like interface perfect for new users.
No of Packages:
If you are worried that you may not find the software you usually use in your distro's software repo then go for either Arch or Debian, both have a large repo
Ubuntu also has a Large repo but usually, if your software is not in the repos you'll have to manually install a PPA
Stability of Packages:
Usually, there are two types of distro a stable distro and a bleeding-edge distro. A stable distro's package repository usually contains applications with their most stable version and these packages are updated only after a lot of testing so the chances of encountering a bug in these applications are very less
A bleeding-edge distro's package repository usually contains the latest version of that application and hence are usually prone to bugs but you are instead getting the latest software and getting to test out features first. So if you want a Stable distro go for Ubuntu or Debian If you want a bleeding-edge distro then go for Arch or OpenSuse Tumbleweed.
Complete Freedom/Control:
If you want to take over complete control of your system right from the start then go for distros like Arch, Void or Gentoo, etc where you'll have to do everything yourself nothing is given to you by default but you get the absolute freedom of doing whatever you want and setting up your system however you want.
I would not recommend these distros to Complete beginners as they do require a basic knowledge of the Linux system beforehand.
Most beginners friendly distros like Ubuntu, Pop_OS, Linux Mint, etc have interactive installers which are very easy to understand and use.
All you need to do is grab the ISO of your preferred Distro burn that ISO either onto a Disc or use Rufus to make a bootable flash drive. Plug-in your drive and restart your system and keep pressing the key which takes you to your bios menu(usually Del key).
From their on select to boot from your USB/Disc and then just follow along with the installer.
Whatever you want! Sky's the Limit.
Thanks for reading till the end 😊