Thank you for being a valued part of the CNET community. As of December 1, 2020, the forums are in read-only format. In early 2021, CNET Forums will no longer be available. We are grateful for the participation and advice you have provided to one another over the years.

Thanks,

CNET Support

General discussion

Some about Linux for newbies

Oct 31, 2009 4:44PM PDT

Lets start from the basics. Linux is about choices. Is hard to make a choice when you did not had a choice in the beginning (talking about Microsoft). Now you have a fresh install of Linux on your computer, now what? So many questions, so different, what is all about?

Ok, lets start easy. Pick the right Distribution, but which one? Well, I can not tell you but is a matter of taste. Is like, what would you like to drive, Ford, GM, Chrysler...? So many cars, but all drive the same... A steering wheel, brake pedal, leather seats vs cloth, manual, semi auto, full auto? So many choices you can not decide what to do !!! On the Microsoft world is one Car, One Setting (you can adjust the seat and choose car colors), 2 doors one trunk lid and not able to open the hood. You have to restart the car if the radio does not works.... that just sucks ! But we are all used to it.

Linux comes in, different car sizes, colors, 4 doors, hatchbacks, 2 seaters, so many choices...

We can not decide since the previous manufacturer made all the choices for us. Now, we have a car that we do not know how to drive, feels weird and you are able to do all the mechanical work on it !

Yikes !
That is way too much... That is how Linux feels like.

Now you are free to decide your faith, you customize all you want, but the biggest problem is how?

Some distributions are like Gentoo, yikes that is a fully manual distro. The advantage, you can get to the nuts and bolts of it, great for seasoned power users that have no live beside tweaking a PC.

Now you have Xandros, Mandriva, K/Ubuntu, Debian and so on... More for average users that all they want is to use a PC to surf the web and do some menial tasks.


What you need to know is simple....

Which applications to use?

You need a word processor, use Open Office ( is almost 98% like MS Office) there is an MS Office application and Linux too. One piece of advice, when you save a file, remember who is going to see it and with what. MS Office is so narrow minded (anal) that does not see it,lets say *.odt files, save them as *.doc

Open Office is not that bad, is very easy, but he furniture is moved around but not hard to figure out.

Thunderbird (with lightning integration) and/or Sunbird. There you have it, a mail client that works on MS and Linux with a Calendar, how neat is that?

And last....

Firefox.... Since we are going to web applications like, lets say... GMail< Google Docs, banking, CNET TV and so on, why you need more junk on your PC? Is all done on the web !


So as you see, if you install any Linux OS you can pretty much much do whatever you wish.

You want some games? Lets try ET (Return to Wolfenstein Castle: Enemy Territory) there is a free online version for RPM and APT-GET choose you packet manager (Debian or Red Hat). Second Life... download the Linux Version, uncompress and double click on the Second Life shell file, is that easy.


What I am trying to say is... Do not think that Linux is hard, is based on what you want it gets harder or easier. If you want to be just an user is easy as heck !


One tip about directories.....

Lets start with Windows.

There is an A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I.... drives. How dumb is that? What happen when you end up on Z? Sucks to be you !

On Linux there is some that came from Mainframes and is called MOUNT !

A history lesson...

Back in the late 60s a Computer was Single tasking, someone came with the UNIX system to make it Multi Tasking and Multi User, so UNIX was born !

Back then, Platter Drives (early Hard Drives) where huge, so you are not going to turn the mainframe Off or On, hell no! Major disruption of service ! So you Mount and Dismount a drive... Oh wow is like remove hardware from Windows...!

Now, the drives looks like Directories. That is why, no Linux system has a C drive or a D drive they are all under MNT or MEDIA directory.

Here is the best part... since they look like folders, you never going to run out of letters, just name the drive.

How cool is that !
Sorry MS, UNIX and Linux had it first !

Each drive is treated like a Folder Grin

That is why, you do not have Drives on your Linux system.

BTW, how come there is no B:/ (drive)? Easy that letter is reserved for the 5 1/4 real floppy drive and is not never used.


Now some about networks......................................................

To tell you how bad MS Sucks, they do not have some called SAMBA.

That is an IBM thing to allow MS and UNIX to coexist. How cool is that, MS is so anal that does not have that either.


Oh wait there is more.........................................................

People are so hung up on IP, there is some called IPX, that does not uses the already running out IPs out of the web. Is not widely used but there is there. Is a Novell thing but I think it needs further development.

What uses is the MAC Address from the NIC Card and a Network Address that does not follows the IP scheme. Is been left behind somehow but I see a lot potential for it.
Cisco Routers are capable of it.

I can say IP and IPX can co-exist and be invisible from each other, like having an internet inside the internet.... that sounds way cool !

Discussion is locked

- Collapse -
Very informative
Nov 1, 2009 7:36AM PST

You should make a webpage of your ideas for people to reference.

- Collapse -
More please
Oct 29, 2010 3:31AM PDT

This I can understand. I'd like to learn more about using a (any) Linux OS. Sure hope you have more out there.

Thanks,

dtgusa

- Collapse -
Edubuntu updates
Nov 1, 2010 8:15AM PDT

I have been using Edubuntu but just two months agowhen I tried to update it It was impossinble to get the updates. Now my machines ceases to work and gives me error as drive not properly installed. What could be the problem?
. Why?
I use Compaq desktop

- Collapse -
Version?
Nov 1, 2010 5:13PM PDT

Which version of Edubuntu you have?

- Collapse -
reply
Nov 9, 2010 2:29PM PST

This post is good but if u gave more information on
programming it will be more useful.
Thank

- Collapse -
Linux
Dec 22, 2010 6:59PM PST

this is good post i had seen for Linux . will you please elaborate the topic with its security issues.

- Collapse -
security
Dec 23, 2010 10:22PM PST

Because there is no need for anti-virus and similar software security is much more simple at basic home level for Linux.
The most important for simple user is keep things up to date. This is quite simple just run update/package manager and click update or make sure it works automatically, in the end it depends on distribution.

If you want to go into more advanced stuff and make much more secure system than windows then it is good to learn and use:
*iptables
*selinux
*hardened kernel

- Collapse -
Hardening 'buntus/Debian
Dec 26, 2010 12:11PM PST

Bastille is a good place to start hardening Linux. It is for the distros noted in the Subject title. The Command line is the best place to do this. Start with
< sudo apt-get update >
< sudo apt-get -f install perl-tk >
< sudo apt-get install bastille >
then, to set bastille up (Hint: keep it simple at first)
enter the command at a terminal
< sudo bastille -c >

If you get some message about not having enough URIs or the like,
go to /etc/apt/sources.list and uncomment (remove # from in front of) the deb-src entry of a main repository and save.

Cannot edit? Suggest < gedit /etc/apt/sources.list >
No gedit? Suggest installing mc < sudo apt-get install mc >
Then < mcedit /etc/apt/sources.list >

Happy New Year & Don't forget the haggis!

- Collapse -
I don't quite understand about the security part...
Dec 27, 2010 9:15AM PST

Many times i heard people said "Because there is no need for anti-virus and similar software security is much more simple at basic home level for Linux."
However, I did not get a chance to really ask the basic question:
if the program is very simple, surely it is earlier to hack into the system, thus why then security if not a big problem??? Sorry I am no programming expert, but I just don't get it... Sad

- Collapse -
Let's talk about social engineered attacks?
Dec 27, 2010 9:25AM PST

Not long ago someone wrote that a certain file with Teddy Bear for it's icon was a security threat and should be deleted. It's uncertain how many folk deleted that file and caused problems for the machines.

--> Here's my point and my question.

Should a system be hardened to the point that even the owner is locked out of making a deletion of a file from their system?

If so, we have to stick users on XBox, Wii and PS3 machines!
Bob

- Collapse -
Unix way
Dec 30, 2010 4:53PM PST

There is root user he can make changes to system and there is simple user. He can use system for its tasks like browse net etc.
It is that simple.

And in windows there is one user and lets take simple example user opens web page and web browser is tricked to write things to c:\windows folder and kaboom. Then expensive "good" antivirus routinely scans windows folder next day and finds fallout of successful attack and user feels safe. Yes: virus removed. Happy

Unix way to security is that web browser can only open and show web pages and if it tries to write to system files when something is not good for sure. So there is no need for antivirus.

- Collapse -
and social engineered or not is not much difference
Dec 30, 2010 5:00PM PST

Or user click save to c:\windows or it happens totally automatically. On windows it leads to same consequences on Linux it bumps into same security mechanism (browser can not touch system files no matter what).
At all social engineered attack is just term of antivirus companies who want to say:
well is is not our fault you clicked that, stay away from PC and then we will protect it for sure.

- Collapse -
So it's the Xbox and PS3 for them!
Dec 31, 2010 7:09AM PST

After too many folk that fall for that and forcefully remove or change stuff (no browser!) I think the answer is that many should not be on a personal computer?

Bob

- Collapse -
no the answer is that
Jan 1, 2011 8:55PM PST

They should not be on insecure OS: windows.

- Collapse -
How is Linux any better?
Jan 2, 2011 9:15AM PST

A socially engineered email telling them to delete files would bring down other OSes too.

Maybe the OS can't be exposed to some owners?
Bob

- Collapse -
no it do not
Jan 6, 2011 10:55PM PST

It would require root password to delete all files on Linux.

On windows wrong click on link in email and you can delete all files then. It will be faster and less painful in that way.

You see difference or still not?

- Collapse -
I see it
Jan 7, 2011 11:37AM PST

But having watched folk bring down linux too with the rm command it appears that in some cases we need to deploy game machines (PS3, 360 or Wii!)

This is still an imperfect solution for some.
Bob

- Collapse -
rm do not work outside home
Jan 7, 2011 3:38PM PST

rm do not work outside home, outside personal files.
You need to login as root to use system wide rm.
Linux can work on some ps3 and on 360 too.

- Collapse -
some info about rm
Jan 7, 2011 3:39PM PST

rm do not work outside home, outside personal files.
You need to login as root to use system wide rm.
Linux can work on some ps3 and on 360 too.
Report offensive post
Email to friend
Permalink
Note: Due to the depth of this discussion thread, no additional replies can be accepted for this post. If you have comments to make, please reply to the original post at the beginning of this thread.

- Collapse -
That's true
Jan 8, 2011 5:18AM PST

But just watch as folk diligently follow some bad instructions, login as root and do the work.

I'm sad when I write that folk are expecting the OS or something to save them from themselves.
Bob

- Collapse -
Nah lets talk about more simple example
Jan 12, 2011 11:05PM PST

You want to say that car with security bags is useless because still random user may follow bad instructions on net and disable it?
Not true at all.

- Collapse -
Great example.
Jan 15, 2011 2:11PM PST

I like that example. For bad or worse folk are expecting the OS (pick one?) to stop them from doing something bad. For those folk I suggest they stick to game consoles and video players.
Bob

- Collapse -
Kinda yes
Jan 24, 2011 4:26PM PST

Or they can simply use Linux.

And for those guys who like simple to fix car without complicated security bags disable procedures so they can use windows. Then it is cool idea to invest into health insurance (anti-virus software) and fell like secure. In the end it is their own fault for being stupid and end up in car crashes (hacked, malwared, clicked "wrong" link ...).

- Collapse -
Security
Mar 3, 2011 5:46AM PST

In Microsoft everyone can be an adminstrator and you have what is called root level access. Root level access can give you access to the Windows executable and its' system files.

Linux is based on Unix......the Linux executable is protected, the average user is not operating the system as an adminstrator and therefore...viruses, malware can not get and cause damage. In Unix/Linux you must specifically logged in as adminstrator. And in Unix you must be in the proper directory to log in as adminstrator. In simple words the door is close. In Windows the door is open. Which is why windows is also so easy to used, install and update

- Collapse -
Opera FTW
Feb 21, 2011 11:02AM PST

Really good post, just one thing.

Firefox, really?
It's gotten big and bulky, and won't be good again until 4 is finally out of beta.

My personal favorite is Opera.
After that Chrome.

- Collapse -
FF4 will be out soon and even Firefox 7
Feb 21, 2011 3:53PM PST

and even Firefox 7 will be out in 2011.

- Collapse -
I used Firefox on this post...
Apr 1, 2011 2:29AM PDT

For one reason.
Is well know and if a newbie get a hold of a Linux install the change does not feel foreigner and will be able to use it (so they do not get Linux phobia).

I agree, got bloated but still a way better browser than that pesky Internet Explorer.

- Collapse -
nice
Mar 30, 2011 5:03PM PDT

This posting was really informative and I highly appreciate this effort. It helped me a lot. Thanks for this posting.