F. A. Q.
Why learn Linux?
Having experience with Linux, primarily with its command line workflow is a reliable way for a system administrator's carrier in numerous IT companies,in US and around the world.
Linux is very successful and publicly available operating system of UNIX family, that today is widely used on desktops, laptops and servers. Knowing how to use Linux is very beneficial because it open doors to huge variety of open source software in quality, secured and well working systems. Many of todays’s new server computers deployments are implemented on Linux platform, and knowledge of the Linux system software offers good chances for employment.
Using Linux can also be very fun, creative experience. It offers great variety of tools and open source presents an opportunity to create something exciting. “Learn Linux” starts from very beginning and gradually takes you up to professional style workflow.
Is Linux is difficult to master?
How GUI like KDE and GNOME are different from command line?
No and Yes. It depends how deep are you willing to dig. On a surface, Linux offers superb GUI (Graphical User Interface) of Gnome and KDE (and many other), rich variety of graphical tools for every kind of task: from office applications to professional moviemaking. To use these application, you will navigate the menus, press on-screen buttons and so on. It wouldn’t be much different from any other user-oriented operating system. If you ever worked in Windows, it will take you about two hours to browse through the applications and menus in order to familiarize yourself with a new system.
On this level, it has different appearance, but conceptually it is the same: you use on-screen components in order to accomplish task. To tell you the truth, you don’t even need any special training for doing that. Just blast off your favorite flavor of Linux and you are ready to go.
“Learn Linux” series is not about graphical interface, it unearths few layers of what is laying underneath. It takes you into command line interface and teaches things that distinguish more professional users.
In professional situations, in server applications, graphical environment bears no importance and it is all about processes, files and storage, networking, system configurations. “Learn Linux” series offers to newcomer unique and intensive introduction to real Linux or UNIX toolset. It is a beginning of a road for someone who wants digging deep.
Is it necessary to learn command line commands to work with Linux?
If you intend using Linux beyond office applications, internet and creative tasks (photo/video/sound etc.) familiarity with command line workflow is mandatory. For occupations like system administrator, programming, network engineering, storage administrator or similar mastering Linux/UNIX command line is absolutely necessary. If you start your Linux training with future job in mind, “Learn Linux” teaches things and practices as they are done in corporative world. It teaches “big boys” toolset.
How to learn Linux or UNIX?
The best way to learn Linux (UNIX) or for a sake of argument, any complex and sophisticated engineering product, is to use it for everyday tasks and discover new functionalities. “Learn Linux” teach not just commands, but the entire workflow. It explains “why” and “how” these commands used. It teaches you how to get around big and complex system on your own, it teaches how to find and learn new things about it.
It doesn't beat around the bush, it teaches all major concepts, so you acquire a proper understanding of all key subjects!
It is important not to go lesson after lesson in one day. It is not Hollywood featured film, it is training on very complex subject. While the lessons are intentionally made short, they are stuffed with things that you must to try, memorize, digest and eternalize. It takes time, it takes repetitions. Linux is a practical subject, it means you need skills, and skills may be acquired only true repetitive usage. “Learn Linux” teaches you skills.
How long it takes to learn Linux?
Learning Linux means that you acquire skills, not just an information! It means you must perpetuate new info, type and try new commands, combine, experiment. It is crucial to have a good grip on commands and understand the situations when you can use them. Performing tasks in Linux are not always algorithmic, it means that you will take a decision of what to do and how to do it.
It is reasonable to expect, that with assistance of “Learn Linux” sets diligent individual can master essential Linux (or UNIX) skills in about two weeks. Some force into 3-4 days and some take it in 2-3 months. It is not about braking records, it is about understanding and developing skills. Skills are precious, more experiments you make, more thing you try, more experience and understanding you develop. Many commands have excessive option sets, language constructions etc. More time you spend by discovering all these things, more experience you can claim.
What “Learn Linux” series teaches and what can I learn from it?
“Learn Linux” teaches professional approach to command line interface, many concepts and commands. What is cool about learning Linux, is that the SAME system as you run on your home PC to try and experiment, you will meet on your workplace. On your job it will be running on better hardware, the networking and storage will be faster, but the Linux system, mostly remains the same. “Learn Linux” takes advantage of it and teaches you the skills that are essential and necessary to perform most important system related tasks.
What are the other way to learn Linux?
One can learn Linux by reading a book and trying command of cause. “Learn Linux” offers more than just commands, it offers experience and expertise. To mentions, “Learn Linux” comes with entire library of PDF books. There are subjects that can't be really taught interactively. The “Learn Linux” sets are fully equipped with PDF books for practically all important subjects.
