How to deal with Linux

I recently received feedback from a number of readers, hoping to popularize Linux, including some release (such as TAILS) specially optimized for security ). Therefore, I have received some feedback from readers recently, hoping to popularize Linux, including some release (such as TAILS) specially optimized for security ). Therefore, I want to improve the literacy of Linux kernel-based operating systems from several different aspects. Considering that many readers are not IT practitioners, I try to write "silly", hoping that the technology Cainiao can understand IT.

Today, let's talk about how a newbie can solve it step by step, from "Cainiao" to "laruence ". (in order to reduce typing effort, The following describes the "Linux kernel-based operating system" for short ")

* Two misunderstandings

According to your style, let's talk about the two misunderstandings in your mind (there are usually two misunderstandings when you study other technologies ).

◇ Discouraged

Some new users seem to be too complicated to learn about Linux. This is very unnecessary.

If this was the case in the 1990s S, it may be quite excited (after all, the Linux kernel was just launched in a few years ). But now it's coming? Linux is in its twenties. After so many years of development, it has become very mature and foolish. In terms of ease of use, the gap between Windows and Windows is very small.

If you are still skeptical about the ease of use of Linux, consider the market share of today's Android phones-Android is built based on the Linux kernel.

◇ Eager for success

Contrary to the above "discouraged" mentality, some new hands have a mentality of eager to seek success-enterprises are stuttering into fat people. This is also incorrect.

Why do many people have this idea? It is mainly influenced by the ethos of "quick success and quick success" and has become impetuous. For impetuous students, we suggest you read the article "programming for ten years" written by Peter Norvig (Peter Norvig is Google's research director)

* How should we step by step?

Between the two attitudes above, my point is: step by step. Next, how can we get started with Linux gradually?

◇ From "virtual machine" to "physical Machine"

Last year, I wrote a series of virtual machines for the literacy operating system (written ). If you have never seen it, we strongly recommend that you first check it out. After reading this series, you will naturally be able to see the benefits of "operating system Virtual Machines.

For a newbie, you must start from the virtual machine instead of the physical machine.

1 of the benefits of virtual machines-do not worry about disrupting the system

Virtual machines, as the name implies, are "virtual". whatever you want (even if you format the hard disk), it will not affect your Host OS)

Benefits of virtual machines 2-snapshot

In your exploration phase, you can make full use of the "snapshot function" of the virtual machine ".

"Snapshot function" is like "regret". for example, if you want to modify a system configuration, if you are not sure about it, you can make a snapshot first and then modify it. In case of any change, the system will be restored to the original state by rolling back to the snapshot.

Benefits of virtual machines 3-reduce the trouble of installing hardware drivers

Common virtual machine software (such as VirtualBox and VMware) and virtual hardware simulated in the virtual system (Guest OS) are usually common hardware. Because it is a common virtual hardware, you can directly identify the virtual hardware when installing Linux on a virtual machine. This avoids the trouble of tossing hardware drivers.

These are the advantages of "Linux installation in virtual systems. Only when you are out of the "Cainiao" stage will you consider replacing your physical machine with Linux.

◇ From "amateur environment" to "work environment"

There is a famous saying: "Learning from practice ".

When you have learned how to install Linux and some basic operations, you need to use it in the actual environment (that is, "practice "). Which environment is better to practice first? I suggest you start from your spare time environment. Do not try it in the work environment first.

It is because when your level is not enough, if you first try in the work environment, in case something goes wrong, it will affect your work. If you try it in your spare time environment, there is a lower risk of errors.

For example, you can create a virtual system (Guest OS) and install Linux to access the Internet in your spare time.

◇ From "graphic interface" to "command line interface"

As a newbie, we will be dazzled by various Linux commands at the beginning. To reduce the steep learning curve, you can start with the graphic interface. First, learn about Linux functions through the graphic interface. After you become familiar with the command line interface, you will learn how to use it.

By the way:

The command line interface is one of the essence of Linux. Good at using command lines can greatly improve your efficiency. Therefore, you can fully rely on the "graphic interface" at the beginning, but if you want to upgrade, you must gradually adapt yourself to the "command line interface ".

◇ From "silly" to "DIY"

Some release versions that are "silly" will have all the software you may need built in advance. Once the system is installed, you only need to use its default settings to complete routine operations. Obviously, such releases are easier for Cainiao to get started.

However, if you want to go deep in the Linux field and want to make full use of its expertise, you should not just stay on the "silly" level; on the contrary, you should gradually explore, constantly tossing and handling various "DIY ". you will naturally learn a lot in the process of tossing.

In addition, I also said that one of the features of Linux compared with Windows is that it is highly customizable. Therefore, you can use this feature of Linux to customize a very personalized system environment to improve your operating system efficiency.

* How do I select a release version?

Linux has hundreds of releases (called distribution. Different releases have their own characteristics. You can select an appropriate release based on your situation.

Many beginners often find it difficult to choose a release. Here, I would like to give my first suggestion: Be sure to select a "mature" release. For beginners, choosing a mature release helps you avoid detours and time waste.

To determine whether a release is "mature", consider the following:

◇ Is the document well-developed?

This is especially important for beginners. If a release lacks comprehensive documentation, it is a huge obstacle for beginners.

◇ Are there enough users?

If you use a release version, there are too few users. If you encounter a problem, it is more difficult to find the answer on the Internet.

If you use a large number of release versions. The problem you encounter is usually encountered by someone else N times. There have been many discussions on the Internet. Then you can easily Google the answer.

◇ Solve bugs (release patches) quickly enough

As long as it is software, it is inevitable that there will be bugs-the Linux system is no exception. It's not terrible to have bugs. what's terrible is that a Bug cannot be solved for a long time (no patch or patch release is too slow ).

For mature releases, there are usually enough maintenance personnel, so the mature releases usually solve problems (release patches) quickly. The immature release version does not have many maintenance personnel, and the response speed is naturally much worse.

The first of the above three indicators is easier to judge. The next two indicators are difficult to judge for some Cainiao. But it doesn't matter. there is a shortcut-you can use Wikipedia to determine the maturity of a release. The more detailed the entry of a release, the more mature the release is. (For more information, see Wikipedia entries in both Chinese and English languages)

Considering the length of the article, we cannot detail various types of releases in this article. Therefore, I wrote another blog article titled "literacy Linux: How to choose a release" to introduce the features of different releases from multiple perspectives.

* Where can I obtain documents and materials?

◇ Wikipedia

First, be good at using Wikipedia (especially the English Wikipedia ). Through Wikipedia, you can not only find a release or a brief introduction to a software, but also find a series of related software.

For example, if you want to find a lightweight release, you only need to visit this page of Wikipedia.

◇ Official release website

As mentioned just now, mature releases must have relatively complete documents. Therefore, you can go to the official website of the release and usually find detailed documents. In addition, some mature releases also provide multilingual documents.

Speaking of the language of the document, run the following question:

In the process of Linux, I strongly recommend that you read the English documents as much as possible. It has the following benefits:

1. if your English skills are insufficient, you can improve your English reading skills.

2. documents in English are updated in a more timely manner, with more detailed content and wider coverage than those in other languages.

◇ Related software official website

If you are using a "mature" release, the built-in software of this release is usually quite mature. This means that the official websites of these software usually have well-developed documents.

Therefore, if you encounter difficulties using a software, you can go to the software's official website to view relevant documents.

◇ Related forums

Mature releases or mature software usually have special forums/email lists. You can go to these places to find the documents you want. (Note: Be good at using Google's site syntax)

◇ Others

The Linux Documentation Project (LDP) summarizes many HowTo and FAQ documents.

In addition to the above, I will also share some books about Linux to my online storage. Compared with online articles/documents, some good books can help you systematically learn relevant knowledge.

* How can I solve the problem?

During your exploration, you will inevitably encounter many problems. at this time, you need to learn to use the internet to find your own answers.

If you are a beginner in Linux, the problem you encounter is usually a low-level problem (the so-called "low-level problem" means that N people have encountered this problem before, ). In this case, you can use the search engine to find the answers you need.