June 25, 2011

  • Life as a Linux n00b

    If you want to start learning how linux works from the ground up, one of the best things to do is not download a full featured linux distribution (distro) like Ubuntu or Fedora, but instead, download and install a Server edition like Ubuntu server.  You'll have nothing but a command line interface when you first boot up, but you'll have a lot more appreciation for what folks have done to make a robust operating system like Linux into something much more user friendly.

    Some of the challenges you'll face as a newb are the following:

    • command line interface? omg, what am i supposed to do with this, i'm not a h4x0rz! (user@server:~$)
    • Why do I have to be God to do anything??? (sudo)
    • Bringing the OS up to date (apt-get update)
    • Installing a GUI (x) interface
    • Setting up Remote Desktop
    • Installing a Web Browser (What, firefox isn't just download and execute?!  I have to install libraries??? what's GTK+?!?!?!?!?!)
    • Installing applications

    The whole reason Linux Server OSs are the best to train on is the fact that they're stripped down to the bare essentials to run.  As a server, you'll most likely install ssh server, a few libraries, maybe a web server, a database app, and a few other server specific applications (perhaps even compile a custom kernel!).  There's no need to clutter it up with software like a graphical user interface, web browser, or even vnc server.  Because of the apparent lack of applications, these server OSs are much more performant (yes, performant is a word... in french... oops).