Distro for the geeky newbie

[jbridgman]

I'm a newbie to linux but not to computing. I've used Mac, Windows, Knoppix, Feather Linux, and Fedora Core. I learned the basics but never got in deep.

However, none of these are really getting me anywhere with their windows like gui's. I'm looking for something that will really teach me the core of unix/linux, which I'm assuming starts from the terminal. Something that is relatively uncluttered would be nice. Any recommendations?

P.S. I'd also like some suggestions for resources to guide me through the learning process. Thanks!

[panther3e]

Gentoo, linux fron scratch, and slackware. Take a look those three.

[bs_texas]

P.S. I'd also like some suggestions for resources to guide me through the learning process. Thanks!
http://slackbook.org/html/book.html

[DSwain]

If you're like me, you'll find yourself learning things as you need them. If something happens, or you want to change something, or hear of a new idea, you'll probably end up learning new stuff to acomplish the task. I do this generally everyday I'm tinkering with things. Even with a great guide (like that Slackbook seems to look like) you'll still be using Google to do some work. As for a distro to start getting into things, Slackware is probably a great place to start. It gives you enough (like an installer and such) but plenty of room to expand. I actually started doing my more in-depth work with Red Hat, but Slackware worked its way in afterward. If you have a lot of time and get comfy, Gentoo is probably the next step. Oh yeah, you may also like Arch Linux. That's my new favorite, and holds some good similarity to Slackware (different installer and package management).

[Sepero]

DSwain is most correct. The absolute best way to learn is to find an easy distro you like, and use it for common tasks EVERYDAY. Make it your desktop Operating system. You'll start to learn real fast.

Once you're ready to learn more, simply open an xterm. There are good bash tutorials every where on the net.

Just google: "bash tutorial"

[DSwain]

DSwain is most correct. The absolute best way to learn is to find an easy distro you like, and use it for common tasks EVERYDAY. Make it your desktop Operating system. You'll start to learn real fast.

Once you're ready to learn more, simply open an xterm. There are good bash tutorials every where on the net.

Just google: "bash tutorial"

I like how you put that actually. Using that as your full-fledged OS will really change things for you. Your human survival instinct will turn on, like they say about being in a forigen country where you don't learn the language... though anyone whose brain turns on survival instinct mode to use is a computer, well, probably needs to go outside and run around a little more. At any rate, that's some good advice. Oh, and keep trying stuff. If you're like me, nothing works on the first try. You'll be lucky on your 10th (but that's still being me).

[jbridgman]

Okay. Thanks for the advice. I am used to the gui, even thought I haven't done terribly much in it, but I'm more working towards learning how to run linux from shell only. I think there are some specialized distro's out there meant for this purpose, but I'm not sure. Slackware seems good however, I think I saw before that many configurations and what not are not done via config utilities but via editing text files, etc. Seems like you'd learn more.

Actually right now I'm thinking I either like symphony os, which has a very unique gui, or maybe I'll try FreeBSD, I like the way its organized even though I'd seriously miss the diversity of Linux.....hmmm.....maybe I'll have to try both.

[DSwain]

FreeBSD would be a good way to go. Just so you know, Slackware is a text-based menu installation, so it's not like clicking Next, Next, Next entirely. It's more like an installation you're talking about, but a bit more reasonable. Take my advice, you'll like having the installer. Save Gentoo for another day, or at least another partition. FreeBSD though would be a good option other than Slackware though, and a similar concept. Text-menu driven installation.

Whatever your choice, good luck with it. It's a blast.

[loopback48]

Actually, FreeBSD would not be the distro I would suggest. Not at this stage of your development. It's a tough nut to crack. Slackware will provide enough hair pulling experience for you as is it. Work with Slackware. But Debian it what I would recommend. It's geeky enough to give you the challange you want and still give results that keep you coming back for more. "Nothing successes like success". Ideally you would want to see results for all that hard work. And that is where Debian comes in. Don't think it's too easy for a geek wanna-be or poweruser. It will give you more than enough to ponder.

The 'full plunge attitude' is the only way to go in the Linux world. As stated, install it and use it as your main OS. Learn as you go along. That is to say, don't try to learn it all in one night or week. When you need to address a problem or program, devote the time and energy needed to accomplish that task. You'll learn more that enough.

Oh, and one other thing: Do not hesitate to do a reinstall when you bork up your system - and you will, believe me. It's really the only way. With every reinstall, you'll find out you will be learning more and it will get easier.

[Hmse]

Oh, and one other thing: Do not hesitate to do a reinstall when you bork up your system - and you will, believe me. It's really the only way. With every reinstall, you'll find out you will be learning more and it will get easier.
That's for sure, I think I am on probably my 8th or 9th Gentoo install and learning more everytime.......including how to readthe guide:p

[je_fro]

heh...IMO you learn nothing by reinstalling...fixing your problems is when you learn stuff...

[Hayl]

heh...IMO you learn nothing by reinstalling...fixing your problems is when you learn stuff...

ditto. Windows-style reintalling doesn't do anything and is totally unnecessary with any form of *nix.

[Sepero]

ditto. Windows-style reintalling doesn't do anything and is totally unnecessary with any form of *nix.
Unless, of course, if you've been rooted. ;)

[jbridgman]

Once I installed fluxbox and it just didn't work, I couldn't get it to run. Nothing was put as the instruction online said, I couldn't find any files, and when did find the folder called fluxbox there was executable...How would you like uninstall that (windows can be handy at times)? Maybe there's a log file....Anyway, that's one of the few times I reinstalled. The other time was when I wanted to add the programming stuff in Fedora, but it had depencies or something and wouldn't work, so I decided it'd be easier to start over and choose those packages at install.

[psych-major]

I agree with about everything thus far, but:
<$.02>
I started with RedHat 8.0 and it was OK, but like you, I wanted something geekier. I did some reading in the distro confused thread and decided to give Slackware a try.

I read the slackware book online for about 1/2 hour, then jumped in. I have been using Slack ever since, and though I'm extremely comfortable with it, I still find myself learning stuff, like my current issue, which is udev.

So, I would recommend Slack, it will give you the challenge you seek, without driving you to suicide!
</$.02>

Also, I've only reinstalled to fix a problem once, and that was after the removal of Dropline Gnome left my system in a very unstable state. Besides, it's more fun to boot a live CD, mount your / partition, and fix stuff by hand!