Long gone are the days when learning Linux meant coping with the steepest of learning curves.Today, a distro like Ubuntu or Mint makes picking up Linux just as easy as Windows or macOS.However, you may be used to another OS, or you may be comfortable using Linux for the basics but wondering how to take the next step.
If, like me, your attention easily wanders, this can be a challenge.So take a breath and follow these tips to ease your introduction to Linux.Stop distro-hopping Alternatives may be tempting, but stick with one distro at first One of the trickiest things to get your head around when you first start using Linux is all the terminology.
This goes especially for concepts that just don't apply to macOS or Windows, like “distro.” A distro is a bit like a customized, pre-packaged version of the OS, but there are so many available that it's easy to get lost in the choice.Some distros are great for beginners, but rest assured that your choice of distro is not as important as it might seem.You can always switch later on, when you have a better understanding of how everything fits together.
My personal recommendation is Linux Mint.It's a very popular system, and everything just works out of the box, with a look familiar to Windows users.Alternatively, Ubuntu is a great choice if you're willing to try something a little different.
If you're really wedded to Windows, AnduinOS is a good option to ease the transition.It's a lightweight distro, based on Ubuntu, that aims to mimic Windows even more closely than Mint.Use the system in its default state Avoid the distracting cycle of endless tweaking Nothing will consume your time more than tinkering with your setup.
Linux is known for its flexibility, and this is a great feature—until you find yourself endlessly tweaking every last detail.While there are definitely some tweaks that I would—and will—recommend, the less you change, the more likely you are to avoid certain problems.You can change configuration in many different ways, and it's easy to make mistakes and end up with a buggy system or glitchy apps.
Keeping your system in a vanilla state means troubleshooting will be easier, upgrading or changing distro will be simpler (should you decide to do so), and you'll spend less time making further changes.Use tldr instead of man Man pages are full of useful info, but it can be too much If you have experience with Linux, or you've otherwise made it as far as the command line, you've probably come across man pages.This built-in documentation is incredibly useful, but it’s very wordy.
Terminal programs have many options, and a lot of them cover niche cases.A better option is tldr.This terminal program is like man, but instead of comprehensive documentation, it keeps things easy with a one-line description and several examples showing how to use each command in the most common cases.
The best part about tldr is that the web version is an exact mirror, meaning that you don't need to install anything to use tldr.Turn off notifications Enjoy the peace and focus on learning It might seem extreme, but hear me out: you don't really need those notifications.Every single time a notification pops up in your peripheral vision, it's tempting you to switch context.
Whether it's a new email, a software update, or a calendar entry, that notification can probably wait.Linux being Linux, you can customize notifications to make them less intrusive.You can even experiment with a notification replacement like dunst or mako.
Until you have the time to spare, however, it's easiest to just switch off those annoying notifications and focus on the learning process.Learn while you game If it's fun, you're more likely to learn something too If you're the sort of person who learns well through play, you're in luck.There are many apps that make Linux learning fun, including these command-line games that are free and interactive.
I'm a big fan of games; not always for educational purposes, mind you.I can still learn something from most of these, even with decades of Linux experience, because there are so many ways to do things; there's always something new to discover.Having fun at the same time just helps me to stay concentrated and take the information in.
Use a Pomodoro timer The best simple way to keep yourself on track Ask ten people to name a productivity technique, and nine will probably say "pomodoro." This method is popular because it is so simple, but it's proven effective time and time again.The Pomodoro Technique describes a set of four 25-minute work periods, separated by 5-10 minute breaks in between.There are many Pomodoro apps available, and you shouldn't ever have to pay anything for such a simple tool.
On Linux, I like FocusTimer (previously GNOME Pomodoro).It's an app that, understandably, gets out of your way, but it has all the functionality you need to stick to a schedule and ensure your attention is where it should be.Close Listen to ambient sounds Turn on, tune in, and focus with productive noise Depending on the task at hand, I find that ambient sound often helps.
I've tried listening to music, but anything other than instrumental classical music is too much of a distraction.Blanket is an excellent little app that plays ambient sounds and gets out of your way while doing so.You can choose from relaxing soundscapes like "Fireplace" and "Birds" or go for something that requires more acquired taste: "Coffee Shop," anyone? Even better, you can layer different effects for your perfect combination, although trying to learn while listening to a crackling fireplace aboard a train passing by an endless stream may not be ideal.
Master your own fortune A daily reminder of what you've learned As you're learning about Linux, it's a good idea to take some simple notes.The best way isn't on paper, of course, but in a text file.And when you have a text file full of helpful advice, one of the best ways to use it is the fortune command.
The fortune program prints out a random message from a text file, and it's often set up on a Linux system to run on startup, as a welcome message.But you can configure fortune to read your own files, and a file of your own advice is a perfect choice.Go slowly, and use the tools at your disposal You can learn Linux at whatever pace suits you, focusing on what you need most out of the system.
Use the built-in tools to help as you go, and you’ll learn from practice too.
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