[ TIP ] How to get good at GNU/Linux

[Moderator Brian Masinick]

The EndeavourOS Forum has a post that may be of general interest if you are ‘interested in getting good at GNU/Linux´.
https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/tip-how-to-get-good-at-gnu-linux/31344
Abstract:
“How to Learn GNU/Linux

This post is inspired by the question posted here: Do I know better? 1
Since this question or a variant of it comes up fairly often, and I find myself repeating it very often, I’ve decided to put it in a separate thread, as a guide.

It is intended primarily for newbies who fancy themselves as “power users”, but find GNU/Linux unfamiliar.

Obligatory disclaimer: this is all very, very opinionated. Being convinced that I am right, I state my opinions as if they were facts, and you may easily find yourself in disagreement with me.¨

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Brian Masinick

[Moderator BobC]

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IMO, they probably picked some of the worst examples. (Omitted comment)…

I also don’t agree with their “just delete windoze” mentality.

That said, I don’t like the Virtualbox solution. We get people here that try that and are quite buggered up. antiX is designed to run from a USB with persistence. Why not just use that?

Dual boot? It certainly works as an interim solution the many times I’ve used it. The biggest difficulty is finding or creating unallocated space to install the Linux in. That’s not the fault of Linux, but is certainly a significant obstacle for a normal user. They usually aren’t able to install a 2nd drive or anything like that.

The best answer is a spare machine erased and setup with Linux. Upload all of your documents and files to the web/cloud from the Windows machine, and download them to your new Linux machine. Once you get totally comfortable with Linux, you can erase the Windows machine, and in the meantime you have a fallback to use if you really need to.

Just my 2 cents worth…

• This reply was modified 5 months, 1 week ago by Brian Masinick. Reason: Removed one comment

[Moderator Brian Masinick]

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I’m with you Bob; personally I believe there is a reason why we have proprietary systems, freely available systems, environments available that are simple, point, select, click, and other alternatives that require considerable experience and skill. We have all of this variety and choice because our human species is very diverse and varied.

I do not find that offensive in the least; in fact, it’s one of the most interesting things about people.

When companies tell their employees to “value differences” and stuff like that, it’s ridiculous. Hire people who are intelligent, and also intelligent enough to know that even the best among us do not know everything; each of us has varying degrees of ability. Some of us are good with numbers, some of are good with artistic expression, some of are good with words, and so on. A few people are gifted with many skills, but are not necessarily great at all of them. A few people are terrific at one thing, but are greatly lacking in other areas; nevertheless, each person has worth and value.

As far as this piece that I quoted, like so many things, it’s an opinion; in some circles, it’s “truth”, in other circles, it’s questionable, and in still others, it’s worthless.

Regarding the basic questions about Linux, and antiX in particular, can it become a system that anyone can use? To that, I emphatically believe that yes, both Linux in general and definitely antiX in particular, can be configured so that nearly anyone can use it. On multiple occasions, I have taken either a Core or Base implementation of antiX, put desktop icons in particular places and/or modified menus, such that a particular person could find and do whatever they wanted to do. In order to accomplish this, I’d first interview them and ask them to specifically describe what they do and/or what they would like to do with their computer.

If it’s visit particular Websites, I made sure that the exact sites they want to visit are within 1-2 clicks, maybe even directly accessible from a desktop icon. I remove anything that is unnecessary and may lead to confusion. On the other hand, if the person shows an aptitude for doing more and genuinely wants to learn, then I provide them with resources to send them on that journey and help them with a few things to start them on their way.

This has been a success on multiple occasions with our simple, yet lean and efficient distribution, which can be readily modified to suit any specific need, as long as you understand what it is; someone can always help you get there!

• This reply was modified 5 months, 1 week ago by Brian Masinick.

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Brian Masinick

[Moderator Brian Masinick]

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How to Create a Simple (.deb) Debian Package:
https://www.linuxshelltips.com/create-debian-package/

Building binary deb packages: a practical guide:
https://www.internalpointers.com/post/build-binary-deb-package-practical-guide

Hope these help; I’ve never specifically built a Debian package, so I don’t know if these guides offer the “best advice” or not.

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Brian Masinick

[Member PPC]

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Brian Masinick wrote:

https://forum.endeavouros.com/t/tip-how-to-get-good-at-gnu-linux/31344

Dear Mr. Masinick

I just read that article, and it’s basicaly an opinion. A good one, in some points – example – if one should dual boot Windows and Linux or not- I may be many things, but an extremist, I’m not- my take on it: do what works best for you! Do not suffer because of you ideals…
On an ideal world, sure, you should not have an operating system that spys on you, or that it’s ineficient, or that forces you to buy a new machine every 2-5 years or so… But… We live in a real world, not one based just on idealogies – and most important of all, now, a large percentage of humanity does have a small computer on the back pocket, that tries to connect to the internet 24/7, to report not just their exact position, but also where they have been, and also almost everything you do with that device – what you looked for, the apps you use, etc, etc. Oh, and those small computers are basicly a duopoly and also usually last 2-5 years anyway, and you probably have to buy a replacement… Hum…

Now back to just gnu-linux- if you want to play a game that you own and that is not available under Linux, so- back to Windows you go… If an user requires the use of an app that does not run on Linux? – back to Windows he/she goes… If you do not know how to do something in Linux and can’t find a way to do it, when you search on-line or in the forum? Back to Windows you go…
I’ve encontered many examples of people locked in proprietary OSes over the years: diagnostic software for cars than can only run on Windows computers – there’s simply no way around that… Old office printers that cost a fortune and that have no Linux drivers- do you want to print something on that office? There’s no way around that… You try to install Linux on those places and you basicly freeze the intire business…
On non work environments – Games that with anti cheat tech that assumes that using Linux facilitates cheating, and stop you from running it, not for any valid reason other than the game dev does not want you to use anything but a proprietary OS… Kids that work reports on LibreOffice, or detailed presentations that seem ill formated when they present those documents at school…

As in many places, the computer world is held in place by lobies… Is there any valid reason to present a paper to a teacher in doc or docx format and not in pdf? Is there any valid reason for kids to have remote classes using Google tech (that happened here in Portugal). Is there any valid reason for courts to use a proprietary system for remote presence in courts? (Once again, that happens here in Portugal)
Is there a reason for a country to invest a small fortune to help create a FOSS OS, in their own native language (it was called “Caixa Magica”- “Magic Box”, and cam preinstalled, in dual boot with Windows 7, on computers that were distributed to young kids), and also invest money to help localize an Office Suite (then LibreOffice.org) and, you guessed it, use proprietary OSes and Office suits in all goverment services? At least, here, in Portugal, all official documents are, by law, in .pdf form…
Also, I read a report that Disney+ no longer worked in Linux? Do you want to know why? The browser had to report it was running in Windows (or, I assume, MacOS). The only way, when that happened, to watch that streaming service in Linux was to force the Browser to report it was a Windows one… Hum… Stupidty or lobies working their way?

My point – one gets good at Linux by using it. But one can’t use it all the time, everywhere…
Fortunatly, now (and in the forseable future) many services are moving on-line – you can already use the most used Office suit in the world, on-line, in a browser, it runs just fine in a Linux web browser. You can use a version of the most used paid Graphics Program in the world, on-line too… Fortunatly for Linux, the powers that be seem to think that instead of owning software, users should pay to use it as an on-line service – bad for users around the world (that have to pay until the end of time to use something), but also good for people that intende to use those services on Linux- hey, they may even learn that they can run perfectly valid alternatives to those paid services, off line, much faster and for free, on their devices, without paying a cent, without being spyed on!

Sorry, once again for the long rant!

P.

• This reply was modified 5 months, 1 week ago by PPC.

[Moderator Brian Masinick]

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@PPC: The work I cited is definitely an opinion piece, and a “biased” opinion piece at that.

When I was still working, in all except one or two jobs over my entire career, I had to use Windows or IBM mainframe systems in order to be employed.

Even as a retiree, if I go somewhere and use some computer access in a public location or at someone else’s business or home, I have to use what they have.

I personally own Google devices, so I’m also bound to whatever they provide. They have “some” freely available software in certain places, but most of it is licensed and restricted, and it’s definitely commercial, whether it costs money to use or not. Such equipment, whether Windows, Google, or Apple devices, contain mechanisms which most of us have zero or extremely limited control over, except to seek our own ways to use what we want; that’s not always possible if we want to work.

These days I do have more freedom of choice because I’m not bound by any employer, so as long as I keep my own devices handy, I have some degree of choice.
Most people don’t have that choice except if they’re able to use something like antiX, so I’m very grateful for those who have made this possible and continue to do so.

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Brian Masinick

[Forum Admin anticapitalista]

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All irrelevant posts about gimp, mtpaint removed (including my own).
If you want to give tips on gimp or mtpaint, start a new thread.

Philosophers have interpreted the world in many ways; the point is to change it.

antiX with runit - leaner and meaner.

[Member ModdIt]

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Please do learn how you can use CUPS to your advantage.

PPC Wrote about old office printers that cost a fortune and that have no
Linux drivers. I guess he means cost when new.

Often well worth investigating. If the drum seems ok and toner not crazy
expensive for a refill check it out.

For testing if nobody can tell you the device prints ok it is often enough to
tap the cartridge a few times. Then output a test page. Most but not all
printers can do that solo.

Many have a PPD, a printer processing description available, that can be imported
and used with cups.
Often a PPD from the OEM will work, it does though, often need some detective work.

Example:
My Laser calls itself a Siemens printer, inside it says Tally Genicom and Samsung.
Handbook stated it can emulate PCL5e PCL6 PostScript3 IBM Pro Printer Epson and will
only work on windows, that sounded very unlikely so I took it home, cost 0 Euro..

It works well with linux, just took a while to understand how to extract then import
some different drivers (PPD) in to CUPS until I found the one best fitting.

The nice part, I got it for free with a near full toner cartridge, and it is fast,
much faster than my inkjet.

In a company or larger household use a cheap low spec box with win as a print server
then all clients can run linux and save a lot in licence costs, and nerves..

• This reply was modified 5 months, 1 week ago by ModdIt.

[Moderator Brian Masinick]

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Regarding some recent comments that remain relevant and are in this thread:

@moddit: mentioned CUPS. IF you need a printer, I also recommend learning as much as you can about CUPS, the drivers used in CUPS, and how to configure them.

Regarding a few things noted by @PPC: I’ll respond to just one at the moment: “My point – one gets good at Linux by using it. But one can’t use it all the time, everywhere…”

The first part about getting good at Linux by using it, yes, absolutely. As far as not being able to use it all the time, yes, if you work at certain companies it can be difficult. However, there is a lot more information (and jobs) available that can use Cloud-based technology, and for those who are able to obtain them, you really can use Linux almost exclusively. Now that I no longer have to chase after any and all job prospects, that has given me a lot more freedom to use whatever I want, whenever I want, and I’ve been able to use Linux on my computers and Android on my phones – the Android part isn’t 100% Linux, but the core kernel IS Linux and I also have some degree of choice in browsers and tools, so I’m not quite stuck with ONLY what Google provides, and that’s a positive thing. As far as Google, they are now a very large company, but at least they haven’t prevented me from a wide choice of software NOT limited to ONLY their software, so I’ve been able to have some degree of freedom there too.

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Brian Masinick

[Member banned]

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Thanks for that – I do hope those silly attacks on me will now cease?

anticapitalista wrote:

All irrelevant posts about gimp, mtpaint removed (including my own).

Perhaps you missed the second post here? #88242

anticapitalista wrote:

If you want to give tips on gimp or mtpaint, start a new thread.

I will gladly comply with your request 🙂 – thanks again

[Moderator Brian Masinick]

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I removed a couple of additional comments regarding GIMP (including a response to the BobC comment in my own post); that thread, to the best of our ability is clean regarding the items that were requested to be moved. If anyone spots anything we missed, please let us know and the comments will be either moved or removed. Thanks.

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Brian Masinick

[Member banned]

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Brian Masinick wrote:

I removed a couple of additional comments regarding GIMP

Hey Brian, Thanks for cleaning up all that rubbish about Gimp. Full credit to you 🙂

I will leave you guys in peace to discuss your take on learning Linux without an App in sight…! Seems very weird to me but guess you guys know where it’s at?
For me learning Linux was about learning how to use Apps that matter like LO Writer, Draw, FreeCAD, mp3 record etc and of course Gimp 🙂

Brian Masinick wrote:

If anyone spots anything we missed, please let us know and the comments will be either moved or removed.

Do you really want my wish list????? Just joking 🙂

Thanks.

Ps – that right to reply post of mine at the end of My topic on LXDE the Movie.
Did you set a world record of 1 second for removing a right to reply?
It appeared at the end of the thread and then evaporated into thin air – WO Bro – what a stitch up > impressive or what..? – Just joking 🙂

Could we have a word soon about cleaning up my topic “AntiX-22 on Old 2GB Budget Laptop – No Problemo – Video Maker :)” as the disruptor brought nothing at all to the table? – zilch! Adding nothing to help our forum with setting up an old laptop to learn Linux video making – editing? – zilch..!

EDIT – Was that you who has just deleted another right to reply from my topic “AntiX-22 on Old 2GB Budget Laptop – No Problemo – Video Maker :)” Leaving the garbage in place whilst deleting my post entirely without notice! Does this make the smear campaign now official..?

• This reply was modified 5 months, 1 week ago by banned.
• This reply was modified 5 months, 1 week ago by banned.
• This reply was modified 5 months ago by banned.

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