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A Beginners Guide to Linux – Everything You Need To Know
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Linux is one of the most popular and leading operating systems that offer cutting-edge technology and security features. One of the best advantages of Linux is, it is an open-source OS. It offers fully customizable options so that you can change anything you want in Linux.
Table of Contents
What Is Linux?
Linux is a powerful kernel, and you can use it for all your work, from smart home devices to server management. If you are looking for an alternative to Windows and macOS, Linux is the best OS.
Linux is the most popular open-source operating system, which can be freely used and developed under license for anyone to use. Linux is usually packaged as a Linux distribution. This distribution is created and provided for free. Linux is an extremely user-friendly system, which has made it very popular among computer users all around the world. It can be easily installed on a computer, using the standard software methods. Those who do not have much experience with the computer, or who do not wish to spend a lot of money on purchasing pre-packaged software.
The Linux system is free software distribution, allowing the user to use the system for any purpose, commercial or not. The system can be used for corporate computing or for personal computing. It has a standard hardware platform, but can also be configured to run on different operating systems, such as Apple Macintosh and IBM Linux. A developer can create a custom system for his/her specific needs.
What Is a Desktop Environment?
The question many people have is what a desktop environment in Linux is? It simply is how all the programs and software of a given system are “installed” or placed on the desktop. Well, basically, it’s just what you see when you boot up the operating system – the graphical user interface. It’s where everything else – menus, icons, and toolbars – go. While this part of the operating system is what many people think of as the desktop, there are several other areas.
Why Use Linux Instead of Windows or macOS?
Now many of you are thinking about why to use Linux when we have Windows and macOS. There are somany reasons to use Linux over other operating systems, and we will mention a few of them here.
Windows 10 Is Slow on Older Hardware
We all know that Windows 10 required proper hardware requirements like 4GB RAM and 60 GB storage. On the other hand, Linux is a very lightweight system and can run on low hardware.
Not a fan of Windows 10 User Interface
If you don’t like Windows 10 UI and file structure, then you should try Linux. Here you can change everything the way you want.
Linux Is Free
You have to buy a license key for Windows 10 OS, whereas Linux is completely free to use.
Linux Has More Free Applications
You can enjoy all the apps for free on Linux. If you are using Windows 10, then you have to pay for some apps.
Security
Linux is more secure than Windows. It offers a built-in firewall and security tools.
Performance
As we mentioned above, Linux is a very lightweight OS and offers great performance.
Privacy
Privacy is very important nowadays, and Linux offers complete privacy of your data.
How to Choose Which Linux Distribution Should You Use?
Linux is a kernel, and the distribution is an actual version of Linux OS. Many users have asked about this question as there are somany Linux distros available. You should always go with a stable GUI distro as you are new to Linux.
If you are in the cyber security field, then you should try Kali Linux. It is a powerful OS with all tools you need for your work. Choosing a Linux Distribution is a pretty tough decision. Many aspects need to be taken into consideration for you to choose a distribution that suits your needs. I will go over some of those aspects and hopefully help you make the right choice. The first thing you should consider is what operating system you need your distribution to run on.
#1: 100% free
Most people do not even think about this question. Average users will probably think that all Linux distributions will be free because they are released under the GNU General Public License. Sadly, this is not always true. Some distributions are being released with commercial drivers in them.
You need to decide if you want to use Linux with a commercial operating system or if you want to use it as a free distro. Commercial distributions tend to be faster, more stable, and easier to use overall. However, free distributions can be much more affordable, depending on the size of your business. The distro you choose should provide you with all the tools you need for your daily use.
#2: What kind of support do you need?
Most Linux operating systems have an active community that is willing to help new users. With so many distributions out there, this is very easy to accomplish. If the distribution you are considering does not have this support, then look at another one. There is no point in using a distribution that doesn’t care about its users.
#3: Does the distribution have anything specific to what you need?
Some distros make themself very popular by offering a unique feature. Other distributions cater to a specific field. Consider the needs of your business before choosing a Linux distribution. Make sure the distribution has everything you need to run the company you want. Like Kali, Linux is specifically designed for security researchers and experts.
#5: What are the basic tools like?
Every Linux distro comes with various general software like your word processing suite, spreadsheet application, and web browser. Some also offer additional web server tools, database management tools, and image and video editing packages. The more tools like this a distribution offers, the more popular it becomes.
#6: Which are the most popular office apps out there?
Most Linux distributions have an excellent set of office apps preinstalled. Look at what the distribution can offer you, like the office suite, word processing software, spreadsheet, and the like. The more popular the office suite, the more people will be looking for it. The more people looking for the particular application, the more likely it will be installed.
#7: How user-friendly is the Linux distribution?
Some of the popular Linux distributions include Ubuntu, Fedora, Centos, Mandriva, and Fedora. Each of these is very user-friendly and has a simple setup and installation.
Popular Linux Distributions in 2022
- Easy to install
- Easy to use
- Simple UI like Windows
- Lightweight
- Free Linux distribution
- No driver requirements
Ubuntu
- Modern Linux distribution with new UI
- Easy to install
- Easy to use
- More options with UI
openSUSE
- Stable and powerful
- Complex to install and use
Fedora
- Requires little knowledge about Linux structure
- Latest Linux updates
- New tools and apps
CentOS
- Commercial Linux distribution
- Stable
- Easy to use
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Conclusion
We have shared everything you need to know about Linux basics. If you are new to Linux then this article will help you to understand Linux and its distributions. If you want to share something to want to ask any questions then comment below.
