Ok so i'm fairly new to linux. I've only been at it for about 2 years with the VERY user friendly Kubuntu. I am alright with the terminal, I understand what most commands mean, not always the -x's. But To be good with linux do I actually have to be enthuastic about it or is it like windows where over time i'll just eventually figure it all out? I don't even use windows for anything other than playing games.

And also, how many people here use linux as their main OS?

Hiya.

Depends what you want to do with it. You won't ever figure it all out, it's incredibly deep. I'd say do as much as you feel comfortable with, and then experiment a little. Try running a mail server on it. Do some programming. Run a database server.

If you want to get into the command line stuff, learn how apropos and man work, read some old stuff - I suggest starting with Linux Gazette, it goes way back. Remember of course that things have changed a lot, but you will surprise yourself with all the things you could do since the mid 90s. It gives you an idea of where it's coming from.

Above all, get very familiar with Google! And have fun.

Me and google are best friends now. like i said i've been at it for about 2 years, and boy some of the issues this laptop has had.

I use Linux as my main os, though I did pass a couple of windows professional tests. I think it makes sense that you will get more value and fun out of linux if you put some time into studying it seriously.

I started fiddling around with Linux in 2002. It was a steep learning curve. But it's not NEARLY so hard now. Ubuntu forums, Google, even popular books are much easier to follow, written for the smart non-programmer.

I have a work computer running Ubuntu, exclusively, and a home computer running PCLinuxOS, exclusively. My son is a Mac addict, but even he admits that I manage to keep older equipment surprisingly modern, up to date, all for free. In the PC and Mac worlds, you pay for everything!

- great to hear about someone using a Linux-based operating system...

- remember, Linux is the kernel of the operating system... many of the commands and programs you'll use during your Linux-based sessions have exact counterparts in other operating systems, such as the BSDs (Open, Free, and Net), Solaris, AIX, and so on...

- so it's a Good Thing™ that you're pursuing because the skillsets you hone while using your favorite distro will carry over to other consoles and hold you in good stead as your develop your career - whatever passion you choose...

- and you will feel comfortable and at home when you sit down and compute using a shell or X-based session...

Linux: It's All Good!™

:-)

i don't know any terminal commands, but i'm running freespire on my desktop. i love it, and google is my friend too.

I've been using Ubuntu half a year now after ditching Windows 2000 (yes I know).

What I like about using Ubuntu:

- the fact that I can tweak and customize almost anything.
- installing and updating massive amounts of free software via the repositories
- no worries about spyware and viruses, or antivirus software hogging the memory
- managing windows with XFCE and Compiz-Fusion is much better than Vista
- the idea that it is MY software and no company dictating how I can or cannot use it.
- the Ubuntu forums and documentation are awesome. Much more helpful than MSDN. I could solve every problem I came across so far by searching them.

What I don't like:

- the fact that I *have* to tweak and customize to do simple things, like using multiple monitors.
- the hodgepodge of not so integrated applications and libraries that don't always work together
- buggy XGL, Flash plugin crashes Firefox all the time
- (Proprietary) driver issues. For example there is no decent driver yet for my ATI graphics card that works with the new kernel in Gutsy, so I'm stuck with Feisty
- no Adobe software available. Although the Gimp and Inkscape are nice.

I think you can get by with how-tos and copy-and-paste solutions from the forums, but like BoxOfSnoo wrote you can dig endlessly into the internals of Linux. A good place to start is getting familiar with stuff like basic GNU tools, bash scripting, rights management, the boot process, and how X works.

Adobe Photoshop 7 is working beautifully in Wine, and from 0.9.54 CS and CS2 too...

Linux has been my main OS for about 5 years.

The amount one needs to use the terminal for for normal stuff in linux is getting less and less. The same with the amount you need to know.

For example. a few years ago if you wanted good disk performance you need to know how to enable DMA. This meant you had to read man pages and figure out if you drives supported it. Test it on you sysem. Modify config files etc. Some people wanted graphical tools for enabling it. Today, it is automatical enabled if you hardware supports it. Not only do you not need to mess around, you don't even need to know it exists.

There will always be people who prefer to use the terminal and find it faster. And these people will mostly give commands to solve problems on forums, even if there is a simple graphical way to do things.

There will probably always be things that require a terminal, but I imagine these will be things that most people dont need or want to do. Things like programming, server administration, debugging etc.

I have install linux for people who have no interest in how a computer works, and would never use the terminal. Doing an install will probably always require a bit of knowledge and interest (but everyone knows a nerd :-) ).