Demystifying your fears of Linux OS: Linux for beginners
Linux might not be the problem. Change your learning style.
I have seen learners who, like me just a few months back, are scared of learning Linux. What I realized is that it’s the Terminal that intimidates us, mostly because we learned how to operate computers through the Graphic User Interface (GUI) on Windows OS, macOS, and similar platforms. But let me tell you, you can’t be good at cloud computing or cybersecurity without knowing Linux, so come with me!
Let’s even take a step back. What is an Operating System?
An Operating System(OS) is what allows you to communicate with your computer, giving it commands and interacting with the user interface. You click, but behind the scenes, it handles the saving, naming, creating, etc. for you. You cannot use your computer without an OS, just like you cannot cook without a pot.
The most popular OS is Windows, which most computer devices come pre-installed with. For Apple users, their devices run on MacOS. You may want to ask if you can use a Windows OS on an Apple device or macOS on non-Apple hardware. Shh…Don’t do that, but it is possible. Installing and using MacOS on non-Apple hardware, often referred to as creating a “Hackintosh,” is technically possible but comes with several challenges, limitations and most importantly, it violates Apple’s End User License Agreement (EULA) because macOS is licensed only for Apple hardware.
Why Choose Linux over the two Most Popular Operating Systems?
People choose Linux Because it is free and open source, unlike Windows where you need to purchase licenses from Microsoft, which often comes with an EOL(End of life). A better reason is also because Linux is customizable. You get the kernel, which is like the core or foundation of Linux itself, and customize it to fit your specific needs. This is why it is also described as powerful — Anyone can use the the core of Linux to create their own customized distribution for their personal use. You can too!
This leads us to Linux Distributions.
Linux Distributions, also refered to as ‘Distros’, are different versions of Linux, created with the Linux kernel, but customized by different companies and individuals for their different purposes.
Which Should You Choose?
The most popular distro amongst beginners is the Ubuntu, because it is user friendly, and someone transitioning from windows would find it easier to navigate. It is also general purpose.
We also have the Fedora which prioritises the use of latest features, and Debian which focuses on stability over latest features.
Then there is RedHat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) that is built for enterprise environments with a focus on stability, security, and support, and Kali Linux which is tailored for cybersecurity professionals, providing tools for vulnerability testing and ethical hacking.
Other beginner-friendly distributions include Linux Mint and Zorin OS designed for ease of use of beginners transitioning from Windows. You’ve also got Archlinux, CentOS, openSUSE, and so much more.
As I mentioned earlier, Linux is free, open source and customizable, which is why there are many other distros that we do not even know. The best distro for you depends on your use case — whether for general computing, development, security, or server management, It is left for you to research what distributions works best for the project you want to work on!
Note: While Linux is free and open source, some distributions like Red Hat Enterprise Linux (RHEL) require a paid subscription for support and services.
Getting Started with Linux?
- Choose a distribution: For a complete beginner that wants to explore Linux, I would recommend you start with Ubuntu. However, If your domain is cybersecurity, i would advice you try Kali Linux.
- Install Linux: If you want to replace your current OS to use Linux, feel free to do that. Else, if you want to explore how Linux works, while still using a your current OS, you can do this by installing a software called Virtualbox on your computer. This Virtualbox allows you to run a Virtual machine on your computer with your preferred OS. Other virtualization platforms like the VMware or Hyper-V (on Windows) serve a similar purpose, but for thisarticle, we would stick to Virtualbox.
- Let’s assume you’re using virtualbox and you chose to use Ubuntu as your distro, you will need to download an Ubuntu ISO Image. This is an Ubuntu installation file.
- Install and configure ubuntu in your virtualbox and start using!
Next Time: Basic Linux Commands!
Some Learning Resources I used while learning:
- Linux Basics for Hackers. You can download the eBook.
- Linux Foundation Certified SystemAdmin tutorial
Thanks for reading. Love as Always,
Benazir.
