Opinions learning Ubuntu/Kubuntu

[Scott (angrykeyboarder)]

If it's not too late, I thought I'd offer my own $.02. :)

[..........]
>         
>         How did all of you learn Linux/Unburnt to the point where it's
>         like
>         breathing?

Like you, I had previous Linux experience (but only with RPM-based
distros - Mandrake (now Mandriva), RedHat, SUSE & Fedora to be
specific). I first started using Linux in 1999.

Like others mentioned, Linux distros are more similar than not, so when
it came to learning (K)Ubuntu, I went with my past experience, lots of
Google searches (honestly this is how I learn the most) and the most
excellent http://help.ubuntu.com and http://wiki.ubuntu.com.

I also learn a a lot just reading this list.

The Ubuntu forums[1] also have some excellent How-tos.

[1] http://www.ubuntuforums.org


>         This book starts off decent...but by chapter 4 it's talking
>         about things
>         that haven't been explained yet and I'm lost! 

Every Linux book I've ever bought (well, most of them anyway) was only
done so after I was thoroughly convinced it would be what I'm looking for.

Unfortunately that book doesn't really exist, so in reality, I go for
the closest thing. :)

I started on Ubuntu when it was still "freshly new" (Hoary Hedgehog) as
a distro and there weren't any Ubuntu books out (now of course there are
numerous ones). Since Ubuntu is essentially a much improved (IMHO)
version of Debian (i.e. it's Debian-based). I came across an excellent
Debian book which I've found most helpful. It's called "The Debian
System.."[2]

[2] http://preview.tinyurl.com/3c4ycz


>         
>         Also, even though I really like KDE should I learn on Kubuntu or
>         should
>         I concentrate on Ubuntu and then after I have a good idea what
>         I'm
>         doing, then go to Kubuntu/

Personally I like both KDE and GNOME so I run both (but if forced to
choose only one, I'd go with KDE).

I'd suggest running both. You can easily add the other to your existing
installation. Either by:

	$ sudo apt-get install ubuntu-desktop
	
	OR

	$ sudo apt-get install kubuntu-desktop

In the case of Kubuntu I'd also recommend...

	$ sudo apt-get install kde

Kubuntu is a fairly "light" KDE installation so a lot of KDE apps you
might be familiar with aren't installed by default. If you install both
"kubutu-desktop" and "kde" you get all of KDE plus the Kubuntu
customizations.

And personally, for GUI-based package management, nothing beats
Synaptic. If you were just using Kubuntu it's not part of it (or KDE) so
you'd have to install it manually ($ sudo apt-get install synaptic).

I do a lot of my apt-related stuff in a terminal. But for browsing
packages, nothing beats Synaptic.

Again, I'd recommend "simultaneously" running both Kubuntu and Ubuntu.

Back to books...

After Ubuntu books started appearing I bought "Ubuntu Hacks"
(O'Reilly)[3] and (just recently) Extreme Tech's "Hacking Ubuntu"
(Wiley)[4].  Both are decent, but not as good as I'd hoped.

[3]http://preview.tinyurl.com/2we9z7
[4]http://preview.tinyurl.com/38nlqy

"The Official Ubuntu Book"[5] seems very good (based on what I saw
browsing through it at a bookstore) but I didn't bother since I had most
of the information there (at that point) from other sources and it was
somewhat out of date when I looked at it.

Fortunately there will be a 2nd Edition[6] out next month.

[5]http://preview.tinyurl.com/2ps94e
[6]http://preview.tinyurl.com/3xafe8

If it's as good as the first, I'd highly recommend it.

One final note: I'd not recommend messing with Compiz, Beryl and the
like for now (at least not till you're more comfortable with [K]Ubuntu),
as they're not known for their stability.



-- 
            Scott
http://angrykeyboarder.com
©2007 angrykeyboarder™ & Elmer Fudd. All Wites Wesewved

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