Opinions learning Ubuntu/Kubuntu

[debiani386]

Scott (angrykeyboarder) wrote:
> 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.
>
>
>
>   
i just go off of my linux experience, use the internet, and ask around. 
Also, sometimes i tinker with linux and learn by that as well

--cj