115 lines
4.3 KiB
Markdown
115 lines
4.3 KiB
Markdown
---
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title: You Need to Learn Linux 🐧
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date: 2021-12-17T19:16:50Z
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author: "ahmza"
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draft: false
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weight:
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tags: ["Linux"]
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description: "Here's why you should learn Linux"
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canonicalURL: "https://blog.ahmza.com/Page%28/posts/you-need-to-learn-linux.md%29"
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cover:
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image: "/webp/posts/learn-linux/feature-anim.webp" # image path/url
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alt: "learn-linux" # alt text
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caption: "<text>" # display caption under cover
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relative: false # when using page bundles set this to true
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showtoc: true
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searchHidden: false
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---
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## **Introduction**
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**You need to learn *Linux*** !!
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Without a doubt you will come across *Linux* at some point in your IT career and
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having baseline knowledge is helpful. *Linux* can seem daunting, it's
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fundamentally different compared to windows. but with a bit of time you can
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master the basics and unlock its true power.
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{{< video label="true power" webm="/webm/mha-power.webm" >}}
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## **But Why**
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- ***Linux* is everywhere**, from data centres to your smart fridge. A lot of
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developers at Google use *Linux*. In fact access to the full codebase is given
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on *Linux*.
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- **Power user?** The ability to personalise all aspects of the system **make it
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your** system. This can result in you chasing the white rabbit, but the feeling
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of booting into a system that's yours from start to finish is something else.
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- **Make it pretty** - You can create something that's **functional and beautiful**
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[r/unixporn](https://www.reddit.com/r/unixporn/)
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**Lightweight and extensible** limiting the fluff. Making *Linux* by default a
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lot faster than other operating systems.
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## **Ok but what about ...**
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- **Application Support** - Some popular applications you use may not be
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available e.g Microsoft Office and the Adobe suite. All is not lost though,
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there are alternatives if you can spend the time learning new software.
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- **Drivers** - More often than not *Linux* just works. Edge cases could rise
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that you might struggle with, don't give up Google it and dig in !!
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## **How can you start**
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> please note the steps below will require further reading to set up
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### **Install Linux as your main OS**
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**This is the full send option.** It may take you a while to acclimate but I feel
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this is the fastest option to success as you force yourself into learning.
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*Linux* Distributions I have enjoyed using:
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- [Ubuntu](https://ubuntu.com/download/desktop) - Beginner friendly
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- [Manjaro](https://manjaro.org) - OS Basics set up, provides more flexibility
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- [Arch Linux](https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/installation_guide) - Jump in the deep end, go from start to finish and learn all about *Linux's* moving parts
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### ***MacOS* Terminal**
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**If you do not own a *MacBook* skip this due to cost 💸**
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*MacOS* is *UNIX* based, **if you own a *MacBook* download a Terminal Emulator**
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-- [iterm2](https://iterm2.com/) or [kitty](https://sw.kovidgoyal.net/kitty/binary/)
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both great options -- install [Homebrew](https://brew.sh/) and get going.
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### ***Windows WSL***
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*WSL* installs the *Linux Kernel* and allows you to use the *Linux* terminal
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within *Windows*. This does have its limitations but a low bar to entry.
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### **Virtual machines**
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Virtualising *Linux* is another great option. VMs are quick to spin up and remove
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providing the ability to try out a handful of distributions with ease. This does
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come with the condition of having a device that can handle virtual machines
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meaning:
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- A CPU capable of virtualization
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- enough free RAM for the VMs
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### **Buy a secondary device**
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Have another cheap laptop or desktop to run *Linux*. This will cost you a bit
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more than the options above. If you're considering a second device then look
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at the Thinkpad lineup. These laptops are rugged and highly upgradeable.
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Two Thinkpad Models I own:
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- T440P
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- T480 *(Non S model)*
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## Conclusion
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**Why are you still reading go and get stuck in with *Linux* 💨**
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{{< video label="do it" webm="/webm/do-it.webm" >}}
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**Learning *Linux* is a journey that will take time. Enjoy the experience of
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learning and uncovering it's hidden powers.**
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I have linked some great resources for other great *Linux* related content that
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helped me:
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- [DT YouTube Channel](https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCVls1GmFKf6WlTraIb_IaJg) -
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Covers *Linux* related topics
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- [r/unixporn](https://www.reddit.com/r/unixporn/) - Get inspired and make *Linux* pretty
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- [Arch Wiki](https://wiki.archlinux.org/) - Although specific to Arch, it's a great knowledge base
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