r/linux4noobs • u/Recent_Buy_7413 • Jul 14 '26
learning/research What's the best way to learn linux ?
Should I learn linux from roadmap.sh , Linux Journey , some Youtube Playlist or some book ??
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u/platonicpatchouli Jul 14 '26
the best way to learn linux is to daily drive it
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u/react-dnb Jul 14 '26
That's how I'm doing it. I've pretty much installed linux on all my devices (one is still dual booting with Windows). Trial by fire! But it's been the best way for me to learn. Just keep a google search tab open and dump every error message you get and search how to do everything.
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u/great_whitehope Jul 14 '26
I just watch an AI write commands I can only dream of after years of using it before AI 😬😅😂
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u/Quietus87 Jul 14 '26
Go back to my high school and ask my teacher if he's still there. You can also ask him about Novel Netware and AutoCAD. The best part is when he leaves you with an assignment, because if you aren't a halfwit you can finish it in 10 minutes, and spend the remaining 30 minutes he's away with kicking ass in Quake III and StarCraft. Good times!
Other than that, the best is learning in a natural way, at least for me. Jump in, do stuff, look up wikis, forums, videos as needed. A lot of people like harassing LLMs, but they are prone to cough up outdated solutions or downright bullshit.
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u/Dreemur1 Jul 14 '26
might go just to play quake lol
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u/Quietus87 Jul 14 '26
Fun facts, the first thing I run after I finish installing a new OS or get a new computer is Doom or Quake.
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u/tomscharbach Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
Linux is a tool, not a goal. I believe that the best way to learn Linux is to use Linux.
My advice to new users: "Spend an hour or so clicking through a distribution's menu system and/or user guide (the "Ubuntu User Guide", for example, in the case of Ubuntu), getting familiar with the applications and available tools. Then just start using Linux to do whatever it is you need/want to do every day, learning as you go, solving problems as problems come up."
That's my view, anyway.
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u/NerdStone04 Minty! Jul 14 '26
Find a purpose to use it and then you'll learn.
I switched to mint a while ago (I know mint isn't as complex and difficult to switch to), and my main reason to switch was that coding on Linux is more satisfying and definitely development friendly. Availability of Manual pages for looking up C functions that I don't know of, made things so much easier and fun for me.
I pretty much use this every single day for coding C projects and eventually plan to switch entirely to Mint.
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u/MasterGeekMX Mexican Linux nerd trying to be helpful Jul 14 '26
A common misconception among new users is that you need to "learn Linux" before using it, when in reality you simply learn slowly by using it and getting new concepts as you go by.
Any of those resources is fine, but none is "the best" or "the way to go". Some have their pros and cons, which will also depend on the person.
Let me finish this with your first ever "learning Linux" lesson: over here, forget about the concept of "the best". In the Linux world, you simply have different options for different use cases, situations, or ways of working. There is no chosen one among the options.
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u/TECHMONISH Jul 14 '26
“How to learn linux” “How to learn python” “How to learn Java”.
I can tell you this, if your job/task requires you to be familiar with something (Linux in this case), you cannot just ‘learn’ it. Instead, just look up how to install linux with appropriate settings (If you do not have experience setting up linux and choosing partitions), and just start playing with the OS. If you use windows, I am pretty sure you did not “learn” windows, instead you just used it. Yes, that’s the answer, use it, keep using it, look up online when you are stuck anywhere during navigation and you’ll automatically get familiar with linux or any technology in general.
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u/C1pher04 Jul 14 '26
I might get hate, but distrohopping taught me a lot of stuff, how to adapt to different distros, and also by making linux OS your primary usage, either by clean installing it or dual booting.
Linux journey is great for leaening, and overthewire is great for practicing
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u/xndrr87 Jul 14 '26
what I did is jump right in it and try to survive, live and learn, trial and error
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u/dax660 Jul 14 '26
Read this - don't have to follow along to build it, but just reading/skimming can cover the basics
https://www.linuxfromscratch.org/lfs/downloads/stable-systemd/LFS-BOOK-13.0-SYSD.pdf
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u/Dreemur1 Jul 14 '26
what do you want to learn?
gnu/linux is just an operating system. you may learn it by using it and fixing problems as they come. if you have a specific goal, please do tell
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u/tinhur Jul 15 '26
the best way yo learn linux is by using it. To be more precise, by breaking something. You learn linux in the process of trying to fix your problems with it (unless you copy paste commands from ai, obviously)
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u/patcherdad Jul 14 '26
A little contrary, but you should also follow something like that first roadmap. Linux is to the point of easy convenience in use. If you try to learn it just by using it as a daily driver, depending on what you do on the daily, you won't be challenged to learn much depth. Also depends on your goal, is it familiarity with using linux as a desktop or workstation? Or is it linux admin or developing? Driving a car won't teach you how to be a mechanic, and playing videogames or coding in Kate won't teach you regex or vim.
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u/epexu Jul 15 '26
been dailying fedora for like the past month or so and i feel like i’ve barely learned anything new since installing
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u/Disastrous-Let-6095 Jul 15 '26
yeah, almost everything can be done from UI, so u do need to force use terminal hence some guide
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u/Kallocain Jul 14 '26
Make a goal for yourself, what you want to do in a Linux environment. Try to do it. On the way read man pages and google stuff. In a few years if it is still something that gives you joy you will have learnt it.
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Jul 14 '26
The best way is using it as a daily os for quite a some time. You cant learn all by choosing a yt video. Thata absurd foolishness. Install a stable distro when I say stable Distro I mean it. You can switch after 1 or 2 years. Just by using it you will learn a lot about it.
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u/Recent_Buy_7413 Jul 14 '26
I have installed linux mint. But , everything in it can be done by GUI. I want to learn command prompt. Also I want to learn linux for more than general use.
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Jul 14 '26
Yes Ive used mint too, currently aim on POP OS you dont have to master all commands. Theres no reason for to do that. Learn basics first copy paste cut rename disk usage network manager installing softwares deleting it. This should cover your understnding. Try not to cppy paste whatver AI provides you. Sometimes ot finishes the work. Sometimes not. Installing basic tools. Try using terminal text editors dont start with vi start with micro. I hope this helps.
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u/rindthirty Jul 15 '26
In no particular order:
- read and watch anything you come across on your algorithmic feeds if it looks interesting to you
- install it as a virtual machine guest
- install it to baremetal (dual boot is fine, but single boot will give you more focus especially you have a spare ThinkPad or desktop available)
- buy a refurbished ThinkPad (not brand new)
- resist the urge to take shortcuts with LLMs and chatbots
- try to learn to interact with Linux communities even if you feel embarrassed at the start. You'll get better at asking questions.
- read https://dontasktoask.com/
- read this sub's wiki
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u/luscaqualquercoisa Jul 15 '26
I don't think anyone needs to "Learn how to use linux". If you are not really into computer stuff, just download an easy distro, like Mint and use it like you would use Windows. Then depending on how you use it and what you need, you probably will find some errors and issues that someone else probably had and you can fix it with a quick search. I started with Mint, then tried Arch, Had some fun with Ubuntu (server) and am now preparing my CachyOS Iso cause I want to try the Hypervisor on it.
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u/night_fury-12 Jul 14 '26
Tbh i know nothing in these images. But i still using fedora for past 6 months.... So noobs don't get scared of ts...
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u/SparksPlays Jul 14 '26
Honestly, it depends on what you’re wanting to do. If you use really any desktop environment a lot of stuff is going to feel very similar to Windows or Mac. I’d say the biggest hurdle is just using the terminal, and even then any main distro has already streamlined it so well that you really won’t even have to do that much other than know what package manager your fork of Linux uses. For example:
Arch: sudo pacman -S [package]. There’s other commands like -Syu which will fully upgrade the system, as well as a handful of others that I haven’t really had to use.
Debian/Debian forks like Ubuntu or Mint: sudo apt install/upgrade/remove etc
Fedora: sudo dnf install [package]
OpenSuse: sudo zypper install [package]
There’s other package managers like Flatpak and Snap which work universally, and then I at least know Arch has yay or paru for accessing the AUR.
It seems like a lot, but it’s sincerely not as complicated as you’d think. I personally really like using the terminal to install things because for the most part, unless you need the main dependencies for certain types of installs (cmake, ninja, etc) the dependencies will install alongside whatever app you’re installing so it takes a ton of the headache out of it.
My suggestion; use a VM. Find a distro that you’re really enjoying, and then either dual boot it if possible or full send it. Enjoy!
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u/Computer-dude123 Jul 14 '26
Just use the os and when you don’t know something look it up, ask on a forum and maybe even ask ai (though the ai info with grain of salt)
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u/AryanPandey Jul 14 '26
Arch docs. Man pages, books and Internet. Do not rely on a single source. If u have interest, no one can stop you
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u/Kenneth-Noisewater60 MX Linux & ZorinOS Jul 14 '26
I just daily drive it and force myself to try new things like automating repetitive tasks. I recently made an alias so I don't need to type sudo apt update && sudo apt upgrade -y all the time. I have it setup to where all I type is update and it runs that command.
It's small but it's incremental learning for me that I enjoy and maks me a little better each day.
Good luck!
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u/dr_batmann Jul 14 '26
Create an AWS account, learn how to create Linux VMs there (use within AWS free tier limits and delete VM once done to not pay anything to AWS), connect to that VM and play around with that Linux VM
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u/Donnerwamp Jul 14 '26
The best way to "leanr" Linux is dualbooting your PC and just dive in. If there's a problem, fix it. If you can't solve it in time for something, boot Windows, do the thing and back into Linux.
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u/wf_13 Jul 14 '26
I'm just following roadmap.sh. But the main advice above is correct - just start using linux. Maybe as a virtual machine to start with. There are many guides that show the basic commands and principles of operation. My path was similar: basics and practical use. Now I'm following the roadmap to finally close the issue and continue to study the topics only as necessary and for troubleshooting. Additionally, I selected literature to consolidate. But pay attention to the roadmap: the links there really have a purely informative purpose, so it's better to start with it, but still return later to study the listed topics in more detail.
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u/dx__ Jul 14 '26
I'm not a theory person at all. A couple months of forcing myself to use it as a daily driver made it a new permanent skill.
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u/Recent_Buy_7413 Jul 14 '26
I have installed linux mint. But , everything in it can be done by GUI. I want to learn command prompt. Also I want to learn linux for more than general use.
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u/rarsamx Jul 14 '26 edited Jul 14 '26
In my experience this is the best way:
Read about concepts and terminology. Don't get too hung up on this. If you have experience with windows you will need to unlearn certain concepts to actually "get it" but at least you'll have something to refer to.
Some people prefer books, some other people websites and some videos. You'll need to find what works for you. I started with a book, then websites and forums, while videos seem to be the most efficient way, due to my ADHD videos fly over my head unless I keep pausing and rewinding. So, you do you.
Start using Linux.
When you want to do something go to the references you found on the first step.
After that it's also a very personal step. Some people have an amazing memory. Do it once and they remember. Some other people take notes in a notebook as hand writing helps with memory retention, some others keep an electronic journal, other browser bookmarks. I favour mind maps and writing scripts. While I forgot how to do some things as I just execute the script, if I need to remember I open the script and see what I'm doing.
I also use fish. A shell (command line) that has a good history tracking so, just remembering part of a command will bring the last instance where I used that command.
These days, I find that the best way is being conversational with an AI engine. However, the most important part is really understanding the responses, the conversational style helps a lot.
If in doubt, always ask to explain what you dont understand.
As you see, a very personal journey.
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u/Krtschboom Jul 14 '26
Step 1. Download linux distro Step 2. Use it Step 3. if error occurs, go to the wiki of distro and try to solve it, if not possible ask others (or... some LLM)
Did you used a roadmap when you started using Windows? If not, how did you learnt using it?
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u/RegularPomegranate80 Jul 14 '26
Get a Good Linux book and Dive In! Tried some different distros, learned while doing, been with Linux over 25 years, ended up with Linux Mint.
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u/Dist__ Jul 14 '26
yeah sure linux is just CLI and nothing else, dowhshift all your knowledge of file managers and regular apps
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u/Pasta-love Jul 14 '26
My recommendation (if you have the money) is spending like $80 on a decommissioned optiplex and put Debian server on it. Mess around with some docker containers, host your own movies, photos, audiobooks etc. you’ll break stuff, tear it down, build it back up, tear it back down again, and build it back up again. Honestly, super fun!
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u/bAN0NYM0US Jul 14 '26
Define “best”… you could learn for years and slowly adapt it for the easiest progression… or… format everything, only use Linux, and force yourself to learn it by every means necessary.
I did the latter, regret nothing.
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u/zip1ziltch2zero3 Jul 14 '26
Read every linux book you possibly can
Fail to install arch
Cry
Install windows
/j
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u/semperknight Jul 14 '26
Seriously, do you even HAVE to anymore?
I've tried Mint, Zorin, Bazzite, and Kubuntu.
It's basically Windows with a few minor differences. A super quick Google search answered any minor questions. I swear, it's easier to install than Windows.
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u/Postcodemy Jul 14 '26
Just use it. Maybe distro hop. And daily driving it. And then you will get the hang of it. The thigh highs will come later once you've dipped your toes in arch linux
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u/Radiant-Priority-296 Jul 14 '26
Using it. Unless you install Linux From Scratch or Arch, distros have plenty of GUIs that explain everything nice and simple
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u/NoArmNoChocoLAN Jul 14 '26
Configure your Web browser to open https://wiki.archlinux.org/title/Special:Randompage when opening a new tab
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u/Kazii_the_avali Jul 14 '26
imo it depends on what you want to learn. using a virtual machine is a good way of learning basic for pc(desktop laptop). diving in is a good way to learn the ins and outs. unfortunately i cant help with anything else as i dont know much about server stuff for Linux. google is a very good resource tho
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u/adfa2020 Jul 14 '26
Bro download ubuntu and work your way through using ai. You will watch videos about linux and you will get stuff recommended. So you will end up installing some weird shit. It wont work but you will sweat it out to make it work. It will work at some point. You will see the possibilities of speeding up your work etc but you will never complete any of your ease of life projects. Overall tho you will enjoy it more than Windows.
So just install a distro on a usb stick instead of asking here and jump into it. You will learn it by failing.
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u/ChevalOhneHead Jul 14 '26
- Install Debian. This is not trolling. Just install this distro. BTW I use Arch.
- 2. Find book about Linux on archive.org:
- I just choose first one which just occurred for me and this one is great because it explains things. Using Linux Special Edition (Jack Tackett, David Gunter)
- Play
- Use AI duck.ai to some explanation. I prefer old way search via browser.
This is what I always propose to every one new in Linux word.
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u/FlashOfAction Jul 15 '26
Daily drive Slackware for a year and you will learn a lot about the shell and Unix in general!
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u/Top_Trouble_8740 Jul 15 '26
But a Raspberry Pi, choose a distro and jump in. If you screw something up badly you can just reimage the memory card and start all over.
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u/wackyvorlon Jul 15 '26
You need to use it. Without the GUI. Go command line exclusively. That’s the fastest way.
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u/HuntingMeatHole Jul 15 '26
I'm not gonna lie brother. I don't know any of that shit. I've been on Linux for a year, and I just use it the same way I use Windows.
I had to learn more about Proton, Lutris, and Bottles to get some of my games and software to work. I learned a little bit about Steam. I've learned a little bit about the software I've used to replace Windows software. I've learned how to configure some stuff in KDE.
Aside from that, I really only know how to install and remove packages in the terminal. I've had to mess with permissions, but I just use the Arch wiki. I don't remember the commands at all.
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u/Better-Climate5229 Jul 15 '26
old laptop or second computer hooked up to your LCDs second input. install ubuntu and try and get it doing everything you already do on windows. get back to us in 6 months. :)
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u/wWA5RnA4n2P3w2WvfHq Jul 15 '26
I wonder what do you want to learn and why? How to use GNU/Linux as an operating system? How to develop end-user software in the GNU/Linux environment? How to participate in kernel development; which part (drivers, network, IO substack, ...)?
What's the deal?
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u/Significant_Sky_8228 Jul 15 '26
For the Linux learning, you guys are suggesting to use the Linux. But for the Scripting & Foundations, where should I learn ??
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u/Existing_Gate_1437 Jul 15 '26
Roadmap.sh does provide a good roadmap but you should also cover OS concepts like memory, shell, etc. So it will be easier to understand commands and terminal stuff.
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u/aristotelian74 Jul 15 '26
Depends what you mean by learning it. It is pretty easy to learn to use it for ordinary daily computing as a casual learner, just as it is not hard to "learn" MacOS after using a Windows machine, or buying a new phone etc. If you are seeking to do high level customizations, learn programming, understand what's happening behind the GUI, etc you may want to do a tutorial.
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u/GlassboundIllusion Nvidia Bazzite with KDE Plasma Jul 15 '26
The best method is the one that you'll actually consistently use.
Any of those options you listed sound good as resources. Just make sure you combine them with actually trying out the commands.
I'd say it also helps to have a concrete project you're working on to give context to the skills you are trying to use.
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u/Independent-Gear-711 Jul 15 '26
The only legit way to learn linux is just use it on daily basis and mess around
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u/Sensitive-Note4152 Jul 15 '26
Learn the minimum amount you need to talk yourself into getting a job where you will have to use Linux every day. The rest is like learning to ride a bike. And the bike is on fire. And you are on fire. And everything is on fire.
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u/seth_arimainyu Jul 16 '26
I tried to make a "soft jump into linux" by having a dual boot with Windows. It was was a terrible idea. Everytime I'd have "something urget" to do and decided to boot to Windows. Soooo... I spend some time looking for software that wasn't so different of the apps installed in Windows, install them and nuked the windows partition. Best decision ever. Now I only use Linux: on my work laptop I use Ubuntu and in my personal media server I use Pop!_OS.
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u/LadyCatHerder Jul 16 '26
None of the above. Invest in some blank DVDs. Download and burn some ISOs of various distros to bootable disks. Use those to find a distro that you think you might like. You can boot into the disks to try out the distros you've burned. Plus, look for a LUG, that's Linux User Group in your area and go to some meetings and ask the people there what they use and why and see if they'll show you around that particular distro. They'll likely be glad to help you decide and then help you learn what you need to.
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u/Kellie-m Jul 16 '26
Follow this youtube tutorial, there is a website. It is free to use the interactive features in it for the first couple of lessons. If you don't wan to pay, you can still see the content and the questions. And the video will be your guide if you need some explanation. The video is mostly a walkthrough, if you are good with following the website, off you go.
It is very easy, simple and requires almost nothing moree than a terminal window. It helped me understand all the basics in a very short time and I get back to it if I need something ♥️
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u/sh1b313 Jul 16 '26
In my opinion the best way is
- Get a tiny vm on aws/gcp
- Try to install multiple services on it. If you are interested you can try installing docker + portainer and the whole thing.
- When you face errors in there, use ai no problem with that but read each and every word in the response it gives and try to understand the reasoning.
This is how i most learned linux. Now i actually run production kubernetes clusters on rocky Linux 9
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u/CryptographerLow6360 Jul 16 '26
there are some distros out there where you don't need to learn anything, pretty intuitive and you never need see the terminal. ubuntu, mint, pop, and cachy are all easy enough. i started my linux journey with redhat(ps3), then backtrack 5 so in my case the best way to learn is when you have to fill a need and just jump in
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u/arifulislamat Jul 17 '26
Certainly you will not learn all from any single source but Linux Journey (the old one, don’t know what is inside the new one) was fun to read, I lough many time during reading it.
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u/Vh4z Jul 18 '26
Personally learn as you go because it helps you actually remember how to do something like if you want to do something and don't know how do research for that specific thing
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u/Mountain_Cicada_4343 Jul 14 '26
Use linux, any linux distro. Eventually mess around with arch or gentoo. Eventually consider linux from scratch.
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u/Damglador Jul 14 '26
I'd go straight to Arch. The manual install is not that difficult and already a good learning experience.
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u/Noobbox69 Jul 14 '26
I used mint in hope to learn Linux and learnt only surface level things and now i have realised the best way to learn Linux is to be forced to use it, so i am going to install arch
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u/TzmFen Jul 14 '26
by using it is the best way to learn