Results 1 to 8 of 8

Thread: How to get used to Ubuntu?

  1. #1
    Join Date
    Apr 2013
    Beans
    32

    Unhappy How to get used to Ubuntu?

    Hi, I just switched from Windows like many others. The problem is, I am already very very accustomed to the graphical GUI found in Windows rather than the terminal commands commonly used in Linux. Usually in Windows when I google something, I can memorize which windows opens which settings to amend and tinker around with the buttons... but with Ubuntu these few days, I kept copying lines of commands to install stuff. Getting Chrome was a nightmare. I get the shift from C:/ to / quickly because it is just folder arrangement. I have no idea when I should use sudo, tar, wget, and all that stuff along with the syntax (what if I typed wrong?) to live properly in Ubuntu. I love the new interface of Ubuntu and its speed. But I just want to get a handle on how the commands are to be used to do anything productive like download packages, run repositories and etc.... I dont expect a step-by step guide but can you guys give me links to them please?

  2. #2
    Join Date
    Aug 2011
    Location
    Melbourne, Australia.
    Beans
    Hidden!
    Distro
    Xubuntu 14.04 Trusty Tahr

    Re: Feeling absolutely stupid

    Hi,

    Welcome,

    I'm sure you will get plenty of other help, but there is one link in my signature to start.

    Cheers -
    PopularPages: A very handy Documentation Search Tool used by many.
    PopularPages Wiki Thread
    My New Blog

  3. #3
    Join Date
    Jul 2007
    Location
    Magic City of the Plains
    Beans
    Hidden!
    Distro
    Xubuntu Development Release

    Re: How to get used to Ubuntu?

    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/Repositories/Ubuntu

    https://help.ubuntu.com/community/InstallingSoftware

    https://help.ubuntu.com/community

    You should be able to accomplish most package management tasks graphically, if you would prefer that over the command line.

  4. #4
    Join Date
    Dec 2008
    Location
    Indiana, United States
    Beans
    764

    Re: How to get used to Ubuntu?

    Quote Originally Posted by clementchiew View Post
    Hi, I just switched from Windows like many others. The problem is, I am already very very accustomed to the graphical GUI found in Windows rather than the terminal commands commonly used in Linux. Usually in Windows when I google something, I can memorize which windows opens which settings to amend and tinker around with the buttons... but with Ubuntu these few days, I kept copying lines of commands to install stuff. Getting Chrome was a nightmare. I get the shift from C:/ to / quickly because it is just folder arrangement. I have no idea when I should use sudo, tar, wget, and all that stuff along with the syntax (what if I typed wrong?) to live properly in Ubuntu. I love the new interface of Ubuntu and its speed. But I just want to get a handle on how the commands are to be used to do anything productive like download packages, run repositories and etc.... I dont expect a step-by step guide but can you guys give me links to them please?
    sudo allows you to run commands that you normally can't as a standard user. Tar is a command to extract files(think of it as zip in windows) Wget is used to download files. You can customize the behavior of a command by adding options with a - . To get a list of available options type man command.
    Whoever came up with the phrase "There is no such thing as a stupid question" obviously never had the internet.

  5. #5
    Join Date
    Jan 2008
    Beans
    7,744

    Re: How to get used to Ubuntu?

    Installing software in Ubuntu is really, really easy. Here's a great how-to: http://www.psychocats.net/ubuntu/installingsoftware

    You can use terminal commands if you like (some users prefer it) but nearly all tasks can be accomplished with a few mouse clicks. If you are ever in doubt how to do something in Ubuntu, just ask, and you will have a good answer within hours or even minutes as you have just experienced.

  6. #6
    Join Date
    Feb 2008
    Location
    Peoria, Arizona
    Beans
    67
    Distro
    Xubuntu 12.04 Precise Pangolin

    Re: How to get used to Ubuntu?

    Learning the command line can be extremely useful and you will notice often when you ask for help on the forums that people are going to suggest things that involve the command line. That is because it is easy to just post commands then give a detailed explanation of what to click and why. And also because many Linux veterans find using the command line very easy. I personally like this website for learning CLI (command line interface)

    http://linuxcommand.org/index.php

    But if you look at the top of this forum, there is also an entire sticky thread with hundreds of posts dedicated to covering the topic of learning command line. These are very useful resources!

    That said, Ubuntu is a terrific beginner version of Linux because so much can be done without ever having to look at the terminal. Acquiring software can be done via the Ubuntu Software Center which you can access from the menu. The software center has a search function and is very extensive if you are looking for a specific app. This is a little different from the way in Windows where you would probably google a program, go to its website, download, and then install it. You can do that in Linux too, though sometimes that process is a bit more involved. You might also look into installing Synaptic Package Manager. If you want to practice, you can do this from the command line via

    Code:
    sudo apt-get install synaptic

    Synaptic is pretty much the same idea as the Ubuntu Software Center but it is a bit more technical in nature, showing most software by the package names you would type into the terminal to install them.

    If you are comfortable learning CLI, I think you will find it rewarding and it will enhance your enjoyment and undertanding of how Linux work overall but if you prefer to stick with a GUI, the ones in Ubuntu are quite robust.
    We're alike, me and cat. A couple of poor nameless slobs. -- Holly Golightly

  7. #7
    Join Date
    Feb 2013
    Location
    B'ville Alabama
    Beans
    112
    Distro
    Ubuntu 13.10 Saucy Salamander

    Re: How to get used to Ubuntu?

    I'm still pretty new to Linux myself, that being said I hardly ever copy/paste commands into the terminal. I rather type it out, so I can learn the commands easier.
    After a while you will see how the terminal is faster and (to me) more fun to use than a GUI. And don't worry if you "break" something in Linux you can always re install (just dont forget to backup your data) and you got Ubuntu Forums for help.
    Cheers!
    Phenom II X4 955 Denab BE OC 3.8mhz | 8gig G.Skill 1600 RAM | Corsair 750 PSU | XFX ATI Radeon HD 5770 x2 | 1TB WD Black HDD Win7 | 160gig WD HDD Ubuntu 13.10
    --Feel like your question has been answered, mark as SOLVED!

  8. #8
    Join Date
    Nov 2009
    Beans
    Hidden!
    Distro
    Kubuntu 20.04 Focal Fossa

    Re: How to get used to Ubuntu?

    KDE found in Kubuntu has interface similar to windows. especially the classic menu.

    plenty of commands have grapgical interface. for example wget has wgetgui, tar can be done by right clicking the file and then selecting extract, sudo (or gksu for graphical programmes) usually can be done if you open as root, but not always. it gives you the power to change system files.

    the reason people give commands is because there are various interfaces (KDE, XFCE, LXDE, E17 etc.) but these commands work in all of them. furthermore they also work in various distributions especially Debian based ones.

    For example i use KDE (Kubuntu) as i find it similar to what i am used in windows. i do most stuff withouth commands. i am not familiar with Ubuntu unity interface. so if i want to help you i can give you a terminal command how to do it but i do not know where these things are in the menu or what graphical applications you have installed that might do the same thing as those commands.

    but hey at least in linux you can copy & paste commands into terminal. if chrome was difficult to install the thanks goes to google for that since they do not have a PPA.

    ther eis chromium available in repositories (software center) which i am told is not exactly the same as chrome (missing a few features, having some).
    Last edited by mastablasta; April 9th, 2013 at 06:59 AM.
    Read the easy to understand, lots of pics Ubuntu manual.
    Do i need antivirus/firewall in linux?
    Full disk backup (newer kernel -> suitable for newer PC): Clonezilla
    User friendly full disk backup: Rescuezilla

Bookmarks

Posting Permissions

  • You may not post new threads
  • You may not post replies
  • You may not post attachments
  • You may not edit your posts
  •