LQWiki - User contributions [en]

Open a console

2011-06-11T17:17:14Z

Smile4ever: already link in text

Sometimes in your [[Linux]] life, it is important to [[open a console]] in order to send [[command]]s to the computer. These commands will be [[interpreter|interpreted]] by a [[shell]]. When you open a console, you will be presented with a [[shell prompt]] typically giving your computer's [[hostname]] (in this case it is ''tweedleburg'') like this:
tweedleburg:~ #
This means you can start typing [[commands]].

There are several ways to open a [[console]]. Depending on your [[Desktop environment]], [[install]]ed [[software]] and [[distribution]], one or more of the following procedures might work for you:
* press ALT_F2, type "[[xterm]]", then ENTER. This works for most [[distributions]].
* press ALT_F2, type "[[konsole]]", then ENTER. konsole is very user-friendly. This will work if [[KDE]] is installed.

;Note: You will often find console examples here like
# command1
or
$ command2
In these command examples do not type '$' or '#' because $ signifies that the command is run as a normal user and # means the command is being run as the root user.

= See also =
* [[Linuxintro]]
* [[Command line interface]]

[[Category:Guides]]

LinuxIntro

2011-06-11T17:16:28Z

Smile4ever: /* Open a console */

This article is an introduction to Linux. If you are already familiar with [[Windows]], you can read [[Windows to Linux Migration]] instead.

== Getting Help ==

You learn a lot when reading and writing into forums like [http://www.linuxquestions.org www.linuxquestions.org]. You can also ask questions and give answers in a [[chat]]. e.g. if you have a question regarding [[KDE]], point your [[xchat]] to irc.kde.org, port 6667, channel #kde and start asking. If you have a question regarding [[Suse]], just join channel #suse and so on.

== Guided lessons ==

As a beginner you might want to experience how to…

=== Choose a Linux Distribution ===
Main article: [[Choosing a Linux distribution]]

It is a good idea to start with a wide-spread [[distribution|distro]] such as [[SUSE]], [[Ubuntu]] or [[Fedora]], rather than a less widely used distro. More people using a Linux distribution generally means more support and more active development. If you pick some "kewl" distribution that only a few hundred people use, then you're going to have a very hard time getting your questions answered and getting bugs patched. Mainstream desktop distributions tend to be easy to use out of the box, without requiring a computer science degree to install and configure.

Many Linux distributions (ofter called "Distros") allow you to fully operate them from a live CD without having to actually install them. A live CD distro loads and runs from memory and does not perform an installation unless you chose that option. This live CD gives you the opportunity to "test drive" a system before you make any commitment of time and energy to it.

You can find a complete listing of current distributions by searching [[List_of_Linux_distributions]], which lists the various options alphabetically, by "family-tree" lineage and also some special characteristics. The list also includes outside links to pages where you can find summaries and reviews for each distribution.

=== Install Linux ===
Main article: [[Linux installation]]

Dual-boot is a hardware configuration that permits more than one operating system to be concurrently installed on your computer system. Linux can be installed for [[dual-boot]] so that you can choose between Linux and another operating system when you start your computer. If you will be running Windows and Linux in a dual-boot configuration, it's generally recommended that you load the Windows operating system (O/S) on the first drive booted by the machine BIOS. So if you are using a single hard drive that will be partitioned, you would want the Windows O/S on the first partition. If you're going to be running two separate hard drives in the same machine, you would want the Windows O/S to be on the Primary Master drive (position one) and your Linux O/S to be installed on the Primary Slave drive (position two). The Linux system will identify each IDE drive with the designation of "hd" ("sd" for SATA drives) with successive letters starting from "a", then each partition on the drive will be designated by a number so that your list of drives/partitions might read something like: "hda1 Windows System Files; hda2 Windows User Directories; hdb1 Ubuntu 10.04; hdb2 Ubuntu/home." It's a good idea to make note of where you'll be installing your Linux system and any other partitions that are to be installed as well. Also, disconnect any external devices you might have plugged into your computer, such as a flash drive, MP3 player, etc. This will keep you from accidentally over-writing files or data.

Alternatively, you can install Linux into a [[VMware]] virtual machine, or another [[virtual machine]] such as [[Virtualbox]]. In this case, you can have two or more operating systems running at the same time. The virtual machine installation is explained in more detail on the [[Virtualization]] page.

The most common method of installing Linux is to obtain a linux boot DVD or CD and basically following the install procedure and screens. The prompts are given in a straight forward language, not overly difficult to understand.

=== Open a console ===
Main article: [[Open a console]]

You need to open a [[console]] to issue [[commands]] to your Linux system. These commands will be interpreted by a program called a Shell.
A console is a window or session that presents you with a prompt line. A console normally presents a prompt line with the cursor resting at the first character past the prompt. This is where you issue your command. Any command results appear beneath your command line. When you open a console, you may be presented with a [[shell prompt]] typically displaying your computer's [[hostname]] (in this case ''tweedleburg'') :
tweedleburg:~ #
This means you may start typing [[commands]].

There are several ways to open a console. Depending on your [[Desktop environment]], [[install]]ed [[software]] and [[distribution]], one or more of the following procedures might work for you:

* There are six "virtual consoles." Entering Control-ALT-F1 will open "console 1", Control-ALT-F2 will open "console 2", with the final console opened with Control-ALT-F6. You may switch from any console to any other. Usually you are prompted to log into the linux system at each console. Once you do, you remain logged on until you log out.
* press ALT_F2, type "[[xterm]]", then ENTER. This works for most distributions.
* press ALT_F2, type "[[konsole]]", then ENTER. konsole is very user-friendly. This will work if [[KDE]] is installed.

Now that you have opened a console, Try ls as your first command. It must be entered in lower case as:
ls
and you get a listing of [[files]] in your [[directory]], similar to this:
tweedleburg:~ # ls
a.out dom index.txt main.cpp structureparser.cpp structureparser.h structureparser.h.gch

Great - now you are ready to read and understand the article about [[installing software]].

=== Install Software ===
Main article: [[Installing Software]]

As opposed to other operating systems, the easiest way to install software is not to download an installer from the web. Instead, you should use the [[system management]] tools from your [[distribution]] to do this. So, [[find out your distro]] and install the software by its installation measures. E.g. to install [[firefox]] in [[SUSE]] [[Linux]], you use
yast -i firefox
You can find a complete listing for all distributions at [[installing software]].

== Lessons in no particular order ==
Main article: [[HowTos]]

* [[Pack and unpack files]]
* [[Surf the web]]
* [[Burn a CDROM]]
* [[Scan]]
* [[Print]]
* Do [[Office tasks]] - word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, image manipulation and other
* Get help with [[Networking]]
* [[Make backups]]
* [[Play Games]]
* Do [[Multimedia tasks]]: listen to music and watch videos
** [[Use Digital Cameras and Linux]]
** [[Use Camcorders and Linux]]
** [[Use Webcams and Linux]]
** [[watch TV]]
* [[Talk to friends online]] - how to access common instant messaging networks, see also [[IM]].

== Tips ==
Main article: [[Tips]]

[[Tips]] are clever solutions to questions that may not even have come to your mind. Here are some examples:

* [[KDE specific tips]]
* [[Distribution-specific tips & tricks]]
* [[Programming tips & tricks]]
* one-[[klik]]-installs
* [[Passwordless logins]]

== Applications ==
Main article: [[Applications]]

* [[firefox]] for browsing the web
* [[mplayer]] for playing [[multimedia]] [[files]]
* [[openOffice]] for creating texts, spreadsheets and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presentation_software presentations]
* [[kmail]] for reading and writing [[mails]]

== Commands ==
Main article: [[commands]]

* [[ls]] : show a directory listing
* [[df]] -h : show how much disk space is left
* [[du]] -csh ''myfolder'' : show how much space is in use by the folder ''myfolder''
* [[cd]] : change [[directory]]
* [[cp]] -r : copy a [[file]]
* [[rm]] -r : delete a file
* [[mkdir]] : make a [[directory]]
* [[chmod]] : change the file [[permissions]]
* [[pwd]] : show current working directory
* [[whoami]] : show your user name
* [[hostname]] : show your host's name
* [[uptime]] : show the uptime of your host
* [[top]] : show the top [[CPU]] consuming [[process]]es

=== Hard drives ===
Main article: [[hard drive commands]]

* [[hwinfo]] <tt>--storage-ctrl</tt> :discover your hard disk controller
* [[hwinfo]] <tt>--block</tt> :discover what disks you have
* [[hwinfo]] <tt>--partition</tt> :discover what partitions you have
* [[fdisk]] :divide your disk [[device]]s into [[partition]]s     (USE WITH CAUTION!!)

=== NetWorking ===
Main article: [[Network commands]]

* [[hwinfo]] <tt>--netcard</tt> :find out your [[NIC]]'s type and abilities
* [[ethtool]] :find out if a cable has been plugged in (link detection)
* [[ping]] :find out if a computer is reachable
* [[ifconfig]] :set your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP-Address IP-address]
* [[route]] :set your default [[gateway]]
* [[nmap]] :find out about ports information on a computer

== See also ==

* [[A useable example desktop]]
* [[Linux Newbie FAQ]]

User talk:Smile4ever

2011-06-11T17:15:26Z

Smile4ever:

{{welcome}} --[[User:ThorstenStaerk|ThorstenStaerk]] 20:59, June 4, 2011 (UTC)
: Thank you! [[User:Smile4ever|Smile4ever]] 17:15, June 11, 2011 (UTC)

LinuxIntro

2011-06-11T17:13:49Z

Smile4ever:

This article is an introduction to Linux. If you are already familiar with [[Windows]], you can read [[Windows to Linux Migration]] instead.

== Getting Help ==

You learn a lot when reading and writing into forums like [http://www.linuxquestions.org www.linuxquestions.org]. You can also ask questions and give answers in a [[chat]]. e.g. if you have a question regarding [[KDE]], point your [[xchat]] to irc.kde.org, port 6667, channel #kde and start asking. If you have a question regarding [[Suse]], just join channel #suse and so on.

== Guided lessons ==

As a beginner you might want to experience how to…

=== Choose a Linux Distribution ===
Main article: [[Choosing a Linux distribution]]

It is a good idea to start with a wide-spread [[distribution|distro]] such as [[SUSE]], [[Ubuntu]] or [[Fedora]], rather than a less widely used distro. More people using a Linux distribution generally means more support and more active development. If you pick some "kewl" distribution that only a few hundred people use, then you're going to have a very hard time getting your questions answered and getting bugs patched. Mainstream desktop distributions tend to be easy to use out of the box, without requiring a computer science degree to install and configure.

Many Linux distributions (ofter called "Distros") allow you to fully operate them from a live CD without having to actually install them. A live CD distro loads and runs from memory and does not perform an installation unless you chose that option. This live CD gives you the opportunity to "test drive" a system before you make any commitment of time and energy to it.

You can find a complete listing of current distributions by searching [[List_of_Linux_distributions]], which lists the various options alphabetically, by "family-tree" lineage and also some special characteristics. The list also includes outside links to pages where you can find summaries and reviews for each distribution.

=== Install Linux ===
Main article: [[Linux installation]]

Dual-boot is a hardware configuration that permits more than one operating system to be concurrently installed on your computer system. Linux can be installed for [[dual-boot]] so that you can choose between Linux and another operating system when you start your computer. If you will be running Windows and Linux in a dual-boot configuration, it's generally recommended that you load the Windows operating system (O/S) on the first drive booted by the machine BIOS. So if you are using a single hard drive that will be partitioned, you would want the Windows O/S on the first partition. If you're going to be running two separate hard drives in the same machine, you would want the Windows O/S to be on the Primary Master drive (position one) and your Linux O/S to be installed on the Primary Slave drive (position two). The Linux system will identify each IDE drive with the designation of "hd" ("sd" for SATA drives) with successive letters starting from "a", then each partition on the drive will be designated by a number so that your list of drives/partitions might read something like: "hda1 Windows System Files; hda2 Windows User Directories; hdb1 Ubuntu 10.04; hdb2 Ubuntu/home." It's a good idea to make note of where you'll be installing your Linux system and any other partitions that are to be installed as well. Also, disconnect any external devices you might have plugged into your computer, such as a flash drive, MP3 player, etc. This will keep you from accidentally over-writing files or data.

Alternatively, you can install Linux into a [[VMware]] virtual machine, or another [[virtual machine]] such as [[Virtualbox]]. In this case, you can have two or more operating systems running at the same time. The virtual machine installation is explained in more detail on the [[Virtualization]] page.

The most common method of installing Linux is to obtain a linux boot DVD or CD and basically following the install procedure and screens. The prompts are given in a straight forward language, not overly difficult to understand.

=== Open a console ===
Main article: [[open a console]]

You need to open a [[console]] to issue [[commands]] to your Linux system. These commands will be interpreted by a program called a Shell.
A console is a window or session that presents you with a prompt line. A console normally presents a prompt line with the cursor resting at the first character past the prompt. This is where you issue your command. Any command results appear beneath your command line. When you open a console, you may be presented with a [[shell prompt]] typically displaying your computer's [[hostname]] (in this case ''tweedleburg'') :
tweedleburg:~ #
This means you may start typing [[commands]].

There are several ways to open a console. Depending on your [[Desktop environment]], [[install]]ed [[software]] and [[distribution]], one or more of the following procedures might work for you:

* There are six "virtual consoles." Entering Control-ALT-F1 will open "console 1", Control-ALT-F2 will open "console 2", with the final console opened with Control-ALT-F6. You may switch from any console to any other. Usually you are prompted to log into the linux system at each console. Once you do, you remain logged on until you log out.
* press ALT_F2, type "[[xterm]]", then ENTER. This works for most distributions.
* press ALT_F2, type "[[konsole]]", then ENTER. konsole is very user-friendly. This will work if [[KDE]] is installed.

Now that you have opened a console, Try ls as your first command. It must be entered in lower case as:
ls
and you get a listing of [[files]] in your [[directory]], similar to this:
tweedleburg:~ # ls
a.out dom index.txt main.cpp structureparser.cpp structureparser.h structureparser.h.gch

Great - now you are ready to read and understand the article about [[installing software]].

=== Install Software ===
Main article: [[Installing Software]]

As opposed to other operating systems, the easiest way to install software is not to download an installer from the web. Instead, you should use the [[system management]] tools from your [[distribution]] to do this. So, [[find out your distro]] and install the software by its installation measures. E.g. to install [[firefox]] in [[SUSE]] [[Linux]], you use
yast -i firefox
You can find a complete listing for all distributions at [[installing software]].

== Lessons in no particular order ==
Main article: [[HowTos]]

* [[Pack and unpack files]]
* [[Surf the web]]
* [[Burn a CDROM]]
* [[Scan]]
* [[Print]]
* Do [[Office tasks]] - word processing, spreadsheet, presentation, image manipulation and other
* Get help with [[Networking]]
* [[Make backups]]
* [[Play Games]]
* Do [[Multimedia tasks]]: listen to music and watch videos
** [[Use Digital Cameras and Linux]]
** [[Use Camcorders and Linux]]
** [[Use Webcams and Linux]]
** [[watch TV]]
* [[Talk to friends online]] - how to access common instant messaging networks, see also [[IM]].

== Tips ==
Main article: [[Tips]]

[[Tips]] are clever solutions to questions that may not even have come to your mind. Here are some examples:

* [[KDE specific tips]]
* [[Distribution-specific tips & tricks]]
* [[Programming tips & tricks]]
* one-[[klik]]-installs
* [[Passwordless logins]]

== Applications ==
Main article: [[Applications]]

* [[firefox]] for browsing the web
* [[mplayer]] for playing [[multimedia]] [[files]]
* [[openOffice]] for creating texts, spreadsheets and [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Presentation_software presentations]
* [[kmail]] for reading and writing [[mails]]

== Commands ==
Main article: [[commands]]

* [[ls]] : show a directory listing
* [[df]] -h : show how much disk space is left
* [[du]] -csh ''myfolder'' : show how much space is in use by the folder ''myfolder''
* [[cd]] : change [[directory]]
* [[cp]] -r : copy a [[file]]
* [[rm]] -r : delete a file
* [[mkdir]] : make a [[directory]]
* [[chmod]] : change the file [[permissions]]
* [[pwd]] : show current working directory
* [[whoami]] : show your user name
* [[hostname]] : show your host's name
* [[uptime]] : show the uptime of your host
* [[top]] : show the top [[CPU]] consuming [[process]]es

=== Hard drives ===
Main article: [[hard drive commands]]

* [[hwinfo]] <tt>--storage-ctrl</tt> :discover your hard disk controller
* [[hwinfo]] <tt>--block</tt> :discover what disks you have
* [[hwinfo]] <tt>--partition</tt> :discover what partitions you have
* [[fdisk]] :divide your disk [[device]]s into [[partition]]s     (USE WITH CAUTION!!)

=== NetWorking ===
Main article: [[Network commands]]

* [[hwinfo]] <tt>--netcard</tt> :find out your [[NIC]]'s type and abilities
* [[ethtool]] :find out if a cable has been plugged in (link detection)
* [[ping]] :find out if a computer is reachable
* [[ifconfig]] :set your [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/IP-Address IP-address]
* [[route]] :set your default [[gateway]]
* [[nmap]] :find out about ports information on a computer

== See also ==

* [[A useable example desktop]]
* [[Linux Newbie FAQ]]

User:Smile4ever

2011-06-04T18:30:04Z

Smile4ever: Created page with 'This page belongs to [http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/gebruiker:smile4ever Smile4ever].'

This page belongs to [http://nl.wikipedia.org/wiki/gebruiker:smile4ever Smile4ever].

Windows to Linux Migration

2011-06-04T18:28:51Z

Smile4ever: /* Clear Browser History */

=Why switch to Linux?=

There are many reasons to switch to Linux:
* No viruses or other malware (spyware, adware, etc.).
* Online support. Try getting a helpful answer from Microsoft's tech support sometime (it won't happen). With Linux, there are literally tens of thousands of people who are willing to answer your questions, for ''free'', as long as you [http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html ask good ones].
* It's free -- you won't have to pay hundreds of dollars for buggy Microsoft software any longer.

=How to make the switch=
==Pick a distribution==

There are many different Linux distributions out there. The best option for most people is to pick a widely-used distribution such as [[Ubuntu]], [[Fedora]], or [[SUSE]]. These are better supported and more actively developed than less common distributions. If for some reason, though, you feel that these don't suit your needs, take a look at [[Comparison of Linux distributions]] to find out which one will best fit you.

==How to try Linux out without messing up Windows==

If you want to keep your Windows while learning Linux, you have the following options:
* Boot from a Live CD while testing out a GNU/Linux distro. After satified all (or most) of your hardware works, then consider installing to your hard drive.
* [[booting from USB]]
* [[dual booting]] - keep Windows as well as Linux on your [[hard disk]]. Decide when [[booting]] which OS you want to use.
* using e.g. [[vmware]] to have a [[virtual machine]] on your Windows running Linux

==Finding applications==

For almost every common task, there is free Linux software that does what you need. However, these programs have different names from their Windows counterparts. For instance, if you need to edit a Microsoft Word document in Linux, then you use a program called [[OpenOffice]] Writer, rather than Microsoft Word. If you want to read PDF files, you use xpdf, Evince, or Okular (several choices) rather than Adobe Acrobat Reader.

If you know a [[Windows]] [[application]] that does what you want, but do not know the name of the equivalent [[Linux]] application, take a look at the article [[Linux software equivalent to Windows software]]. You can also natively [[run Windows software|run some Windows software]] under Linux using [[wine]].

Alternatively there is a handy website called [http://www.osalt.com/ OSAlt] which stands for Open Source Alternative. It is a large database comparing Windows applications to open source equivalents which can usually be run on Linux. If you search for the proprietary software you want, you may be surprised to find a free alternative which may even work better in some cases.

= Various Tasks =

== Set File Associations ==

=== Windows ===

Explorer | Tools | Folder Options | File Types

=== Linux ===

There are no system-wide file associations. The different desktop environment each (may) have their own file association mechanisms.

==== [[KDE]] ====

Configuration | KDE | Components | File Associations

== Clear Browser History ==

=== Windows Internet Explorer ===

Internet Explorer | Tools | Internet Options | General Tab | Clear History

=== Linux ===

Linux does not have a default default [[browser]], you can just set your personal default browser.

==== Firefox ====

You can clear [[Firefox]]'s cache in the options dialog, or even install a plugin to give you a button somewhere that does it.

==== Konqueror ====

The history of the [[Konqueror]] browser is stored in ~/.kde/share/apps/konqueror/konq_history
To Clear Go Konqueror | Setting Configure Conqueror | History Sidebar (9th item down on left side panel) | Clear History

== Kill a crashed App ==

=== In Windows ===

Ctrl-Alt-Delete

=== In Linux ===

Misbehaving programs can be terminated with the [[kill]] and [[killall]] commands. Also helpful is the [[ps]] command which lists running processes.

In some desktops (like [http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/GNOME Gnome] and [[KDE]]) you can do the following:

Ctrl-Esc bring up a task list, and allows the user to select and kill a process.

Ctrl=Alt-Esc invokes XKill, which changes the cursor to Skull & Crossbones - and allows the user to kill a program by positioning the cursor over the crashed program and clicking to kill it.

= See also =

* [[LINUXINTRO]]
* [[INTEROPERABILITY]]

[[Category:Interoperability]]