linux

an introduction to linux for an average computer user hello! here on this part of my tilde, i have written a guide on how to use linux. i assume you have no prior experience of anything linux-related, so i will try to explain everything in a way that is easy to understand. i will also try to keep it as short as possible, so you don't get bored. hopefully, by the end of this guide, you will be comfortabe using linux on your computer, without feeling like a complete imposter.

what is linux?

linux is an operating system, like windows or macos. operating systems are the software that runs on your computer, and runs all the other software you use. linux is a free and open source operating system, which means that anyone can use it, modify it, and distribute it. this is in contrast to windows and macos, which are proprietary operating systems that you have to pay for. this is one immediate benefit of linux: you can use it for free.

you may have heard of word "distro" or "distribution" in relation to linux, but don't worry if you haven't! a linux distribution is a flavour of linux with certain packages (note: on linux, pieces of software are called packages) pre-installed, and a certain look and feel. there are many different linux distributions, but they all share the same core components. some popular distributions include ubuntu, debian, fedora, and arch linux. in this guide, i will focus on debian, as i believe it strikes the right balance between user-friendliness and power. however, most of the things i will talk about will apply to other distributions as well (especially on debian-based distributions like ubuntu).

why use linux?

there are many reasons to use linux, but here are a few of the most important ones:

• freedom: linux is free and open source, which means that anybody can use it, modify it, and distribute it.
• security: the open-source nature of linux means that it is more secure than proprietary operating systems, as anyone can inspect the code and find vulnerabilities.
• stability: if you have ever used windows for anything beyond basic tasks, you have probably experienced the dreaded blue screen of death. linux is much more stable than windows, and crashes are rare (especially on debian).