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Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).

Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.

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I just started using Linux... any great tips? (sh.itjust.works)

submitted 1 year ago by [email protected] to c/[email protected]

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I just installed Ubuntu 22.04.3 LTS (Cinnamon) on an empty laptop a couple days ago and have been experimenting a lot. I'm coming from being a Windows user since I was just a little kid playing old DOS games on my grandpa's Win-98 PC back in around 2000. My daily driver is currently running Windows 10 but I am pretty adamant on not going with Win-11. I've been wanting to experiment with Linux for a while and Cinnamon so far seems like a lot of fun to navigate. Terminal is amazing. The fact that you can custom-write keyboard commands that can be hand-tailored to individual programs on your computer via the OS... that's powerful.

I have not tried running WINE yet but I plan on doing so soon. I also have not done much of anything, honestly, except for learning how to search for programs with gnome-software --search=. I have also used sudo a couple times to download software here and there, but I know I am not tackling this in as systematic of a way as I ought to be to really figure this machine out.

What are some really important basic commands I can use to start branching out into Terminal command structures and learning more about how I can edit and customize my computer? And if Cinnamon has shortfalls or weaknesses that I may run into eventually, what are some good alternative distros that I could leapfrog to eventually? I do not have any coding experience (currently), but I do consider myself a semi-power-user on Windows, having messed with CMD many times and digging through all the damn menus to access drivers and alter ports.

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[–] mrvictory1 13 points 1 year ago* (last edited 1 year ago) (2 children)

Never use sudo for graphical apps. If you need admin permissions use pkexec instead. ie. pkexec gparted

[–] [email protected] 6 points 1 year ago (1 children)

That's one I haven't heard before. Care to elaborate? And who works you use sudo on graphical apps in the first place?

[–] mrvictory1 3 points 1 year ago

Some GUI apps need admin permissions and will not work without them. Gparted is an example. pkexec (polkit exec) is the right way to start these apps, read this for more info https://askubuntu.com/questions/270006/why-should-users-never-use-normal-sudo-to-start-graphical-applications

[–] snake 1 points 1 year ago

After a quick Google, I learned that gksu is no more, ah well!