Comment linux newbie-learning everyday (Score 1) 365
This is my first post to /. I wanted to comment because I would consider myself a newbie even though I've used linux on a laptop for the last 1.5 yrs.
A quick background:
My husband, Dave, set my laptop up for me (since I had not a clue) and I went from there. I just recently installed RedHat 6.1 for the first time and built in the latest kernel. The how-to's, man pages, manuals, and posts to usersgroups really helped but I have to thank Dave for patiently answering my questions. I have no computer/programming background so alot of the jargon used can be a little confusing and where to find answers or files/directories is not always obvious. It can be a little overwhelming at times too.
Unfortunately, I think its impossible to help all newbies because backgrounds are so diverse as well as willingness to dig in and learn yourself. The HowTo's and man pages are the best starting place. When I can't find what I want I often use deja powersearch to get my answer (if one exists). The HowTo's don't always help if you encounter a situation that is not in the how to. For example on my computer at work some of the linked files were either not correct or did not even exist. I could not find the answer on the Red Hat site, but I think that was partly not knowing how to navigate their web site (still learning), however I found the answer by searching linux usergroups on the deja site. It seems to me that it is not too uncommon to run into a problem that is not in a howto.
To get to the point I think it is very useful to have a guide to where all useful info lies (There's plenty of it out there!)such as HowTo's, Distribution web sites FAQs and other helpful info, usergroups and deja powersearch. Beyond that I think the support of the community at sites like this and others, and the usergroups really make a difference too. However, it would be much better if us newbies would at least check and see if the answers already exists. I have to admit its easy to start relying on the local guru but it sure is more satisfying once you figure it out and know that you can fix it/install it/etc the next time around!
A few years ago I never would have thought I could do the things I've done with computers but the support I found has really made the difference. (I've even started learning to program a bit. :-O )
Please be patient with us newbies! Someday we'll grow up to be supergeeks too. :-) I am sooo happy to not being using M$ products!
Dogmatix
A quick background:
My husband, Dave, set my laptop up for me (since I had not a clue) and I went from there. I just recently installed RedHat 6.1 for the first time and built in the latest kernel. The how-to's, man pages, manuals, and posts to usersgroups really helped but I have to thank Dave for patiently answering my questions. I have no computer/programming background so alot of the jargon used can be a little confusing and where to find answers or files/directories is not always obvious. It can be a little overwhelming at times too.
Unfortunately, I think its impossible to help all newbies because backgrounds are so diverse as well as willingness to dig in and learn yourself. The HowTo's and man pages are the best starting place. When I can't find what I want I often use deja powersearch to get my answer (if one exists). The HowTo's don't always help if you encounter a situation that is not in the how to. For example on my computer at work some of the linked files were either not correct or did not even exist. I could not find the answer on the Red Hat site, but I think that was partly not knowing how to navigate their web site (still learning), however I found the answer by searching linux usergroups on the deja site. It seems to me that it is not too uncommon to run into a problem that is not in a howto.
To get to the point I think it is very useful to have a guide to where all useful info lies (There's plenty of it out there!)such as HowTo's, Distribution web sites FAQs and other helpful info, usergroups and deja powersearch. Beyond that I think the support of the community at sites like this and others, and the usergroups really make a difference too. However, it would be much better if us newbies would at least check and see if the answers already exists. I have to admit its easy to start relying on the local guru but it sure is more satisfying once you figure it out and know that you can fix it/install it/etc the next time around!
A few years ago I never would have thought I could do the things I've done with computers but the support I found has really made the difference. (I've even started learning to program a bit.
Please be patient with us newbies! Someday we'll grow up to be supergeeks too.
Dogmatix
