Linux Basic Course for Beginners

TARGET AUDIENCE:

Absolute beginners with no Linux experience. It is preferable to have at least some familiarity with computer use on other systems such as Windows or macOS.

OBJECTIVES:

to learn more about Linux by understanding its advantages and disadvantages, to install a Linux distribution, to move around the desktop environment, to manage files and folders, to update the system, to install applications and peripherals, to perform basic customisation, and to learn about troubleshooting resources.

DURATION AND METHODOLOGY:

6 hours - in person in Trieste or online. Individual student-centred lessons full of examples and practical exercises, flexibility and customisation.

CONTENTS:

Introduction to Linux

• What Linux is and where it comes from, the concept of open source
• Why choose Linux: a comparison with popular operating systems
• There is no such thing as just one Linux. Choose the distribution best suited to your needs: the most important Linux distributions.
• There is no single graphical interface. Introduction and overview of the most common desktop environments.
• Oh but will programme XYZ run on Linux? Clarification about available software. Both proprietary and open source cross-platform alternatives to popular software.

Try Linux without risk: using Linux without hardware installation

• Test options: USB stick, virtual machine

Installing Linux on the PC: real installation on the machine

• Preparation of the actual installation: requirements verification
• The different approaches to installation: Linux-only system, dual boot on the same disk as your main system (Win/Mac) or on a different disk
• Installing the operating system
• Starting Installation
• Language and localisation
• Set the installation destination
• System start-up and login
• Practical guidelines for defining a secure password
• User creation (basic concepts on root and permissions)
• Possible installation of specific drivers and codecs

First steps and how to navigate the system

• Graphic environment: desktop, icons, etc.
• Menus, panels/docks and file manager
• Window Management
• Virtual workspaces and desktops
• Finding and launching applications
• Preferences and customisation: audio, screen, network connections, mouse, power saving, etc.
• Shut down and restart the system
• The Linux file system: how disks, files and folders are organised, differences with Windows and macOS.
• File manager: various ways to view files and folders, create folders, delete, rename, copy and move files/folders
• (Dis)connection of external storage media (disks, sticks, CD/DVD players, SD cards)
• Installation and configuration of applications and drivers
• Updating the system and applications
• Groups and Users
• Access Rights
• Archiving and compression in Linux

Terminal and command line (CLI)

• The basics of the command line: what it is and what it is for
• Basic commands for managing files/folders, installing applications and updating the system, shutting down and rebooting the system from the terminal

Dealing with problems

• What to do if an application or system crashes
• Resources for instructions and troubleshooting