[TAG] Linux for Dummies

[Brian Bilbrey]

Melanie Hill wrote:
> After working in this industry for nearly three days, I would like to
> request the idea, that understanding Linux requires a PhD.  For

Which industry have you been in for three days (specifically)? Is it
software sales? Hardware sales with Linux loaded on? Are ... hmmmm,
Canada ... are you working for Xandros?

> commoners like myself, anyone who understands what an open source
> operating system is, is simply a genius.  

I prefer the term bull-headedly persistent, with an abiding love of
understanding how things work and a deep distrust of the intentions of
the people from Redmond.

> From a marketing perspective
> (this means I am the person who needs to sell people on Linux) You
> people speak another language.

Actually, _you_ speak another language. (Grin, yes that's a joke)
Welcome to our world.

> If there is anyone, who is gifted enough to write a "la mens" term
> article on Linux, its purpose and how it corresponds with all that other
> stuff (Hylafax, SCSI, Really, i have no idea what those are either) I

But surely the only purpose *for* Linux is to run a SCSI-based Hylafax
server? (again, tongue firmly in cheek).

We can't do your marketing research for you, but what do you (you, not
your customers, you) need to do with Linux? Professionally? Personally?

> think it would be rather funny for others to have a laugh at.  Make fun
> of how Linux illiterate some of us are, but please, I think it would be
> funny and resourceful (at least for some of us)

My mother taught me that it was unkind to point at others and laugh
(unless they were comedians or clowns). Mimes can be shot on sight, of
course, no permit required.

***

There really are some good Linux-for-Beginners type resources available
online if you take the time with Google to find them. But first, please
feel free to read back issues of LinuxGazette:

    http://linuxgazette.net/archives.html

That's a veritable cornucopia (meaning more corn (aka intellectual
fodder) than you can cope with, I think) of Linux information, from the
useful for beginners right up through arcane.

The best way to learn to swim is to start swimming, though. You can't
learn by reading about it.

Another place chock full of Linux writings is The Linux Documentation
Project, found at:

    http://www.tldp.org/

Install Linux on a computer, start looking up the answers to your
questions on Google and assorted other resources on the web, and when
you get stuck, call on The Answer Gang, right here. But please, do read,
understand and follow the directions - especially on how to ask questions:

    http://linuxgazette.net/tag/ask-the-gang.html

Finally, remember to have fun!

best,

.brian


-- 
Brian Bilbrey : http://www.orbdesigns.com/
"A mouse is a device used to point at the xterm you want to type in"
    - A.S.R.