Linux is for Smart People

Linux is for Smart People (And You're Not as Dumb as You Think...)

Hi, I'm Shawn, and I'm a Linux User

I Run Open Source, I RULE THE WORLD!!! Kneel Before Zod!

I Run Open Source, I RULE THE WORLD!!! Steer Clear, I'm Odd!

You're Still Awesome, Just Untrained

So What's a n00b to Do?
FIRST: Don't call your wife a n00b. Trust me.
Dual boot
Grub
Wubi
I suggest dual booting so that if you need to come up for air, you can.
Don't let Linux suffocate you. Too much of a good thing takes getting used to.
I'm still adjusting to my coffee diet.

Leave Your Computer Alone
Especially when you're learning new stuff:
Breaking your main computer is... unwise.
Even if you plan to use Linux on your main computer (SWEET!), it's good to have a playground to use.
Because really, who doesn't like playgrounds?

If in Doubt, Install a Virtual Machine

Or a Dead Badger
This is actually a pretty funny book. :)

Don't Get a Big Head
You still need help.
Linux is an operating system, but the cool part is that it's also a community. You're at SCaLE, so you know that.
There are many ways to get (and give) help.
Use some. :)

Find People Like You
LUG:
Unless you're people like me. I live in a LUGless area.
Yes I should start one.
Stop looking at me like that. I already feel guilty.

Don't Forget, YOU'RE AWESOME
Put on the superman jammies, and relax knowing there are plenty of online sources for support.
INTERACTIVE
IRC
Forums
Blogging (sorta)
STATIC
www.linuxjournal.com
The Google
Dead Trees
Books, magazines (ahem)

Most Things Have Already Been Said
Yes, this is the shameless plug slide.
But other stuff is cool too.
Google – hone your skills. Really.
Mailing list searches
Forum searches
Article searches
As a last resort, random blog posts from people you don't know

But Sometimes, YOU Must Say It.
Email lists:
Search the archives, read a few recent posts first
Forums
Search for a similar thread on your question
Blogs
Know that the info may be specific to the individual, old, wrong, or possibly exactly what you need.
Try to find a second opinion...

IRC
IRC means real-time communication.
Connect however you're comfortable
Xchat, pidgin, irssi, mibbit.com
freenode.net – lots of OS projects
#linuxjournal
Play by the rules:
Be nice
Know that people in the channel don't owe you anything
Unless they do, then still act as though they don't

How to Ask a Question
BE NICE
Don't flame, troll, belittle, threaten, or speak l337.
(especially that bit about speaking leet...)
Be patient, on all mediums, especially IRC
Don't ask stupid questions
But I thought there was no such thing as stupid questions.
Whoever told you that was stupid
But it was YOU at the last session of yours I went to
Shut up. That was a different me, a me that was jetlagged and tired. A me that was possibly really a podperson from another planet...
OK, fine, I was wrong.

Stupid Questions
A question is stupid when the asker hasn't tried non-human methods to answer it.
If you ask about the automatic cup holder spilling your drink on reboot – it's OK, assuming you've tried to find out why.
(Silly Mac users...)

Let's Solve a Problem Together. Sorta.
Ubuntu 9.10
GMA945M
Dual Screens
Compiz
Epic Fail

What NOT To Do:
Find, and beat up Jono Bacon.
He's here somewhere, the limey Brit... :)
Call Mark Shuttleworth and ask him to pay for a Windows 7 license for you.
Call your Windows friends and tell them about it. They'll NEVER stop teasing you.
Cry.

What TO Do...
Possibly switch to a different version or distro.
or...
GET HELP

POP QUIZ What would YOU do? (There may be more than one right answer)

What's Next?

The Next Step is to Complete the Circle

Let's Make a Circle NOW!!!!!
This is the new user track.
You're new users.
What are YOUR questions?
How can WE help YOU?
Shawn Powers Linux Journal Associate Editor [email_address] http://twitter.com/shawnp0wers

Linux is for Smart People

by shawnp0wers on Feb 23, 2010

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Linux is for Smart People — Presentation Transcript