Linux System Administration Training - What is Linux? Introduction to Software Programs & Desktops

Linux is an operating system (OS), like Windows.

Think of there being two general types of software: operating system and "other".
The "other" software consists of several types, including: applications (like word processors, spreadsheets and email programs), utilities and servers.
And all of this runs "on top of" an operating system, such as Windows or Linux.
Linux Commands Training Tips: The Linux OS System Administration concepts, programs and tasks covered here apply to ALL other Linux distributions, including: Red Hat, Fedora, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, Slackware, Debian, SUSE and openSUSE.

Windows and Linux Operating System (OS) Functionality

When you boot a computer with an OS, it allows you to do tasks like:

run application software programs, like a word processor, spreadsheet or email program
save data files to your hard disk, like a letter, memo or report
retrieve files so you can edit them
send your work off to print

Windows and Linux Software Programs

 In Windows, you can run lots of different application software programs. There are custom programs and off-the-shelf (common) programs. These allow you to do everything from running your bowling league to typing up a letter.
The same is true for Linux. There are thousands of custom and common Linux software programs.

Linux Training Tips: You can download several Linux distributions (versions), including thousands of software programs and get them free! Then you can run the OS to get training and as part of your training, you can watch training videos - to learn how to use Linux the easy way!

The Windows Office Suite and the Linux OpenOffice Suite

 Windows has a very popular and common collection of programs named the Office Suite. This suite consists of several programs, such as a word processing program called Word, a spreadsheet named Excel and a presentation program named PowerPoint.
Linux also has a popular and common suite of programs called OpenOffice. The word processor is named Write, the spreadsheet is named Calc and the presentation program is named Impress.

Linux Training Tips: You can download the free Linux OpenOffice suite of programs and run these programs in Windows!

Using Windows and Linux Desktop Systems

 On a Windows computer system, you boot to a desktop. From there, you use menus to select and run software programs and there are icons you can double-click on to run programs.
The same is true of Linux. You can also boot to a Linux desktop and use menus and icons to run Linux software programs.

Linux Training Tips: There are several Linux desktops to choose from, such as the GNOME and KDE desktops. Each one has the same functionality (menus, icons and organization), but has a different "look and feel".

Linux training videos, podcasts (mp3 files) and ebooks are an excellent way to continue to learn. Just use these materials to learn a popular Linux concept or command being described - and then do the steps you've just seen - to work with Linux yourself!

And now I would like to offer you free access to my Linux Commands Training Mini-Course, a 7 Lesson, Daily Mini-Course, including the free Linux Commands ebook and Linux audio podcasts - showing you how to get started learning how to use Linux commands.

You can get your instant access at: http://www.LinuxCommandsTrainingCourse.com
From Clyde Boom - The Easy Linux Training Guy - Easy, self-paced Linux training - In Plain English!

By Clyde E. Boom