As someone new to Linux and wanting to get Linux training, you may have heard or read about getting help with Linux by using a man page.

If you already know Linux, then you can use man pages as a reference to learn more about a Linux command or concept - and in this case, man pages can be quite useful. However, if you are new to Linux, man pages are extremely frustrating to use - and here’s why, and what you can do about it.

5 Main Headings That Are Shown - and Not Shown - on a Linux Man Page

1. NAME - Shows the command name and a brief cryptic description of what the command does.

For the grep command, the brief description is “print lines matching a pattern”.

What? Is this command used to send stuff to print to a printer. Yes, it can be used for this, but by default, Linux “prints” to “standard output”, which is the screen! Confused yet?

2. SYNOPSIS - Shows the how the command is used.

This is supposed to show you how to use the Linux command. The synopsis is also known as the “format” or “syntax” of the Linux command. If you already know what you’re doing, great. If not, this is so vague it doesn’t tell you anything.

3. DESCRIPTION - Describes what the command is used for.

Here’s part of the description of the grep command, exactly as shown on the man page for grep:

“Grep searches the named input FILEs (or standard input if no files are named, or the file name - is given) for lines containing a match to a given PATTERN. By default, grep prints the matching lines.”

Wonderful! - If you already understand all the Linux lingo being used. That is, if you already understand all the Linux terms shown above, including: named input files, standard output, match a given pattern, and prints the matching lines.

But if you’re new to Linux, forget it!

4. OPTIONS - of a Linux command.

There are over 40 options of the grep command and each one is described in the same Linux “geek-speak” as everything else on the man page.

Another big problem with man pages is that the options are all listed alphabetically. There is no way of knowing which ones are the most useful or commonly used.

Linux Tips: If you already know Linux and need to look up the name of an option that is used to do a certain task, man pages are an excellent and quick Linux resource. But if you’re a Linux newbie, look elsewhere!

5. LINUX COMMAND EXAMPLES - There are almost never Linux examples of commands on a Linux man page.

One of the best ways to learn something is by example - just show me and let me try it myself.

But one of the most difficult things to find is examples of how to use a Linux command. Out of thousands of Linux man pages, there are almost never any examples.

How to Get Linux Training on Linux Commands and Concepts

So, how does someone get Linux training on Linux commands and concepts?

1. Get a good Linux book (or Linux ebook) that shows lots of examples and is written in plain English - not “geek-speak”.

This isn’t easy to do. Lots of Linux books are written in “geek-speak” instead of in plain English - the way you need to have a Linux book.

2. Watch Linux video tutorials to get easy Linux training.

This method is great because you see and hear about important Linux concepts. You also see every step in running a Linux command, including why you run the command and what the output of the command means.

You see all the steps to run a Linux command and lots of examples of how to use Linux commands to do Linux administration tasks. After watching a bit of a Linux video, you can just pause the video and then run the Linux command yourself and experiment!

Written by Clyde Boom.

A. Linux Distributions (Distros)

A Linux distribution is a collection of software components that are put together by one or more people, a company, or an
organization. Anyone can do it - it’s open source software! These Linux software components are put together from various sources and made to work together. They are then “distributed” to the public (via download, CD or DVD) as a “distribution” - distro for short.

Popular Linux distros include Red Hat, Fedora, SUSE, Ubuntu, Mandriva (formerly Mandrake) and Puppy (yes - puppy - woof!). There are over 130 Linux distros - even a Pizza Box distro and one made by NASA that runs in the Space Shuttle!

B. Linux Distro Components

There are several software components that are common to all major Linux distros.

The common software components included in a Linux distro are: the Linux kernel, the X Window System, the Linux desktops, the GNU commands, many types of servers, and many “other” programs that allow you to lots of things, like: send email, create
graphics, play songs and movies, create CDs, and “chat” with other people online.

The Linux kernel - is the “core” or foundation of the operating system. It allows the operating system its functionality, such as
running programs, retrieving and saving data, managing files, and the capability of working with various types of hardware.

The Linux kernel is always part of a Linux system and it’s the thing that makes a system a “Linux system”. “Linux” is really
just the Linux kernel (software component). However, all the common software components in a Linux distribution are usually
referred to as “Linux”.

The X Window System - is another Linux software component and it provides Linux with the capability of having a “point-and-click” desktop environment.

The Linux desktops - are very similar to the Windows desktop and they all have the same functionality as Windows. They let you use menus and icons to easily run Linux programs. There are several different desktops that can be used with Linux.

People tend to choose one Linux desktop over another mainly as a matter of personal preference. The two most common and popular Linux desktops are named GNOME and KDE.

The GNU commands - are the Linux commands that are the real power behind administering a Linux system. They are common to all Linux distros and so the skills you learn by working with commands can be applied to all distros!

Written by Clyde Boom.