You get real, practical Linux training when you get Linux running on a computer system, and you work with it to get experience.

Once you get the Linux OS (operating system) running, you can learn how to use Linux desktops, run Linux software programs, and most importantly, go to the Linux command line to run Linux commands - the real power behind Linux system administration. Two popular methods of getting to work with the Linux OS are:

1. Install Linux from CD or DVD onto the hard disk in a system

2. Boot and run Linux from Linux live CDs or DVDs (without installing Linux)

Here are some of the pros and cons of installing Linux on a system and running Linux from a live CD or DVD.

Linux Live CDs - Pros

1. The Linux OS boots and runs in just a few minutes entirely from a single Linux live CD (or DVD).

2. A lengthy Linux installation is not required. You don’t need to provide a lot of settings to the Linux installation routine and then wait while the Linux OS and Linux software programs are copied onto the hard disk.

Also, if you install Linux on Windows, you need to back up your system before you do and you may damage your Windows setup during the Linux installation - or if you remove Linux later!

3. You only need to get 1 Linux live CD or DVD, as opposed to possibly needing several when you install Linux. Therefore, if you download Linux to burn a Linux ISO file to CD / DVD, you only need to wait while 1 Linux CD / DVD is downloaded.

4. Linux live CDs / DVDs are very inexpensive. If you don’t want to download Linux as a live CD / DVD, you can order one and have it mailed to any location on the planet for a very small amount of money. Just run your browser and do a search for “list of linux cds” or “list of linux dvds”.

Linux Tips: If you are going to buy a Linux live version and you have a DVD drive, get a Linux live DVD rather than a CD. A DVD holds about six times as much as a CD. Therefore, you’ll get lots (and lots) more Linux software programs on a DVD!

5. A Linux live CD can easily be removed and taken anywhere. Portable Linux!

6. You can save your work (data files) - if you get the right Linux live CD or DVD.

Linux Tips: Before getting a Linux live CD / DVD, do some research to make sure you can save your work. Some Linux live distros let you save your data and some don’t. For example, the Ubuntu Linux live CD allows you to save your work to a USB flash drive.

Linux Live CDs - Cons

1. Although booting from a Linux live CD / DVD is faster than doing a complete Linux installation, you still need to wait while your system boots from the live CD / DVD, every time your system starts. If you usually keep your system turned on, this isn’t an issue.

2. You may not be able to save your work. Some Linux live CD / DVD distros allow you to save your work and some don’t.

3. You need to boot from the Linux live CD / DVD every time your system starts. This may not be very convenient if you need to put other CDs or DVDs in the drive while running Linux “live”. Any time you need to put something in your drive, you have to remove the live CD / DVD. This also increases the likelihood that your live CD or DVD will become damaged.

Linux Tips: Keep a copy of your current Linux live CD handy in case your working copy becomes damaged.

Either way, installing Linux or using Linux live CDs (or Linux live DVDs), is an excellent way to get Linux training so you can learn how to use Linux.

Written by Clyde Boom.

While getting Linux training to do Linux system administration, you need to learn how to understand important Linux concepts.

5 Reasons for Using Linux Video Tutorials to Learn Linux Concepts

1. You can see useful information related to the Linux concept on the screen, while the Linux concept is being described. The great thing about watching a Linux video tutorial is that you can actually see a concept being described.

For example, if you’re learning how to install Linux and create partitions, you can see how this is done while these concepts are being described.

2. You hear the reason for learning the Linux concept as well as a description of the concept itself.

Along with seeing the video tutorial, you also hear how a concept works and why you need to know the concept.

3. You can pause a Linux video tutorial whenever you need more time.

Whenever you need more time to think about a Linux concept you’re learning, you can just click on the pause button and the Linux video tutorial pauses for as long as you need!

4. You can learn Linux anywhere and at any time.

You can watch a Linux video tutorial at home, at work - or on your laptop while you’re on your way somewhere.

Whenever you have free time, you can spend some of it learning Linux.

Linux Tips: You can often get Linux video tutorials for Online Viewing or on CD. You need to be logged in on the Internet for online viewing. If you want to watch the Linux videos when you’re not connected to the Internet, such as while riding the train on the way to work, be sure to get them on CD.

5. You get to learn from someone with Linux training experience.

And if you’re watching Linux video tutorials created by an experienced Linux trainer (hint, hint), then you know you’ll learn how to use Linux commands easily!

Written by Clyde Boom.

There are over 130 Linux distributions (versions) and they can be administered (managed) by Linux Graphical User Interface (GUI) utilities - or by using Linux commands.

Linux GUI utilities give you a “point-and-click” interface for doing Linux administration tasks, like working with the Linux file system (to make directories and copy files), and to create Linux users. However, they are slow and awkward to use - and even worse, they are different from one Linux distribution to another!

On the flip side, Linux commands are virtually identical from one Linux distribution to another. So, when you learn a Linux command in one Linux distro, that same command will work in all 130+ Linux distros.

However, new Linux users often have difficulty learning how to use Linux commands to administer the Linux OS (operating system). This is because most Linux training materials are poorly written by Linux techies that don’t know how to write in plain English for people new to Linux.

Linux Tips: When you get Linux training, don’t spend time learning Linux GUI utilities - learn how to use Linux commands, even though they are a bit harder to learn than GUI utilities.

Linux Command Names

Linux command names are often an abbreviation of what the command does. For example, the rm command stands for remove.

Linux command names and command options are “case sensitive”. Lower case letters need to be typed in lower case and vice versa. You must type in a Linux command and the options of the command, exactly as shown.

Linux Tips: Be sure to put a space between the Linux command name, its options, and what the Linux command is being run “on”, such as the name of a file.

Linux Command Name Examples

Here are some Linux command examples. The task is described and then the Linux command name is shown.

make (create) a directory - the Linux command is md

create new Linux users - the useradd command is used for this

search the Linux file system for information - the Linux command is grep

see the “type” of a Linux file - the file command displays this information

see the names of new Linux users, currently working on the system - the Linux command is users

find Linux directories and files in the Linux file system - the command for this is called find

Written by Clyde Boom.