This is where we go over the basics of Linux. If you have ever been curious about how to access Linux or how to move around once it is running, this is the place for you. We are going to use one of the more popular Linux distributions. You can get it directly through Windows using something called Windows Subsystem for Linux version two, or WSL2. It is free, it works well, and it is a great place to start. On the other hand, you can also download a full version of Linux and install it yourself.

As we go through this blog, I will cover everything from the ground up. If you are the type of person who wants things explained step by step and you are looking for a place that does not judge, you are in the right spot. Along the way, I will try to cite sources and link to official documentation whenever I can. Although AI and search engines are great tools, getting familiar with the actual documentation helps you solve more problems on your own over time.

I have broken more Linux installations than I can count. I have tried so many different distributions, or distros, that I honestly cannot remember them all. When I first started I wanted to find a distro to do exactly what I needed, which was gaming. So I gravitated to distros like Pop! Os and Ubuntu, Although I did also try Fedora, TumbleWeed and Mint. I eventualy found a home in Pop! OS and then a little there after on Ubuntu. I settled there because for a daily driver for me they come with everything I need and have easy access to stable updates (including kernel versions for my fancy hardware.) Right now my Daily Driver is Ubuntu 24.04 LTS with some minor tweaks that I added along the way for creature comforts.

For the purposes of this blog, we are going to stick with the common ones. These are the distros that people actually use every day. By walking through the differences and how they are set up, you will start to understand what questions to ask when it is your turn to choose a Linux distro that fits your needs. More importantly, most of these distros use a shared set of commands. This makes it easier to learn one and later jump into others with confidence. And if something is missing, you can usually follow the error messages and install what you need with just a few steps.

Coming from Windows

Let us assume you are starting on Windows, like I did a few years ago. Windows has something called PowerShell. It was Microsoft’s way of trying to offer something similar to the Linux terminal. While it does have some interesting features, it never caught on the same way. It was not as fast or as flexible as what Linux users have had for years. Because of that, most Windows users just kept clicking through everything, even when it was slower.

Today things are different. Ubuntu and other Linux distros are now working with Microsoft to make the systems more compatible. In fact, Windows now includes official instructions on how to install Linux inside of it without needing to set up a dual boot system. You can read more about that on Microsoft’s website:
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/wsl/install

Errors messages in Windows usually end your session or leave you with a non descriptive error that doesn’t really tell you how to fix whatever is wrong. in Linux you learn to love errors as they (usually tell you) exactly where to look for the errors and sometimes even what the error is for! Even better with AI for those of you who are new you can get a solid lead on how to fix whatever the error is and drop it in any one of the more famous AI and get a hint or sometimes even the answer as to whats wrong. I highly recommend a bit of caution with this as pasting anything in the AI it now knows a whole lot about your system, never past things with PII or IP numbers or any information that someone could use to enter your system.

What Commands Actually Are

Before we install anything, it is helpful to understand what commands actually do. In both Linux and Windows, commands are what let you interact directly with your system. Instead of clicking, you type something into the terminal and the system does what you ask.

System administrators all over the world use these tools to manage everything from personal laptops to the servers that power the internet. Linux is used to run most of the web, and the idea behind it is that software should be open and free to use. This philosophy is what makes it possible for people like us to get involved, experiment, and learn.

Companies benefit from this too. When they support open source software, they get free updates, bug fixes, and improvements contributed by developers around the world. They do not have to build everything themselves. This saves time and money. At the same time, it creates a learning environment where anyone with curiosity and patience can eventually contribute back.

Some companies try to move away from open source, only to find that building everything in-house is expensive and slow. What they learn is that the community was helping them more than they realized.

If you want to explore the tools that power Linux commands, the GNU core utilities manual is a great place to start:
https://www.gnu.org/software/coreutils/manual/

What Linux Really Is

At its core, Linux is not a full operating system. It is the kernel. That means it is the part that sits between your software and your hardware. When you open a browser, the program asks the kernel for some memory. The kernel checks to see what is available and assigns the memory. It also makes sure that no other programs interfere with that same memory space.

In addition to the kernel, Linux systems also include the GNU toolset. GNU stands for GNU’s Not Unix. These are the tools that let you use commands in the terminal to interact with your system. They help you move files, download data, install software, check logs, and much more.

Most Linux distributions include GNU by default. Because of that, most of the commands work the same across different distros. That consistency makes it much easier to learn.

If you want to learn more about the GNU Project and what it offers, here is the official page:
https://www.gnu.org/gnu/gnu.html

A Few Basic Commands to Know

Here are some of the most common Linux commands that you will use regularly. You do not need to memorize them right now. We will go over them again when we start using them in the next episodes.

Command What It Does
ls Lists the contents of a folder
cd Changes your current directory
pwd Shows your current location in the file system
sudo Runs a command with admin rights
apt update Refreshes the package list
apt install Installs new software
ssh user@ip Connects to another machine using SSH
man Opens the manual for a command
cp Copies a file or folder
mv Moves or renames a file or folder
rm Deletes a file or folder
top Shows running processes and system load
ps aux Lists all running processes
df -h Displays disk usage in a human-readable format
free -h Displays memory usage in a human-readable format

If you want a shorter and more user-friendly version of command explanations, the TLDR pages are a great place to visit:
https://tldr.sh