TechSource: Best Free Resources for Learning Linux

Posted: 14 Nov 2012 03:06 AM PST

Linux, well, it's probably one of the most talked-about topics on our site. Over the years, we've written many tutorials, how-tos, and news articles on this subject, and we will continue to do so for years to come. However, when it comes to introducing people to Linux, it has always been a subject that often gets overlooked. The problem lies in the very fact that bringing people into the world of Linux is not as easy as it seems. Also, there are IT professionals who have always wanted to dive into Linux but never had the time or resources to do so.

Thankfully, though, there exist a lot of great free resources on the Internet that do a great job in bringing people into the magical world of Linux. We've collected some of the best ones so that you won't have to scrounge the web for hours.

Internet Resources and Websites:

IBM

IBM has compiled a great introduction to Linux on its site. It lays down all the basics in a simple, easy-to-understand language. The article gives a great insight on what is Linux, where it is used, which programming languages are involved, who made it, and much more.

Linux.com

Linux.com excels in providing a great deal of information about the penguinian operating system. Here you can find tutorials, documentation, whitepapers, and new user guides. There is also information about careers in Linux that can be quite useful for IT professionals. The articles on the site are meant for new users as well as experienced ones. If you have any doubt, you can ask them in the answers section of the website.

The Geek Stuff

The Geek Stuff is a great website that features Linux tutorials mainly focusing on the command line. You can learn advanced command line tips and tricks that will normally take a while for new users to figure out.

Linux Knowledge Base and Tutorial

This site is a huge collection of Linux-based tutorials and articles. Both newcomers and experienced users can benefit from this site's vast resources.

About.com

About.com features an amazing collection of Linux-based tutorials and articles. Right from Linux Desktop 101 to advanced shell commands, there's stuff to learn for everyone.

Books:

The Linux Command Line

This book by William E. Shotts, Jr. is a great starter for people who want to learn about the command line. Licensed under Creative Commons, this free book can teach you a lot about the Linux command line even if you have zero experience with Linux.

Rute User's Tutorial and Exposition

This is a great book by Paul Sheer that teaches users system administration in detail. The book aims to give concise, thorough explanations and practical examples of each aspect of a UNIX system. Worth a read if you want to dive deeper into the operating system. And yes, you don't need to be a command line ninja to read this book. All you need is a little experience with Linux and everything else is nicely explained in the book.

Ubuntu Manual

If you're new to Ubuntu then the Ubuntu Manual will help you get to know the system in a simple, fun manner.

Wiki Guide

Wikibooks has written a great Linux guide for users who are new to Linux. The book is free and is not written in the Typical Wikipedia fashion. The text is easy to understand and follow through.

More Linux-based Books

This is a site that features a collection of Linux-based books from all over the Internet. You can find all the books that have been made freely available for download by the author. From general Linux books to titles on SUSE, CRUX, and Fedora, the selection is quite vast.

You may also check out our previous article about some of the most highly recommended books about Linux.

Podcasts:

Linux Outlaws

Linux Outlaws is a great podcast where you'll hear discussions on Linux and open-source news, technology, and other Linux-related topics. The show is hosted by Fabian A. Scherschel and Dan Lynch.

Linux Action Show

The Linux Action Show is one of Jupiter Broadcasting's most popular shows. The show has seen interviews with big names from the Linux community like Mark Shuttleworth, Richard Stallman, and Jono Bacon.

Linux For The Rest Of Us

Hosted by Steve McLaughlin this podcast covers Linux news, distros, open source software, and more.

Linux News:

There are some great sites to keep up with what's happening in the Linux world. Linux Today, Tuxmachines, and Lxer are some of the main sites you'll need to get the best and the latest news from the penguinland.

Written by: Abhishek, a regular TechSource contributor and a long-time FOSS advocate.