discuss: Request for feedback: Windows-to-Linux HOWTO outline
Subject:
Request for feedback: Windows-to-Linux HOWTO outline
From:
Omari Norman ####@####.####
Date:
1 Dec 2005 19:17:50 -0000
Message-Id: <b4b77f3a0512011117w4cb4c799v7adb5bfbc4ab0061@mail.gmail.com>
Hi all,
I shall be updating the From DOS/Windows to Linux HOWTO. It's been
five years since it was updated, and a lot has changed since then, so
I've been developing an outline for the update.
The target audience for the document consists of home Windows users
who wish to switch to Linux. It will speak to moderately experienced
Windows users--those who have a few years experience with Windows and
who know a fair amount about how Windows works. This is for a few
reasons: 1) that's the situation I was in a few months ago, 2)
probably most people switching to Linux are at least moderately
experienced, and 3) teaching moderately experienced Windows users is
the hardest, because they know how to do most things in Windows and
may think Linux is inferior simply because they do not know how to
accomplish certain things in Linux.
Most of the updated HOWTO will discuss things that are already
documented at TLDP and elsewhere. In keeping with the modular nature
of free software, I will refer readers to those other resources as
much as possible. What's missing that I hope to add is a specific
Windows-to-Linux focus--for example, explicitly explaining to Windows
users that the process for installing new software in Linux is
extremely different from doing so in Windows. (I think this specific
point frustrates many new users and at first it was a big turnoff for
me.)
I've developed an outline that's as complete as I can think to make
it. I'd enjoy some feedback as to organization and any key topics I
may have missed.
Thanks.
Omari
Introduction
Synopsis
Who this document is for
Is Linux for you?
More security, more control
Freedom to (if you want):
to learn how computers work
to contribute
Software benefits:
much less expensive
Initial outlay lower
No need to spend $ on upkeep (e.g. AV, antispy, firewalls)
superior quality
But:
Must take time to install new system, transfer files
Must learn a different way of operating a computer
Windows way is different (not necessarily harder)
Switching may not be easy
But then, neither is continuing to use Windows.
Test drive a live CD.
Core differences
Free software
Modular applications
File system
Tree
Mounting
Case sensitive
File extensions (and lack thereof)
Multiuser system; file permissions
Most applications are included
Installing new applications
Getting help
Distribution documentation
/usr/share/doc
Desktop environment help systems
TLDP
man and info pages
Searching the Web
Usenet
Asking questions at websites
Reporting bugs
Saving documents from your Windows system
Finding all your documents
Back them up as necessary
Saving your emails
Outlook and Outlook Express
Other programs
Dealing with copy restricted WMAs and AACs
Choosing and installing a distribution
Desktops
Laptops (tuxmobil; Linux on laptops)
Desktop Applications
X, and Desktop Environments
GNOME
KDE
Others
Equivalent applications between Linux and Windows
Dial-up networking
Email, importing from Outlook
Financial files, importing from Quicken and Microsoft Money
Photos
Office
Tax (nothing yet, but Web apps available)
Wine and CrossOver Office
Multimedia playback (MP3 and DVD)
Purchasing MP3s (allofmp3, tunster)
File sharing
Burning CDs, and Windows-style packet writing
Archiving
For more information
Security
Best practices
Antivirus
System security updates
Firewalls
Installing new applications
Make sure one is not already installed
The two main Linux package types: rpm and dpkg
What a package is
What a repository is
The difference between:
dpkg and apt
rpm and {yast, urpmi, apt ...}
Dependencies and libraries
Searching for and installing packages
No rebooting needed
Other installation methods (avoid if possible)
from downloaded packages
from source
Hardware
Digital cameras
Printers
TurboPrint
Palms
iPods
Modems and Winmodems
System administration
System administration tools like Control Panel
Backup
Disk checking and defragmenting
Scheduling and automating tasks
cron
Shell scripting
Getting system configuration information
GUI tools
proc filesystem
lspci and lsusb
System and application settings (Registry)
Networking
Sharing printers and files
Startup and shutdown sequences
Working at the command line
Equivalent DOS and Linux commands
Coexistence of Linux and Windows
File and printer sharing
Linux use of Windows drive partitions
Programming
--
Omari -- Caution. The moving walkway is ending.
