1. Linux for Dummies The presentation which would be called But for Copyright and Trademark reasons isn't

2. 30 Second Intro to Linux

Technically Linux is just a Kernel!

3. The common reference to Linux refers to the whole OS, including user space tools (sometimes referred to as GNU/Linux) 4. Linux comes in many different versions called Distros. 5. You generally download an ISO image for copying to a CDROM to boot from. 6. Wait...Distros? ISOs? WTF? 7. Distros

Each different version of Linux is called a Distribution, which is shortened to Distro

8. Different Distros have different features and are aimed at different audiences 9. Common Distros include: Ubuntu, Linux Mint, Fedora, Debian, OpenSuSE, Archlinux... 10. ISOs

An ISO file is a bit for bit copy of a CDROM or DVD

11. ISOs are also known as disk images 12. Most Linux Distros come as ISO files which you download and burn to a disk, which you can then boot from 13. On Windows, you can use InfraRecorder to burn an ISO:http://infrarecorder.org/or seehttps://help.ubuntu.com/community/BurningIsoHowto 14. Installation and Partitioning

If you have an existing OS, you may want to install Linux alongside it (this is known as dual-booting)

15. You will be prompted to select your preferred OS every time you boot your machine 16. Dual-booting generally requires that you repartition your hard drive to make space for Linux 17. The installers of most Linux Distros can do this pretty well! 18. Packages and Package Managers

Most Linux distros have package managers, which contain lists of compatible software

19. Instead of hunting down software on the Web, search in the Package Manager 20. When you find what you want, click 'Apply' and the software will be downloaded and installed automatically 21. This system also extends to updates, all software will be updated through one application 22. Applications

There are literally thousands of applications for the Linux platform

23. You may be familiar with some common Free Software applications from Windows 24. Some common applications are Firefox, OpenOffice, GIMP, Inkscape and Thunderbird 25. New applications are developed all the time (e.g. Pino, Shotwell) 26. Seehttps://help.ubuntu.com/community/WindowsApplicationsEquivalentsfor help finding equivalent applications 27. The most common applications will usually be installed by default on your Distro of choice (unlike on Windows!) 28. Drivers and Hardware

Most hardware will Just Work (TM) on Linux

29. Almost all the drivers you will require are included in the kernel 30. Some things require proprietary drivers (e.g. Nvidia graphics cards), which are usually available through the package manager 31. If it doesn't work immediately it can sometimes be quite tricky to get it working 32. Watch out for Webcams and Multifunction printers 33. Ipods work out of the box! 34. Multimedia

Most distributions play non-patent encumbered audio and video files out of the box

35. Other codecs are available in the package manager and most distros will try to install them automatically when required 36. Linux Mint is a notable exception, which has all codecs available on install 37. Flash works, but usually has to be installed direct from Adobe. 64 bit flash is in beta (as of Thursday). 38. Conclusions

Linux is a Free Operating System

39. It comes in many different versions 40. All of them are awesome (except Slackware, which is just wrong) 41. No penguins were harmed in the making of this presentation, but I accidentally stood on a BSD daemon 42. Questions? These slides are available online at http://ur1.ca/1nhp4 Go forth and install Linux