How can you customize your Linux experience as a beginner?

Diving into the world of Linux can be both exciting and overwhelming. As a beginner, you may find the sheer amount of customization options available to be daunting. However, personalizing your Linux environment is a rewarding experience that can greatly enhance your productivity and comfort. Linux, a family of open-source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, offers unparalleled flexibility compared to many other operating systems. By understanding a few basic principles and tools, you can start to make Linux truly your own.

1 Choose Distro

Choosing the right Linux distribution (distro) is the first step in customizing your experience. Distros are like different flavors of Linux, each with its own set of features and community. For beginners, user-friendly distros such as Ubuntu or Linux Mint provide a gentle introduction. They come with graphical user interfaces (GUIs) that resemble Windows or macOS, making the transition easier. Additionally, these distros have extensive documentation and forums where you can seek help and advice.

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Ricardo Silva do Nascimento

SQL | DBA SQL Server Jr. | Suporte Técnico N2 | Service Desk
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Como entusiasta de tecnologia, tenho explorado alternativas ao Windows para fins de teste e desenvolvimento. Tenho experimentado também ao longo do tempo o Ubuntu em conjunto com o SQL Server, aproveitando sua estabilidade e vasta biblioteca de software. Além disso, testei as distribuições Linux Mint e Zorin OS, que oferecem interfaces familiares e amigáveis para quem está migrando do Windows. Essas experiências me permitiram considerar opções mais flexíveis e eficientes para o ambiente de trabalho.

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Maly Jhamila Medina Maylle

----Full Stack Depelover jr. | C Language | Python | Shell | Linux | CSS | HTML | GIT-GITHUB | Bash | Boostrap | SQL
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Para los principiantes, las distribuciones fáciles de usar, como Ubuntu proporcionan una introducción suave. Vienen con interfaces gráficas de usuario (Interfaces gráficas de usuario) que se asemejan a Windows o macOS, lo que facilita la transición. Además, estas distribuciones cuentan con una amplia documentación y foros donde puedes buscar ayuda y asesoramiento

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2 Install Software

Once you've selected a distro, the next step is to install software that meets your needs. Most distros come with a package manager, a tool that allows you to easily install, update, and remove software. For example, Ubuntu uses APT (Advanced Package Tool) which you can access through the command line with commands like sudo apt install [package_name] . There are also graphical package managers like Synaptic, which provide a more user-friendly way to manage software.

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Ricardo Silva do Nascimento

SQL | DBA SQL Server Jr. | Suporte Técnico N2 | Service Desk
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Com a liberação do SQL Server em sistemas Ubuntu, fiz alguns testes com as versões SQL Server e versões Ubuntu abaixo: - SQL Server 2017 (14.x) no Ubuntu 18.04. - SQL Server 2019 (15.x) no Ubuntu 20.04. - SQL Server 2022 (16.x) no Ubuntu 20.04 ou 22.04. A instalação é feita por meio de comandos no terminal, via ferramenta sqlcmd para criar bancos de dados e executar consultas. Porém como nem tudo são flores, em meus testes tive mais sucesso apenas com o SQL Server 2019 e Ubuntu 20.04.

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Maly Jhamila Medina Maylle

----Full Stack Depelover jr. | C Language | Python | Shell | Linux | CSS | HTML | GIT-GITHUB | Bash | Boostrap | SQL
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Ubuntu usa APT (Herramienta de paquete avanzada) a la que puede acceder a través de la línea de comandos con comandos como sudo apt install [paquete_nombre] . También hay administradores de paquetes gráficos como Synaptic, que proporcionan una forma más fácil de administrar el software

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3 Customize Look

Personalizing the look of your Linux desktop can make your computing experience more enjoyable. You can change backgrounds, themes, icons, and fonts through the system settings. If you want more control, you can install different desktop environments such as GNOME or KDE Plasma. These environments allow for deeper customization, from the layout of your desktop to the behavior of windows and menus. Tweaking these settings can make your workspace feel more comfortable and intuitive.

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Maly Jhamila Medina Maylle

----Full Stack Depelover jr. | C Language | Python | Shell | Linux | CSS | HTML | GIT-GITHUB | Bash | Boostrap | SQL
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Si quieres más control, puedes instalar diferentes entornos de escritorio como GNOME o KDE Plasma. Estos entornos permiten una personalización más profunda, desde el diseño de su escritorio hasta el comportamiento de las ventanas y los menús. Ajustar esta configuración puede hacer que su espacio de trabajo se sienta más cómodo e intuitivo.

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4 Command Line

The command line interface (CLI) is a powerful tool in Linux. While it might seem intimidating at first, learning basic commands can significantly improve your efficiency. You can navigate through directories, manage files, and even customize your prompt. The .bashrc file in your home directory is a script that runs every time you open a new terminal window. By editing this file, you can add aliases—shortcuts for longer commands—or modify your shell prompt to display information like the current directory or git branch.

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Maly Jhamila Medina Maylle

----Full Stack Depelover jr. | C Language | Python | Shell | Linux | CSS | HTML | GIT-GITHUB | Bash | Boostrap | SQL
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Si bien puede parecer intimidante al principio, aprender comandos básicos puede mejorar significativamente su eficiencia. Puede navegar a través de directorios, administrar archivos e incluso personalizar su mensaje.

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5 Keyboard Shortcuts

To speed up your workflow, familiarize yourself with keyboard shortcuts. Most Linux distros come with a set of default shortcuts, but you can customize these to suit your habits. For instance, you can set hotkeys for launching applications or managing windows. This customization can be done through the system settings or by using tools like dconf-editor for GNOME-based distros. Mastering keyboard shortcuts can save you time and keep your hands on the keyboard, away from the mouse.

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Maly Jhamila Medina Maylle

----Full Stack Depelover jr. | C Language | Python | Shell | Linux | CSS | HTML | GIT-GITHUB | Bash | Boostrap | SQL
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Esta personalización se puede realizar a través de la configuración del sistema o mediante el uso de herramientas como dconf-editor para distribuciones basadas en GNOME. Dominar los atajos de teclado puede ahorrarle tiempo y mantener las manos en el teclado, lejos del mouse.

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6 Network Settings

Finally, customizing network settings is important for ensuring that your Linux machine fits well in your business operations. You can manage network connections, configure proxy settings, and set up virtual private networks (VPNs) through the network manager on your Linux system. This ensures secure and reliable access to business resources. Understanding how to configure these settings will keep you connected and help safeguard your data while working in a Linux environment.

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Ricardo Silva do Nascimento

SQL | DBA SQL Server Jr. | Suporte Técnico N2 | Service Desk
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Como entusiasta de tecnologia, tenho explorado a configuração de redes no Ubuntu 20.04 para testes com o SQL Server 2019. Durante esse processo, aprendi a: - Instalar e configurar o SQL Server no Ubuntu, garantindo que ele esteja pronto para uso. - Liberar as portas necessárias (como a porta 1433) para permitir a comunicação com o SQL Server. - Configurar regras de firewall para garantir a segurança da conexão. - Testar a conectividade entre o SQL Server e aplicativos externos. Essas habilidades me permitem criar ambientes de teste eficientes e preparados para desenvolvimento, demonstrando minha capacidade de lidar com infraestrutura e redes em um ambiente Linux.

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7 Here’s what else to consider

This is a space to share examples, stories, or insights that don’t fit into any of the previous sections. What else would you like to add?

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Jens Wernborg

AI-Driven Business Strategist | Technology Innovator | Agile Leader | Startup Growth Advisor | Speaker
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Making the Linux experience fun and visually interesting is key, especially for a company where Linux is new / new to Linux! Set up a Raspberry Pi in a common area of your company. Use it to showcase the amazing things you can do with Linux. Not only does this help demonstrate the versatility and power of Linux, but it also engages colleagues of all levels who might later influence decisions related to budgets or projects. Educating and inspiring your peers in such an interactive way not only promotes learning but also supports your own tasks and goals by fostering a supportive environment. Never underestimate the power of a fun and educational demonstration!

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Ricardo Silva do Nascimento

SQL | DBA SQL Server Jr. | Suporte Técnico N2 | Service Desk
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Por fim.. por enquanto! Fazendo comparações entre as instalações e uso do SQL Server 2019 no Ubuntu 20.04 e no Windows Server 2019 Standard, cheguei a conclusão real que mesmo com a liberação da Microsoft para uso do SQL Server em uma distribuição Linux, para mim o ideal e mais produtivo é usar essa aplicação em ambiente Windows.

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How can you customize your Linux experience as a beginner?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Choose Distro

2 Install Software

3 Customize Look

4 Command Line

5 Keyboard Shortcuts

6 Network Settings

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Operations

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How can you customize your Linux experience as a beginner?

1

2

3

4

5

6

7

1 Choose Distro

2 Install Software

3 Customize Look

4 Command Line

5 Keyboard Shortcuts

6 Network Settings

7 Here’s what else to consider

Business Operations

Rate this article

Thanks for your feedback

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