An Intro to Linux Part 1: What is Linux? (This Week In Linux)

[kevinatorz34]

if i have a pc why would i want linux? it sounds like this is ideal for mac users.

[franchyze922]

Thanks for the series, great info. Do I need to install Linux on my C drive? I have a small SSD with windows on it and I don't have much space left.

Thanks

[DaBoss985V2]

So hacking with linux isn't efficient?

[XCanonfireX]

Is the reason linux is so popular because its free?

[leyaspace]

I did it I did it I did it!!!!

Thank you SO much for your help!!!

eeee! so excited need to calm down!

[leyaspace]

Thank you so much!

This info is gold.

I have Linux Mint 12 kde now on a USB.

Should I plug it in and then turn on the laptop for the first time,

or plug it in after it's already turned on?

[thisweekinlinux]

@leyaspace You're very welcome. :) I'd say plug it in, then turn it on. There's probably a setting in the BIOS you'll have to change to get it to boot from USB, or there may be a button you can push to tell it to boot from USB (usually something like F8 or F12)

[leyaspace]

I just got a new laptop, an Acer Aspire One, for school.

Can I install Linux from the first set up?

I haven't opened the laptop yet, it comes with Windows 7 preloaded, but I really don't want Windows at all.

Thank you!!!!! Your vids are super helpful :)

[thisweekinlinux]

@leyaspace You should be able to. You'll just have to load whatever distribution you're interested in on a USB flash drive and boot from that.

[seeess777]

@JoshuaaParis *FACE PALM*!!. Like the tree.. Ram Your face into a fucking tree.. Please..

[Trashcansam123]

Linux is the coffee of all operating system. You make it, it's pretty good (depending on how you made it) but unfortunatley coffee does not go along with certain foods. (IE Programs)

[cloned81]

G re at intro!

[MikeAK147]

also ssh is just fantastic!

[MikeAK147]

As a NERD, I tried Linux, I liked it so I migrated, I moved back to windows because I'm a pro poker player and they don't write the software for Linux, now I just use it because it's more functional than windows for many things, e.g. imaging disks/partitions with dd, running a simple file sharing server on the web, running VMs and accessing them over the network. Considering it's free it's pretty strong shit.

[JoshuaaParis]

Can it run Crysis?

[TechnologyBird]

Fucking penguin scared the SHIT OUTTA MEE!!!!

[MrMakeman]

Thank you TWIL. Thanks to you, my mom is considering switching to Linux.  Linux is very useful for learning about computers aswell, so this will help her learn more about them.

[Imagynuity]

How long does it take to make a video when you edit it like that? I would rather see someone do a real video without jumps every 2 seconds, its really annoying. Thanks for the great information though, it is much appreciated.

[richok3t]

:O this helped a lot. Thx :)

[snazzysportstacker]

I came here because I watched that south park commercial with Linux

[NeRvExMoNsTeR]

I'll stick with my windows 7 lol

[UnionOfTheMind]

Wow are you a wizard? How the hell did you know I just typed in what is linux??

[domdomdom1993]

HOLY CRAP A PENGUIN

[DevilNeverCare]

linux is choice but it wont let me play mah sponge bob

AAAHHHHSFLNJNASXOJNFRPINDEHJBN­DE!!!

me brain hurt :C

[dde12321]

I am buying a Open Pandora, a small PC that use Linux so thats is way I am here, Linux sound so cool ^_^

[valente2k6]

r u linux ?

[AliAbbas596]

thanks man it is vary interesting video  :)

[godofbeats]

i made the full switch Tuesday. i have had enough of windows and it suckin the life out of my ram and processor.

i like Linux because it teaches you as you use it. its fun, fast

[sportmike890]

linux sounds like ass

[xarlev]

I would like to disagree, linux is a replacement to windows. There are very few things you can't do on linux that you can do on windows or mac.

[xarlev]

I would like to disagree, linux is a replacement to windows. There are very few things you can't do on linux that you can do on windows or mac.

[xarlev]

I would like to disagree, linux is a replacement to windows. There are very few things you can't do on linux that you can do on windows or mac.

[Exaltatus]

Douglas Adams Aww yeeeaaahhh!

[mysteryloser24]

Who else was watching this on a Linux machine and just typed in "What is Linux" for the hell of it? xD

[dormantrabbits]

Thank you for putting the links to all parts of the series at the top of the video!!!!! I can't believe youtube doesn't already have a feature programmed natively into the website. Make like so much easier!!!

[ligerman30]

Be honest, Linux is a great OS to do hacking on. It's secure and it's easy to hack with.

[QUINC3Y]

Linux the geek rebels! lol just kidding...  :)

[pooch18]

Hello Jordan, I've been a Linux user thanks to you for almost 6 months. This "Intro to Linux" videos were of great help to me when switching from Windows (not to mention your distro reviews helped me to make a wise choice). I tried to learn about Linux before, but there wass nothing in Spanish as easy to understand and get into Linux for the first time as your videos, so I was wondering if I could help you by translating and subtitling some of your videos?

Cheers from Mexico!

[thisweekinlinux]

@pooch18 sure, I'm definitely open to that idea.

[Just10tb]

Ha, I think I'll stick with my pc. Linux= PC+Mac/Applications•.0000005+ "choice"

[313hummer]

@Just10tb do you mean windows? lmfao

[Susipis3s]

Fuck this music, i hate that dumb melody. Thats is why i dont watch your video, really annoying.

[thisweekinlinux]

@Susipis3s yeah, this series is the only time I've ever used that song, and it was over a year ago.

[thisweekinlinux]

@monegarand yup. Work used to pay for me to go to Microsoft training, and I got to keep the books. I'm not a person to throw away a book or look a gift horse in the mouth. :P

[Sylinic]

O_O

DAT BEARD.

[u310195x]

I am from Japan.

And you explained linax easier than any other guys.

Especially, your english is very easy to understand!

Thanks for uploading awsome videos.

I am gonna keep up with you.

[thisweekinlinux]

@u310195x thank you very much!

[damnwindowshopper]

Thank you.. For the intro to Linux... Learn me master....

[BradleyKust]

How is linux with iTunes, or, in general iPhones? I know it can sync music, but how is it with apps, videos, and backing it up etc.?

[thisweekinlinux]

@BradleyKust I believe iTunes can run in Wine, but I haven't tried it. Starting with Ubuntu 10.04, support was added for using an iPhone/iPod/etc with Rhythmbox, and I think newer versions of Banshee can use it as well. Here's a video I made about it when Ubuntu added the support with 10.04: youtube.com/watch?v=PomaUh-A09­Q

[mysticNTN]

testing it now! i am liking it also. but i cant play youtube vids... but on my vista version i cant play them on chrome. so idk whats happening! haha

[thisweekinlinux]

@mysticNTN you probably need to install "ubuntu-restricted-extras". You should be able to find it in the Ubuntu Software Center.

[mysticNTN]

@thisweekinlinux thanks ill try it!

[sopgjgi87]

Can linux run toontown?

[thisweekinlinux]

@sopgjgi87 I believe ToonTown is a Windows / Mac only application. It might be possible to run it through Wine, but it might not work perfectly. I haven't played it, so I'm not sure.

[PsychoTerror915]

Ha "IM A PENGUIN" subbed :)

[TheHeroOfSatan]

why do i like things that suck?

[felixduhcat89]

Anyone know how I can go about installing and running Quake II on Ubuntu 10.10? Without Wine btw lol I have been using linux since the summer. It would be nice to finally be free of Windows Vista, since I only depend on it for quake :-p

[thegreenster224]

hello, since its an OS is it able to play World of Warcraft i know it says pc and mac only but is it possible in the future?

[vaughnage92]

@thegreenster224 dont play WOW..it comsumes lives..lol

[thisweekinlinux]

@thegreenster224 It's currently possible, actually, using a program called Wine. If you go to appdb.winehq. org, you can read all about how well it works for a lot of people.

[juriesnake]

nice video.. i have a idea in linux but not 100%.. i think this video is very usefull.. thanks..

[thisweekinlinux]

@juriesnake Thanks a lot!

[HUNTEMDOWN123]

do you like linux mint or ubuntu better?

[thisweekinlinux]

@HUNTEMDOWN123 honestly, either is fine. I tend to prefer Arch Linux, but I've got Mint on my laptop.

[egadw]

Isn't Open Source just a development ideal? Free Software comes to mind, when you mention community-based around the 2 minutes mark.

[thisweekinlinux]

@egadw Open Source means the source code is available and is free to be modified and redistributed. Free software CAN be open source, but doesn't have to be, and all open source software isn't necessarily free (case in point, Red Hat Enterprise Linux).

[egadw]

@thisweekinlinux According to Stallmans definition(at least :P) Open Source is a pro-development model and FSF is pro-community(what with their freedom to share with your neighbor). For most parts Free Software is OS because one of the freedoms is to modify and control it. I'm sure the definition of OS is wide though... Depending on the purpose and the agent expressing the definition :P

[thisweekinlinux]

@egadw cool. you've clearly done a lot more research on the differences than I have. :) I'll freely admit, I'm not really a follower of Stallman.

[egadw]

@thisweekinlinux I wouldn't call myself a follower of Stallman(eg. I'm using flash here on YT), but the ideas FSF and Stallman has are very interesting. I'm more of a functionality first, then form rather than basing my use of software entirely unto ethical and political motives(although I prefer an OS or FS program).

[thisweekinlinux]

@egadw high five for that one, man. I'm not going to turn away proprietary software for ideaological principals. I'd rather have my system work as well as possible. If I can find an OSS or FOSS solution, that's awesome. If not, I don't think twice. :)

[egadw]

@thisweekinlinux Glad to find someone being practical on YouTube! Most on YT using linux seems rather biased about principals and what not with proprietary software :P.. BTW: Are you gonna do a review of the final version of Fedora 13? I really like your review, they give a good(and short) overview of the Distros .

[thisweekinlinux]

@egadw :) glad to be in agreement. I'm all about the software being a tool, not an ideal.

I was planning to do a review of Fedora 13, but feel like I missed my window (since it's been out for a few months now). Might have to go ahead and do it anyway.

[egadw]

@thisweekinlinux You're right it's a tad late for the 13th edition, but the 14th is starting up soon. But with Opensuse, PClinuxOS, Ubuntu and Linux Mint(and some more) out, Fedora is really missing as it's (according to DistroWatch) the second-most used distro out there. If you don't want to do a review of Fedora 13, Fedora 14 would be awesome too! Anyway keep making the good videos :P.

[egadw]

@egadw It'd be a waste(in my humble opinion) to disregard in altogether, since it has some nice features and would give a good way to explain the commercial side of Linux to some users too(if some are interested).

[thisweekinlinux]

@egadw Perhaps that's a better idea. I did reviews of the Alpha and Betas of Fedora 13, so I'll look out for F14. Depending on time, I might go ahead and talk about Fedora 13, since I'm running it on my desktop right now.

[experimental0000]

@thisweekinlinux really? how is it? I added it to my virtual machine but to me it feels and looks alot like a clearlooks Ubuntu . not a bad thing seems very friendly to use :)

[thisweekinlinux]

@experimental0000 I was using Fedora before, and it worked really well, but there were some quirky performance issues with the graphics, so I moved to Arch. :/

[thisweekinlinux]

@gixxypixie I generally recommend Ubuntu or Linux Mint for beginners. It's an easy way to get used to the idea of Linux.

[onClipEvent]

Do you make the effects at the start in linux? That glowing blue thing I mean.

In what program?

[thisweekinlinux]

@onClipEvent The background for that was stock HD video footage from pond5(dot)com. I made a video called "Ask TWIL: Why I Use Fedora & Creating a Video Intro" detailing how I did it.

[kurthewett]

Hey, Jordan you should mention that there is virtually no viruses for linux

[XxJoshuaaxX]

I like how you are very Linux dedicated. I am not read to leave Windows just yet (I run it in a virtual machine for Zune) I am almost done making my transition. I'll make sure to subscribe to ya'. Very informative. :)

[thisweekinlinux]

@XxJoshuaaxX Thanks! I do my best to be 100% Linux. Sadly, work doesn't allow it, but everything else (including all my videos) are done in Linux.

Thanks for subscribing!

[simonsaidwhat]

you're awesome! perhaps it's just because you've matched the blue in the "Part- selection" with the blue on your shirt

[thisweekinlinux]

@simonsaidwhat Wow, that is a pretty close match. The blue in the annotation is one of the default colors YouTube offers. :)

[VueltaAlPasado]

I'M A PENGUIN!!!

[thisweekinlinux]

@VueltaAlPasado :) me too, and proud of it.

[metalx1000]

TaxCut online works in Linux. The site says that your browser/OS is not supported, but I just click continue. I've used it for 3 years now with Linux.

Good call on GNU/Linux. the two need each other.

[thisweekinlinux]

@metalx1000 Ah yes, I hadn't thought about TaxCut online. I know that's been the workaround for a lot of people for the last few years. I just have accountants in the family, so my taxes are perpetually done for me. :)

[metalx1000]

@thisweekinlinux: It's nice to know accountants. Great job on these intro to Linux Videos. I've been meaning to do some myself. But, I get board with the basics and tend to give way to much info for beginners. Now, I can just send them to you. So, I hope you keep making them.

[thisweekinlinux]

@metalx1000 Thanks! I've had questions about this topic quite a bit in the last few years, so I figured it would be best to just cover it from the beginning.

[drmgiver]

To all those who insist on saying "Gnu" Hey I got a piece of advice for ya: PUT A HELMET ON!

[thisweekinlinux]

@drmgiver I definitely agree and give you thumbs up on that one. Yes, it's really GNU/Linux, but I hardly think "This Week In GNU/Linux would have been a catchy title. :P

[drmgiver]

@thisweekinlinux I don't even think the whole gnu thing needs to be mentioned. It's stupid.  Oh! And I give you thumbs up if you know where that phrase comes from. lol

[thisweekinlinux]

@drmgiver "put a helmet on" ?

sounds like Brad Stine

[drmgiver]

@thisweekinlinux Ok you rock. Hes not a very well known comedian as far as I know.

[thisweekinlinux]

@drmgiver :) Thanks.

[ElSpookay]

The great thing is that you don't have to go with new, lasted bloated crap that forces you to buy a new pc. Arch Linux on a 6 year old computer, for the most part, seems to run common programs (web browsers, media players, etc.) faster than a fairly new pc with WIndows 7.

[thisweekinlinux]

@ElSpookay agreed entirely. That's why up until just a few days ago I was running an Athlon 64 machine I built in 2004 for my everyday desktop. It still did everything I needed it to do.

[freaks182]

you should post a link to part 2

[thisweekinlinux]

@freaks182 Thanks for the reminder, I was meaning to do that!

[thisweekinlinux]

@freaks182 Done. Thanks!

[TheyCallMeConfucious]

i literally lol'd at the "im a penguinn!"

[thisweekinlinux]

awesome! that's what I was going for.

[TheyCallMeConfucious]

oh and p.s. youve inspired me to try out fedora again. argh!

[hewides]

Yeah, really fine done, you are really one of the best in terms of Linux videos. Its fine you pointed out that not everything works out of the box in Linux, but Linux lets you learn about your computer, you are a part of the system, a part of a fine community. Mac is too stylish, Windows is mostly used for gaming (PS3 is far better for me), so Linux is the system to choose, its free, stable, you can do all your work on it and have no viruses etc. LINUX rules !

[thisweekinlinux]

I figure it's best to lay that out there in the beginning. If you've purchased a bunch of software and you are going to HAVE to have it all work, Linux may not be for you. ;)

I've seen so many people who just HAVE to have100% of the software they use on Windows work exactly the same way on Linux. Sometimes it just doesn't work out that way.

[librano]

Sometimes its the really basic things that need explaining. Good job on answering these questions!

[thisweekinlinux]

I've noticed that with some of the tutorials I've seen recently. Knowledge I take for granted is really advanced for a lot of people, so I figured I'd try to explain what I know.

[TheArnabDas]

spongebob sqaurepants game! :P

great video, as always!

[thisweekinlinux]

:) Taken from personal experience. My parents were on Linux for over a year after I converted them, and they kept calling me telling me about software they'd purchased and how it wasn't working. I managed to get some of it working with Wine, but that Spongebob game just didn't want to run...

[TrapStar972]

Great job. Some people well a lot of people look at you all crazy when you tell them about open source. They don't seem to believe that every ones is not here to screw them.

[thisweekinlinux]

I've gotten that "you're crazy" look quite a few times when I tell people I use Linux and open source software.

[H4x0r18]

Perfect explanation for new users. I will recommend your friend to new people I run into. And I totally agree, Linux isn't for everyone. There are many things on the self you can't just buy and expect it to work. You just have to find the alternatives, which are open source programs. :)

[thisweekinlinux]

Exactly. thanks for recommending it! One of the later videos in the series is going to be on alternatives... hopefully I can do it justice.

[edmmman]

I noticed when people talk about linux on cam they always have a penguin in the background. =P

[thisweekinlinux]

Hah, thanks for noticing. I actually purchased the big one on the right for my videos and to review, and Thinkgeek sent me the one in the top left to review after that. <3 me some Tux.

[Tru3m0sl3m]

You are doing a great job bro. and I'm looking forward to your series.

[thisweekinlinux]

Thanks a lot man!

[ThingsontheWeb]

I like the idea. 5/5

[thisweekinlinux]

Thanks! I really hope it turns out well.

[scouser73ubuntu]

Now this is what's needed for a PC user wanting to make the switch. I've been trying to persuade my brother to switch to Linux but he doesn't get the fact that because Linux is free to use, that there isn't a catch and I've come unstuck in persuading him. Anyway, a mate at work told me about Canonical and the whole free software foundation & as a former Windows XP user I have never looked back or regretted switching to Linux (Ubuntu). Great videos as always.

[thisweekinlinux]

I certainly hope it can help some people. Ubuntu is actually the distro that got me to switch as well.

[pixelr0]

or 3 .. i'm a subscriber

[thisweekinlinux]

Not sure what this is in reference to, but thanks for being a subscriber and for the comment!

[MasaruGamer]

See this is why I love this channel you are honest, and you said (the best part in my opinion) that it is an ALTERNATIVE not a REPLACEMENT.

Good video as always.

[thisweekinlinux]

:) Thanks so much! I definitely wanted to make the point that it's not a 100% drop-in replacement, because too many people say that.

[tarantula1264]

Just a quick question, what software on Linux do you use to produce your movies? Especially that cool "This week in Linux" logo in the beginning.

[thisweekinlinux]

I use Kdenlive to do all the video editing so far. the logo in the beginning is royalty-free stock footage for the background, and a logo I made for the text.

[UbuntuHelpGuy]

You make sooo good videos. Perfect videos. As we would say in Denmark: Det' der ingen ben i! (Seems like piece of cake)

[thisweekinlinux]

Thanks! I think I've gotten into a pretty good groove at this point. Now to refine things.

[davexunit]

looking forward to the rest of the series. it would be nice to have something to recommend to people that are new to linux. great work as always.

[thisweekinlinux]

I'm looking forward to making the rest of the series. :) thanks for watching and recommending it!

[htonehero]

That intro scared th sh$t out of me! I had the volume on 11 and wasn't expecting it.

[thisweekinlinux]

Hah! I actually turned the volume down on that part to 40% of normal. Glad I didn't leave it turned up all the way...

[zikalify]

so when is the next episode out? 2moro?

[thisweekinlinux]

Hopefully tomorrow afternoon/evening. I've still got to film it. Still dealing with a sick child, so it's all about making the most of the spare minutes I've got when I've got them.

[thisweekinlinux]

my kid has pneumonia. definitely not a bug. :) We're taking great care of him though.

[zikalify]

ahh sorry to hear that

[zikalify]

Tweeting this video now :)

[thisweekinlinux]

Thanks! I appreciate that.

[BudgetPCGamer]

Great job will share with my friends

[thisweekinlinux]

Thanks! Hopefully it's helpful in some way.

[EdgyRootStudios]

I love how you point out that choice is one of the main advantages of linux and not low-cost as most other people do.

[thisweekinlinux]

Choice is definitely my main reason for being here. Low cost and lack of viruses (most of them, at least) are nice, but I like knowing that I'm in complete control of my hardware and the OS license.

[roboticterror]

If it's not a replacement, than why would you want everybody to switch to it?

[thisweekinlinux]

I don't want everybody to switch to it. It's all about choice. I choose to use Linux on my machines, and not have to pay for new operating systems when they come out. I choose to be able to modify the code of my OS if I want to. :)

If someone else chooses to stick with Windows or Mac, more power to them. I'm just providing information for those that are interested in using / learning about Linux.

Thanks for the comment!

[shinto29]

nice one dude

[thisweekinlinux]

Thanks!

[sinapsis50]

wow, thank you so much starting one of these

[thisweekinlinux]

No problem. I hope it helps at least a few people.

[jay817]

Nice introduction into Linux and am enjoying your videos

[thisweekinlinux]

Thanks! I saw you pop into the IRC chatroom a moment ago. Feel free to stop by anytime!

[juppukun]

A serie of episodes for the windows/mac raised people is a tremendous idea. Keep up the good work.

[thisweekinlinux]

Thanks! I know there are a lot of "what is linux" videos out there, but I figured I'd do a whole series on how to make the transition.