Learning Linux - Advice Needed

[ronbo 613]

I want to learn Linux. I think I'd like to start out learning how to use it with servers first, then using it as an operating system later. I was thinking I could build a basic server and use it to learn with. Does that sound like a good idea?
I know there are many flavors of Linux, but I'm sure there are many of you here that can start me off in the right direction. Any advice or insight on where to start the learning process or any other information that would help me get going would be greatly appreciated.
Thanks in advance.

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[Moop]

Check out Ubuntu. It has a server version, it installs without a gui but adding one isn't a problem. Also their support forum is unbelievably helpful. I use Ubuntu 7.04 all the time now. My XP pc has been relegated to a very expensive gaming box.

[ronbo 613]

I definitely want to learn sever applications because I will be working for ISPs and web hosting services in the near future, they all use some kind of Linux so it would be nice to at least have some idea what the heck is going on.
I was thinking of building a basic server with a few drives in it, maybe with a couple different RAID setups and network it to my Windows rigs to learn the basics.

[Moop]

I've never used the server version and I'm a noob anyway. Networking makes my head hurt!
You can download and burn a live cd of Ubuntu and boot from that to take a look around without changing anything on your pc.

Keep us updated.

[John64]

most companies use RedHat linux, not Ubuntu. I personally prefer Ubuntu thouhgh. There is no free (as in beer) red hat, but there is something called CentOS that is just the redhat sources compiled without the redhat logo. Ubuntu is a lot better, but doesn't have the background that redhat does.

[Cogar]

I agree with John64. Red Hat Enterprise Linux has the largest market share. Most of the companies that don't use Red Hat are running and SUSE Linux Enterprise. There are others, of course, but those are the two biggest players.

[pointreyes]

As John64 mentioned, you might want to consider trying CentOS, it's a free version based on Red Hat Enterprise.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/CentOS

Sounds like you might want to read up on LAMP as well.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LAMP_%28software_bundle%29

I recommend learning webmin since it's a popular web-based remote administrative tool.
http://www.webmin.com/

[swannema]

Why don't you get your feed wet with a regular distro before diving into the server world?

[ronbo 613]

Originally Posted by swannema

Why don't you get your feed wet with a regular distro before diving into the server world?

I'm going to be working for/with companies that have a load of servers so I need to get a basic grip on the operating systems they are using. I've got a pretty good idea how everything works, but I'd like to actually be able to learn some basic language so I could do simple stuff like format hard drives or check system information, basic server stuff.
I was going to get a simple server for my own three Windows computers and kind of use that as a "classroom". I have plenty of video and photo files I could use the server for and I have a small business, so I just want to get my feet wet, so to speak. I can buy a cheapo Dell Server to get going, I don't think I could build one for much cheaper than that.
I'm just getting started with this endeavor, and with all the bruhaha around here in the past few days, I appreciate you guys taking the time to give me all your advice.

[Cogar]

Originally Posted by ronbo 613

I'm going to be working for/with companies that have a load of servers so I need to get a basic grip on the operating systems they are using. I've got a pretty good idea how everything works, but I'd like to actually be able to learn some basic language so I could do simple stuff like format hard drives or check system information, basic server stuff.
I was going to get a simple server for my own three Windows computers and kind of use that as a "classroom". I have plenty of video and photo files I could use the server for and I have a small business, so I just want to get my feet wet, so to speak. I can buy a cheapo Dell Server to get going, I don't think I could build one for much cheaper than that.
I'm just getting started with this endeavor, and with all the bruhaha around here in the past few days, I appreciate you guys taking the time to give me all your advice.

If you are going to buy the computer, I recommend you get it with Linux installed already. I noticed they offer SUSE Linux Enterprise Server 10 and Red Hat Enterprise Linux 5. This will enable you to spend your time learning how to use it, not troubleshooting configuration problems. Incidentally, both of these are commercial Linux distributions that cost money and include support. This is not as cheap as installing something free (like CentOS), but then it will allow you to familiarize yourself with essentially the exact configurations other businesses are likely to be using.

[John64]

that being said, CentOS uses the *exact* same source as RHEL, so if you can save money, i would personally recomend it. You could probably also get away with a cheap $400 dell computer to learn on as long as you aren't doing anything toooooo performance intensive

edit: another thought, you should try installing linux with VMWare Server if you are just picking around learning the command line.

[pointreyes]

Originally Posted by John64

edit: another thought, you should try installing linux with VMWare Server if you are just picking around learning the command line.

I was thinking the same thing. Invest in more RAM on an existing system or systems and run the OSes on a VM session. VMware even has appliances to make it very easy to get into using various different platforms.
http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/
http://www.vmware.com/vmtn/appliances/directory/

[John64]

oh true, i don't make use of appliances myself, i prefer total control

[pointreyes]

Originally Posted by John64

oh true, i don't make use of appliances myself, i prefer total control

Same for me.

[ronbo 613]

Originally Posted by John64

I prefer total control

I would love to have total control, but these people I will be working with are at the top of the nerdball food chain. I like computers as much as the next guy, but while I'm out surfing or fishing, they are still planted in front of some monitor spitting out Linux command lines. I want to learn enough so I don't make a fool of myself, as in, every time you open your mouth, the stupider you look.