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Grasshopper

Getting Started

What is Linux? Get started with choosing a distribution and installation.

Command Line

Learn the fundamentals of the command line, navigating files, directories and more.

Text-Fu

Learn basic text manipulation and navigation.

Advanced Text-Fu

Navigate text like a Linux spider monkey with vim and emacs.

User Management

Learn about user roles and management.

Permissions

Learn about permission levels and modifying permissions.

Processes

Learn about the running processes on the system.

Packages

Learn all about the dpkg, apt-get, rpm and yum package management tools.

Journeyman

Devices

Learn about Linux devices and how they interact with the kernel and user space.

The Filesystem

Learn about the Linux filesystem, the different types of filesystems, partitioning and more.

Boot the System

Learn about the stages of the Linux boot process.

Kernel

The most important part of the Linux system, learn about how it works and how to configure it.

Learn about the different init systems, SysV, Upstart and systemd.

Process Utilization

Learn resource monitoring with top, load averages, iostat and more!

Logging

Learn about system logs and the /var/log directory.

Networking Nomad

Network Sharing

Learn about network sharing with rsync, scp, nfs and more.

Network Basics

Learn about networking basics and the TCP/IP model.

Subnetting

Learn about subnets and how to do subnet arithmetic!

Routing

Learn how packets are routed across networks!

Network Config

Learn about network configuration using Linux tools!

Troubleshooting

Learn about common networking tools to help you diagnose and troubleshoot issues!

Everything and more that you wanted to know about DNS.

Recommended Resources

One of my most highly recommended books!

Extremely comprehensive book for every SysAdmin.

Great comprehensive guide to shell scripting.

For serious Linux-users, great start into kernel programming.

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A Beginners Guide to Linux

Linux offers a different take on desktop computing than Windows and macOS

The Linux operating system offers a rich mix of features and security that make it a great free and (mostly) open-source alternative to macOS and Microsoft Windows. Because it’s different «under the hood,» consider some of the big-picture aspects of Linux and how it compares to the other desktop operating systems before you take the plunge.

What Is Linux?

Linux powers a variety of computer systems from light bulbs to guns, laptops to large computer centers. Linux powers everything from your phone to your smart refrigerator.

In desktop computing, Linux provides an alternative to commercial operating systems such as Windows and macOS.

Linux sources from some of the earliest computer operating systems from the 1960s and 1970s, and so it retains its root philosophies of strong user-level security, customization, and system stability.

Why Use Linux Instead of Windows or macOS?

There are many reasons why you would use Linux instead of Windows or macOS and here are just a few of them:

Which Linux Distribution Should You Use?

The Linux kernel is like an engine. A distribution is an actual vehicle that houses the engine.

So which Linux distribution should you choose? Linux supports several hundred distributions, each optimized for some specific use case:

• Linux Mint: Requires low computer expertise, easy to install, easy to use and has a familiar-looking desktop for Windows users.
• Debian: For those seeking a truly free Linux distribution with no proprietary drivers, firmware or software, then Debian is for you.
• Ubuntu: A modern Linux distribution that is easy to install and easy to use.
• openSUSE: A stable and powerful Linux distribution. Not as easy to install as Mint and Ubuntu but a good alternative nonetheless.
• Fedora: The most up-to-date Linux distribution with all new concepts incorporated at the earliest possible opportunity.
• Mageia: Rose from the ashes of the formerly great Mandriva Linux. Easy to install and easy to use.
• CentOS: As with Fedora, CentOS is based on the commercial Linux distribution, Red Hat Linux. Unlike Fedora, it is built for stability.
• Manjaro: Based on Arch Linux, Manjaro provides a great balance between ease of use and up to date software.
• LXLE: Based on the lightweight Lubuntu distribution this provides a fully-featured Linux distribution for older hardware.
• Arch: A rolling release distribution, meaning that you don’t have to install new versions of the operating system at any point because it updates itself. More difficult for the new user to get to grips with but very powerful.
• Elementary: Linux for people who like a Mac-style interface.

How to Run Linux From a DVD or USB

A live Linux DVD or USB lets you run Linux without installing it to your hard drive. This basically lets you test drive Linux before committing to it and is also good for the occasional user.

Most distributions use a live loader to both test and install the distribution. Ubuntu Linux, a common choice for new Linux hobbyists, offers an excellent live environment.

How to Install Linux

Each Linux distribution relies upon a different installer, which is a program that guides you through configuring Linux. In most cases, you’re free to install Linux as the new operating system on a computer or as a separate OS that doesn’t overwrite Windows.

What Is a Desktop Environment?

A display manager logs you in while a window manager governs windows, panel, menus, dash interfaces and core applications. Many of these items are bundled together to make a desktop environment.

Some Linux distributions ship with just one desktop environment (although others are available in the software repositories), while others offer different versions of the distribution fine-tuned for different desktop environments.

Common desktop environments include Cinnamon, GNOME, Unity, KDE, Enlightenment, XFCE, LXDE and MATE.

Cinnamon is a more conventional desktop environment that looks much like Windows 7, with a panel at the bottom, a menu, system tray icons, and quick launch icons.

GNOME and Unity are fairly similar. They are modern desktop environments that use the concept of launcher icons and a dashboard-style display for picking applications. There are also core applications that integrate well with the overall theme of the desktop environment.

KDE is a classic-style desktop environment with many custom features and a core set of applications that are all highly customizable.

Enlightenment, XFCE, LXDE, and MATE are lightweight desktop environments with panels and menus.

Are There Any Decent Office Suites for Linux?

For personal use and for small- to medium-sized businesses, LibreOffice presents a strong alternative to Microsoft Office, for free.

LibreOffice comes with a word processor with the majority of the features you expect from a word processor. It also features a decent spreadsheet tool that is full-featured and includes a basic programming engine, although it isn’t compatible with Excel VBA.

Other tools include the presentation, maths, database, and drawing packages which are all good.

How to Install Software Using Linux

Linux does not install software the same way that Windows does. A package manager accesses repositories that archive various software applications that work on a given distribution. The package management tool provides a mechanism to search for software, install software, keep the software up to date, and remove the software.

Each distribution provides its own graphical tool. There are common command-line tools used by many different distributions.

For example, Ubuntu, Linux Mint, and Debian all use the apt-get package manager. Fedora and CentOS use the yum package manager. Arch and Manjaro use Pacman.

The Linux Command Line

Given its long heritage and the diversity of approach of modern desktop environments, a lot of Linux still works from a shell session. In the macOS world, these sessions are called the terminal; in Windows, the Command Prompt.

Although the graphical user interface of modern Linux DEs can do just about everything, much online education about Linux relies on the shell because it’s not tied to the peculiarities of a given distribution or window manager. People new to Linux can get away with rarely or never working from the shell, but people who grow to love Linux often go to the shell first because of how easy it is to type one command instead of clicking through many different menus.

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25 Free Books To Learn Linux For Free

Last updated February 6, 2020 By Abhishek Prakash 111 Comments

Brief: In this article, I’ll share with you the best resource to learn Linux for free. This is a collection of websites, online video courses and free eBooks.

How to learn Linux?

This is perhaps the most commonly asked question in our Facebook group for Linux users.

The answer to this simple looking question ‘how to learn Linux’ is not at all simple.

Problem is that different people have different meanings of learning Linux.

• If someone has never used Linux, be it command line or desktop version, that person might be just wondering to know more about it.
• If someone uses Windows as the desktop but have to use Linux command line at work, that person might be interested in learning Linux commands.
• If someone has been using Linux for sometimes and is aware of the basics but he/she might want to go to the next level.
• If someone is just interested in getting your way around a specific Linux distribution.
• If someone is trying to improve or learn Bash scripting which is almost synonymous with Linux command line.
• If someone is willing to make a career as a Linux SysAdmin or trying to improve his/her sysadmin skills.

You see, the answer to “how do I learn Linux” depends on what kind of Linux knowledge you are seeking. And for this purpose, I have collected a bunch of free Linux resources that you could use for learning Linux.

These free resources include eBooks, video courses, websites etc. And these are divided into sub-categories so that you can easily find what you are looking for when you seek to learn Linux.

If you are looking to build a career as a Linux SysAdmin, I recommend getting professional certification from The Linux Foundation, the organization that employs Linux creator Linus Torvalds. You can also check some inexpensive Linux courses on Udemy.

Again, there is no best way to learn Linux. It totally up to you how you go about learning Linux, by online web portals, downloaded eBooks, video courses or something else.

Disclaimer: All the books listed here are legal to download. The sources mentioned here are the official sources, as per my knowledge. However, if you find it otherwise, please let me know so that I can take appropriate action.

1. Free materials to learn Linux for absolute beginners

So perhaps you have just heard of Linux from your friends or from a discussion online. You are intrigued about the hype around Linux and you are overwhelmed by the vast information available on the internet but just cannot figure out exactly where to look for to know more about Linux.

Worry not. Most of us, if not all, have been to your stage.

Introduction to Linux by Linux Foundation [Video Course]

If you have no idea about what is Linux and you want to get started with it, I suggest you to go ahead with the free video course provided by the Linux Foundation on edX. Consider it an official course by the organization that ‘maintains’ Linux. And yes, it is endorsed by Linus Torvalds, the father of Linux himself.

Linux Journey [Online Portal]

Not official and perhaps not very popular. But this little website is the perfect place for a no non-sense Linux learning for beginners.

The website is designed beautifully and is well organized based on the topics. It also has interactive quizzes that you can take after reading a section or chapter. My advice, bookmark this website:

Learn Linux in 5 Days [eBook]

This brilliant eBook is available for free exclusively to It’s FOSS readers all thanks to Linux Training Academy.

Written for absolute beginners in mind, this free Linux eBook gives you a quick overview of Linux, common Linux commands and other things that you need to learn to get started with Linux.

The Ultimate Linux Newbie Guide [eBook]

This is a free to download eBook for Linux beginners. The eBook starts with explaining what is Linux and then go on to provide more practical usage of Linux as a desktop.

You can download the latest version of this eBook from the link below:

2. Free Linux eBooks for Beginners to Advanced

This section lists out those Linux eBooks that are ‘complete’ in nature.

What I mean is that these are like academic textbooks that focus on each and every aspects of Linux, well most of it. You can read those as an absolute beginner or you can read those for deeper understanding as an intermediate Linux user. You can also use them for reference even if you are at expert level.

Introduction to Linux [eBook]

Introduction to Linux is a free eBook from The Linux Documentation Project and it is one of the most popular free Linux books out there. Though I think some parts of this book needs to be updated, it is still a very good book to teach you about Linux, its file system, command line, networking and other related stuff.

Linux Fundamentals [eBook]

This free eBook by Paul Cobbaut teaches you about Linux history, installation and focuses on the basic Linux commands you should know.

You can get the book from the link below:

Advanced Linux Programming [eBook]

As the name suggests, this is for advanced users who are or want to develop software for Linux. It deals with sophisticated features such as multiprocessing, multi-threading, interprocess communication, and interaction with hardware devices.

Following the book will help you develop a faster, reliable and secure program that uses the full capability of a GNU/Linux system.

Linux From Scratch [eBook]

If you think you know enough about Linux and you are a pro, then why not create your own Linux distribution? Linux From Scratch (LFS) is a project that provides you with step-by-step instructions for building your own custom Linux system, entirely from source code.

Call it DIY Linux but this is a great way to put your Linux expertise to the next level.

There are various sub-parts of this project, you can check it out on its website and download the books from there.

3. Free eBooks to learn Linux command line and Shell scripting

The real power of Linux lies in the command line and if you want to conquer Linux, you must learn Linux command line and Shell scripting.

In fact, if you have to work on Linux terminal on your job, having a good knowledge of Linux command line will actually help you in your tasks and perhaps help you in advancing your career as well (as you’ll be more efficient).

In this section, we’ll see various Linux commands free eBooks.

The Linux Command Line [eBook]

This 500+ pages of free eBook by William Shotts is the MUST HAVE for anyone who is serious about learning Linux command line.

Even if you think you know things about Linux, you’ll be amazed at how much this book still teaches you.

It covers things from beginners to advanced level. I bet that you’ll be a hell lot of better Linux user after reading this book. Download it and keep it with you always.

GNU/Linux Command−Line Tools Summary [eBook]

This eBook from The Linux Documentation Project is a good place to begin with Linux command line and get acquainted with Shell scripting.

Bash Reference Manual from GNU [eBook]

This is a free eBook to download from GNU. As the name suggests, it deals with Bash Shell (if I can call that). This book has over 175 pages and it covers a number of topics around Linux command line in Bash.

Bash Guide for Beginners [eBook]

If you just want to get started with Bash scripting, this could be a good companion for you. The Linux Documentation Project is behind this eBook again and it’s the same author who wrote Introduction to Linux eBook (discussed earlier in this article).

Advanced Bash-Scripting Guide [eBook]

If you think you already know basics of Bash scripting and you want to take your skills to the next level, this is what you need. This book has over 900+ pages of various advanced commands and their examples.

Linux 101 Hacks [eBook]

This 270 pages eBook from The Geek Stuff teaches you the essentials of Linux command lines with easy to follow practical examples.

The AWK Programming Language [eBook]

Not the prettiest book here but if you really need to go deeper with your scripts, this old-yet-gold book could be helpful.

4. Free eBooks for SysAdmin

This section is dedicated to the SysAdmins, the superheroes for developers. I have listed a few free eBooks here for SysAdmin which will surely help anyone who is already a SysAdmin or aspirs to be one. I must add that you should also focus on essential Linux command lines as it will make your job easier.

The Debian Administration’s Handbook [eBook]

If you use Debian Linux for your servers, this is your bible. The Debian Administration’s Handbook starts with Debian history, installation, package management etc and then moves on to cover topics like LAMP, virtual machines, storage management and other core sysadmin stuff.

Advanced Linux System Administration [eBook]

This is an ideal book if you are preparing for LPI certification. The book deals straightway to the topics essential for sysadmins. So knowledge of Linux command line is a prerequisite in this case.

Linux System Administration [eBook]

Another free eBook by Paul Cobbaut. The 370 pages long eBook covers networking, disk management, user management, kernel management, library management etc.

Linux Servers [eBook]

One more eBook from Paul Cobbaut of linux-training.be. This book covers web servers, mysql, DHCP, DNS, Samba and other file servers.

Linux Networking [eBook]

Networking is the bread and butter of a SysAdmin, and this book by Paul Cobbaut (again) is a good reference material.

Linux Storage [eBook]

This book by Paul Cobbaut (yes, him again) explains disk management on Linux in detail and introduces a lot of other storage-related technologies.

Linux Security [eBook]

This is the last eBook by Paul Cobbaut in our list here. Security is one of the most important part of a sysadmin’s job. This book focuses on file permissions, acls, SELinux, users and passwords etc.

Your favorite Linux learning material?

So you now have plenty of reading materials. If you want to practice, you can use one of the online Linux terminals that allow you to run Linux and Bash commands.

I know that this is a good collection of free Linux eBooks. But this could always be made better. If you have some other resources that could be helpful in learning Linux, do share with us. Please note to share only the legal downloads so that I can update this article with your suggestion(s) without any problem.

I hope you find this article helpful in learning Linux. Your feedback is welcome 🙂

Like what you read? Please share it with others.

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