How to install Linux

[kshcshbash]

Hello.
This is my first contribution to TWC so I hope you like it.
I am covering installation of Ubuntu BreezyBadger (though it should be identical or very similar on DapperDrake). I am assuming you are running Windows at the moment.
I'm only going to say things I know for sure and I can't guarantee everything is correct.
Here goes...

1. Prepare to install
   
   1. Get Linux
      You can get Ubuntu CD's shipped to you for free at the Official Site. If you want a quicker solution you can download the .ISO and burn it.
      
      Make sure you verify the integrity of the image , though. A bad disk can make your system unbootable.
      
      If you run Windows, you will probably need x86. If you don't know what x86 means, then your safest bet is to go with it.
   2. Backup important data
      If you are planning a dual-boot, you will want to backup.
      Your installation shouldn't mess up, but it might. If the power goes out, for example, you could be left without the ability to boot at all. Or if you write Linux to the wrong partition. Anything, just backup backup backup!
2. Install!
   The installation is divided into 15 or so steps.
   
   1. Choose language
   2. Choose location
   3. Select a keyboard layout
   4. Detect and mount CD-ROM
   5. Load installer components from CD
   6. Detect network hardware
   7. Configure the network
   8. Configure a multiseat system
   9. Detect hardware
   10. Partition disks
   11. Install the base system
   12. Copy remaining packages to hard disk
   13. Configure timezone
   14. Set up users and passwords
   15. Configure apt
   16. Install the GRUB boot loader on a hard disk
   17. Install the LILO boot loader on a hard disk
   18. Continue without boot loader
   
   
   1. Boot to CD
      Put your CD in and reboot. If the Autorun starts to run it, click cancel.
      If you don't have any OS currently installed, start your computer and put the CD in straight away.
      The computer will load and eventually boot to the CD.
      Press enter to go ahead with default installation.
   2. Select your language
      Ubuntu comes with a dozen languages to install in, choose the one that you can read. Given that you are reading this, you will probably want to go with English*.
   3. Select your location
      Go ahead and select your location. You may want to go for the country that you purchased your computer in if you have no clue about keyboard layout.
   4. Select your keyboard layout
      I don't know about the Europeans, but British English numbers along the top are
      !"£$%^&*() when you press shift and press them down.
      American English is !@#$%^&*()
      Note: To get through this step, highlight "American English", or "Finnish" or whatever and press enter. This caused me some trouble when I first installed**.
   5. Select your Primary Network Interface
      Choose the card that you plug your connection into. If you have upgraded to a Realtek one, for example, then it is probably Realtek. This is fairly important so make sure you know it.
   6. Enter hostname
      This isn't too technically important, but it's like your name. "Bobs Computer" will do, but "2h0t4u" will not. When you share terminal output (which you almost certainly will at some time or another) it will be shown as: user@hostname so have some pride :-)
   7. Partition table
      This is fairly important. I haven't tried resizing an existing partition, but it will help you out with it.
      If you have partitions already created, then delete them.
      From the free space, create a partition of about 1GB. Format as "swap". This is like your Page File on Windows.
      Create a partition of whatever size you want as "Ext 3" and mount point "/".
      If you don't understand partitioning, check this out.
      
      Make sure you set bootable flags on for your main partition!
      Also read the "Help on partitioning". It will tell you everything you need to know, including what the images mean.
      
      That's most of the hard work over! Hurrah!
      
   8. Finish editing and write changes to disk.
      Confirm the changes and let it do its magic.
      If you get a debootstrap error, it means that your disk is bad. Try another. If you consistently get bad CD just have free ones shipped to you.
      
   9. Copy remaining packages to hard disk
      You can kick back and relax now. It's just getting the files onto the hard drive.
      
   10. Configure timezone
       Select your timezone. Not too hard.
       
   11. Set up users and passwords
       Do give your real name. The Linux community has no place for stupid handles, that's the sign of a 12 year old that wants to l34rn h0w 2 h4ck run35c4p3 lololol.
       
       Set your username as something pretty short, your first name will do. You will need to type it in a fair bit.
       
       NEVER FORGET YOUR PASSWORD
   12. Configure apt
       Nothing for you to do here.
       
   13. Install GRUB boot loader
       GRUB will be fine for 95% of us, so install it to the master boot record.
       
   14. Be done
       It's done! Congratulations, you are now a Linux user! You have broken the chains of Oppression known as Windows (probably). There's no shame in using Windows just for games.
3. Get on your feet!
   
   • Update! Update! Update! It will automatically show you a list of updates, install them.
   • Register at the official Ubuntu Forums
   • Read the http://ubuntuguide.org/wiki/Dapper This thing is invaluable.
   • To add new applications, go to Applications>Add Applications
   • To open a Terminal (Command promt equivalent), Applications>Accessories>Terminal
   • In the bottom right hand corner you will see 4 little panels. These are workspaces. Click in a different one to open a new desktop with no Windows open in it.
     e.g if I open GAIM (the MSN/Trilian equivalent) in Workspace 1 (they can be renamed) and switch to Workspace 2, I have a blank desktop. Right click and press Preferences to rename and change the number of workspaces.
   • If you need to enable permissions for a file (Read, write, execute etc.), open a terminal and navigate to the directory.
     Quick howto:
     cd .. goes back a level.
     cd name goes to folder name
     If I was in a/b/c:
     cd .. takes me to B
     cd k takes me to a/b/k
     sudo chmod +r(and/or)w(and/or)x filename.extension
   • To enable ownership of a file or folder, which you will need to create files or edit them:
     Navigate to the file like we just learnt.
     sudo chown username fileorfoldername
   • A lot of things will tell you to use sudo apt-get. If you don't like this or would like to see more about the application you are installing, type "synaptic" in a terminal.
     Synaptic is the package manager, basically a downloads manager that also handles all system files. You can get a very very extensive range of applications from Synaptic, so check there before you look all over the internet.
   • Use WINE to emulate Windows .exe's. Install via Synaptic (sudo apt-get-install wine for terminal). To run the .exe type "wine name.exe" in Terminal.

Enjoy using Ubuntu, guys. I hope I helped at least someone out with this guide.

Remember, Google is your friend and definately check out the Ubuntu Forums. If they don't help, I'm your friend too and I'll see if I can help.


That's all for tonight, folks.


*I'm not discriminating against the many different cultures at TWC, by this.

[Zuwxiv]

Thanks for the guide, very informative! I might get around to Linux one day, all my geek friends are making fun of me...

[kshcshbash]

Bump; seems relevant.

[Elrond]

A significantly better guide than mine - well done