Linux System Administration Training - What is Linux Introduction to Software Programs & Desktops

Linux is an operating system (OS), like Windows.

look on there being two general types of software: operating system and "other".

The "other" software consists of a lot of types, including: applications (like word processors, spreadsheets and email programs), utilities and servers.


And all of this runs "on top of" an operating system, such as Windows or Linux.

Linux Commands Training Tips: The Linux OS System Administration concepts, programs and tasks covered here utilize to ALL other Linux distributions, including: Red Hat, Fedora, Ubuntu, Kubuntu, Edubuntu, Slackware, Debian, SUSE and openSUSE.

Windows and Linux Operating System (OS) Functionality

When you boot a computer with an OS, it provides you to do tasks like:

run application software programs, like a word processor, spreadsheet or email program

save data files to your difficult disk, like a letter, memo or report

retrieve files so you are able to edit them

send your work off to print



Windows and Linux Software Programs

In Windows, you are able to run lots of different application software programs. There are custom programs and off-the-shelf (common) programs. These allow you to do everything from running your bowling league to typing up a letter.

The same is true for Linux. There are thousands of custom and common Linux software programs.



Linux Training Tips: you are able to download a lot of Linux distributions (versions), including thousands of software programs and get them free! Then you are able to run the OS to get training and as part of your training, you are able to watch training videos - to learn how to use Linux the easy manner!



The Windows Office Suite and the Linux OpenOffice Suite

Windows has a very popular and common collection of programs named the Office Suite. This suite consists of a lot of programs, such as a word processing program known as Word, a spreadsheet named Excel and a presentation program named PowerPoint.

Linux also has a popular and common suite of programs known as OpenOffice. The word processor is named Write, the spreadsheet is named Calc and the presentation program is named Impress.



Linux Training Tips: you are able to download the free Linux OpenOffice suite of programs and run these programs in Windows!



Using Windows and Linux Desktop Systems

On a Windows computer system, you boot to a desktop. From there, you use menus to select and run software programs and there are icons you are able to double-click on to run programs.

The same is true of Linux. you are able to also boot to a Linux desktop and use menus and icons to run Linux software programs.



Linux Training Tips: There are a lot of Linux desktops to choose from, such as the GNOME and KDE desktops. Each one has the same functionality (menus, icons and organization), but has a different "look and feel".

Linux training videos, podcasts (mp3 files) and ebooks are an excellent manner to continue to learn. Just use these materials to learn a popular Linux concept or command being described - and so do the steps you've just seen - to work with Linux yourself!