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There are more system users GNU / Linux every day; the increase is still slow but constant and everyone has their own reasons for using GNU / Linux distributions or OS's from other branches. Perhaps due to this increase, a pattern of mistakes made by newcomers can be observed when they arrive at free systems or badly preconceived ideas that make it difficult for them. |
1. Don't install from repositories.
This is not a mistake in itself, it can be done without problems. What happens is that many users come to GNU / Linux with the mentality "Windows”And they continue to install software that way: search the Internet for the desired program, download and install it. These users do not take into account that many distributions have package managers that greatly facilitate the installation process, being it really simple and fast.
2. "Selective" updates.
Choosing what to update and what not to update can make the system unstable, over time. Paul recommends marking all updates that the update manager reports to avoid potential problems.
3. GNU / Linux is NOT Windows.
A simple concept to understand but difficult to assimilate, after years of using systems Microsoft. The novice must take into account that he uses another OS and that it has similarities in some points but it is not the same nor does it have the same work logic. Therefore, the newcomer must have an open mind to news and try to learn from them.
4. The use of the terminal.
In current distributions, almost all "daily tasks" can be accomplished through a graphical interface. However, after a while working with the system, soon every user discovers that many of these tasks can be performed faster from the terminal or that, paradoxically, they are easier with it.
5. Misuse of help forums.
Going to the forums with problems that can be solved in 1 minute, after a brief search on the Internet, through those forums or even going to the man pages, is counterproductive. If you can find the solution to your problem simply, why waste more time describing your problem and / or what you want? In addition, in the process of finding solutions, many other things are learned in addition to finding the solution you are looking for. And here I add something that Paul does not mention: the immense satisfaction that comes from solving your own problems.
6. Use root rights only when necessary.
With root administration rights, if you don't know what you are doing, you can seriously compromise the security and / or stability of the system. When executing a command in the terminal for which it is necessary to be root, it is always advisable to make sure what is being done with it, what it will produce.
7. Expectations too high.
It is possible to use GNU / Linux systems in hardware old and not very powerful, giving new possibilities to equipment that was collecting dust. However, these computers are still old and the distro It is used, no matter how light it is (or is configured), does not increase the power of those PC's / laptops.
8. Using too much wine.
It is logical that, at the beginning, you want to use the program Windows you are used to. However, forgetting the options offered by the free applications of GNU / Linux systems is to neglect an optimal option, at least. There are several software equivalency tables on the Web that can guide the novice, during the first days of using GNU / Linux.
9. Ignore system error messages.
On GNU / Linux systems, errors are often accompanied by explicit messages. We should not ignore them since it is most likely that you are not the only one who receives these messages and they will help to find the solution or provide information about the problem in the forums, where appropriate.
10. Give up easily.
Nobody is born taught and every user has had to learn to use the OS on their computer. Obvious: if a user knows how to use Windows, for example, it is because they have learned it, they have taken their time to get to know it little by little. GNU / Linux is not a different system, in that sense. It takes time, perseverance and perseverance to learn to master it.