What does a beginner need to know before switching to Ubuntu? [closed]

Before installing Ubuntu:

• Most proprietary games by big companies do not work on Ubuntu, although many of them work just fine with PlayOnLinux and Wine. So if you are a gamer, check for compatibility of the games you play and if they don't work consider a dual boot system with Windows.

• Some proprietary software (for example Photoshop) may not work properly on Ubuntu. So if you are dependent on very special software which is only available for Windows, consider setting up an Ubuntu virtual machine (for example VirtualBox) and test things there using Wine. Wine provides a Windows environment in Linux, so you can install and run Windows programs in Ubuntu itself.

  Testing/Trying things in a virtual machine first is a good idea in general. For example, if you want a more complex partition (with encryption and stuff).

• For using Ubuntu (and GNU/Linux in general) you sometimes need a lot of discipline and will need to read about things. Some tasks are not very easily done. But we are here for you. The Ubuntu community is very active and helpful. Just be patient and provide as much information about your problem as possible.

After installing Ubuntu:

• Installing Programs on Ubuntu is different from Windows. It uses a package management system. Packages can be programs but also libraries and other stuff. The package manager makes sure that all the software works well together. And that is not all - if you install a program that needs, for example, Java, the package management system knows that and installs Java automatically. Packages are in repositories. Most Linux distributions have their own repositories and that includes Ubuntu. You can find the software in these repositories in the Ubuntu Software Centre.

• Ubuntu should set up all you need by itself. Maybe you need to install additional drivers but Ubuntu will usually tell you if you do. Ubuntu should recognize your WLAN and will ask you to log in (or just plug in your network cable).

• Well, that is all for getting started. Now feel free to explore the community. Ubuntu has all the programs you basically need pre-installed (instant messenger, browser, mail client, word processing, media player, ...).

There are three points I can think of:

1. Write down your internet connection settings. Ubuntu's support is heavily dependent on the internet. Ubuntu Software Centre is used for installing software that is in the online repositories. To install software manually on Ubuntu, you need to download deb packages and use the Ubuntu Software centre to install them. Ubuntu Software Centre uses APT which is automatically downloads and installs software dependencies, so without the internet Ubuntu is quite hard to use.
2. Linux doesn't have partition "letters". Extra partitions are mounted in /media/, where / is the root of the file system, which in Windows terms is the "C:" drive. In the file browser you can find the partitions in computer:///.
3. If you have a graphics card from a company like NVidia or AMD, you'll need proprietary drivers. Ubuntu should automatically ask you to download and install them. It should also do that automatically.

First of all, a beginner should know some major definitions :

• What is Linux?

Linux refers to the family of Unix-like computer operating systems using the Linux kernel. Linux can be installed on a wide variety of computer hardware, ranging from mobile phones, tablet computers, routers, and video game consoles, to mainframes and supercomputers.Linux is a leading server operating system, and runs the 10 fastest supercomputers in the world.

• What is Ubuntu?

Ubuntu is a complete desktop Linux operating system, freely available with both community and professional support. The Ubuntu community is built on the ideas enshrined in the Ubuntu Manifesto: that software should be available free of charge, that software tools should be usable by people in their local language and despite any disabilities, and that people should have the freedom to customize and alter their software in whatever way they see fit.

• How it can be free?

• Why use Ubuntu?

  1. Why Ubuntu?

  2. 25 Reasons to use Ubuntu instead of Windows.

• How to use Ubuntu?

  1. Ubuntu Beginner Faq.
  2. Switching from Windows.
  3. Comparison between Ubuntu and Windows Philosophy.
  4. Ubuntu Documentation.