Currently I’m assembling a set of posts to help GNU/Linux-neophytes and Virtual-Machines-nubiles to take first steps in setting up a virtual Linux environment to become comfortable with the alternative operating system and its distros, until they feel comfortable enough so as to be able to move away from Windows and Mac OS X.

There are a hundred different ways to approach the topic, and I’ve decided to have a go at it from the perspective of a person somewhat technically curious and ready to experiment. After all, that is the first trait you need to have when you come to the world of GNU/Linux!

Conversely, if you’re an established enthusiast yourself looking for good resources to point a new convert at, you might want to consider a bit more hand holding of your newbie for the time being…

Comments are most appreciated (adulation appreciated, <i>constructive</i> criticism very much encouraged), or you can find me on twitter.

Here then are the pages:

1. The Linux Newbies Guide: 10 Key Concepts – GNU/Linux confuses people to start off with because they don’t really know what “Linux” actually means, let alone “GNU”, and what makes one GNU/Linux different (or not) from another. Time to dispel the confusion!
2. Introduction to virtual machines – if you’re just starting out with GNU/Linux, use a virtual machine instead of risking crippling your own computer. If you’re not sure what a virtual machine is, this is aimed at you!
3. Installing your first VM: Lubuntu – get started in GNU/Linux with Lubuntu, including an installer guide, and how to add software to your new operating system.
4. Some other distros to have a look at – if you’re comfortable with Lubuntu and want to feed some more distros into your VM, here’s an overview of some distros to have a stab at!
5. Installing CentOS minimal – if you’re comfortable with all that GUI stuff, why not get your hands a little dirtier: install the CentOS minimal distribution and build a more customized system! This covers YUM and RPM installation, IPTables firewall system, and a number of other more “enthusiast” topics.
6. Replacing Windows on your PC [to be done still] – So it’s finally time – you’re going to install Linux directly on your machine! Here are the steps to write an ISO to CD or to USB, disabling UEFI on Windows 8 machines, setting boot orders and customizing partitioning. Just remember to backup all your data first!
   

   I’m still reading up on the wider part of the topic – I hear some machines can’t turn off UEFI but I’m not sure. Also, every machine has its own way of implementing UEFI, so will vary from brand to brand…

   In the mean time, there’s a tutorial on LinuxBSDOS.com that covers most considerations

7. Installing GNU/Linux over multiple disks or partitions – Maybe you have an SSD and HDD in your computer. Maybe you want to isolate your personal documents from your system. Maybe you frequently change your system. Whatever the reason, this guide explains installation over multiple partitions, and delves deeper into the custom installation process.

As time goes on, I’ll be refining these pages further, and correcting any erroneous information that may have crept in. In the mean time, I keep adding to the Linux posts, so feel free to follow along here!

Good luck, and happy learning!