I'm new to Linux, specifically using Arch Linux, and I want to get better at it. This is my first time using Linux and I'm about 20 hours into my learning journey. I'm asking for advice or tips from experienced users that could have helped them when they were starting out.
I started this journey for fun after getting inspired by interesting setups I've seen, like those from unixporn. My long-term goal is to get into cybersecurity in the future. Currently, I'm learning by using AI to help me with tasks using the commands I know. When I need to learn a new command, I ask for its usage and definition. I'm also creating a cheat sheet of all the commands I've learned so I can refer back to it without needing to ask each time. I prefer to explore and learn through building things rather than it feeling like a job. Any advice would be greatly appreciated!
4 Answers
Starting with small projects is a great idea! For instance, you could write a bash script that cleans up your Downloads folder and set it up as a weekly cron job. It’ll give you practical experience and also keep your system tidy.
Instead of just following commands, try to type them out yourself. It reinforces learning! Be curious about why certain flags are used and explore tools like grep. Understanding concepts like the differences between X11 and Wayland can deepen your knowledge.
If you're focused on using the terminal, I'd suggest understanding the core concepts rather than memorizing each command. Learn about changing directories, creating and deleting files, and permissions. Once you know what actions are possible, you can look up the exact commands as needed. Also, make cheat sheets based on your personal learning style; they'll be more useful!
Don't forget to back up your important data regularly! Also, practicing in a virtual machine can make experimenting safer. Before hitting 'Enter' on a command, make sure you understand what it does.
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