Can someone explain the layers of a Linux system and how they connect?

If you prefer learning through videos, there's a quick YouTube video that explains the basics of booting into your operating system: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XpFsMB6FoOs. It's pretty straightforward and visual, which might help you grasp the concepts better.

Here's a simplified breakdown of the layers:
1. **BIOS/UEFI** - This is built by your motherboard and starts the boot process.
2. **Boot Loader** - Typically grub, which lets you select your OS to boot.
3. **Kernel** - The Linux kernel acts as a bridge between hardware and software, handling processes and drivers.
4. **Init System** - Usually systemd, which initializes user space. You might notice messages during boot related to its processes.
5. **Login Manager** - This manages user sessions and logins. Common ones are gdm and sddm.
6. **Desktop Environment** - This includes your compositor and everything visual you interact with. Popular environments include GNOME and KDE Plasma. Each part plays a key role in the smooth operation of your system.

A free eBook titled 'The Linux Command Line' can be a fantastic resource to get you familiar with commands and system operations. You might find this introduction helpful too: https://linuxsimply.com/linux-basics/introduction/architecture-of-linux-operating-system/. It's packed with important information.

The Linux boot process is quite interesting! You can start with an article that details it well. I recommend checking out this piece: https://medium.com/@zahid_abbas14/linux-boot-process-e0717774af39. It gives a good overview of how your system boots up and the role of each component.