I'm trying to get more hands-on experience with Linux, but I keep hitting the same issues that make me want to give up. I already asked ChatGPT for help, but I've learned that AI can sometimes miss the mark, especially if you don't already have a good foundation. Here are the main problems I'm facing:
1. Configuration Files in /etc:
What's the best way to manage these files without losing track of my changes? If I modify something to fix an issue and it ends up making things worse, how can I trace back my steps effectively? ChatGPT suggested using git for version control in /etc/. Is that a good idea?
2. Networking Options:
I'm confused by the various ways to configure networking on Debian. There seem to be multiple approaches, and I can't figure out how to apply the changes without rebooting. Why does this happen? What's the best way to manage networking settings in Linux?
3. Package Management:
In the past, I've run into dependency conflicts that left my system in disarray. I thought Linux would be ideal for servers but challenging as a daily driver. Should I just stick with apt and steer clear of other package managers?
3 Answers
For package management, stick to the package manager that matches your distro—like apt for Debian. Modern distros are good at handling dependencies, so you don’t usually have to stress about conflicts like you might have in the past. And consider using Flatpak or Snap for applications; they bundle their dependencies, making it harder to mess things up. Just watch out for the ones that may be pushed too hard, like Snap.
For managing /etc, it's better to avoid manual changes if you can. Instead, log any modifications you make by adding comments and keep backups of the original files, like using fstab.bak when changing fstab. This will help you track your changes and revert if needed.
When it comes to networking, using a GUI tool that's provided by your desktop environment is usually the way to go. Typically, you shouldn't need to reboot for networking changes; restarting the network manager should suffice. It's about finding the method that feels right for you and learning what works best for your needs over time.
Absolutely! It takes time to get used to Linux. Just remember that many tutorials might reference outdated methods like ifconfig; you'll want to stick with commands like ip or nmcli for up-to-date instructions.
Exactly! Learning one package manager well is a lot better than juggling too many. Just keep track of what you install, and you should be fine.