Understanding the proper way to install apps is the biggest one. Make it clear that .exe files are for Windows only.
I wouldn't try to go further than that, I feel that's the biggest thing a general user really needs to know.
this post was submitted on 16 Oct 2025
162 points (98.2% liked)
Linux
63531 readers
478 users here now
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Linux is a family of open source Unix-like operating systems based on the Linux kernel, an operating system kernel first released on September 17, 1991 by Linus Torvalds. Linux is typically packaged in a Linux distribution (or distro for short).
Distributions include the Linux kernel and supporting system software and libraries, many of which are provided by the GNU Project. Many Linux distributions use the word "Linux" in their name, but the Free Software Foundation uses the name GNU/Linux to emphasize the importance of GNU software, causing some controversy.
Rules
- Posts must be relevant to operating systems running the Linux kernel. GNU/Linux or otherwise.
- No misinformation
- No NSFW content
- No hate speech, bigotry, etc
Related Communities
Community icon by Alpár-Etele Méder, licensed under CC BY 3.0
founded 6 years ago
MODERATORS
su/sudo -Why you will need to use it and how not to use it.
-I still don't think it's wise to rely on the various stores like Discover or Pop!_Shop to do basic updates as they are bloated and slow to an alarming rate while running.
Backing up a copy of that config file, before editing it.
If you brick or break anything, rolling back to a working-state is much easier.
--//--
You can manually cp a 2nd version of the files, or there are tools to automatically backup for you.
At least a basic primer about finding your way around in Linux in command line, and where various configuration files live.
When shit goes wrong (and it likely will at some point) knowing how to dump to another tty and log in via the console and fix issues via command line is pretty key. This has saved my ass more times than I can count now.
Having trouble finding a CLI focused course, but this is a free course that covers a lot of basics:
https://training.linuxfoundation.org/training/introduction-to-linux/
load more comments
(7 replies)
cd command.
No joke, when I started, it was the thing I stalled on the most as it's so basic no one explains
Rtfm. That problem? it's almost always a permission issue.
Honestly if you can install windows on a machine and use it then you can install linux on a machine and use it. especially if its an out of the box distro (like my favorite zorin). when downloading something from the web you have to choose linux instead of windows and its usually .debian so its good for it to be a debian based distro. if someone else install the linux for the person then they just need the same skills they needed to run windows. mouse moves the same. login is same. doubleclick is the same. etc. etc.
More maintainers should charge for iso's. Nobody's gonna compile them themselves or trust "pirated" iso's. It's a real genius move from Zorin.
zorin has a free version though. the paid gives you the gui chooser basically which is not necessary to me. If I had a job I might pay but that would be just to support. Want to sign up for status coup news first though. Need that postive cash flow though so who knows.
How to backup their home directory, even if it is a basic method like mounting an external drive and drag and dropping files.
If it's just Desktop usage, not much difference than using anything else. Make sure to install updates when asked, and that's about it.
Just be clear that downloading anything for Windows will not be compatible.
Something I don't think is mentioned because someone who knows how to use windows can figure it out: what to do when a window freezes, the keyboard command to reboot, other common things that go wrong and how to get around them. I use a gui task manager and it's basically just like windows, but if the computer freezes on someone who doesn't know what to do you will be receiving a phone call.