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Being a PCQuest reader, it is unlikely that you are completely unfamiliar with Linux. You have heard enough about it, you have seen the CDs that we (and others) have put out, and you have probably toyed with the idea of doing something with it. But if you’ve never got around to using Linux, because you thought it was meant only for network servers or because you thought it was too geeky for you, then this series is for you.
The articles in this section look at using Linux as a desktop OS, and we tell you how to do all your work from the GUI, without ever needing to see the infamous text mode of Linux. In fact, there is only one command in this series of articles that you have to issue in text mode in Linux and, that too, only if you have to access your Windows partition when using Linux.
We have divided this set into four sections: Concepts (Your Linux Desktop), Productivity (Putting Linux to Work), FAQs (Have Questions?) and Installation (Ready to Install Linux?). We have not started with how to install Linux on your machine. Instead, we start by explaining the basic concepts (Your Linux Desktop) of the Linux desktop, and telling you what all you can do if you have Linux installed. If this section excites you, then you can install Linux on your machine, or even get it installed by the neighborhood Linux geek. The second section (Putting Linux to Work) explores the power of desktop Linux, and finally, once you are familiar with the whole thing, you can proceed to do your own installation (Ready to Install Linux?).
When using Linux, remember that it has its origins from Unix, which in turn is largely a server OS. So, many hangovers exist from the server era. Windows or Mac desktop users may not be immediately familiar with these (but Win 2K and XP professional users would). Take, for example, the one about users. Every installation has an administrative user called root, and then you create other users as required. Classical wisdom frowns on your logging in as root for normal work; and there are valid reasons for it. But for a desktop installation where you do not have mission-critical data, these rules could be flexible.
So, here it is, how to use Linux from the GUI. Go ahead and do it.
Krishna Kumar