Am I doing this right?

[wes3057]

Hello, my name is Wesley. I am 40 years old and new to the online world. I learned to type in prison and some basic skills with computers. Basically, outdated and useless stuff. My daughter bought me this laptop when I got outta prison and asked me to do something with my life. Go back to school, learn some shit. You know ,be a member of society.
So anyway, what's up out there? Hmu if anybody wants to talk.

 

[KGIII]

Welcome to the free world. This isn't prison and we have kids that visit, so let's avoid the vulgarities. (Thanks!)

While there's a lot that you need a computer for, many companies will train you on their systems - for the kind of work you're likely to get as someone fresh from incarceration. Being able to type is a good skill, especially if you can get some inbound telephone support type of jobs.

However, we're all about Linux...

I strongly suspect you're using Windows.

While I'd love to suggest learning Linux, most anywhere you go is going to be using Windows. They're two *very different* operating systems. We're probably not of much use to you, but I'm sure we'll do our best to answer your specific Linux questions.

 

[wizardfromoz]

G'day Wesley from DownUnder and welcome

Linux falls under the category of what is known as FOSS - Free and Open Source Software.

In turn, the "free" has two meanings - free as in how you are now, and free as in no bucks required, in nearly all cases.

If you wish to learn about it, there is a free, self paced course available, run as a partnership between The Linux Foundation and Course Providers Ed-X (whose paid courses are expensive).

They are starting one today, and the next one starts 12 April. You can read about it here.

https://www.edx.org/course/introduction-to-linux

I took it 8 years ago and found it quite good.

If after looking around you think you might like to try Linux, just start a thread (like you started this one, but) in Getting Started and ask away. We also have a section for Off Topic for relaxing and chatting about all things under the sun, with the exception of subjects listed in the first Thread there "OFF TOPIC RULES..." - that is to keep the peace.

Hope to see you around.

Chris Turner
wizardfromoz

 

[f33dm3bits]

Hey Wesley,

Welcome to the forums here, there are many website you that can help you out in learning. Some people can learn independently from random sources and some people need structure. Here's one that is recommended a lot.

Home | Linux Journey

linuxjourney.com

I would recommend Ubuntu or Linux Mint for your first distribution and see how you get along with one of them just to get started.

 

[sphen]

Hi Wesley!
Welcome to Linux.org!
Tell us more about yourself and your interest in computers. Do you live somewhere near a local high school or community college? They usually offer beginner computer classes to get you started. That would be the best advice for someone starting out.
- - Sphen

-> To everyone else:
This has all the hallmarks of another troll thread. My guess is that we will never hear from Wesley again. I hope Wesley responds and proves me wrong. Wesley? Wesley??

 

[bob466]

Welcome to the Forum.

We all have to start somewhere...starting with this Forum.

 

[mrcrossroads]

Hello, my name is Wesley. I am 40 years old and new to the online world. I learned to type in prison and some basic skills with computers. Basically, outdated and useless stuff. My daughter bought me this laptop when I got outta prison and asked me to do something with my life. Go back to school, learn some shit. You know ,be a member of society.
So anyway, what's up out there? Hmu if anybody wants to talk.

Welcome to the forum!