Being a Linux person will be complicated if you happen to’re new to the platform. Particularly if you happen to’re used to having the ability to name up Apple assist, or a Microsoft hotline. Discovering on-line tech assist for Linux is without doubt one of the largest issues within the Linux group, and new customers that may’t discover easy-to-understand solutions usually find yourself switching again to Mac or Home windows.
Resulting from how frequent it’s for brand spanking new Linux customers to have bother discovering tech assist, we’ve compiled an ideal record of locations to look to get assist.
1. LinuxQuestions on Reddit
In case you’re a brand new Linux person with an issue and have nowhere to show, the very best place to go is LinuxQuestions on Reddit. It’s an enormous subreddit with dozens of lively individuals able to reply any Linux query you have got.
The LinuxQuestions subreddit is nice as a result of it’s a self-correcting group. No person will get a fallacious reply as a result of dangerous solutions get voted down. By far, this place is the very best useful resource for a Linux person who wants assist to unravel an issue.
2. Google+ Linux Communities
Sure, Google+ is useless. Gone are the times that web search big Google is pushing this “alternative” to Fb and Twitter. It’s straightforward to see why: it’s not user-friendly, and simply isn’t a gorgeous product given the alternate options.
With all that in thoughts, Google+ has finished one thing nicely: communities. These are teams and “clubs,” very similar to Fb, that anybody can be a part of and put up in. Whereas it’s true that Fb additionally has a group system, Google’s is a lot better, because the overwhelming majority of G+ customers are technical individuals.
Google+ is a brilliant nice useful resource for Linux customers in want of steerage. There are dozens of assist communities for Linux that anybody can be a part of. Higher nonetheless, there are even communities on G+ that focus on particular Linux distributions (Arch Linux, Ubuntu, Debian, and so forth). In case you’ve acquired a Linux downside you need assistance with, log into Google+.
3. The Arch Linux Wiki
It could be a bit bizarre recommending the Arch Linux Wiki to customers of various Linux OSes, nevertheless it’s really an ideal useful resource. Out of all of the Linux wiki reference websites on the web, the Arch one is probably the most detailed. It has detailed explanations and walk-throughs for nearly every little thing, irrespective of how obscure or sophisticated. Best of all, as Arch Linux makes use of the identical applied sciences as most trendy distributions (minus a number of adjustments right here and there), the information you be taught on it may be utilized to the OS that you just’re on.
To be clear, the Arch Linux wiki isn’t excellent, and issues can typically be fallacious, because it’s a community-driven Wiki web page. Nonetheless, for these in want of an in depth technical clarification of find out how to do issues on Linux, this wiki is not any joke.
4. Distribution-specific Subreddits
We talked about Reddit earlier, and for good motive: Reddit could be very well-liked. Because of this, many Linux customers have created particular subreddits (like LinuxQuestions) in an effort to assist different customers with their issues. Nonetheless, subreddits like LinuxQuestions aren’t the one place on the well-known web site that Linux customers ought to take a look at.
Because it seems, there are numerous particular distribution-specific subreddits on the Reddit web site. These are area of interest communities that focus solely on one Linux distribution. For instance: if in case you have Ubuntu issues, you might discover assist in r/Ubuntu. For Fedora Linux issues you may take a look at r/Fedora, and so forth.
Distribution-specific subreddits aren’t practically as open to questions and tech assist like one thing on the extent of LinuxQuestions as a result of these particular subreddits aren’t nearly serving to individuals. Nonetheless, if you must ask particular questions on your working system, it is a good spot to begin.
5. Distribution-specific Boards
Many Linux distributions arrange their very own boards for customers to ask questions, meet up with different customers, arrange occasions, and contribute to ongoing initiatives.
Social media has taken over most of this record, and it’s not exhausting to see why since extra persons are on Reddit than most locations on-line. Nonetheless, if you happen to’re on the lookout for high-quality Linux assist to your working system, trying out distro-specific boards is a should!
Unsure find out how to discover the official discussion board to your Linux working system? Examine the official web site the place you downloaded a duplicate of your OS. There’s positive to be a direct hyperlink shut by!
6. IRC Channels
Although IRC is previous, it’s nonetheless well-liked within the Linux group. Nearly each Linux distribution has a devoted chatroom the place anybody can be a part of to speak with builders straight and get options to issues. Moreover, many Linux working techniques arrange IRC chat rooms particularly for assist functions.
IRC isn’t glamorous, and utilizing it to speak is commonly seen as annoying, complicated and cumbersome to new customers. Nonetheless, if you happen to want one-on-one assist, there is no such thing as a substitute for this chat protocol.
To search out your Linux OS’s official IRC channel, discuss with the assist part of the house web page.
7. Your Distribution’s Wiki
The Arch Linux Wiki is a top-notch wiki, however if you happen to’re not utilizing Arch Linux, you’ll run into points typically, as there are small variations with each Linux OS. If you must clear up an issue in your Linux PC that you would be able to’t fairly perceive, think about loading up the official Wiki web page to your OS as it should have dozens of articles outlining solutions to questions you’ll have.
Whereas it’s true that not each Wiki is created equal, it’s nonetheless a spot customers ought to at all times go to after they want steerage. To search out your OS’s official Wiki, ask within the IRC, or verify the official web site for a hyperlink to it.
8. YouTube
YouTube is a big platform with thousands and thousands of movies going up each second, together with solutions to Linux questions, walk-through tutorials, and steerage for brand spanking new customers. Whereas we wouldn’t suggest turning to a random YouTube video over official assist boards, or well-known group pages, it’s nonetheless an ideal place to search out assist.
For greatest outcomes, seek for Linux assist by typing in a number of key phrases that relate to your query, and add in a “+ Linux”. Additionally make sure to take a look at the AddictiveTips YouTube channel, as we add dozens of Linux tutorials which might be positive to assist!
