I want to start using Linux but I am not sure how to get started. I just want to set it up a server for my mvies and such. Maybe I am starting too big. I don’t know. I use to think I was moderately good at computers but I feel left behind. Just looking fro advice on my first build.
I think you’re starting too big, to use your phrase.
Get used to the basics first: what’s different (to whatever you’re running now), what’s the same. They Linux distributions almost all have GUIs (KDE, GNOME are the main ones but there are many others).
Run a live USB version from a usb stick to get used to it until you have the confidence to install it on an old pc. Personally I do not recommend dual booting; data gets lost that way. Install it on an old pc and learn how to restore your backups to a Linux filesystem (not the fs of what you’re used to on Linux platform). I write that because you said that want to end up with a Linux server.
Choose one of the top few from distrowatch.com/
Your aim is to understand what’s going on under neither the GUI; how permissions work.
I started by installing a VoIP product into a VM on Windows 2000, but there are better ways now.
Good luck. You shouldn’t find it that difficult.
Find an old laptop. Install TrueNAS community edition. Read about containerized server apps. There are alternatives like Mint if you still want to have and learn a desktop experience. Read online blogs. Ask here if any further questions arise. Avoid dual booting until you are comfortable with installing an OS and handling grub.
What I always tell junior devs that want to get familiar:
- Find a use-case. Don’t just use it because you have FOMO
- Run a desktop environment as your daily driver when you can. You’ll learn a lot.
- Try installing packages first, and after you’re comfortable with that, try building a project you intend to use from scratch. It’s a get primer, and gives a ton of context of how software development works along with the dependency chains with the operating environment.
- Don’t take a GUI as the “easy route” in spite of non-GUI sokutions. Get familiar with what makes the software run, and customize accordingly.
Go with Raspberry Pi and install a distro called DietPi (it’s based on Debian).
You can run a whole bunch of useful service (Pi-hole, NAS, Media server and much more) on your local network.
It’s aimed at headless usage, so you get a chance to learn about Linux commands and OS structure. That being said Diet-Pi has a whole suite of easy to use command line “applets” to configure everything.
They also have an active forum and I’ve even been able to submit some (minor) UX improvements.