New to Linux? This 10-day checklist will help you stay in a better and easier place

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ZDNET’s key takeaways

• If you are new to Linux, follow this calendar.
• In 10 days, you will feel at home.
• Just remember to take it slow and easy.

So, you’ve finally decided to try Linux, but you’re worried because you’ve never used anything other than MacOS or Windows. What’s in store for you? Can you make this work?

Change is hard, and leaving an operating system you’ve used for decades is certainly a big change. But if you’re serious about trying Linux, you shouldn’t expect to become a master overnight. It took me months to get to the point with Linux where I felt I really knew what I was doing. Back then, I had no help, and the OS was much more difficult to use than it is today.

But if I could go back, I would remind myself to take it slow and do one task at a time. To do that, I’ve designed a 10-day plan to help you get into Linux.

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Once you are convinced to install a Linux distribution, here is how I would advise you to go in the first 10 days of your journey.

Day 1: Familiarize yourself with the desktop environment

The first thing you’ll notice is that the user interface is probably different from what you’re used to. You may have chosen a distribution that uses KDE Plasma, so the layout may look familiar, but even so, there will be differences.

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This can be the most important step you take, because if you don’t know the desktop, everything else will feel like a challenge. Get to know the desktop panel and menu. Learn how to add app launchers to the panel and desktop (if you’re so inclined). Find out what preferences and how to add them to the desktop menu (if your desktop preference includes the feature).

Don’t worry about learning how to customize the desktop; that will come later.

Day 2: Discover the file manager and how it works

A file manager is an essential application that you should quickly get to know. After all, this is how you manage your files and keep them organized. At the same time, you will want to know different places in your home directory. The home directory is equivalent to C:Usersyourusername on Windows and /Users/username on MacOS.

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You can also look at Network Places in your file manager, which will list any computers it finds on your network.

At this point, I won’t bother navigating the file system too much. Instead, stick to your home directory. Learn how to create a new folder in file manager, move that folder, copy that folder, etc. Keep it basic.

Day 3: Learn how the development process works

This is very important, and you will probably be prompted by the desktop notification system that an upgrade is available. This may happen immediately after your first login; if not, don’t worry. If you haven’t been prompted to upgrade on the third day, go to the desktop menu, find the app you’re upgrading from, and run it today.

The process should be very simple and completely point-and-click, so there is no reason to worry that this will cause you problems. Developing Linux for the desktop is incredibly easy and reliable.

Day 4: Check pre-installed apps

Your distribution will be shipped with several applications preinstalled, and the distribution you selected will determine which applications are available on first login. You’ll find a web browser (perhaps Firefox, Brave, or Chromium), which works exactly like it does on MacOS or Windows. You can also get an email client (like Thunderbird), an office (like LibreOffice), or both out of the box.

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Grab the desktop menu and see what you can see. There will be utilities (like text editors and disk managers) and maybe some games.

Day 5: Learn how to install apps

If you can’t find the applications you need, don’t worry because almost all Linux distributions (except Arch and Arch-based distros) have GUI application stores where you can search for the applications you need to install and use.

Many Linux application stores (such as GNOME Software) offer a welcome page that separates the applications to make it even easier to find what you need. Then there’s KDE Discover, which is equally easy to use. Using the GUI app store on Linux is similar to using the Apple App Store. Search for an app, click on the app, and then click to install the app. You will be asked for your user password before the installation can continue, but of course.

Day 6: Familiarize yourself with the Settings app

Now that you’re familiar with your Linux desktop, it’s time to take a look at the Settings app. This is where you can configure settings such as desktop appearance, Bluetooth, accessibility, displays, sound, power and battery, input devices, time and language, networks and wireless account, and user account.

Some distribution settings applications offer more customization than others. For example, the KDE Plasma settings tool gives you fewer options than GNOME. At this point, as long as your network connection is working fine, I wouldn’t bother going into that section. Keep it basic. But if your curiosity gets the best of you, feel free to wander around, but don’t start clicking on random things (especially the ones you’re not sure about).

Day 7: Customize the brightness on the desktop

Today, you can do something fun and start fixing your desktop. Change the background image and theme, adjust the transparency (if any), and adjust the window decorations. Change the size and/or position of your panel, or switch it to Dock mode (if available).

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The key here is to keep it bright. Don’t get too deep into customizing the desktop, as that can wait until you’re familiar with Linux. However, you can still make minor adjustments that are safe for the look and feel.

Day 8: Install your printer

If you have a printer, it’s time to connect it to the PC. Some distributions will automatically detect the printer, and you’ll be ready to print immediately. You’ll be surprised how well printers are supported on Linux.

Even better, unlike Windows, most of the time you won’t need to install drivers to get your printer working. I have a Brother laser printer that I just plug in when I run multiple distributions, and it works fast. If yours doesn’t work, visit the printer manufacturer’s website to see if they offer Linux drivers for your model number. If so, download and install them. Make sure you download the file specific to your distribution. For example, if you’re using an Ubuntu-based distribution, you’ll download a DEB file. If you’re using a Fedora-based distribution, you’ll download an RPM file.

Day 9: Copy the files to your old computer

Now that you’re more comfortable with Linux and probably using it a lot, you’ll want to copy your files to your MacOS or Windows computer to work with your new OS.

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Those files will probably be in the form of documents and spreadsheets, so I would copy them to the Documents folder in my home directory. You can copy pictures to the Pictures directory, music to the Music directory, and videos to the Videos directory.

Pretty simple.

Day 10: Prepare for backup

Finally, you should definitely prepare a backup so that all those files you work with are stored on an external drive.

Some Linux distributions come with a backup operating system pre-installed. In most cases, that’s Deja Dup (sometimes called Backup). Otherwise, you will find many backup apps in your app store.

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After installing the app, connect to your external drive and set up your backup. You will definitely want to back up your Directory and any other directory that holds important files or data.

And when you go; successful in your first 10 days using Linux. From this point on, continue to use it and enjoy the freedom, security, and reliability of the Linux OS.