So you’re curious about Linux but don’t know where to begin? You’ve probably heard terms like the “kernel”, “distros,” and the “terminal”.
Here’s the good news: you don’t need to understand all the technical details to use Linux. Think of it like driving a car – you don’t need to know how the engine works to get around town.
But understanding the basics helps when people start throwing around Linux jargon.
Let’s break it down:
WTF is a Kernel?
Technically, Linux is what’s called a “kernel” – it’s not actually a full operating system by itself. A kernel is basically the gatekeeper between your software and your computer’s hardware. It works behind the scenes to make sure things like your CPU, memory, and graphics card all work together.
But if you want your computer to actually do anything, you need all the other stuff – a desktop environment, a shell (something that gives the kernel commands), system utilities, device drivers.
On Windows and Mac, all of these things are included in the operating system. But in the world of Linux, this is where things can start to get a bit confusing.
What is a Distro?
There is no single “Linux operating system.” Instead, different developers take the Linux kernel and build their own complete operating systems around it. These are called a Linux distributions, or “distros.”
There are literally hundreds of distros, each packaged with their own desktops, file managers, and hardware support. Some are focused on being beginner-friendly, others are built to manage servers and data centres, others are optimised for creative work or gaming.
Basically, you have choice; pick a distro that’s tailored to do exactly what you need, rather than a one-size-fits-all approach.
Choice Overload!
However, all that choice can be really overwhelming when you’re starting out. If you’ve done a bit of searching, you’ll have seen names like Debian, Ubuntu, Mint, Arch, Fedora, Pop!_OS…
For audio production, I recommend Ubuntu Studio. It’s beginner-friendly and designed specifically for creative work. It comes pre-installed with a full suite of software, including DAWs, plugins, video and photo editing, 3D animation, and streaming tools. I’ve written a full setup guide for you.
You’ll find plenty of online debates about Ubuntu – but this just works out of the box. So start here, get to know it, and if you want to explore other options, by all means do that after you’re familiar with Linux.
What’s a Terminal?
The terminal is a text-based interface for typing commands. It can seem daunting, but the truth is, you don’t have to use it.
MacOS and Windows have terminals too – but most users never touch them!
The Linux terminal has a reputation because many Linux users have computing backgrounds and naturally gravitate towards it – but modern Linux distros work just like Windows or Mac — just point-and-click. The terminal is there if you want extra control (and its not as scary as it seems), but it’s completely optional.
What’s the FOSS?
You’ll also hear Linux users talk about FOSS – Free and Open Source Software. “Free” as in freedom, not necessarily price (although it’s often free too). Basically, the source code is available for anyone to read, edit, and reuse, so you can know exactly what the software is doing.
With closed-source – or proprietary software – you can’t see the code. You just have to trust that it does what it says on the tin. Usually it’s not anything sinister – companies just want to protect their intellectual property.
However, the open-source vs closed-source debate gets pretty heated in the Linux community, but I’m not getting into that here. Personally, I use whatever works best for the job – sometimes that’s open source, sometimes it’s commercial.
Budget Bollocks?
There’s a misconception that open-source means second-rate, but in reality it powers some of the most influential tools: Blender revolutionised 3D animation. Android runs most smartphones. Netflix, Google, and Amazon all run their servers on Linux.
That perception comes from the early days when FOSS genuinely lagged behind. Today’s open source software is maintained by passionate communities, including professional developers who use these tools daily.
But enough of the philosophical stuff – what is it actually like to use?
Using Linux
Modern Linux distros give you all the things you’re used to: a launcher, start menu, taskbar, drag-and-drop file manager, app stores for installing software, and control panels for settings.
The learning curve is more like moving from Windows to Mac than starting from scratch.
If you want to try out a distro, you don’t even need to wipe your current setup — you can run it from a USB. It might be a little slow, but it’s enough to get a feel for it. If you like it, you can install it alongside your current system or replace it entirely.
Want to know more about distros? → Beginners Guide to Linux Distros
Jump straight into setting up Linux for creative work -> → Setting up Ubuntu Studio
