Appendix. Core concepts
An overview of desktop environments, the changeable graphical interface of Linux desktops
| Desktop environment |
Interface |
Customization |
Software ecosystem |
Learning curve |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| GNOME | Launcher | Via third-party tool and extensions | Own ecosystem | Average |
| KDE | Launcher and menus | Built-in | Own ecosystem | Complex |
| Unity | Launcher | Via third-party tool | Tends to use GNOME programs | Average |
| Xfce | Launcher, menu, and/or dock | Built-in | Tends to use light programs, but lacks own ecosystem | Simple |
A guide to simple Linux commands
| Command |
What it does |
|---|---|
| cd | Changes directory (you need to indicate the directory) |
| cd .. | Goes up a directory |
| cp | Copies (use cp -R to get the contents of a directory); includes source first and then destination |
| ls | Lists files in current directory |
| mv | Moves; includes source first and then destination |
| rm | Deletes file; indicates file(s) to delete |
| rmdir | Deletes empty directory; indicates folder(s) to delete |
| . | Indicates current directory |
| .. | Indicates directory above current directory |
| * | Indicates wildcard |