7 of the Best Ways to Learn Linux in a Structured Manner

YouTube is an excellent tool for learning about any subject. It also provides a way for professional trainers to hook you in and direct you to their full courses. This Linux tutorial by Jerry Banfield is almost 5 hours long, and it contains a wealth of free information for newcomers. 

Once you get past the 20-minute introduction, you'll be shown how to create a virtual machine using VirtualBox and how to install Red Hat/CentOS. Later on in the video, you'll learn how to set up Linux as a dual boot system with Windows. You will then be shown how to use the desktop environment and some Linux command-line essentials.

If you find the above video helpful, you can sign up for the creator's Linux classes at jerrybanfield.com. Courses include:

• CentOS and Red Hat Linux to Certified System Administrator
• Ubuntu Linux From Beginner to Power User
• Bash Programming Course

You'll also find classes on digital marketing, e-commerce, and dozens of other tech topics. A lot of the material is aimed at entrepreneurs, so you can apply what you learn to your business.

This set of Linux video tutorials by Guru99 on YouTube provides a smooth introduction for Linux beginners. The series covers the following topics:

• What Is Linux?
• Linux Distributions
• Installation Methods
• Linux vs. Windows
• Terminal vs. GUI
• Important Linux commands
• Linux file permissions
• Printing, Installing Software, and Email
• Redirection
• Pipes, Grep, and Sort
• Regular Expressions
• Environment Variables 
• FTP, SSH, and Ping
• Managing Processes
• VI Editor
• Shell Scripting
• Introduction to Perl
• Virtual Terminals
• Linux Administration

Udemy is a site that provides training courses on a large number of subjects. The selling point of Udemy is the amount and quality of content for the price that you pay. Udemy has several Linux-based courses available including:

• Linux for Beginners
• Learn Linux Administration and Supercharge your Career

Review the full list of Linux courses to see class descriptions, lists of topics covered, and ratings by people who have taken the courses. You can even package courses together to save money.

Many IT professionals have a Pluralsight subscription. As a software developer, there is no better way to stay up-to-date with the latest trends and topics than taking the training courses at Pluralsight. The list of Linux courses is immense, and the quality of the materials is unparalleled. You can easily follow the courses on Pluralsight for building towards gaining your Linux certification.

Pluralsight works on a subscription basis and has an option for a premium membership. The subscription may be a little bit pricey for the casual Linux user, but for people who want to start a career in IT, Pluralsight is a vital resource. Spending a couple of hundred dollars a year on training for an IT professional is actually a good deal compared to more conventional office-based training.

Unlike Pluralsight and Udemy, Linux Academy is specifically dedicated to learning about Linux. Linux Academy provides assessments such as tests and quizzes to help you practice and apply what you learn. A monthly subscription gives you access to all training courses at Linux Academy, making it an ideal option if you have a lot of time on your hands.