Getting Comfy with Linux

Stage one. Killing the fear.

testing out a half-dozen or so Linux OSs

Linux has hundreds of different distro for different uses and styles. First thing is : What do you use a computer for? Make a list of the applications you will need. Now compare that to various distro's repositories. Add those with your needs to the shortlist and we're off. Let's install some.

The Linux kernel will be the same every time, so we focus on whats different. Different desktops, filetrees, package managers, repos, and more. Learn about the many options you have.

Desktops come in many flavours. Some are large and feature filled. Others have the bare minimum and all are further customisable.
Package managers match the OS, file tree and file type used. They also make updates easier.
Repos make installation easy. However, if the repo does not have something, one can use other means. OSs with the swag you need can save massive amounts of time.
Student now has experience and confidence installing Linux systems. this is big! The fear is gone. Feel it? Now you can play with it more confidently. If you make a mistake, you can just reinstall, so experiment. So, onto the next step...

The command is where the real power is. 10,000+ cli programs are at my fingertips. That would be the next course.

Add opensource. Yum.

Package management is key to personalisation. Time to move into your new OS.

While Wallmart and Windows often have everything from the start, its mostly shit. For the real dope, you gotta go elsewhere. With Windows, you spend lots more money and keep online accounts so they might monitor your actions in motherly fashion.
Linux, though, comes with access to a repo (repository) and a package manager that can install from this source. One can install nearly anything on Linux without them, but these make things easy.
Mind, these are not "apps" nor are there "terms and conditions" to "agree" to. These are open-source programs. You can look inside. You can change them. Millions around the world do which makes it extremely hard for any to hide bad code. Nothing is hidden. Very different from Google Play or similar.

What is the difference between an app and application?
Opensource applications are designed by volunteers worldwide and the deal is one can't sell them because they are free to all.
Most of them are cli, though. this means terminal only. No buttons. No gui. This is great for me and others that use cli. easy, free and instant. What we do is make GUIs for these, but we can't sell them. We can legally use them for trojans that data mine though! And so they do by the thousands. Most Google Play and Apple Garbage is these cli opensource programs with added GUI and data mining to bring money in, which is why they all require "terms and conditions" allowing them their booty.
See the difference?

We will use only pure open-source with 0 agreements. The repos have all we need. Here, you learn how to find and install the easy, free, parasite-free way. You will learn difficult new codes (LOL) like : "apt install feh" telling apt, the package manager, to install ... the program feh. Its designed to be easy.

"install, update, reboot, test, next lesson."

Customisation and security.

Configurations, settings and security.
This is so much easier on Linux. If we have done well, there's very little to do security-wise. Unlike Android, Windows or Apple, nothing gets permissions you must then reset every update.
Now, number one. Don't install garbage. Install garbage and Linux can be as bad as any other OS. Here's how to identify garbage.
Most "agreements" should never be required. Any "agreeement is a red flag.
Another red flag is "going public". This means stock holders in Amerika have been promised maximum capitalisation on their investments in writing which always includes data mining. Should public companies not comply with this obligation, the investors will sue them and win. The stock certificates themselves represent loans to the company connected to returns guarranteed in writing under Amerikan law. Avoid all such companies. Never agree. Nothing they have is worth it. Now you know the game. Learn how to avoid it.
Most Linux start out with pretty good security, but a few, like Kali, get lazy or possibly even leave security lax on purpose. Sudo should be required for any and all administration and a user with admin privelidges created for use, if not already setup. this is all most people need.
Security can go much higher with a few additions for those in need. Those would be later lessons.

98% of security nowadays is not installing garbage.