When I first started using Linux back in the late ’90s, there wasn’t much in the way of help. I remember using ICQ chat in a room geared toward Linux and meeting someone willing to give me a hand. Had it not been for that gentleman, I’m not 100% sure I would have continued using Linux.
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That same method of finding support still exists, but most likely not via one of those old-school chat rooms. Fortunately, there are plenty of ways anyone can get help with Linux, no matter your skill level.
Let’s dive in and see what’s what.
How to find Linux support
1. Forums
Forums are a great way to get help with just about anything. I use forums for many different topics and have always found them quite helpful. For Linux, your best bet is to find a forum for your specific distribution so you know any advice you get should apply to what you use.
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For instance, there are the official Ubuntu Forums, as well as Fedora Discussion, Debian User Forums, Linux Mint Forums, and so many more. Forums are a great place for just about any user, no matter the skill level. These forums are free and almost always community-run.
2. Mailing lists
Mailing lists aren’t quite as helpful to new Linux users or even those who prefer more immediate interaction. However, the nice thing about mailing lists is that you can always have access to the answers you receive in the form of saved emails or archives.
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Most mailing lists offer an archive feature, so you can go through the calendar and access message threads that were sent on a specific day. The only downfall of mailing lists is that fewer and fewer people are using email (especially younger generations), so their usefulness could eventually be questionable.
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You’ll find mailing lists for Ubuntu, Fedora, Debian, and more. Mailing lists are generally broken into categories, so make sure you only sign up for the categories that apply to you and/or your situation.
3. Social media
Social media does have its purposes, one of which is to find help. I belong to several groups that I reach out to get or give help. For example, there’s the Pop!_OS Linux Facebook group, which is filled with users of all types who are always willing to help. You can also use the #Linux hashtag on certain sites.
You’ll also find that most distributions have official accounts on social media. You can tag those accounts, and followers might have the answer you need. There are also Mastodon servers all over the world (even Mastodon.social is a great place to find help). When looking for a Mastodon server to join, make sure there are plenty of users already signed up, otherwise your requests for help could gather dust.
4. Online publications
I would be remiss if I didn’t mention online publications, many of which offer how-tos, news, and opinion pieces on the subject of Linux. Alongside other sites, ZDNET now has a wealth of Linux content. Some online publications are dedicated specifically to Linux (such as OMG Ubuntu, Its FOSS, 9to5Linux, and FOSS Force). You might not always find the specific help you need, but these are great tools to help you learn even more about Linux.
5. Paid support
Some of the more business-centric distributions (such as Red Hat Enterprise Linux, SUSE Linux Enterprise, Ubuntu Server, and Oracle Linux) all have the backing of bigger companies, each of which offers paid support for their product. Some of these companies offer paid support tiers in which a higher tier gets you more immediate help. At the lowest level, you might have access to forums or email lists, and at the highest levels, you might have been assigned a specific support specialist and have their direct phone number.
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This type of support isn’t suited for the average user, mostly because of the associated cost.
No matter what aspect of Linux troubles you, there’s a way to find support. After using Linux for decades, I’ve turned to each of the above and never failed to find answers to pressing questions. And, of course, when all else fails, your good friend Google is always there.
