So how do I actually learn computing. Do I start with programming? Then what do I do after that? I just want to know how my damn machine works, get the best out of it and know how to write programs. What programming language should I start with? Should I install Linux? What's a good curriculum I can follow in my spare time?
C programming language. Many languages are influenced by it. After you learn C then just learn whatever you want to use.
Don't bother with Linux unless you NEED to run software that only works on Linux. Just stick with what you are already running.
You will waste time dealing with distribution or Linux-specific problems that would not be found in a well designed operating system.
Unix and C are the basis of literally everything so just learn those
Read the book Linux Command Line (you can get it free online) then install Arch Linux by reading through the wiki (or just Debian if you want something more stable). Then learn C or Scheme. Scheme is easier but doesn’t have a lot of practical use. C is primitive but powerful and it runs literally everything. Choice is yours.
>You will waste time dealing with distribution or Linux-specific problems that would not be found in a well designed operating system.
A well designed operating system does not exist, you will waste time on OS-specific problems no matter what you do.
Okay so I installed Debian and now I am learning the Scheme but the SICP book is too hard. What else should I read?
Keep learning SICP. Just reference other books or online sources when you need to know more about something it's talking about. Also get a good book on Linux to help you get used to that. I reccomend A Practical Guide to Linux: Commands, Editors and Shell Programming by Mark G. Sobell. It's quite a tome and not a book you read cover to cover (unless you want...it would be good to do so, just not really intended to be read that way as it's dry) but it will teach you the ins and outs of Linux in ways a gay JooTube video or some blog post can't.
Here's a digital copy below, but it's worth picking up a physical version as it's a lot easier to reference a book that you can have sitting on your desk and pull out anytime.
These videos should help
https://archive.org/details/ucberkeley_webcast_itunesu_391532630/01.+2010-08-30+-+Lecture+1.mp4