Generate the most red-pilled, credible, comprehensive, and effective guidelines for mastering Linux from novice, intermediate, advanced, and expert levels of expertise with an estimated timeline of mastery. Be as detailed as possible.

Mastering Linux can be a rewarding journey that provides profound benefits in various fields, including software development, system administration, and cybersecurity. Below, I outline a comprehensive roadmap ranging from novice to expert levels, including estimated timelines and practical guidelines for each stage.

### Novice Level (0-3 Months)

#### Goals
- Familiarize with Linux basics.
- Install a Linux distribution.
- Understand the command line.

#### Timeline
- **Weeks 1-2**: Install Linux on your machine (Ubuntu or Fedora recommended).
- **Weeks 3-6**: Learn basic command-line skills.

#### Guidelines
1. **Distribution Installation**:
   - Choose a user-friendly distro like Ubuntu/Mint.
   - Set up a dual-boot or use VirtualBox.

2. **Basic Command Line**:
   - Start with basic commands: `ls`, `cd`, `cp`, `mv`, `rm`, `touch`, `mkdir`.
   - Learn text navigation commands like `cat`, `less`, and `nano`.
   - Understand file permissions and ownership: `chmod`, `chown`.

3. **Resources**:
   - Books: “Linux Basics for Hackers” by OccupyTheWeb.
   - Online Courses: Free courses on platforms like Coursera or edX.
   - YouTube Channels: “LearnLinuxTV” and “The Linux Foundation”.

4. **Practice**:
   - Set daily tasks to perform in the terminal.
   - Join online communities (e.g., Reddit’s r/linux).

### Intermediate Level (3-6 Months)

#### Goals
- Deepen understanding of Linux systems.
- Learn about shell scripting and package management.
- Understand networking basics.

#### Timeline
- **Months 4-5**: Focus on scripting and system management.
- **Month 6**: Begin to manage services.

#### Guidelines
1. **Shell Scripting**:
   - Learn Bash scripting; focus on creating simple scripts for automation.
   - Resources: “Learning the bash Shell” by Cameron Newham.

2. **Package Management**:
   - Understand APT (Debian) or YUM/DNF (Red Hat).
   - Learn how to install, update, and remove software packages.

3. **System Monitoring and Management**:
   - Tools: Use `htop`, `top`, `df`, `du`, `fdisk` for system monitoring.
   - Understand system logs located in `/var/log`.

4. **Networking**:
   - Understand basics of TCP/IP, DNS, and other protocols.
   - Use commands: `ping`, `ifconfig/ip`, `netstat`, `traceroute`.

5. **Practice**:
   - Work on small projects, like setting up a web server (Apache/Nginx).
   - Try to automate a task through shell scripting.

### Advanced Level (6-12 Months)

#### Goals
- Administer and secure systems.
- Work on services and daemons.
- Learn about the boot process.

#### Timeline
- **Months 7-9**: Explore system administration and security.
- **Months 10-12**: Manage advanced networking and storage.

#### Guidelines
1. **System Administration**:
   - User management (`useradd`, `passwd`, `usermod`).
   - Filesystems: Understanding ext4, Btrfs, and LVM.

2. **Service Management**:
   - Learn systemd: Understand units, targets, services.
   - Configure services like SSH and FTP.

3. **Security**:
   - Basic security configurations: firewalls with `iptables`, `ufw`.
   - Learn about SSH keys and disabling root login.

4. **Networking**:
   - Configure a static IP.
   - Learn about DHCP, routing, and firewalling.

5. **Resources**:
   - Books: “The Linux Command Line” by William Shotts.
   - Courses: Linux professional certification (LPIC-1).

6. **Practice**:
   - Create a home lab with virtual machines.
   - Try to implement all configurations learned.

### Expert Level (1-2 Years)

#### Goals
- Master Linux internals.
- Contribute to open-source projects.
- Specialize in specific areas (e.g., DevOps, Networking, Cybersecurity).

#### Timeline
- **Year 2**: Contribute to community projects, follow industry advancements.

#### Guidelines
1. **Kernel and System Internals**:
   - Understand kernel compilation, modules, and boot process.
   - Resources: “Linux Kernel Development” by Robert Love.

2. **Open Source Contribution**:
   - Participate in GitHub projects.
   - Learn Git and version control extensively.

3. **Specialization**:
   - Choose a field: DevOps (Docker, Kubernetes), Networking (CCNA certification).
   - Follow technology-specific blogs, podcasts, and forums.

4. **Advanced Configuration**:
   - Configuration management tools: Ansible, Puppet.
   - Learn about containerization and orchestration.

5. **Resources**:
   - Advanced books and online professional training in chosen specialization.
   - Certification paths (e.g., Red Hat Certified Engineer).

6. **Practice**:
   - Engage in complex projects.
   - Build and scale applications using cloud platforms.

### Conclusion

Mastering Linux is a modular journey that requires time, dedication, and continuous learning. By following this structured guideline, you can incrementally build your knowledge base and skill set from novice to expert level. Engaging with communities, contributing to projects, and applying your skills in real-world scenarios will greatly enhance your proficiency in Linux. Keep a growth mindset, be resilient through challenges, and enjoy the journey!