Difference between revisions of "GNU/Linux for Windows Users"
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| − | The [http://bitsbytes.ca/ Bit And Bytes Computer Club] is holding a series of workshops on '''Linux for Windows Users'''. These are notes for a potential curriculum. | + | The [http://bitsbytes.ca/ Bit And Bytes Computer Club] is holding a series of workshops on '''GNU/Linux for Windows Users'''. These are notes for a potential curriculum. |
== Goals == | == Goals == | ||
| − | * To get people familiar enough with Linux to use it as their every-day operating system | + | * To get people familiar enough with GNU/Linux to use it as their every-day operating system |
* To instill a degree of self-sufficiency | * To instill a degree of self-sufficiency | ||
** Each participant should acquire permanent skills to perform daily tasks such as | ** Each participant should acquire permanent skills to perform daily tasks such as | ||
| Line 16: | Line 16: | ||
** Each participant should experience these skills (but it's OK if these skills are not retained beyond the course) | ** Each participant should experience these skills (but it's OK if these skills are not retained beyond the course) | ||
*** Creation of bootable media (DVD or USB) | *** Creation of bootable media (DVD or USB) | ||
| − | *** Installation of Linux | + | *** Installation of GNU/Linux |
*** Set up a printer | *** Set up a printer | ||
*** Configuring desktop appearance | *** Configuring desktop appearance | ||
*** Traversing the file system (/home, /var/log, /etc ) | *** Traversing the file system (/home, /var/log, /etc ) | ||
*** Use a terminal and run commands (ls, lsblk, top) | *** Use a terminal and run commands (ls, lsblk, top) | ||
| − | * To understand the culture of Linux, Free Software, and the community (or at least be exposed to it) | + | * To understand the culture of GNU/Linux, Free Software, and the community (or at least be exposed to it) |
| − | It is '''not''' a goal to understand Linux at any deeper level than "I turn on my computer and get work done". | + | It is '''not''' a goal to understand GNU/Linux at any deeper level than "I turn on my computer and get work done". |
If we get into file systems, mount points, load averages and shell scripting we've gone off-track. | If we get into file systems, mount points, load averages and shell scripting we've gone off-track. | ||
=== Challenges === | === Challenges === | ||
==== For the workshop leaders ==== | ==== For the workshop leaders ==== | ||
| − | We're deeply technical geeks. We'd like nothing better than to instill that knowledge and reverence for Linux in our disciples. We live for pedantry and arcana. We don't understand people who consider computers as just another tool, and who just want to get on with it. So, keeping the workshop at a level that's both useful and interesting to the participants is the challenge for workshop leaders. | + | We're deeply technical geeks. We'd like nothing better than to instill that knowledge and reverence for GNU/Linux in our disciples. We live for pedantry and arcana. We don't understand people who consider computers as just another tool, and who just want to get on with it. So, keeping the workshop at a level that's both useful and interesting to the participants is the challenge for workshop leaders. |
==== For the participants ==== | ==== For the participants ==== | ||
| − | Buying a computer with a pre-packaged operating system is easy. Converting your computer from something you know to something you-don't-even-know-if-you-want-it is difficult. Unfortunately, the most difficult parts about learning a new operating system (the installation and configuration) occur at the beginning, when people have the least familiarity the things they're installing. While it would be convenient for the instructors to do all the preparation ahead of time, that would deprive the participants of a valuable learning experience. It's good for people to see the complexity under the hood, because they will be less likely to believe that it's their fault for not understanding Linux. Sometimes, learning a new skill seems difficult because it '''is''' difficult, and there is all the more satisfaction in mastering that skill knowing how difficult it really was. | + | Buying a computer with a pre-packaged operating system is easy. Converting your computer from something you know to something you-don't-even-know-if-you-want-it is difficult. Unfortunately, the most difficult parts about learning a new operating system (the installation and configuration) occur at the beginning, when people have the least familiarity with the things they're installing. While it would be convenient for the instructors to do all the preparation ahead of time, that would deprive the participants of a valuable learning experience. It's good for people to see the complexity under the hood, because they will be less likely to believe that it's their fault for not understanding GNU/Linux. Sometimes, learning a new skill seems difficult because it '''is''' difficult, and there is all the more satisfaction in mastering that skill knowing how difficult it really was. |
| − | I am willing to perform Linux pre-installations for people who | + | I am willing to perform GNU/Linux pre-installations for people who |
don't want to sit through the sessions of creating a bootable | don't want to sit through the sessions of creating a bootable | ||
| − | USB key or the Linux installfest. For $75 per computer I will | + | USB key or the GNU/Linux installfest. For $75 per computer I will |
| − | set up Linux as a dual-boot system, so that people can start | + | set up GNU/Linux as a dual-boot system, so that people can start |
the course with Workshop 3. | the course with Workshop 3. | ||
[[User:BobJonkman|BobJonkman]] ([[User talk:BobJonkman|talk]]) 02:13, 8 April 2014 (EDT) | [[User:BobJonkman|BobJonkman]] ([[User talk:BobJonkman|talk]]) 02:13, 8 April 2014 (EDT) | ||
== Curriculum == | == Curriculum == | ||
| − | === Workshop 1 - Portable Linux === | + | === Workshop 1 - Portable GNU/Linux === |
| − | * Use Windows to download a Linux image (LMDE Mate desktop) | + | * Use Windows to download a GNU/Linux image (LMDE Mate desktop) |
* Use Windows to create a bootable USB drive with [http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/ Universal USB Installer] from [http://www.pendrivelinux.com/ PendriveLinux] | * Use Windows to create a bootable USB drive with [http://www.pendrivelinux.com/universal-usb-installer-easy-as-1-2-3/ Universal USB Installer] from [http://www.pendrivelinux.com/ PendriveLinux] | ||
* Enter the BIOS configuration to ensure the computer will boot from the USB drive | * Enter the BIOS configuration to ensure the computer will boot from the USB drive | ||
| Line 60: | Line 60: | ||
=== Workshop 2 - The Installfest === | === Workshop 2 - The Installfest === | ||
| − | It would be good to have enough experienced Linux people on hand to help troubleshoot, as dual-booting is the most likely to cause difficulty | + | It would be good to have enough experienced GNU/Linux people on hand to help troubleshoot, as dual-booting is the most likely to cause difficulty |
* Boot from USB drive | * Boot from USB drive | ||
* Partitioning | * Partitioning | ||
| Line 71: | Line 71: | ||
:: | :: | ||
* Software Updater | * Software Updater | ||
| − | * Software | + | * Software Manager to install new applications |
| + | ** Chromium | ||
| − | [http://sobac.com/bitsnbytes/Workshop2 Workshop 2 Presentation Notes] | + | |
| + | :[http://sobac.com/bitsnbytes/Workshop2 Workshop 2 Presentation Notes] | ||
| + | :[http://sobac.com/bitsnbytes/Workshop2/quickref.html Workshop 2 Quick Reference] | ||
=== Workshop 3 - LibreOffice === | === Workshop 3 - LibreOffice === | ||
| Line 89: | Line 92: | ||
[[User:BobJonkman|BobJonkman]] ([[User talk:BobJonkman|talk]]) 02:13, 8 April 2014 (EDT) | [[User:BobJonkman|BobJonkman]] ([[User talk:BobJonkman|talk]]) 02:13, 8 April 2014 (EDT) | ||
| + | == Other Resources == | ||
| + | * [http://sobac.com/presentations/bitsnbytes/ Presentations made at Bits'n'Bytes] | ||
[[Category:HowTo]][[Category:Training]] | [[Category:HowTo]][[Category:Training]] | ||
Latest revision as of 16:13, 8 January 2017
The Bit And Bytes Computer Club is holding a series of workshops on GNU/Linux for Windows Users. These are notes for a potential curriculum.
Contents
Goals
- To get people familiar enough with GNU/Linux to use it as their every-day operating system
- To instill a degree of self-sufficiency
- Each participant should acquire permanent skills to perform daily tasks such as
- Browsing the Web
- Reading and sending e-mail
- Creating written documents
- Creating a greeting card
- Each participant should have sufficient knowledge to
- Acquire additional software
- Recognize when something isn't working correctly
- Know where to turn for answers
- ...but not necessarily apply the fixes
- Each participant should experience these skills (but it's OK if these skills are not retained beyond the course)
- Creation of bootable media (DVD or USB)
- Installation of GNU/Linux
- Set up a printer
- Configuring desktop appearance
- Traversing the file system (/home, /var/log, /etc )
- Use a terminal and run commands (ls, lsblk, top)
- Each participant should acquire permanent skills to perform daily tasks such as
- To understand the culture of GNU/Linux, Free Software, and the community (or at least be exposed to it)
It is not a goal to understand GNU/Linux at any deeper level than "I turn on my computer and get work done". If we get into file systems, mount points, load averages and shell scripting we've gone off-track.
Challenges
For the workshop leaders
We're deeply technical geeks. We'd like nothing better than to instill that knowledge and reverence for GNU/Linux in our disciples. We live for pedantry and arcana. We don't understand people who consider computers as just another tool, and who just want to get on with it. So, keeping the workshop at a level that's both useful and interesting to the participants is the challenge for workshop leaders.
For the participants
Buying a computer with a pre-packaged operating system is easy. Converting your computer from something you know to something you-don't-even-know-if-you-want-it is difficult. Unfortunately, the most difficult parts about learning a new operating system (the installation and configuration) occur at the beginning, when people have the least familiarity with the things they're installing. While it would be convenient for the instructors to do all the preparation ahead of time, that would deprive the participants of a valuable learning experience. It's good for people to see the complexity under the hood, because they will be less likely to believe that it's their fault for not understanding GNU/Linux. Sometimes, learning a new skill seems difficult because it is difficult, and there is all the more satisfaction in mastering that skill knowing how difficult it really was.
I am willing to perform GNU/Linux pre-installations for people who don't want to sit through the sessions of creating a bootable USB key or the GNU/Linux installfest. For $75 per computer I will set up GNU/Linux as a dual-boot system, so that people can start the course with Workshop 3. BobJonkman (talk) 02:13, 8 April 2014 (EDT)
Curriculum
Workshop 1 - Portable GNU/Linux
- Use Windows to download a GNU/Linux image (LMDE Mate desktop)
- Use Windows to create a bootable USB drive with Universal USB Installer from PendriveLinux
- Enter the BIOS configuration to ensure the computer will boot from the USB drive
- Boot from the USB drive
- Break
- Familiarize with the Desktop
- Window List
- Notification Area
- Configure weather display
- Linux Mint Power Menu
- Firefox
- LibreOffice (if enough time)
Workshop 2 - The Installfest
It would be good to have enough experienced GNU/Linux people on hand to help troubleshoot, as dual-booting is the most likely to cause difficulty
- Boot from USB drive
- Partitioning
- Resize the Windows partition (only for dual-boot systems)
- Create partitions for / (root), /home, swap
- Run the Install application
- Perform the install for a dual-boot system
- Break
- Software Updater
- Software Manager to install new applications
- Chromium
Workshop 3 - LibreOffice
- LibreOffice Writer
- Break
- LibreOffice Calc
Workshop 4 - Greeting Card
I don't know what the best software is. Suggestions? BobJonkman (talk) 02:13, 8 April 2014 (EDT)
Anything else? "Create your own Web page"? "Computer Security"? "Cryptoparty"? BobJonkman (talk) 02:13, 8 April 2014 (EDT)
