[bulug] Re: BUILDS intro to Linux
- From: John-Nicholas Furst <j-n@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- To: jchau@xxxxxx, bulug-list <bulug-list@xxxxxxxxxxxxx>
- Date: Tue, 21 Sep 2010 12:40:05 -0400
Hi Jimmy,
You are very correct about the first command almost everyone wants:
"startx". We are dealing with a diverse crowd. I think you made a good point
that for a very intro class we don't want to scare people away. Thus showing
how to navigate common environments such as Gnome or KDE should be a
priority. We do not however want to dumb it down very much. Many people here
have heard about Linux or have briefly used in their classes (because they
had to) but don't understand what they are doing when they use it. I will
add explaining X environments to the syllabus with the understanding that
most people are already used to graphical interfaces from their background
in either Windows or Mac and will be able to pick that up much more quickly
than the eccentricities of the file system / commands.
On Mon, Sep 20, 2010 at 2:53 AM, Jimmy C. Chau <jchau@xxxxxx> wrote:
> John-Nicholas,
>
> Good idea; I'd like to help (assuming that the class attendance will be
> large enough to warrant another teacher and that the class schedule is
> compatible with mine).
>
> However, I believe that your syllabus can use some improvement
> (especially if the target audience is someone who's never used Linux
> before). It seems like nowadays, most beginners to Linux start with a GUI
> environment (such as Gnome or KDE), and only dabble in the command-line as
> they grow more comfortable (or when they encounter a task that can't be
> performed with a GUI yet). Heck, even when my brother introduced me to
> Linux around a decade ago, the first command that I'd type upon logging in
> would usually be "startx".
>
> Perhaps the first class should include similarities with (in addition to
> differences from) other popular operating systems and an overview on how to
> perform basic tasks so that the students can immediately begin using
> Linux/Unix (without learning how to be a sys-admin first).
>
> Also, for the first class, along with enumerating the differences, I think
> it'll be important to explain *why* they might want to use Linux or Unix
> (and these reasons probably need to be stronger than just being free or
> open-source for Linux).
>
> On the other hand, if your class is more directed towards the advanced
> computer users who have wanted to try Linux or Unix just haven't gotten
> around to it yet, feel free to ignore my advice above.
>
> -Jimmy
>
>
> On Sun, Sep 19, 2010 at 3:33 PM, John-Nicholas Furst <
> j-n@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote:
>
>> Hi everyone,
>>
>> My name is John-Nicholas Furst and in case we have not met allow me to
>> introduce myself; I am a sophomore in the College of Engineering and I am
>> the BU Linux Users Group Secretary this year. I am also an officer of the
>> Boston University Information Lab and Design Studio (BUILDS) located at MCS
>> B28.
>>
>> BUILDS is hosting a series of Linux classes / workshops for its members
>> and the general BU community. Currently there are three classes planed
>> (Introduction,Intermediate, and Advanced) to be ran consecutively over the
>> course of a few weeks. This setup allows interested parties to start with no
>> Linux experience at all and have seamless transition between the intro class
>> and the intermediate and similarly with the
>> intermediate-advanced transition.
>>
>> Our current syllabus for the introduction course can be found at:
>> http://builds.cc/wiki/index.php?title=Intro_to_Linux
>>
>> <http://builds.cc/wiki/index.php?title=Intro_to_Linux>To be able to
>> login and edit the page one will need a builds account which is easily
>> obtained at: http://builds.cc/membership/
>>
>> I am writing to ask if LUG wants to co-sponsor or teach the workshop with
>> us or if anyone has suggestions for alternations to the syllabus. Also as
>> mentioned above the workshop will be open to everyone and of course free, so
>> if any LUG members know other people who want to learn Linux this would be a
>> great starting point.
>>
>> Please feel free to contact me any questions,comments,concerns!
>> (541) 231-7110
>> --
>> John-Nicholas Furst
>> Boston University
>> College of Engineering
>> Biomedical Engineering
>> Computer Engineering
>>
>> SQL Developer, UIS, Information Services & Technology
>> 25 Buick Street, (617) 358-4395
>>
>>
>>
>> --
>> John-Nicholas Furst
>> Boston University
>> College of Engineering
>> Biomedical Engineering
>> Computer Engineering
>>
>> SQL Developer, UIS, Information Services & Technology
>> 25 Buick Street, (617) 358-4395
>>
>
>
--
John-Nicholas Furst
Boston University
College of Engineering
Biomedical Engineering
Computer Engineering
SQL Developer, UIS, Information Services & Technology
25 Buick Street, (617) 358-4395
Other related posts: