Linux Install Lesson Plan

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Facilitator's outline

  • 9-9:30: Show up, get ready, hook up M's laptop to projector as people show up: Start starting back-ups
  • <= 10:20: Go-around with names, preferred pronouns (Hi, I'm Maggie, I use she and her), experience, intentions
  • Finish starting back-ups
  • What's Linux (S)
    • To introduce the OS concept, ask people what programs they use, then to name some computer hardware.  Then explain that an operating system is the glue in between.
    • An operating system is the software that acts as glue between your computer's hardware and the programs that you use on it.  It's the software that, for example, links the physical movement of a mouse with the action of moving a cursor and clicking inside a program.
    • Linux is an operating system. Other common operating systems are Windows, OSX/Macintosh, and UNIX, and there are others that are older or specialized.
  • What's FOSS (M)
  • Generate list of things to do on a computer, proprietary and non-proprietary apps for them
    • Here, participants name things they do with their computers and the programs they use. We identify those programs as FOSS or proprietary. We put a chart on the markerboard with columns like "Graphics editor / Photoshop / The Gimp" and "Web browser / Internet Explorer, Safari / Firefox, Opera"
  • Implications of using proprietary/open software (M)
  • Differences b/w distros, and why we chose Ubuntu (S)
    • http://distrowatch.com/dwres.php?resource=major
    • What we call “Linux”, the part that has to stay the same in order to be called Linux, is actually a pretty small piece of code called the “kernel”.  Different flavors of Linux are called “distributions.” Distributions have different looks and feels, and have different ways of doing tasks like updating software.  Some of the differences are subtle, and some are pretty stark.
    • Names that you might have heard are Ubuntu, Debian, Red Hat, Fedora, Gentoo, CentOS, Suse, Puppy Linux, and lots of others.
    • We chose Ubuntu because it's very popular, and it's popular because it's generally pretty easy to use and compatible with a lot of hardware. Also, being popular means that there are lots of people on the user forums, so it's easy to find someone who had the same problem you're having, and easy to ask for help.
  • What happens in install/what can go wrong (S)
    • hardware incompatibility w/ boot disk
    • buggy installer
    • partitioning problems
    • multiples of devices
    • partition not big enough
    • passwords
    • firewall
    • internet
    • drivers
  • Quick mention of what you can do if you don't want to install at this point
    • Explain what a live cd is
    • Suggest installing FOSS software
    • Team up with another student

To do:

  • Make install cds: 1.5 n (where n=number of students signed up), half 32-bit and half 64-bit, plus some blanks (S)
  • Check on hive stickers (S)  There are some on the shelf in the back.  Give to each student
  • Make handout: agenda annotated resource list with troubleshooting, business models, philosophizing, book recommendations (M)
  • Print final handout on Sat evening/Sun morning (M or S)
  • print some zines (M)
  • food budgeting (S)

Handout for class

Hive76 Linux Install Class Outline

  • Introductions
  • Start backing up data
  • What is Linux?
    • Free and open source operating system
    • The glue between computer hardware and software programs
    • Other examples of OSs: with Windows, Macintosh, UNIX
  • What is free and open source software?
    • Free software definition
    • Open source definition

Freeware and shareware disambiguation

  • Examples of proprietary and FOSS programs
  • Implications of using proprietary software (and advantages of using FOSS)
    • Debugging and community oversight
    • Security risks
    • Malicious programs
    • Privacy
    • Data locked into proprietary format
    • Odious license agreements
  • Differences between Linux distributions (and why we chose Ubuntu)
    • “Linux” is small – just the kernel
    • Lots of ways to package it up – called “distributions”
    • Differences in things like software updates. Some subtle, some obvious
    • Some common distros: Debian, RedHat, Fedora, CentOS, Gentoo, Suse...
    • Ubuntu is popular, pretty easy, and has a big user community
  • Linux installation process overview (and things that can go wrong)
    • Hardware incompatibility with boot disk
    • Buggy installer
    • Partitioning problems, partition too small
    • Multiples of devices (Ex: 2 disks ethernet ports, can be confusing)
    • Don't forget your password!
    • Firewall configuration
    • Internet and wireless set up
    • Drivers
  • What you can do if you don't want to install yet
    • Live cd
    • FOSS within proprietary OS
    • Install!

Some Useful References Troubleshooting on the web:

Books:

  • The Official Ubuntu Book (user-friendly approach, geared towards people who are accustomed to windows)
  • Linux: The Advanced Reference (more detailed, geared towards custom configuration)

Philosophical musings on FOSS

Models for FOSS development

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