Getting to know Linux : Linux Basics Getting to know Linux By Alexandro Colorado
Who am I? : Linux Basics Who am I? I am 29 yr old IT Consultant from Mexico
Work with an open source project called OpenOffice.org
Have used Linux since 2000 and exclusively since 2001
Open source has changed my life
I never went to college for that
So what exactly is Linux? : Linux Basics So what exactly is Linux?
Is a TV : Linux Basics Is a TV
Is a phone : Linux Basics Is a phone
Is like water... : Linux Basics Is like water...
Why? Water... huh?!? : Linux Basics Why? Water... huh?!? You can get Linux for free or through a vendor.
You can also get Linux within a product.
Linux is free... as in Freedom
In Spanish we call it “software libre” not “software gratis”.
So why is it also free as in cost? Because the developers choose to do so through their license agreement.... the GPL
How can I use it? : Linux Basics How can I use it?
Linux is a complex beast. : Linux Basics Linux is a complex beast. I won't lie, Linux is not easy, the same way as computers are not easy for your parents.
Linux might be frightening because is like learning computers all over again.
Linux is not easy because is an operating system, they are not meant to be easy.
Linux actually is just a kernel, a program of code that connect your screen with keyboard.
Average user will take around 2 months to feel comfortable using it day to day
Slide 10 : Linux Basics GNOME Desktop showing a Browser and an E-Mail client Menu is up here
Slide 11 : Linux Basics KDE Desktop showing a File Manager
Slide 12 : Linux Basics Great desktop effects with Compiz Fusion
Yet Linux is not a 1 man show : Linux Basics Yet Linux is not a 1 man show Behind every single program that comes with Linux there is a whole community behind it.
Hundred of forums, mailing lists, podcasts and Video tutorials are made to teach Linux
You might even find a community just for educators.
Free software are projects not products. (avoid consumer mentality)
So why is Linux better? : Linux Basics So why is Linux better? Is collaborative
Is very customizable
Is more complete than expected
It evolves, every single day
Is more secure
Is more stable
Is extremely hard to loose data
How can I teach with it. : Linux Basics How can I teach with it. Linux has a great deal of software for education.
Applications for learning including Math, Languages, Chemistry, Astronomy
Also has applications for younger kids:
Paint
Type
Music
Gcompris : Linux Basics Gcompris Teaching young kids to fear no Penguin
Computer discovery- keyboard, mouse, mouse gestures.
Algebra – memory, enumeration, double entry table, mirror image
Science – the water cycle, the submarine, electric simulation http://gcompris.net
KDE Education : Linux Basics KDE Education A whole suite of applications for language, science, math, games:
Linux desktop Applications : Linux Basics Linux desktop Applications Internet:
Web browser, email client, FTP client, Instant Messenger, VoIP client
Office:
Word processor, spreadsheet, Drawing, presentation, desktop publishing, charting, photo editing, PDF viewer
Multimedia:
CD/Audio/Video player, audio and video editor, jukebox
How to jump on Google? : Linux Basics How to jump on Google? Spend time learning where the applications are and their names
Usual suspects : Linux Basics Usual suspects Browser:- firefox, epiphany, opera, konqueror
Email:- evolution, thunderbird
Office:- openoffice.org (writer, calc, impress, draw), koffice, abiword
Music:- Totem, kaffeine, amarok, xine
Browsers : Linux Basics Browsers firefox opera konqueror
OpenOffice.org : Linux Basics OpenOffice.org
KOffice : Linux Basics KOffice
Email : Linux Basics Email Evolution Kontact
Music and Video : Linux Basics Music and Video Totem Amarok Rythmbox
Communications : Linux Basics Communications Skype Pidgin Gizmo Ekiga
I am stuckHEEELP!!! : Linux Basics I am stuckHEEELP!!!
Someone please call 911 : Linux Basics Someone please call 911 Make sure you read the manual.
Google for your answer, most issues are already asked by others.
Join a linux support forum (linuxquestions.org)
Join a linux support chat (Xchat is great)
Instructional linux podcast (linuxreality.com)
Please be patient since we are all users ;-)
Chat for help : Linux Basics Chat for help X-Chat X-Chat
Thank you : Linux Basics Thank you jza@openoffice.org
Next course ideas:
- Teaching math with Linux
- Teaching languages with linux
- OpenOffice.org migration guide
- Setting up a Learning Server
- Join Tux university http://linux.learnhub.com