Re: [MLUG] looking for a Linux tutor

[Michael Procter <EMAIL:PROTECTED>]

Mikhail Kovalenko wrote:

> Phoebe Kempe wrote:
> >
> > Anyone want to start throwing around curriculum ideas? I'm thinking an
> > Intro class would at least need 1. installation, 2. command line and
> > 3. x-windows.
>
> I don't think installation should be the first topic. It requires some
> Unix knowledge to be already present. IMHO, a brief history of Unix is a
> good opening topic.

Once upon a time I was all indignant that the local career center was becoming
just a MOUS certification mill and decided to do the right thing by offering to
teach an alternative.  Stuff happened and that project never advanced --
although I was glad to note that they did offer one course in Linux this spring
-- here's the description from http://www.career-center.org/


>  Introduction to DOS Commands Still afraid to use Linux;
>  a "free" open source operating system that is a good
>  alternative for Microsoft Windows? Understand the
>  structure of Linux, coming from a Windows background.
>  Learn about some of the various distributions that are on
>  the market and support that is available, including the
>  Missouri Linux User Group. Demonstrations on how to
>  install Linux, add hardware, and add other popular
>  applications. Discussion will focus on Linux's file and
>  security system as well as how Linux networks in an IP
>  environment. After attending this class, gain the
>  confidence to give Linux a try. (Note This course will be
>  presentation style with one Linux system.)
>

I guess that's a Freudian slip with the "DOS Commands" part.

Anyway, the course I outlined in my mind went:

I -- Introduction
        What is Unix?
        What is Linux?
        What is Free Software?
        What is Open Source Software?
        Who is Richard Stallman, Linus Torvalds, John Hall, Eric Raymond,
etc...
        What are some good resources? (Linux Journal, Slashdot, Freshmeat, the
LDP, MLUG, etc....)

II -- Choosing a Distribution
         What is a distribution?
         What distributions are available?
         Demonstrate working examples of various distributions and compare and
contrast

III -- Installation
         Install one or two distributions

IV -- Security
         Yes, it really does matter
         How to disable services you don't need
         How to read log files
         Security tools (loggers, nmap, tripwire)

V -- Linux as a GUI workstation ('cause that's what most people are familiar
with)
         Window managers
                What's a window manager?
                Compare and constrast alternative WM's

         Gnome vs. KDE

         Applications
                Mozilla/Netscape
                Gnome/KDE apps
                Staroffice
                Wordperfect

         Fun Stuff

VI -- Linux without the GUI
         TUI applications -- examples of apps with a text user interface
         The command line
         Scripting

VII -- Linux as a server
        Apache
        Samba
        SSH

VIII -- How to contribute
            Topics requested by the class

I had a two or three hour class in mind for each section.  So yes, here's some
curriculum ideas.


--
Michael Procter



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