[ILUG] Basic Into to Linux, need Ideas?

[Kevin Philp]

Frank Murphy (Frankly3D) wrote:
> Have convinced my local community thingey to allow me organise a
> "Introduction to Linux" course\lessons.
>
> Which have been proprietry focused up to now.
> Using LiveCD's, what sort of lesson content,
> should I try include.
> As I have no "teacher" type experience.
>
> Frank

Interesting problem. I run a small Linux network for our company and 
most people have never seen a Linux desktop when they walk through the 
door. However people generally need minimal training to run the desktop 
- literally a few minutes. Some things that do trip them up:

1. Permissions on files - we share files via NFS and understanding file 
permissions is a common problem when you come from Windows.

2. Security - In fact the whole notion of security seems pretty vague in 
most peoples minds. People assume security is buying a copy of Norton 
and are surprised we don't use a virus scanner but do check log files 
and run integrity checkers.

3. Drives and file systems (more of the above). This really confuses 
them, they are used to a C drive and a "network drive" appearing as 
something separate. We also use NFS exports from a central server and 
people find that strange. A common comment is - "I need to log in to my 
computer to see the files on my desktop" - No you don't, /home is an NFS 
mount - takes a while to sink in.

I guess your audience will probably have some computer experience, its 
unlikely a computer illiterate will sign up for a Linux class. Why not 
take them through a complete install - right from where to get the 
disks, burning an ISO, installing and then going through various key 
tasks: securing, admin basics, make it pretty and then using the common 
applications. Installation is a good chance to explain file systems, 
partitions etc.