Getting to know Linux By PRASOON GUPTA http://www.creativeteensclub.org

Who am I? I am 17 yr old Web designer from India Work with open source software Drupal, Moodle etc. Open source has changed my life I never went to any computer institute for learning computer cources, web designing, flash, action script, php, c++ etc.

So what exactly is Linux?

Is a TV

Is a phone

Is like water...

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 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

GNOME Desktop showing a Browser and an E-Mail client Menu is up here

KDE Desktop showing a File Manager

Great desktop effects with Compiz Fusion

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? 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 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 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 A whole suite of applications for language, science, math, games:

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? Spend time learning where the applications are and their names

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 firefox opera konqueror

OpenOffice.org

KOffice

Email Evolution Kontact

Music and Video Totem Amarok Rythmbox

Communications Skype Pidgin Gizmo Ekiga

I am stuck HEEELP!!!

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 X-Chat X-Chat

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