Getting to know Linux

By Alexandro Colorado

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?

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 clientMenu 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

firefoxopera

konqueror

OpenOffice.org

KOffice

Email

EvolutionKontact

Music and Video

TotemAmarokRythmbox

Communications

SkypePidginGizmoEkiga

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-ChatX-Chat

Linux Basics