[ILUG] Linux

[Conor Wynne]

On Tue, 2004-08-31 at 18:11, Kae Verens wrote:
> > 
> > We run a Linux course here in the FÁS Training Centre in Loughlinstown, at present we are using REDHAT 9 but feel we should probably upgrade to FEDORA for the next course.
> > 
> > I would appreciate your advice as to whether the upgrade is vital at this stage or will training on REDHAT 9 still suffice for trainees leaving our course.

What the course title then? URL would be good. 

> 
> My own opinion on this is that generic Linux should be taught. Things 
> which can be accomplished in all Linux distributions whether the 
> distribution is Mandrake, RedHat, SuSE, or any of the other brands.

Yes, I agree. But this involves writing more documentation. But please
do not stick to just one distribution. You could easily give students
the choice of distro to install - provide an NFS/HTTP/FTP share for the
purpose. 

At the end of the day, its just the package manager (and some file
locations) that changes, and even these are interoperable

> In work, I use Fedora and RedHat, but have also used Mandrake in the 
> past in that same company. In a previous company, I used RedHat, SuSE 
> and Caldera.

Me too. I like to chop and change. In work I use as2.1 & es3. At home
fedora, mandrake & Sun JDS2

> Forgetting about distributions, I think that the most common 
> applications of Linux should be taught.

Applications? I disagree, services would be better. How to this, how to
that. Compile the kernel etc. 

> 
> Start with basic interaction with a GUI (Gnome and KDE, with mention of 
> others), and the common desktop applications, then get more specific 
> after that if it's required.

Why bother? If people can use windows then they can use linux. My wife
is the proof (She actually finds linux easier to use even though I
change the GUI from time to time - mind you, she is smart as well as
hot)

I do agree though that you should show they exist, but just explain what
a window manager is, and let the students choose themselves. 

> Again, the distribution should not matter. When you think about it, the 
> applications of Linux that most people are interested in can be found in 
> /all/ distributions.

Yes, it is pointless doing openoffice / mozilla and all that. They exist
even for windows!

> Kae
> -- 

Conor - Celebrating the return of his CBR600 (Thanks to the Gardai!)