Linux Intro

What is Linux?What is Linux?

What are the Implications What are the Implications for for

Education? Education? By: Susana ChanBy: Susana Chan

ETEC 531ETEC 531Thematic Media Production 1Thematic Media Production 1

Linux was created by Linus Torvalds Linux was created by Linus Torvalds (hence, the name) in Helsinki, Finland. (hence, the name) in Helsinki, Finland. He was in his early years of university He was in his early years of university studies in Computer Science, when he studies in Computer Science, when he created this operating system. created this operating system.

Linus Torvalds selected Larry Linus Torvalds selected Larry Ewing’s creation of Tux, the Ewing’s creation of Tux, the Linux penguin, as the logo or Linux penguin, as the logo or

mascot.mascot.

Ewing generously gave his Ewing generously gave his creation for the promotion of creation for the promotion of

Linux.Linux.

Thank you Larry for sharing me with the world.

Linux is the movement to Linux is the movement to open source software.open source software.

Instead of closed Instead of closed software, it allows the software, it allows the

software to be software to be distributed freely.distributed freely.

However, Linux truly began from However, Linux truly began from the inspiration of a brilliant man: the inspiration of a brilliant man:

Richard StallmanRichard Stallman

Who is Richard Who is Richard Stallman?Stallman?

Founder of the Free Software Foundation in 1985, for the GNU Project.

Wrote the free software license called the GNU General Public License (GNU GPL).

His goal was to provide an alternative to proprietary software.

General Public License (GPL) granted users rights to:

Run the program for any general purpose. Run the program for any general purpose. Study, modify and/or improve the program to Study, modify and/or improve the program to

suit personal needs. Access source codes are suit personal needs. Access source codes are needed prior to such action.needed prior to such action.

Redistribute copies of program to the public Redistribute copies of program to the public at no cost.at no cost.

With that being said…With that being said… Linus Torvald decided to adopt the Linus Torvald decided to adopt the GNU GPL to his creation of Linux.GNU GPL to his creation of Linux.

His creation began in 1991. He first His creation began in 1991. He first created Linux version 0.02, from created Linux version 0.02, from inspiration of his Minix Unix system that he inspiration of his Minix Unix system that he was running at the time. was running at the time.

By 1994, Linux Kernel Version 1.0 was By 1994, Linux Kernel Version 1.0 was released.released.

Adoption of LinuxAdoption of Linux Linux’s availability and functionality Linux’s availability and functionality

have won the hearts of both have won the hearts of both commercial and non-commercial commercial and non-commercial users. Many have adopted this open users. Many have adopted this open source system as their home and source system as their home and office desktop operating system.office desktop operating system.

Companies that run Linux Companies that run Linux servers include…servers include…

Visit Visit www.sourceforge.netwww.sourceforge.net for a for a comprehensive list of open source projects comprehensive list of open source projects and participants.and participants.

Why Choose Linux?Why Choose Linux?Linux operating system uses Linux operating system uses a a graphical user interfacegraphical user interface that is that is similar tosimilar to other proprietary operating other proprietary operating systems. systems. (example: Microsoft XP or Mac OSX) (example: Microsoft XP or Mac OSX)

Linux vs. WindowsLinux vs. Windows

LinuxLinux WindowsWindows Linux has different versions, depending on which vendor develops and runs it. Linux vendors include: LinspireLinspire, , Red HatRed Hat, , SuSESuSE, , UbuntuUbuntu, , MandrivaMandriva, , KnoppixKnoppix, , SlackwareSlackware, , CalderaCaldera, , DebianDebian

Windows has different versions. It started with Win3.x, Win9x, WinME, WinNT, Win2000, WinXP. It is a proprietary software produced by Microsoft.

LinuxLinuxCost

WindowsWindowsCostCost

Linux is cheap or free to run. It can be downloaded from various Linux vendors.

Linux may run off a server so numerous computers may have access to the program.

Windows is expensive to run. The price to purchase a full version of Windows XP Professional is $400 CAD. Only one copy of Windows may be used on a computer. Activation with Microsoft is needed.

LinuxLinuxCost

WindowsWindowsCostCost

Linux is an open source software. Source codes are freely distributed to the public, of which programmers had reviewed to improve performance, eliminate bugs and strengthen security.

Windows is a proprietary closed source software. Codes are not released to the public.

LinuxLinuxOS Stability

WindowsWindowsOS OS Stability

When properly configured, Linux will run until the hardware fails or if the system is shut down. Linux claims that it may continuously run up to more than a year without freezing or shutting down. It is not as prone to bugs and viruses as most are geared towards Windows.

It is known to crash easily, and be infected by bugs and viruses. .

LinuxLinux Technical Support

WindowsWindowsTechnical Support

As source codes are easily accessible, solving technical problems are effective and efficient. Linux users rely on installation guides, or Linux forums to receive advice and suggestions from other users on technical problems. Very few businesses have trained staff to solve Linux bugs.

Proprietary software requires technicians to rely on Microsoft for technical information to fix bugs and problems. Numerous businesses have on site technicians that are Microsoft Certified Professionals.

There is a catch. There is a catch. Any modifications made to any programs Any modifications made to any programs

must be released to the public. This is must be released to the public. This is known as “Copyleft”known as “Copyleft”

According to Richard Stallman, software According to Richard Stallman, software developers have the right to make developers have the right to make changes, share codes, use and changes, share codes, use and redistribute, but are not redistribute, but are not bound to give bound to give away any derived work.away any derived work.

Linux and EducationLinux and EducationAs a certified and practicing teacher with the Vancouver School Board, I see both positive and negative implications of Linux on Education.

I shall address both sides of each implication.

Installation, Installation, technical technical supportsupport

Transition Transition PeriodPeriod

SoftwareSoftwareapplicabilityapplicability

SoftwareSoftwarerequirementrequirement

HardwareHardwarerequirementrequirement

CostCost

Linux Linux and and

EducationEducation

CostCost

Problem/Question Possible Solution Expensive to purchase proprietary software licenses.

Linux can be obtained for free or at a low cost.

Expensive to upgrade proprietary software.

Software upgrades or modifications to programs are offered to the public at no cost.

Schools have a tight technology budget and are limited to the number of licenses they can purchase. As a result, not all systems in a lab will run the same kinds of programs.

Linux runs on a server.Linux runs on a server.

Linux and EducationLinux and EducationCostCost

Hardware RequirementHardware Requirement

Linux and EducationLinux and Education Hardware RequirementHardware Requirement

Problem/Question Possible Solution Due to budget constraint, many schools still run on 486, Pentium I, II, III. This is evident in many inner-city schools where the communities cannot afford to upgrade technology. Expensive to upgrade hardware for proprietary software.They are slow, and incompatible with the new versions of Windows or other current software applications that require more RAM.

Linux runs on networked servers and so may continue to use the 486, Pentium I, II, III.The community can also donate their old systems to their neighborhood school. Linux runs on minimal hardware requirements. Linux forums recommend that the minimal system requirements to function with decent performance is Pentium III, 128MB memory, 3Gb hard drive space, and bootable CD drive.

SoftwareSoftware

Linux and EducationLinux and EducationSoftware RequirementSoftware Requirement

Problem/Question Possible Solution Expensive to purchase proprietary software licenses.

Linux can be obtained for free or at a low cost.

Expensive to upgrade proprietary software.

Software upgrades or modifications to programs are offered to the public at no cost. Old systems without graphical interface and minimum applications will not be compatible with recent Linux versions.

Schools have a tight technology budget and are limited to the number of licenses they can purchase. As a result, not all systems in a lab will run the same kinds of programs.

Linux runs on a server and Linux runs on a server and computers can be networked to computers can be networked to all run on the same programs.all run on the same programs.

Linux and EducationLinux and EducationSoftware ApplicabilitySoftware Applicability

Problem/Question Possible Solution The school board had spent millions of dollars in purchasing software licenses. This includes Windows, Microsoft Office and Educational games. If the movement of Linux is successful, the investment of these licenses are non-refundable.

There are Linux software programs similar to the function of Windows Microsoft. This includes Open Office, Star Office, KOffice.

In the future, when the student needs to use Windows in the workforce, and not Linux-they would lack the knowledge and training.

No Solution Very few game editors publish Linux versions of their games. Schools will have no choice other than to stay with Windows.

Installation and Technical Installation and Technical SupportSupport

Linux and EducationLinux and EducationInstallation and Technical SupportInstallation and Technical SupportProblem/Question Possible Solution

As the majority of school board owned computers do not run on Linux, they lack on-site trained and experienced technicians to install and provide technical support. There is already a shortage of technicians hired by the school board due to budget constraint.

Design professional-development workshops to train existing and new technicians with Linux, as well as teach teachers so they may educate their students in return. It takes fewer people to manage the Linux machines than Windows machines.

TransitionTransition

Linux and EducationLinux and EducationTransition PeriodTransition Period

Problem/Question Possible Solution Windows and Linux operating system do not work similarly. Users need to invest time to adapt to the change in OS.

Some Windows applications may run on Linux, when an emulator is used. A common emulator is called Wine. Install Windows and Linux on the same computer, which may act as an easier transition for beginners or those who are fans of both OS.

With all that being said,With all that being said,Would you adopt Linux into your classroom Would you adopt Linux into your classroom

today?today?

ReferencesReferencesDefinition of Linux

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/LinuxGeneral information of Richard Stallman

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_StallmanGeneral information of GPL

http://www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.htmlGeneral information of Linux

http://www.linux.org/http://www.linuxtoday.com/

General information of Microsofthttp://www.microsoft.com

Linux Vendorshttp://www.sourceforge.net

Linux vs. Windowshttp://www.michaelhorowitz.com/Linux.vs.Windows.html

ImagesMicrosoft PowerPoint Clip Arthttp://www.dell.com/ http://www.ibm.com/us/http://www.hp.com/http://www.ml.com/http://www.walmart.com/