Week 10: Odds and Ends

We wrap up our class this evening with some odds and ends. We will cover two server applications that are common ways for Linux to be used in a typical business setting. We will start with an exploration of SAMBA networking and move on to an overview of the Apache web server.

We will end the evening with a review for the final and a last chance at questions and answers.

Your term paper is due at the beginning of class this evening.

Week 10 Class Slides

Week 9: Linux Security

We will focus on UNIX/Linux security this week.

Week 9 Slides

There is no assignment this week. Please remember that your term paper is due at the beginning of class next week.

Week 8: NO CLASS

Due to the Week 8 class falling on Memorial Day, the campus will be closed.

HOWEVER, you should email me the first draft of your term paper by no later than 11:59PM Monday May 28, 2007. As we discussed in class on the 21st, this should be a fully written paper, with references and so forth. Those of you that have not completed an outline should do that as well.

I am asking you to submit a draft of your paper so I can give you notes on what to improve for the final version. This will be your last chance to get feedback from me on your ideas, writing and style.

Please use the email address listed in the syllabus to submit your work.

Week 7: Presentation Project Definition

[DOC] [PDF] [HTML]

Week 7: System Administration Tasks, Part 2

We will look at more daily tasks for a UNIX system administrator this week. We will install software, do system updates and learn how to check log files.

There will be no homework assignment this week. I want to make sure that everyone has sufficient time to work on the first draft of their paper which is due next week.

Week 7 Slides

Week 6: The Future of IT in Business

The following article talks about a prediction made by Forrester Research concerning the future of IT in business. From the article:

"The pure techies are going to fare poorly. They value tech more than anything else, and now it's about the business. The way it will break out is that there will still be an engine room for them. But if they don't have great people or writing skills, their going to be a lousy business person," Phil Murphy, Forrester principal analyst, told eWEEK.

Where Will All the IT Cowboys Go?
By Deborah Perelman
eWeek
May 16, 2007

Week 6: System Administration Tasks, Part 1

We have a busy night ahead of us this week....

To start with, the project outline, command line lab and quiz second-chance are all due at the beginning of class.

We will then have a short lecture concerning common system administration tasks including installing software, performing system updates and backing up and restoring files.

Finally, we will have the second quiz for the term. This will be open book, notes and web, but no collaboration is allowed. The quiz is due at the end of class.

Week 6 Assignment: [DOC] [PDF] [HTML]

Week 6 Slides

Week 5: Late Assignment Reminder

This is a reminder to send me an email so I can let you know what assignments you need to hand in by next week. After this, I will begin docking 10% on any work submitted a week late and will not accept work that is more than one week past due unless you have a VERY good reason.

Week 5: Presentation Slides

As promised here are the slides for all the lectures so far. I saved these as PDF files as the powerpoint files were a bit too large to put up on the web.

Week 1
Week 2
Week 3
Week 4
Week 5

Week 5: Command Line, Part 2

This week we will continue our exploration of the basic commands needed to work with the command line on Linux. We will look at the permissions and ownership model used on UNIX systems and learn the associated commands.

The assignment for this week will be to finish the worksheet from last week. Questions 1-9 covered commands we learned in week 4, the remainder of the worksheet will cover this weeks material.

Finally, this week we will begin working on the term project. Details can be found in the usual formats: [DOC] [PDF] [HTML]

Week 4: Command Line, Part 1

We get into the nitty gritty of the UNIX command line this week. We will go over a number of commands in the lecture and then move on to a lab involving the material from the lecture.

We will also try and get everyone caught up on the Linux installation lab.

Week 4 Assignment: [PDF] [DOC] [HTML]

Week 4: REMINDER

This is a reminder to bring your Ubuntu install disc with you to class for week 4. We will need the discs to fix the problem with the /var partition size.

Week 3: Linux GUI

This is going to be a busy week in class. We will be covering the following this evening:

• GNOME, the graphical user interface (GUI) used in Ubuntu Linux
• In class quiz covering all material presented in the first two weeks of the class
• Re-install Ubuntu to correct some configuration mistakes from our initial installation

Week 3 Assignment: [PDF] [DOC] [HTML]

Week 3: Open Source is about More than Software

It's easy when dilligently studying for a job in the IT industry to focus the vast majority of your efforts and attentions on computer software and hardware. This is certainly no less true once you've graduated and continue your personal education on the job.

This class has a focus on UNIX and Linux systems, but I also want to show that the concept of open source extends beyond computers. It can have a significant imact on every human endevor. Many people understand this, and surprisingly, Bill Gates is one of them:

Bill Gates demands open source
Has the era of open source science really begun?

Week 2: Apollo Moon Landing Hoax Links

Last week we had an entertaining tangent discussing the possibility that the Apollo program moon landings were a hoax. Rather than take any more class time to discuss this, I present the following links:

We start out with a nice overview of the controversy on Wikipedia:
Apollo Moon Landing hoax accusations

Next we have a very detailed refutation of the Fox program mention in class from the excellent Bad Astronomy Blog:
Fox TV and the Apollo Moon Hoax

An entertaining video of the implications of calling Buzz Aldrin a "coward and a liar":
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mQKxAqpjroo

And finally, an idea I wish I had thought of:
Making a mint out of the Moon

Week 2: Linux Installation

We will begin our hands on work with Linux this week.

Week 2 Topics:

• Introduction to Linux Distributions
• Virtualization Software
• Linux Installation Lab

Week 2 Assignment
List of Common Linux Distributions

Week 1 [UPDATE]: New Syllabus link

I had a report that some machines on campus apparently don't have a PDF reader installed. I've updated the link to the syllabus to include the Microsoft Word format version.

Syllabus (PDF)
Syllabus (DOC)

Note that there are no changes to the syllabus content, I've simply added another file format for download.

Week 1: The Dark Side of Penguins

Penguins aren't always as friendly as they seem.... :)

Week 1: History of Computers, UNIX and Linux

Welcome to the IT276 Linux Class Blog. This site will provide information related to the class as well as providing a forum for class discussion. It should NOT be viewed as a substitute for attending class. The information presented here will supplement the class discussions, labs and reading assignments.

Week 1 Topics:

• Introduction to the class Syllabus (PDF) Syllabus (DOC)
• Discussion of the development of the computer culminating with an in depth presentation on the development of UNIX and Linux operating sytems.
  
• The concept of open source will be present and several licenses will be discussed.

Week 1 Assignment
List of Open Source Licenses