Introduction to Linux

This Thursday, at 7:00 pm in Dreese Labs room 266, we will run through an introduction to Linux, in a way that any computer user - new or veteran - can understand. Some basic points to be discussed are:

• What is Linux?
• What does Linux do?
• Why is Linux better than Windows (or why not)?
• Who does Linux appeal to?
• What are some of the advantages/disadvantages of using Linux?
• What features does Linux have?

If time permits we plan on discussing how one picks a Linux distribution, running a LiveCD, and running through the installation procedure, also covering some of the more advanced setups like setting up a computer so it can run both Windows and Linux (with a menu at startup asking which one you want), how to mount directories, and what to do if Windows gobbles up your Master Boot Record (MBR) making Linux unbootable.