The Children of Linux

For now, Windows is the most popular OS, but hopefully people will begin to realize that Linux exist and it’s perfect for schools and business’s. Big thing is no virus’s. I’ve been meaning to talk to my teachers about putting Linux on the computers, or even just mentioning it. We’re still using Windows XP so it’s time for a change! Ever since I found out about a free OS, I’ve been downloading all Linux versions, just to try them out (Mint, Ubuntu, Fedora, Zorin, Open Suse, etc) so far my favorite is Mint :) 

Whats the point to teach kids how to use Windows these days? It’s the same as they would teach kids how to use TV. Even before first computer class they already know how to use Windows as they have it home…

At some point in public schools Linux does need to be taught even though the OS kids will run into daily is likely to be some form of Windows.

The Mars Rovers run a customized form of Linux which is part of the reason they’ve been happily toddling around the surface of Mars long after their “best before” date.

AFAIK the International Space Station runs on customized Linux as do many other things we give little thought to mostly because Linux is “survivable” in ways that Windows is not and not likely to be in the near future.  As I mentioned above customization is far simpler with Linux than it is with Windows because it’s open not closed.  (And no, I’m not trying to start an FOSS  vs Closed source debate just stating a fact.)

Then there are the key architectural differences Linux has inherited from UNIX in comparison to Windows.  A large number of those are anything but trivial and make Linux feel like a different planet.  We can blame some of that on Microsoft’s persistent dumbing down of Windows and some on the origins of the two OS’s.  No matter how hard MS tries it can’t hide the fact that Windows began life as DOS a single user, single task OS not connected with a network.  UNIX/Linux was built from the ground up as multi-user, multi-tasking networked OS.  That’s one of the first things newbies and students need to learn about Linux as it goes a long way in explaining the differences between the two systems.

Desktop Linux has issues, mind.   While it’s perfectly happy to work with HP printers and scanners there are still problems with Canon hardware.  Never mind most of that is Canon’s fault for refusing to release drivers the problem is still there.  Then there’s the transition that the Gnome desktop is going through right now which seems to be getting less favourable reviews than the transition from KDE 3.x to KDE 4.x.  For Windows users KDE is and has been the more comfortable to use.

Students really need to get familiar and comfortable with Linux (and Windows) before landing in University as they’ll be needing both skill sets to get further on in IT.  They will find Linux all over the place, not just on Mars but in cars, telecom switches and so much more where stability and survivability  are paramount.

Really, at the end of the day, even from the command line Linux isn’t all that difficult or hard to use.  No harder, really, that Windows from the command line.  It’s just what you’re used to that makes the difference.

Oh, and yes.  The vast majority of the Internet runs on Linux or NetBSD not Windows.  So it’s really something students need to be exposed to and learn.

This isn’t so much an issue of Linux vs. Windows, as it is an issue of computers as a tool vs. appliance.  
My dad can take a car apart.  He can do this because when he was growing up:
a.) cars were simpler
b.) cars were unreliable.

I know nothing about cars, because to me, a car is an appliance to get me from one spot to another.  My car never breaks down, and if it does, there are people to fix it.

Computers are the cars of my generation (25-45 year olds).  We grew up watching them develop.  We learned basic programming in school, because you couldn’t use your commodore 64 without it.

I am teaching my 7-year old son about computers.  It is entertaining to me that he can use gnome, kde, unity, windows, or my wife’s mac, without being phased. (While, for example, my co-wokers panic if an icon is missing from there desktops at work.)

But the reality is that he will probably see computers as I see cars.

That being said.  Computer science classes should be taught in high school, something beyond point-and-click, and I think most students should want to take it.

i think that canon will make drivers for linux soon after that nvidia began developping open source drivers for linux ( http://nouveau.freedesktop.org/wiki/ ) and also, if any government announce that linux will be used as an official OS (like russia).but, for me, the problem is that some apps in linux are not yet ready for professional use like Dia, or CAD programs (for exemple libreCad and FreeCad are still in Development) ,…and if they will be ready in less than 2 years, linux will be able to use without any problems.

It is very good idea to bring exposure among students 

Education should teach principles of computing, not by example. I mean, what use is knowing windows xp when a user is confronted with Windows 8? Filemanagement, context menu’s, learing that ‘the internet’ is not the same as a browser, and stuf like copy/cut/paste. Ah, and learning how to read. More then once I’ve been called because ‘there’s a window on my computer and I don’t know what to do’. On the screen there’s something like ‘illigal .. bladibla’ and ‘press ok to continue’

Btw, I’m a Linux user since 1997. Still use it as my main os because it’s simpler, easier and prettier. Besides that, I don’t really care about my os anymore. I use Chrome, Gimp, LibreOffice, stuff like that on both the Linux and Windows pc’s here. It’s all about tasks, not even apps

If you mention Linux, you have to mention Apple as well. I am not an Apple fan, but one should be fair.

In 2006 the OLPC – one laptop per child project was started and became publicly known. It was supposed to become available for 100 dollars. It is based on Linux, it runs Linux. Asus engineers created Asus EEE PC in 2007 and more advanced version some months later. It was running Linux. It was revolutionary. The EEE PCs were all sold. But there was no support from the re-sellers, and it might be even fair to say that most shops were working against it. I myself was advised against buying it by a shop assistant who confused my gray hair with expected ignorance. Then Microsoft went and killed the EEE-PC making it a stripped windows XP-netbook with implanted illogical magnetic hard disk , and later windows-7 amputated starter edition sort of thing. All netbooks are now basically gone. There were tens of such initiatives. Started by engineers and scientists and killed both intentionally and by negligence by the business people of various sorts. Frequently with the help from Microsoft.

The next step in history is the replacement of general computer by an appliance. Started by iPhone, unfortunately partly adopted also for android devices. Nokia’s revolutionary Maemo and MeeGo replaced by Microsoft’s new windows phones and window 8 plans. iPads and tablets, locking the computing power inside, directed to the consuming part of computing. 

There is a great free book (can also be bought) – at http://futureoftheinternet.org/ you can get  http://futureoftheinternet.org/static/ZittrainTheFutureoftheInternet.pdfSo to all the statements about “industry standards”, “customers, students, … want this or that … “: I think that it is very important to document the actions of various actors against the free software and free knowledge, make them publicly known and when appropriate, call for legal regulations an even legal prosecution when they break (andthey do certainly in some cases – e.g. by spreading disinformation) existing law. 

This issue again touches on how the Linux community is struggling to understand the strategy involved with commercialization or even just broader appeal. The issues you note aren’t just an issue with High Schools. CIS departments across the country have the same bias and it has to  figure quite prominently that CIS taught are more likely to be IT “deciders” at the enterprise level.

The thing is Microsoft donates a good deal of its developer tools regardless their price and makes them freely available to schools and their students long after that student is no longer part of that class. It really doesn’t matter which specific class you might be taking, you’re encouraged to download everything. The impact of this policy becomes obvious. Computer Science departments routinely share that there is no language that is the be all to end all and require students to learn a multitude of languages in pursuit of a degree. The CIS student pursuits are more skill based and it doesn’t matter what the skill, Microsoft tends to be the answering platform.

The Linux value system may be counterproductive to gaining traction at any level that leads to commercialization, education or otherwise. Education, like governments enjoy easily understood and clear cut books, contracts and solutions that are soundbite friendly, have pretty pictures and that they can feel good about come the next election cycle. Linux is the antithesis of those values. Red Hat and now increasingly Ubuntu who have made unpopular (in the linux community that isn’t popular itself) decisions to actually gain popular adoption. Until the Linux community as a whole can spend more time developing training platforms at the router/switch, OS, and app server levels that are more focused on very generically educating students of the power and user friendly nature of Linux powered tools without preaching, proselytizing or making judgments about which type of license, window manager, boot loader or varying version of Free leads to hell and damnation there will continue to be barriers to wider adoption.