What is Linux What are the Implications for Education

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What is Linux? What are the Implications
for Education?

• By Susana Chan
• ETEC 531
• Thematic Media Production 1

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

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Linus Torvalds selected Larry Ewings creation of
Tux, the Linux penguin, as the logo or mascot.
Ewing generously gave his creation for the
promotion of Linux.
Thank you Larry for sharing me with the world.

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Linux is the movement to open source software.

• Instead of closed software, it allows the
  software to be distributed freely.

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

• Richard Stallman

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Who is Richard 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.

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General Public License (GPL) granted users rights
to

• Run the program for any general purpose.
• Study, modify and/or improve the program to suit
  personal needs. Access source codes are needed
  prior to such action.
• Redistribute copies of program to the public at
  no cost.

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With that being said

• Linus Torvald decided to adopt the GNU GPL
  to his creation of Linux.
• His creation began in 1991. He first
  created Linux version 0.02, from inspiration of
  his Minix Unix system that he was running at the
  time.
• By 1994, Linux Kernel Version 1.0 was
  released.

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Adoption of Linux

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

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Companies that run Linux servers include

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

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Why Choose Linux?

• Linux operating system uses a graphical user
  interface that is similar to other proprietary
  operating systems.
• (example Microsoft XP or Mac OSX)

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Linux vs. Windows
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There is a catch.

• Any modifications made to any programs must be
  released to the public. This is known as
  Copyleft
• According to Richard Stallman, software
  developers have the right to make changes, share
  codes, use and redistribute, but are not bound to
  give away any derived work.

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Linux and Education

• As 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.

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Cost
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Linux and EducationCost
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Hardware Requirement
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Linux and Education Hardware Requirement
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Software
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Linux and EducationSoftware Requirement
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Linux and EducationSoftware Applicability
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Installation and Technical Support
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Linux and EducationInstallation and Technical
Support
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Transition
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Linux and EducationTransition Period
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With all that being said,Would you adopt Linux
into your classroom today?
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References

• Definition of Linux
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Linux
• General information of Richard Stallman
• http//en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Stallman
• General information of GPL
• http//www.gnu.org/copyleft/gpl.html
• General information of Linux
• http//www.linux.org/
• http//www.linuxtoday.com/
• General information of Microsoft
• http//www.microsoft.com
• Linux Vendors
• http//www.sourceforge.net
• Linux vs. Windows
• http//www.michaelhorowitz.com/Linux.vs.Windows.h
  tml
• Images
• Microsoft PowerPoint Clip Art
• http//www.dell.com/
• http//www.ibm.com/us/