[plug] PLUG sponsored newbie tutorials

[Sol]

Hello again! (If I keep this up you'll need to filter my messages!)

I took the opportunity of speaking with veep Matt Menzel to sound him 
out about something that the list had discussed about a fortnight back, 
namely a course of tutorials to introduce newbies to Linux/OSS - the 
reason being that lecture theatres with big screens which can display 
output from a PC or notebook, as well as access to other multimedia 
presentation equipment. He seemed quite enthusiastic about this, though 
I made it clear that this was just a proposal that *might* come to 
fruition next semester.

Anyhoo, this seems doable to me, though not all on my ownsome of course. 
In keeping with the Open Source ethic and the old adage that "many hands 
make light work" I'd like to know if there are PLUGgers willing to give 
one lecture/tutorial/workshop presentation, or two even? I'd be happy to 
coordinate it all, hell I'd do all the lectures myself, but that would 
not be good as there are huge gaps in my own knowledge and I've only 
been a pc user for 18 months.  Possible topics may include (as suggested 
by Anthony Jones and amended by me - but subject to debate I dare say):
 

INTRODUCTION
Lesson 0. Introduction to the course.
Learn what is coming up and what Linux on the desktop can do.

Lesson 1. Getting started.
Learn how to log in, log out, change your password, select between KDE and 
Gnome, shut down the computer, change your preferences, etc.

Lesson 2. Internet and communication tools.
Learn how to use common desktop functionality tools in KDE and GNOME (connect to internet, mail, browser, IRC, etc).

Lesson 3. Word processing.
Learn how to use the word processing tools available for Linux (Open Word, Kword, Abiword, LyX, along with - perhaps - gv, xpdf & wv).

Lesson 4. Spread sheets.
Learn how to use the spreadsheets: OpenCalc, Gnumeric and KSpread.

Lesson 5. Presentation software.
Learn how to use presentation software in Open Office and Koffice.

Lesson 6. Drawing graphics.
Learn how to manipulate pictures and produce interesting graphics using The Gimp (and other: imagemagick?).

Lesson 7. Composing web pages
Learn how to create and edit web pages using a common graphical editor.

Lesson 8. Multimedia.
Learn how to use Xine, XMMS, The Grip and perhaps Gnutella.

ADVANCED

Lesson 0. Accessing the documentation.
Learn where to find the documentation and how to read it. 

Lesson 1. Package management
Learn how to log into a console window and use dselect. What some of the 
important packages you need to install are.Lesson 2. Installing from .tar.gz files.


Lesson 2. Bash
Learn how to use bash including cd, ls, cp, mv, less, etc.

Lesson 3. Editing configuration files.
Learn how to use vim and stuff.

Lesson 4. Introduction to programming languages and environments: Perl, Python, C, etc.


(NOTE: the heterogeneity of the Linux environment is a plus in my mind, however, it may confuse newbies. Whilst reference should be made to all major apps in a software category, possibly on one should be taught. However, we should not fall into the mentality of "training" people in an application (which is what M$ does and reinforces its monopoly), but of becoming aware of how a class of software works - process knowledge, not content knowledge - so that people become genuinely empowered software users - which is kind of the aim of OSS is anyway!)

With regards to questions of time and place, I think that this is still open. I'm willing to organize it through Mudrock for an evening or even weekend and have confirmation that this can be arranged. 

With regard to Russell Hobman's suggestion that an external course be available - I would say that to begin with this would be too difficult to arrange unless the meetings can be tape recorded or something. Weekends I think are doable if there is sufficient willingness to hold them on weekends.

This leads me onto my "icing on the cake" proposal: What do people think of the idea of issuing some form of certification (post-assessment) for those who've completed the course. My preference would be for a practical assessment where students demonstrate competencies and recieve a pass or fail as opposed to a written examination which would only test memory, not competency. (Following on from Andrew Pamment's suggestion of the "treasure hunt" combinations of skills: ie: test task 1:locate the GPL on your harddrive and transfer the ascii text into formatted PDF. It wouldn't matter which applications were used so long as skills were demonstrated in getting from point A to point B.) We could issue a certificate "Accredited Linux User" or some such. A LUG like PLUG is well suited to this position because we don't have a vested interest like say Red Hat, or some other corporation does. It would be a genuine peer review. If necessary we could charge a nominal amount for this certificate to cover costs or whatever.
Whilst this final suggestion is not essential, it could be useful to improve the reputation of Linux amongst the business community (which has an obsession with formal qualifications) and increase the motivation of those considering taking the course - because there's a self-affirming prize at the end which is a basic pass/fail based on demonstrating a set of competencies.

Any thoughts/feedback?

Sol