Linux and how it works

This class is designed to give an adopter more control over their box. We cover creating and administering users, installing programs in several different ways, fixing problems and some security. We look at the structure of the filesystem and how to find important files in it. The class involves some command-line.

Topics covered:

• Introduction
  • What is an Operating System
  • What is linux
• Root
  • The concept of root
  • sudo
  • becoming "root"
• Users
  • Creating users
    • Command line adduser
    • System>Administration>Users and groups
  • User permissions/Group permissions
  • Changing passwords
• The Linux filesystem structure
  • Overview
  • Creating directories
  • Permissions again
• Apt, Synaptic and program installation
  • Discussion of dependencies and what is a package
  • Install example program with apt (gtkboard)
  • Overview of Synaptic
  • a brief touch on .tar.gz files
• Networking for beginners
  • What is an IP address
  • What is a subnet mask
  • What is a gateway
  • Changing the name of your computer
• Security concepts