Getting Started Class Teacher's Outline

This class is generally taught in two sections divided by a short break. This is the recommended outline.

Before Class

Check-in with Front Desk

Check with the front desk, so we know you're in the building, and to see how many students are signed up for class and if everyone is taking a computer home with them so you can prepare accordingly.

Set-up

Please gather the following materials for each student:

• 1 Monitor (found in the warehouse--walk in the warehouse doors and take an immediate right, the monitors will be on shelves on your right)
• 1 System (found in the hallway outside of the classroom on shelves labeled Freekbox)
• 1 Keyboard (found in the classroom on the shelf or in Receiving)
• 1 Mouse (found in the classroom on the shelf or in Receiving)
• 1 Mouse Pad (found in the classroom on the shelf or in Receiving)
• 1 Set of powered speakers (found in the classroom on the shelf or in Receiving)
• 2 Power cords (found in the classroom on the shelf)

Be sure to note if the system has PS/2 or USB ports for the keyboard and mouse. If it has USB ports rather than PS/2 ensure you have corresponding USB accessories. These are often rare.

Make sure the classroom is also stocked with:

• CDs and DVDs for drive and speaker testing
• Items on classroom shelf or front desk
  • Pens and paper for note-taking
  • Getting Started with Your Free Geek Computer Handout.
  • Current and next (if available) month's class schedule for students. Make sure you mention the additional classes as you go through the class.

Agenda

You may write the following agenda on the whiteboard (it's not a bad idea to explain to students that we're going to do a bunch of "one time" tasks before break to make sure their computers are up to date and will focus on how they use their new computer after the break):

• Introduction
• Vocabulary
• Linux History/FOSS
• Put System Together
• Create Account
• Proprietary Software
• Sound and Video
• Updates
• Break
• Tour Desktop
• Go Online
• Install Programs
• How to Find Help
• Q&A Time
• Paperwork
• Tech Support Tour

Section One

Introductions

Who's teaching?

• Give your name and explain that you're a volunteer as well
• Talk a little about your experience with computers
• Thank members of your class for volunteering and remind them that they can continue to volunteer even after taking their computer home.

Purpose of Class

• Final quality control of all hardware/software
• Ticket to one year of free tech support
• Make sure students are comfortable using new computer

Expectations

• Ask students to silence cell phones and do not call or text during class
• Remind students to be respectful of fellow students (ex. Don't disrupt when instructor is answering a question or teaching)

Student Introductions

• Name
• Computer experience
• What they plan to do with new FreekBox

Encourage Questions
Encourage students to ask questions about words or ideas that are unclear or unfamiliar. If something will be addressed later in the class, you will put off answering it until then. If something is totally outside the scope of the class (ie. How to set up a CD burner), you can talk to them about it after class. Write questions on the board if you plan on coming back to them later.

Vocabulary

Put the following terms on the board and define them with the class

• Operating system - Software which manages computer resources. Without it you cannot use your computer (i.e. Linux, Windows)
• Hardware - Any part of a computer you can physically touch (i.e. monitor)
• Software - Sets of instructions computers follow (i.e. Open Office, Firefox).

GNU/Linux and Free Software

History of the development of free and open source software (FOSS) can be useful. Here is a A (Very) Brief History of Linux in case you'd like help with your "elevator speech."

Students may also want to know why Free Geek chooses Linux over other it. Some reasons are:

• Philosophy of mutual aid and openness
• Lack of licensing fees
• No viruses! (Make sure you explain that common sense is still necessary--do not enter personal information into insecure websites.)

Put System Together

Students should already be seated in front of the system they will take home.

The course goal is for adopters to know how to set up their systems on the own. Take your time with this step, and explain what goes where. Let students know that many cables and ports are color and size coded (generally only one place a specific cord can go). Encourage them to determine the correct placement of the various cables. Explain importance giving care to the plugs that contain pins that could bend or break.

Log In and Create New User Account

• Have students log in by clicking on Default and entering the password: freegeek.
• To create user account, have students click on System --> Administration --> Prepare for shipping to end user.
• Students must restart their systems at this point to set up their own user accounts. Have them follow the instructions on the screen (language select, time zone etc).
• Once they're logged in, go over interface vocabulary and basic ideas in Ubuntu (panel, icon, desktop, tooltip, menu).
• If you can not find "Prepare for shipping to end user" please read Prepare for Shipping to End User Wiki page.

Flash, Java, and DVD Software

Explain to students that they now have the option to add software that will allow them to play DVDs and other music and movie formats. This software is not installed by default because of licensing and legal issues, but it is not likely they could have any issues by installing the software. If they are concerned about the legal issues, they do not have to install these components, but they may have trouble viewing or listening to certain media. More details for these steps (and a screenshot) can be found at Multimedia and DVDs in Ubuntu

• Go to System>Administration>Software sources (enter your password) and check the “Software restricted by copyright or legal issues”. Click the "Other Software" tab and check the box next to "http://archive.canonical.com/ubuntu lucid partner". Now, click “Close” and then click “Reload” on the new screen that pops up.
• Go to Applications>Accessories>Terminal and type or (preferably) copy and paste the following exactly as it appears (you can go to http://tinyurl.com/fgclass in Firefox to find this code):

sudo apt-get install -y vlc ubuntu-restricted-extras libdvdread4 && sudo /usr/share/doc/libdvdread4/install-css.sh

• After going through some processes a blue screen will come up, hit the “tab” button to get to “OK” and then hit enter. On the next blue screen hit tab again to get to “Yes” and hit enter.

This procedure adds a second media player (VLC) which will appear in Applications>Sound and Video as well as Java, Quicktime, Microsoft fonts and some other media helpers and plugins. The installation may appear to stall part way through. Be patient.

Sound and Video Test

Pass out a CD and DVD to each student in order to explain use as well as test the drives and speakers. Encourage students to eject discs through software. Perhaps show how to unmount the drive should the software get confused when ejecting from hardware.

Test Flash and Java
Test that the restricted extras package (which includes Flash and Java support) was properly installed by going to http://www.youtube.com. Have students quickly search for and play a video.

Updates

Explain what updates are and that they are an important step in keeping their computer running properly. Generally an icon will appear notifying them of Updates. Show students how to check for updates by clicking on System --> Administration --> Update Manager. Have students click on "Check", and install any new updates. (There may be several given that boxes can sit for a time on the shelves. Use the installation time to ask for questions, explain easier concepts or start to explore the desktop).

Break

Take a (much needed?) break. Be sure to give the students a specific time to come back to class (5-10 minutes is usually good). This might be a good time to take care of any issues that arose when testing/updating the computers.

Section Two

Tour the Desktop

Top Panel
From right to left:

• Power button on the top right of the screen
• Date and time to the left of the power button
  • Have students click on the date and time to display the calendar
  • Show them how to setup weather updates with Locations-->Add
• Speaker Status
• Internet status connection--Unplug a student's ethernet cable to show them what it looks like when connected and not connected to the Internet.
• System = Administrative tasks (software updates etc)
  • At this point show students how they can change settings specific to them. You can select any/all that you feel are appropriate for your class based on their stated uses at the beginning of the class:
    • Change mouse to lefthanded user
    • Resolution
    • Login window
    • Show how to add a user might be helpful
    • Change background, screensaver, and screensaver timing
• Places = Directories (documents, etc)
• Applications = Programs
  • Accessories
    • Calculator
    • Screen Shot--take a screen shot and explain that they can use this tool to send an error message/anomaly to tech support. Have students save the screenshot in their "Pictures" folder and then go find it again. After they have found the picture, show them how to put it in the trash.
    • Terminal--explain that they should know where the terminal is as they will need to access the terminal if they contact tech support by phone. If you know some command line, and have the time, feel free to show students around a little.
  • Graphics
    • fSpot Photo Manager
    • Gimp
  • Internet--skip for the time being as we will come back here later.
  • Office
    • Dictionary--only available when online :(
    • Word Processor
      • Explain what a word processor is, and some common uses (email, letters, etc).
      • Make sure they're comfortable with what's in front of them. Have them open up the word processor to show them title bar, scroll bar, maximize, minimize, etc.
      • OpenOffice.org is a lot like MS Office (skills are transferable, whether they've used it before or not), and can be used to read & write MS Office-type files. Encourage them to play around with it a little, and demonstrate spell check, etc. Point out the help menu.
      • Have students set the default save type to ".doc". Tools -> Options -> Load/Save -> General -> Save files as (select Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP). This makes it easier for them to share their files. You can direct students to click on "Save files as" option and press the up arrow once to get to Microsoft Word 97/2000/XP. It is also helpful to make these same changes for Spreadsheet and Presentation. Conveniently, it takes one up arrow to change Text Document, two up arrows to change Spreadsheet and three up arrows to change Presentation.
      • Bring students together to save a file; point out how to tell where the file is going to be saved, and how to select different file types. This can also be used as an example of a dialog window. Save the file. Once saved, show students how to find and delete their document (using a different method than the one demonstrated above).

Bottom Panel
From left to right:

• Show desktop
• Workspace switcher
• Trash

Go Online

Change Desktop Background

• Go to http://www.google.com and select Images from the upper left corner.
• Have students search for an image. If appropriate, take a moment to explain how to conduct a search on the internet.
• Once students have found a picture, have them click on the picture. Then click on See Full Size Image.
• Hover the mouse over the image and click with the right mouse button.
• Select Save Image As and save in the Pictures directory.
• Go to System --> Preferences --> Appearance. Select the Background tab.
• Click on Add and select Pictures. Double click on the name of the picture and the picture will become the desktop background.

Install Programs

Go to Applications --> Ubuntu Software Center. Explain that this is a place to find thousands of free programs. Perhaps have the students search for something that interests them and install. If people are unsure what to install, recommend Tux Typing or Klavaro (typing tutors).

How to Get Help

• Talk about finding documentation on their computer and online (ex. PLUG, Ubuntu Pocket Guide)
• Take additional classes at Free Geek -- a great followup to this class is our Linux Open Questions class.
• Explain tech support policy: we'll support your computer for one year as long as:
  • The system has not been modified (except by Free Geek) and
  • The system has been used as intended regularly since adoption and
  • The system has been used by the original Adopter or someone else who has taken the Adoption class at Free Geek.
  • Tech Support can be reached through the main Free Geek number at 503-232-9350. It is currently available Tue-Sat from 12-6pm.
• The FreekiWiki has lots of helpful information on upgrades and troubleshooting
• Help on the desktop
• Ubuntu for Non Geeks reference book
• http://help.ubuntu.com

Intermediate/Advanced class options

If there is time, instructors are invited to teach more advanced material like burning a CD, using an iPod with Linux, a short Gimp tutorial or any other materials that would be of interest to your class. This is at the discretion of the teacher but should not continue beyond the scheduled end of class as students may have other responsibilities or the room may need to be vacated for another use. Have fun!

Internet/ISPs

Most people want to get on the internet. Is the computer Internet-ready? It depends on the type of service the student chooses. Freekboxen are ready for most types of Internet service. The exceptions are listed below:

• Dialup Internet--the student will need to have Tech Support install a modem
• Wireless Internet--the student will need to purchase a wireless card and have Tech Support install it

Define ISP. Explain why some will work with Linux and some won't. A Freekbox friendly ISP is Whiz.to Coho 503-647-5957. They currently offer a FreekBox discount rate of $12.95 for dialup. Free Geek provides the setup and tech support needs through our tech support office.

If students would like another option, remind them that they can contact their local library (in person, via phone and online) for help finding local service providers that meet their individual requirements.

Log Out and Shut Down

Explain that logging out and shutting down should be completed through the software rather than hardware.

Post Class Survey (we are not currently doing this)

As a final step of the class, please ask students to take a few minutes to complete the Adoption survey: http://www.freegeek.org/volunteer/adoption/adoption-program-survey/.

Disbursement Paperwork

Fill out the Printme taped to the system. An example can be found taped to the front board. Be sure to check off "Took Class."

Tech Support Card

Tech Support Cards can be found on the shelf. Write expiration date and system ID (found on Printme taped to the system) on card and give to student. Explain that he or she should keep this card and use it to when calling/visiting Tech Support.

Tech Support Tour

Take the students to the Tech Support desk. Introduce them as new adopters. Explain that the students will want to call or visit Tech Support should problems arise.

Pack-up Time

Help students pack up. If needed borrow carts from Receiving. If students must leave an item for later retrieval, be sure to put their name and the current date on it. Stress that items left longer than one week may be returned to Free Geek.

After the Class

• Make sure the disbursement paperwork is filled out and take it to the donor desk up front.
• Make sure the class space is as clean or cleaner than you found it.
• Take any systems that failed during the class to the front desk. Ask the person working at the front desk to complete a tech support ticket for the system. Provide as much information for the ticket as possible. The person at the front desk will then take the system to tech support.
• Make sure systems being held for transportation are labeled with name, phone and expected time of pickup. (Adopters need to pick up their systems within one week.)

When students are NOT getting computers (they already got one, store customer, etc.)

• Please check off "This systems has no known issues" on the Tech-Support-to-Build Form, tape it to the computer and put the computer on the Build Program QC shelves.

When computers won't work properly

• Troubleshoot to your comfort level
• Seek assistance in tech support. Let the technician know you are from an Adoption Class and require immediate assistance.
• If a tech support worker is not available, and if you can't fix the problem yourself, set the computer aside, grab another for the class. Then after class, take problem computer to the tech support office and complete an intake form. Indicate what was problematic. Place in tech support office.