[Haifux] Haifux Digest, Vol 17, Issue 15

[Eran Arbel]

Hi, some time reader, first time writer.
I'm a second year CS student and had to work with the Linux in the farms for
a while now and frankly, I love the idea that someone finally forced me to
use Linux. I think it's a good thing.

I've already had stuff explained to me and had a chance to explain things to
others. I already told people that they better get used to using the Linux
and Unix on the farm machines. Firstly, because they have to; Secondly,
because it's better; And thirdly, because it's fun.

Problems of Windows\Linux compatibility with code files I solved with
Notepad++. I don't know if there's a Linux version or a Linux substitute but
it's an awesome writer for windows that can display context in many
languages and can also convert to\from Windows from\to Linux formatting.
Saved me a lot of trouble.

The new Open Office version (3 and up) is completely compatible with
MS-Office 2007 documents and gave me no trouble as much as I've used it,
making it better than MS-Office if compatibility is the question. It looks
different but doesn't require that much of a leap to change to. And it's
freely available to both Windows and Linux users.

I used vim to program on the Linux and Unix machines but my brother
recommended Eclipse so I want to try that if anyone is willing to teach me.

I know of a Linux geek in the CS farm's support team but I think it takes
more than that. I don't know how the W2L lectures went before but I agree
that installing Linux, as far as I tried Ubuntu, is pretty straight forward.
It's all the configuration afterwords that's troublesome. Up until now I
have failed completely at configuring mine for WiFi and a secondary display
and those two, along with 'How the hell do I run a Virtual Machine\Box on my
Linux?' are the major hurdles before I completely switch to Linux. So, any
info on that will be welcome. (I've tried Ubuntu 8.04 and fiddled with
Satanic slightly but not much)


On Mon, Jan 26, 2009 at 10:38 PM, <haifux-request at haifux.org> wrote:

> Message: 4
> Date: Mon, 26 Jan 2009 21:51:10 +0200
> From: Eli Billauer <eli at billauer.co.il>
> Subject: Re: [Haifux] Student complaints.
> To: haifux at haifux.org
> Cc: Yossi Gil <yossi.gil at gmail.com>
> Message-ID: <497E142E.9080601 at billauer.co.il>
> Content-Type: text/plain; charset=UTF-8; format=flowed
>
> Hello again.
>
> Now we're talking!
>
> To begin with, I see that students mention problems with transporting
> files to Windows. I suppose that they use Microsoft's compiler, and run
> into problems with the back and forth?
>
> Which brings me to turn to all Linux evangelists out there: You've maybe
> missed it, but this is the moment you've been all waiting for: Someone
> has forced CS students to use Linux in the labs. They will end up either
> hating it and stick to Windows, or adopt it on their own computers,
> solving most of their annoying problems. And it looks like it's going to
> depend on, well, us.
>
> There may be a need to make a LiveCD for CS students, which would
> basically be the original Ubuntu disc + utilities for developing if
> necessary. This could allow students to use the same environment at
> home, without installing Linux on their hard disks. As this is an
> recurring process (the disc will need to be upgraded as Ubuntu gets
> upgraded) I can't see how it's done well by volunteers. But once someone
> has done it the first time, I suppose it will be pretty easy to repeat it.
>
> As for Eclipse: Dear Haifuxers, is any of use using it? Personally, I
> don't like IDEs, and I believe I have a few people with me on this
> mailing list.
>
> If the policy would be to guide students to work with more down-to-earth
> tools (XEmacs/vim, make, gcc, ddd etc) I suppose we have quite some
> material handy, and I suppose it won't be difficult to find someone to
> speak about these. I believe it's an educational choice, partly because
> the programmer gets a better feel of the tools, as opposed to IDEs which
> generally attempt to hocus-pocus.
>
> As for MS Office, there's always OpenOffice, which I don't use
> personally. If the real problem is compatibility between MS and
> OpenOffice, it's time to remind everyone that OpenOffice exists for
> Windows as well. Or use the LiveCD solution.
>
> As for the other issues, I can only ask one question: Do you have one
> Linux geek in the lab's support team? To me it seems like these problems
> require a few hours each to solve, which is peanuts in terms of
> employment, but too much to ask someone to volunteer for.
>
> Other views?
>
>   Eli
>
>
> --
> Web: http://www.billauer.co.il
>
>
>
>
-- 
Don't let people drive you crazy when you know it's within walking distance.
And no one ever said being a heretic was easy.
>>>><<<<
May we meet in Less Interesting Times...
http://eran.geek.co.il
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