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Re: Introduction to Computers and Linux updated (version 0.02)
David Buddrige (dbuddrige@ozemail.com.au) wrote...
> The new version 0.02 is now available. It can be viewed at
> http://www.ozemail.com.au/~dbuddrige/computerbank/doco/
> Thanks heaps to all of you who responded with comments and suggestions.
> They are much appreciated.
Again, same deal as last time - "Evil Editor" cap :)
> Note that while the intent is to use CVS in the near future, I have not
> yet put the project into CVS. Expect this to happen within the next
> week or so.
Who'll you let edit it?
bekj
And on to the fun stuff ...
>
> Introduction to Computers and GNU/Linux
>
> A document to provide a training manual and trainer's guide for a
"trainers'"
> linux and computing course aimed at people with no prior knowledge of
> computing.
"computing" or "computers" You're still either starting too simple
or ending up too complex, I thing.
> Legal Stuff
>
> This document is released under licensed under the Open Content
> License . To summarise, you may freely distribute, modify or use this
> documentation so long as the following conditions are met:
>
> 1. Any organisation or person wishing to, may change this document or
> base works upon this document, however any document or derived work
> containing this document in part or in whole must also be licensed to
> all other persons and organisations with the same terms as the ones
> already provided.
> 2. No legal liability is accepted either implied or explicit for any
> use or mis-use of this documentation.
> 3. No warranty is provided for any purpose including fitness for use -
> you use this document at your own risk.
>
> Table Of Contents
>
> 1. Instructors Guide
"Intstructors'"
>
> 1.1 How to use this manual
spacing
> 1.2 Identifying your audience
> 1.3 Using terms and analogies that can be understood
> 1.4 .......
>
> 2. User's Guide
>
> 2.1 Introduction
> 2.2 What is a computer anyway
> 2.3 What are the parts of a Personal Computer?
> 2.4 What is an Operating System?
> 2.5 What is Linux
> 2.6 What can I do with Linux and why should I be interested in it?
> 2.7 .....
> 2.X How do I find out the rest of what I need to know?
> 2.X Where to from here?
>
> 1. Instructors Guide
>
> To be developed...
>
> 2. User's Guide
>
> 2.1 Introduction
>
> 2.2 What is a computer anyway?
>
> "Computer" is a term that is used to describe many different
> electronic devices that we use from day to day. In it's simplest
> form, all computers contain the following parts:
>
> 1. Input part
> 2. Processing part
> 3. Output part
>
> All this means is that a computer must have some way of getting
> instructions from the outside world, some part that performs those
> instructions and some way of outputting the results. Without these
> three parts, a "computer" is of no use to anyone.
No need to put the double quotes here.
> For example, most Microwave ovens contain a computer of some form.
> Their input part is normally provided by a touch pad, twist dial or
> series of buttons placed on the front panel of the microwave oven.
>
> The processing part is usually a chip that is stored within the
> internals of the microwave ovens electronics.
>
> The output part, is twofold - firstly, there is usually a digital
> display of some kind on the microwave that tells the person using the
> microwave what they have selected, and there is also a connection from
> the processing part to the electrical devices that control temperature
> and microwave levels in the cooker itself.
>
> Another kind of computer is a "Personal" Computer. These are the
No need to put the double quotes here.
> devices most people identify as "computers". They typically have
No need to put the double quotes here.
> input devices such as a keyboard and/or mouse, and they normally
> output to some kind of "television" style monitor.
No need to put the double quotes here.
>
> This document is intended to give people a general introduction to
> Personal Computers with a focus on how to use them. For the purpose
> of this document, when I refer to a computer, I will be meaning an IBM
> Compatible Personal Computer. While other kinds of personal computer
You haven't said what "IBM Compatible" means.
> exist and are in common use, they are beyond the scope of this
> document.
A thought I had today: It'd probably make more cultural sense to
introduce computers in terms of Nintendos or Playstations as being
"simpler cousins" of computers - then liken the screen/TV,
keyboard/controller pad, disk/cartridge, etc. Your audience is SURE
to know those machines!
> 2.3 What are the parts of a Personal Computer
>
> There are a number of terms that describe the various parts of a
> personal computer that can be quite confusing to the un-initiated. It
> is important that you Don't Panic. Despite what some people may
> think, Computers are actually quite simple. However complete
Don't capitalise 'computer'.
> unfamiliarity with them may breed confusion. As you become more
> familiar with the fundamental concepts however the workings of a
> personal computer will become easier for you.
>
> Personal Computers usually have the following parts:
>
> <Insert-Graphic-Showing-parts-of-Computer-System-Here>
>
> Part
>
> Description
>
> Keyboard This is the thing that looks like a typewriter. It is used
> for typing information into the computer.
In these definitions, "part" fits better than "thing" - they aren't
separate parts. This applies all thought.
> Monitor This is the thing that looks like a television. It is the
> main way that the computer provides it's "output" - although Printers
> are also much used.
> Mouse A mouse is a relatively recent (within the last 10 years)
> addition to Personal Computers. It is used to control a small
Caps.
> "cursor" (or pointer) that is displayed on the Monitor.
Caps.
> CD-ROM This is the thing that looks like a CD player - because,
> strangely enough - it is a CD player. However the CD's that you put
Excessive aprostrophe.
> into the CD-ROM can contain programs and information other than
> music. Most CD-ROM's can also play music CD's, which is kind'a handy
Excessive aprostrophe (both times).
> if you don't have a CD-player.
Excessive hyphen.
> The useful thing about storing programs and documents on a CD is that
> you can take them to another computer - and a CD holds a _lot_ of
Decide what markup you're using and stick to it, if you want to use
HTML then use <EM> and <STRONG> instead of _this_ notation.
> programs and documents. The downside is that you cannot change
> anything that is stored on a CD. This is a real problem if you have
> documents that you are still working on stored on a CD.
>
> Most of the time, CD's are used to store programs that you want to run
> on your computer at some stage.
Better, but the second-last sentence is still unnecessary IMHO.
> Hard Drive This is the place where your computer stores the programs
> that you want to run from day-to-day. It's sort of like a filing
> cabinet for your computer, and is organised in much the same way (more
> on that later). However, to summarise, the bigger your hard-disk, the
> more programs and documents you can store on your computer.
> RAM Before your computer can run a program, it needs to put it in
> RAM. It's sort of like the computer's "desk" where it does it's
> work. Just as when you want to work on a document, you would take it
> out of the filing cabinet and put it on your desk to work on it, so a
> computer takes a program out of the hard drive and puts it in it's RAM
> in order to use it.
>
> The more RAM that you have, the more programs that you can run at the
> same time - and the faster they will run.
You're assumed people can't identify the keyboard and screen without
help, yet they know what a "program" is ... careful.
> CPU (Processor) This is the part of the computer that does all the
> work. It processes instructions that make up a program..
>
> 2.4 What is an Operating System?
>
> An operating system is a special set of programs that control the very
> fundamental parts of a computer. At it's most basic level, an
"fundamental" is sorta out of step with the language style, keep
it simple?
> operating system tells the CPU what do do with the various bits of
> hardware that it has connected to it. For example, if there were no
> operating system on a computer, the computer would not know how to
> respond when you press various keys on the keyboard. It is the
> operating system that instructs the computer what to do with the
> signals generated by the keyboard device. Normally this will involve
> feeding those keystrokes as input into a program that is running on
> the computer. The program would then perform various tasks based on
> the information it gained from the keyboard signals and produce some
> form of output - most commonly this would be sent to the screen or
> printer.
>
> 2.5 What is Linux
>
> Linux is an operating system that was developed by a host of
> programmer's working together and collaborating over the internet.
Excessive appostrophe.
> This development model leads naturally to the following benefits:
>
> 2.5.1 The Cost of Linux
>
> Linux can be obtained free of charge by downloading it from the
> internet, or, alternately, you can purchase a "distribution" of Linux
> on a CD for very low cost. Some of the most popular distributions
> include "Redhat", "Debian" and "Slackware". Most people have their
> own favourites however Redhat and Debian are probably the easiest to
> install and use for new-comers.
>
> 2.5.2 The Reliability of Linux vs Other Operating Systems
>
> Because Linux was developed by people who were motivated by interest
> in computing and a desire to obtain the respect of their programming
> peers, the programs that make up Linux are extremely well written.
> They are also very reliable. Computers running Linux have been known
> to run 24 hours per day for months and years at a time!
>
> As you might imagine, this is an extremely useful aspect of Linux -
> particularly when used in situations where the computer cannot afford
> to fail - such as in banks, and similar organisations. However for
> users for whom the computer is not quite so critical, it is still very
> useful to not have to worry about your computer crashing.
>
> 2.5.3 The Hardware Requirements of Linux
>
> Linux, will run on a 386 computer with 4 megabytes of RAM. The market
> rate for this kind of system in late 1998 is less than $100 in
> Australian Dollars.
>
> In order to run X Windows - which is the graphical counterpart to
> Linux that makes Linux easier to use, can be run comfortably on a 486
> with 16 megabytes of RAM, which can be purchased second hand from a
> second hand computer dealer with a warranty for between $400 and $500
> as of late 1998.
These two paragraphs are mega-techspeak compared to the above ... you
haven't said that a 386 describes the sort of CPU, or what a megabyte
is, or whatever ...
Also, "graphical counterpart" is incorrect. "Front-end" maybe, but
that's also comparative techspeak.
> 2.6 What can I do with Linux?
>
> Linux can be used either as a server computer that provides various
> services (such as internet or email) to other computers, or it can be
> used as a workstation computer as a computer that is to be used by a
> single person.
Seems that the "server" concept is sorta irrelavent at this stage ...
simplify, simplify!
> There are two broad categories of applications that exist for Linux.
> These are Open Source applications, and the commercial applications.
What's "open source"?
Caps.
> There are literally thousands of Open Source Applications that are
Caps (all three).
> available for Linux . These include Word processors and Spreadsheet
Caps (both).
> applications through to programs that are designed to offer services
> to other computers on the internet. These applications are obtainable
> in much the same ways as Linux itself is available - either on CD
> through a range of companies that will sell you the software at a low
> price (mainly to cover their distribution costs) or for free via
> internet download.
>
> A range of commercial applications also exist for Linux - including
What's "commercial"?
> StarOffice - which includes Wordprocessing, Spreadsheet and
> Presentation packages. Wordperfect for Linux is also available from
What's word processing? What's spreadsheet? What's presentation?
> Corel. As well as this most commercial database vendors offer a Linux
> version of their database systems - including Oracle, DB2 and
What's a database?
> Informix. These provide "tried-and-trusted" solutions for a range of
> business applications.
Jargon.
> 2.7 What is a file system?
>
> 2.8 .....
>
> 2.X How do I find out the rest of what I need to know?
>
> 2.X Where to from here?
--
: --Hacker-Neophile-Eclectic-Geek-Grrl-Queer-Disabled-Boychick--
: gossamer@tertius.net.au http://www.tertius.net.au/~gossamer/
: When you say "I wrote a program that crashed Windows", people
: just stare at you blankly and say "Hey, I got those with the
: system, *for free*". -- Linus Torvalds