Hello people,
I visited SAKEC on the 9th and 10th of April and spoke to the HOD. Prof. B.R. Bairi and students. The registrations have begun and a rough figure will be available on the 16th or 17th. A few IEEE guys have come forward as volunteers.
The workshop will comprise of final year and third year students from ETRX/Computers/IT. 100 or maybe more. First year and second year students cannot be accomodated due to space constraints. This is sad since these are the students who would be in a position to facilitate the growth of GNU/Linux movement in the college. But the principal wants it this way.
For hands on training, a lab consisting of 20 computers, each with a CDROM drive, will be available. Other labs are also available but the computers - though branded and very new, do not have CDROM drives and do not have GNU/Linux. So Knoppix cannot be used for the hands-on progamming sessions in these other labs.
------------ Is there any alternative way in which we can use these labs for the hands-on programming sessions since 20 computers would probably not be sufficient? The college may dedicate a new upcoming laboratory for GNU/Linux. But they still have a lot of questions some of which may be answered during the workshop.
Unfortunately, due to lack of awareness among students and staff, the college alone accomplish this. So, we have the additional responsibility of convincing the college staff and answering their questions. This is important considering the fact that the college does not have a single person (student or staff) who knows the benefits of using GNU/Linux. Even if some students are enthusiastic, the management will not give students any freedom unless they are themselves satisfied. Therefore, one of our aims during the workshop, should be to facilitate the develpment of a GNU/Linux laboratory. --------------
A classroom that can accomodate 100 odd students has been arranged for. The problem is that the room is beautifully lit by sunlight so I wonder how the presentation slides would be visible. Silly, but is a valid point, nevertheless. :-). Any suggestions?
The people who have confirmed their presence for the workshop are Dinesh Shah, Harsh Busa, Trevor Warren, Dr. Nagarjuna and Warren Brian Noronha. More speakers are needed. Please come forward.Veterans, newcomers . .
The following is a tentative list of topics:
1. Understanding Software Freedom with GNU - Murder of the Myths 2. Getting around with GNU – OS basics, GNU/Linux commands and desktops. 3. Installing a dual boot GNU/Linux system 4. Economies of Free Software and revenue models (3 and 4 will be combined) 5. Text editing with VI and Emacs, programming with Shell Scripts in Bash and C programming with GCC – Hands on session for students in the laboratory. 6. Basics of System Administration and networking – commonly used commands and networking concepts. 7. Wonders of GNU - Where and how is GNU being used? How can students benefit? 8. Introduction to web technologies – Apache and writing CGI applications with PHP. 9. GNU/Linux Online Resources + Q & A sessions.
Topics may be clubbed together, added or deleted. Since the workshop is for 2 days, maybe we need more topics. Harsh, Trevor please suggest.
Apologies for the exceedingly long mail. :-)
Cheers, Ashok