Ubuntu Linux Install Week at AIS Picture Gallery

Published: November 21, 2008

It all started at the beginning of last week. I wanted my American International School 11th and 12th Grade ICT students to start using Ubuntu Linux on their laptops/netbooks at the beginning of the second quarter. I knew it would take me nearly two weeks to get them working Ubuntu Linux systems on their laptops or netbooks. Tommy (11A), Michael (11A), Cindy (11B), Tyler (11B) and Wade (12) were instrumental in helping me get all the Linux systems running.

My students had four options to run Ubuntu Linux on their laptops or netbooks. They could:

Use VirtualBox running an Ubuntu Linux virtual machine,

Install Ubuntu Linux in Windows with the Wubi Installer,

Install Ubuntu Linux through a dual boot with Windows, or

They could purchase a netbook and install Ubuntu eee.

Only a couple students used the VirtualBox option. Most of my students were using Windows Vista wished had some issues running VirtualBox. Others were running different versions of Windows XP which, due to hardware issues, was not fast enough to run VirtualBox on. It took forever for them to install and eventually boot Ubuntu Linux. Kids these days are quite impatient so I decided to give them other options.

For most, install Ubuntu Linux with Wubi proved the easiest and most successful way to install Linux. I had no idea it was that easy to use. They just installed it and never asked me any questions. After the initial installation, my students rebooted and Ubuntu loaded up and finished the installation itself including the partition. The Ubuntu Developers should be patted on their back for this one. Finally, they gave something back to the Linux community worthy of praise.

So Remember, USE Wubi to install Ubuntu Linux for Window users. It will save you time and headache. Dual partitions can be a pain, even with the Ubuntu Installer. I think I would have saved a couple of days if I had chosen Wubi initially. The Install CD is great but even the partition graphic user interface can confuse the advanced Linus users.

At least one of my students accidentally loss her entire Windows partition when she installed Ubuntu right over it (she was the only one that did not ask for help. Yes, my instructions were clear, BACK UP everything!!!). Several laptops had errors during the installation yet they were able to get a successful install when using Wubi. Interesting....

Finally, the last group of students had netbooks already, mainly Eee PC 1000s, Asus Aspire Ones, and MSI Winds. My new bright student, Katherine, installed Ubuntu 8.10 herself without even asking me. Yeah, that makes an IT teacher proud. The rest used Ubuntu eee with my LiveUSB.

Several students have not finsihed installing yet. They know by next week, they had to have Ubuntu Linux installed or I would deduct points from their grade. My first lesson will focus on using the command line to update their systems.

This should be an interesting year. Below are many pictures from this week. This is my first time seeing many Ubuntu Linux systems in one room at a time outside of a Linux User Group meeting. I get a chuckle out of this one since I am not a fan of Ubuntu Linux myself :-)

Picture Gallery and Previous American International School Linux posts below: