Ubuntu Installathon

Table of contents

Introduction

This is a 'dry-run' installathon for VAGUE subscribers, however, if you by chance have found this page via google, feel free to come.

Why

  • Ensure that current VAGUE members have had the opportunity to install Linux
  • Agree on a common distribution to endorse and distribute to newcomers who lack specific need for one distribution or another.
  • Preperation for public installathon (within 3 months)

Also at this Meeting

  • Get member photos
  • Give out business cards

Who

Particulary, if you are an one who keeps an eye on the list but never post. This is for you - a golden opportunity to meet with some guru's and get you hands dirty.

What

Installing Ubuntu Linux on any capable machine brought in by VAGUE memebers, as well as up to 20 available test machines.

When

[2005.07.27]

Weds, 27th July, 2005 
5:00pm - 9:00pm

Where

Library / Media Center
Vergennes Union High School
50 Monkton Rd

[Map]

  • Traveling down Route 7 from Shelburne takes about 25 minutes.
  • You'll pass a sign near an intersection with the name of three towns.
    • It says "Vergennes 1mi -->"
  • You'll actually go straight at that light.
  • Just a minute later turn right at the next one.
  • VUHS is on the left about 1/4mi down the road.
  • Pull into the bigger parking lot (the one after the VUHS sign).
  • There is a side door right by the main entrance - that's the libarary. I'll try to keep it ajar, but otherwise just walk in and turn left. I'll put some signs up.

Preparation

Pre-Install Discussion

Dual Boot

x86

If you are bringing in your own machine and you plan on dual booting with Windows, make sure that you use PerfectDisk to defrag (the Microsoft defragger is insefficient). This guide will help you:

http://gentoo-wiki.com/HOWTO_Install_Linux_after_Windows

ppc

This may prove to be a little less user-friendly. "debian sarge's parted shrinks HFS+ non-destructively as we speak. I ***ume that ubuntu-ppc warty also has this option. The trick is to disable journalling in OS X prior. HFS+ jounalling capability is in the works too."

http://ubuntuforums.org/archive/index.php/t-11364.html

Bring

If you have these things, please bring them.

  • Yourself
  • You Tuxable PC or Laptop
  • Official Ubuntu 5.04 CDs (or burnt CDs)
  • Other distro of choice (or notify in advance so I can download / burn it)
  • Knoppix or System Rescue CD (for qtparted or gparted, I'll have a few copies)
  • Hub / Switch / Router (no dhcp please!!)
  • Ethernet Cables (Cat3, Cat5e, whatever)

We'll have enough anyway, but spares never hurt.

Questions / Tips

This is a dry-run so bring as many questions and tips as you can so that we can organize and apply them to the public installathon.

  • Debian / Ubuntu
  • Migration (windows to linux)
  • Ubuntu Annoyances
  • General newbie questions
  • Anything
  • SOHO firewall
  • cronjobs everyone should have
  • simple backup procedures
  • fortune (fun fun fun)
  • Howto nix annoyances
  • General desktop enhancements / integration

Support

May the Source be with You


Ubuntu

You may wish to read additional documentation on Ubuntu:

User Group Examples

The Plan ™

There should be two active - and likely floating - groups at any given time, plus two machines on projectors and a few extra machines to toy around with

Hardware & Install Support

The focus here is a working Linux desktop - that includes installation and the most important post-install cofigurations. There will be plenty of lab machines available for installing any Linux distro of choice, but the first priority is to make sure that everyone who brings their own machine leaves with it in better condition than they brought it in. Considering an "obstacle" as anything that is not completely intuitive or otherwise requires a previous knowledge, some obstacles may include:

  • Dual boot configuration
  • Dial-up Modem
  • Wireless Cards (ndiswrapper)
  • Video Acceleration
  • LCDs & Xorg

End-User Prep

The second group will be set up with machines which already have Ubuntu installed (lab machines and those who get through the first stage fine) and talk about things an end-user might want to set up immediately.

  • Web browser
  • E-mail
  • Firewall setup
  • Internet connection sharing
  • Tips & Tricks / Annoyances
  • DynDNS
  • Transparent remote access via Nautilus w/ ssh/sftp
  • SSH keys, Gnome Keychain