Linux Install Guide
For your first truly individual assignment, you will need access to a linux terminal. These days, there are a billion ways to do this, but the following are the most recommended because they teach you the most about Linux in general.
(first of all wow. we really did win. Decent guide here)
https://learn.microsoft.com/en-us/linux/install
0. A Real, Bare-Metal Linux Install
The majority of you will not be doing this; but I'm here to help if you want to. Full disk or dual-boot.
https://www.tomshardware.com/software/linux/how-to-dual-boot-linux-and-windows-on-any-pc
1. Virtual Install
This is the preferred method for this assignment, it will both give you the command line tools you need for further assignments, as well as introduce you to the possibility of using Linux on the desktop.
WINDOWS USERS - Use VIRTUALBOX
MAC USERS - use UTM
1a - which LINUX DISTRIBUTION?
A "distribution" or "distro" is just a version of a full Linux Operating system, and there are a bunch of them:
Presently I recommend one of the following — but LITERALLY ANY WILL DO.
https://mxlinux.org/
https://linuxmint.com/
https://ubuntu.com/ as a last resort for new computers?
Or again — ANYTHING here, check the leaderboards!
https://distrowatch.com/
2. Local "CLI" approach
Knowing about these approaches is useful, many people who work with Linux on the daily use these instead of a full Linux desktop. You will be able to do your assignments with these – and in fact they might be better performancewise for your final project. But you miss out on the desktop.
WINDOWS USERS - WSL
Great guide, also goes over the other options
https://theshepord.github.io/intro-to-WSL/
MAC USERS - Multipass
https://github.com/southsidedean/intro-to-multipass-macos
NOTE: later we will learn about Docker, which will often be a complement to all these approaches
Backlinks: FSU Courses:LIS3353 FSU Courses:LIS5364