Teachers' toolkit for creating and re-purposing OER using FOSS/Installing Ubuntu - creating the FOSS platform

Introduction

Ubuntu GNU/Linux is a GNU/Linux based Free and Open Source Software (FOSS) Operating System. Ubuntu installation is quite simple, and can be done by an average computer user.

Basic requirements

The minimum hardware required to install Ubuntu in a computer:

1. Minimum 40GB or above free space / separate partition.
2. Minimum 2GB RAM (4GB and above preferred)
3. DVD reader or USB port.
4. Electric power should be available during the installation process.

You will also need the Ubuntu software in a DVD or in a pen drive (as a boot-able USB device). You can download the software http://tinyurl.com/Ubuntu16-04-ISO here.

Installation Process

If you are installing in a computer already in use, you should take a back-up of your data before installation.

Installing Ubuntu as a stand-alone Operating System

If your computer does not have any operating system, steps for installation are available in this document

Installing Ubuntu alongside the Microsoft Windows Operating System

You may have bought a new computer with Windows pre-installed, or you may want to install Ubuntu on your existing computer, which has had Windows on it already. Steps for installation are available in this document

Using Ubuntu without installation

You may be unable to install Ubuntu on your computer, or you may be using a computer belonging to your institution*, which may not allow you to install Ubuntu. In such a case, you could use still Ubuntu, by connecting your computer to a Ubuntu bootable pen drive or Ubuntu DVD to your computer and using the 'Live' option. In this method your existing Windows operating system is unaffected. You can use all the installed applications in ubuntu, but generally these may run slower than if had installed Ubuntu, because of the lower read/write speed in USB sticks or DVD drive. Secondly, in the 'Live' mode, you can not save any working document in the hard disk of your computer.
The method to use live mode is given below:

1. connect your Ubuntu pen drive or DVD
2. restart your computer
3. Go to Boot menu and select your bootable device and press Enter.
4. In next screen, select live system option.
5. Your system will use Ubuntu system, in the 'live' mode, without installing it.
6. You can close the 'live' session, by removing the bootable device after shutting down your computer

(*Of course, you should discuss with your institution, the benefits of using FOSS tools and platforms and encourage and persuade them to be open to allowing staff to installing FOSS tools on their systems. Such installation can be done alongside other applications on the computers, so there is no flip side to this).

Using Ubuntu through 'Virtual Machine' option

VirtualBox allows you to run the Ubuntu operating system inside another operating system like Windows.In this method also, your existing Windows system will not be affected. Virtual machine require a good hardware configuration to run smoothly, at least 4GB RAM, 50 GB free space and strong processor. Follow the below steps to install Ubuntu in 'Virtual Machine'.

1. Open VirtualBox wizard on your computer
2. Select 'New' and a new window will open.
3. Give a name for your setup, you could use 'Ubuntu'.
4. Set your Memory (RAM) (min 2GB)
5. Click next to get virtual machine storage size window. Put the hard disk space you need for Ubuntu (minimum 35 GB) and finish the wizard by clicking the create button.
6. On VirtualBox main window, select start and select your Ubuntu media source (pen drive or DVD drive where you have the Ubuntu software).
7. Continue and complete the installation as discussed in this document
8. Remove your installation media from the virtual optical disk drive before restarting the Virtual Machine.

You will need to be able to access Ubuntu operating system, using one or more of the options discussed in this chapter, to begin our journey of creating and re-purposing OER.