On Tue, 27 Jan 2015, Rusi Mody wrote: > On Tuesday, January 27, 2015 at 11:50:06 PM UTC+5:30, Patrick Bartek > wrote: > > > [snip] > > > It would help me if there was uniformity with all using linux > > > Since I have no idea about macs, wondering if this works. > > > > If you need uniformity -- all students using the same Linux distro > > -- regardless of their systems' native OSes, running a VM is the > > best (and safest) option. And when the class is finished, the VM > > and distro can be easily removed, and it will be as if it were > > never there. > > > > I suggest VirtualBox. Plus installing Guest Additions is an > > absolute necessity. There are versions for Linux, Windows & Mac > > hosts. Download all files from the VirtualBox web site to get the > > current version. Also, this will avoid the "crippled" versions > > that are sometimes in Linux repos. > > > > Reading completely and following explicitly the instructions goes > > without saying, but I had to say it, anyway 'cause most people > > don't. > > Thanks for the input. > Yeah I (personally) need to get onto the VM bandwagon. > [I downloaded (from apt) virtualbox a while ago but have not got > round to trying it... > > So you are suggesting I get it from virtualbox website and not from > apt? Ok Noted.
Yes. Got to VirtualBox's web site and read all the FAQs and documentation, particularly about the Guest Additions. It will explain why. > However in the case of students I am not so sure... > We are at the interesting transition point* where > - de jure the college provides machines > - de facto students all have their own > > If I go the legalistic (de jure) way, I should just use the college > facilities If I encourage (at least allow) for the increased benefits > of students doing their work on their own machines, I need to allow > for the possibility that some laptops will be so old/underpowered > that VMs will bring them to their knees [if at all they will run] Only you can answer those questions. But as far as personal laptops are concerned: If it's got at least a 1GHz processor, single core, and 2GB RAM, you should be able to run VirtualBox with a "light" Linux install like Debian with the LXDE desktop; but certainly NOT MATE, GNOME3 or KDE. > Still I wonder whether VM is the best option for the 'rich' guys/gals > eg those having a recent apple-mac. Installing & dual booting Linux on a Mac is not for the faint of heart. A VM is the least problematical option. > I am particularly nervous with Macs because the last time I asked a > colleague to install git from macports he showed me that macports > gave him sources but no executable. I was under the notion that > macports is like apt... evidently not :-) Macs are a beast all their own. If you don't know what you're doing, it'll bite you when you least expect it. And leave a nasty scar, too. ;-) B -- To UNSUBSCRIBE, email to debian-user-requ...@lists.debian.org with a subject of "unsubscribe". Trouble? Contact listmas...@lists.debian.org Archive: https://lists.debian.org/20150127233800.0e66a...@debian7.boseck208.net
