[NCLUG] CSU Linux Course

[Patrick Riedel]

I Recently received the Fall 2002 CSU Educational Outreach course
catalog.  When I was browsing through it, course NCT 0790, "Introduction
to the Linux Operating System", caught my eye.  I couldn't believe what
I read in the course description.

I went online to see what they had there
[http://www.learn.colostate.edu/courses/course.asp?ID=NCT+0790] and was
even more surprised.

The instructor is Jeff Coburn.  Is Jeff a member of NCLUG?

I usually don't have the time, or enough outrage, to respond to stuff
like this, but this one made me mad.  See my letter to the Director
below.

Am I just having a bad day, or does this seem wrong to others too?


Patrick

---
From: Patrick Riedel <priedel at asllc.net>
To: bsealey at learn.colostate.edu
Cc: lselkirk at learn.colostate.edu
Subject: Course NCT 0790
Date: Tue, 6 Aug 2002 10:36:37 -0600


Hello,

Yesterday I received your Fall 2002 course catalog in the mail.  I
browsed through the Professional Development Courses and immediately
noticed a course named "Introduction to the Linux Operating System". 
This caught my eye, since I use Linux every day in my development
efforts.  I was surprised and disappointed when I read the first
sentence of the course description: "Linux spawned from the success of
Unix, founded by a Norwegian, and created by you."

Now, I aint no English major, but that sentence, besides being factually
inaccurate, doesn't make sense.  First, Linux wasn't "founded", because
it's an Open Source operating system.  Second, the original Linux kernel
was written by Linus Torvalds, who is Finnish, not Norwegian.  And the
phrase, "created by you", makes no sense at all, unless the writer is
speaking to the thousands of programmers who contribute to Linux, and
who would have no reason whatsoever to take this course.

After reading the course description in the catalog, I went online to
see what your website showed regarding this course.  There, I was
greeted by an even worse description:

   "Linux is an operating system designed by someone you know.
   Linux spawned from the success of Unix, founded by a
   Norwegian, and created by you. Linux is one of the few
   operating systems that is open to your ideas and changes
   based on your evaluation. Consequently, many Internet
   Service Providers use Linux as the operating system of
   choice to host Web sites. Knowledge of Linux unleashes
   the power of simplified programming for Common Gateway
   Interface (CGI) language and HTML. Linux also allows easy
   access to e-mail, Web browsing, and text editing. All you
   need is an Internet connection, and the software Telnet,
   and you can administrate a Web site anywhere in the world."

I won't bore you by pointing out all the inaccuracies in the above
paragraph.

Linux is a powerful platform that enjoys a huge following worldwide. 
However, Linux is not for the meek, or the novice.  Therefore, I can't
understand how this course can be offered with NO prerequisites when
course NCT0705, "Exploring the Internet Using Internet Explorer 6.0",
requires "Basics of the PC/PC Basics and Beyond".  I believe this course
and instructor are doomed to failure.

I generally don't have the time or inclination to write a letter like
this, but I was so disappointed to see the lack effort put into this
course description that I felt it necessary.  I expect more from my
local institution of higher learning.


Greater Ram Club Member and married to a CSU Alum,


Patrick Riedel
Fort Collins, CO
priedel at asllc.net