OnlineOrientation

Class Orientation to

CS140U
Intro to Unix
Walter Morales

Introduction from the Instructor:

Hi, my dad is teaching this course, he loves computers and UNIX is one of his favorite topics, I say that because he stays a lot of time on the computer while I am taking naps. He has been teaching for PCC since 1992 so he does have many years of teaching experience.

I already have a computer but it does not have UNIX (LINUX) on it, then I said, dad, can you install UNIX (LINUX) on my computer but he told me that it was not really necessary since students will have an account on the Linux system at school and I can access is using a program called "secure shell". I asked him about what is "secure shell"? and he explained that it is a program that allows me to access an UNIX system in a more secure fashion, so that hackers have a harder time trying to break into an UNIX system.

I asked him for more help and he said that weekly he will post lecture notes to compliment the textbook instructions and that we should take advantage of the discussion board and online meetings to clarify topics that are not very clear.

General Introduction about the course:

The course was created using a software package called "WebCT", which you will learn more about later in this document, and consists of many different functions to present the required material needed to complete the course. This course was developed by the instructor using the WebCT program and is designed by the instructor to support the particular learning outcomes of the course. Typically the course will contain some online lecture material and a reading assignment. In addition to theses items, you may be asked to participate in an online discussion about the relevant topic, create a project or view other material related to the course. Each course may contain a quiz to take to gauge your understanding of the material presented.

Because this is an internet delivered course, interaction between students and instructors will be conducted entirely online using the built in communication tools located within the course. Your enjoyment of the course will be greatly affected by the amount of time you spend communicating with others in the course.

Software/ Hardware

Requirements:

Computing and Internet Access Requirements

To participate in PCC Online courses, students are expected to be familiar with computers and the Internet. PCC Online students must have access to the following equipment:

A PC running Windows 95, 98, ME, NT or 2000 (a Pentium or equivalent processor at 166 MHz or better) or a Macintosh system 7.5 or better.
32 Mb RAM (64 Mb highly recommended) and at least 50 Mb of available disk space for assignments.
A modem or other device capable of connecting to the internet at a speed of at least 28.8 kbps (56K or better highly recommended).
An ISP (Internet Service Provider). Users of AOL must use Netscape as their browser. Technical support and more information can be found at: http://spot.pcc.edu/it/webcthelp/
Netscape 4.05 to 4.7x or MS Internet Explorer 5.0 or higher. Please do not use Netscape version 6 as it does not work well with our online courses.
An Email account and a word processing software program.
A sound card and speakers are required for some courses.
Current virus software must be installed and kept up to date.
Some classes may have specific class requirements for additional software. These requirements will be listed on the course information page.

Note that students are responsible for their own software and equipment maintenance and setup.

The following free software and or plug-ins are required. You may download them by selecting the corresponding link... http://spot.pcc.edu/~dwhitman/LinuxDL.htm (SSH Client for Windows)

When you have completed downloading, double-click on the file and follow the instructions to install it. There are other secure shell applications. You can search for some freeware applications at www.tucows.com . You can find secure shell applications for the MAC or other platforms.

Alternate Server URL's

In the event that you cannot reach your PCC online course through the normal channels, please try the following URLs.

http://www.distance.pcc.edu/login/index.cfm

Check to make sure you can reach other web sites through your ISP connections.

If you cannot reach any web sites at all, call your Internet service provider to make sure they are not having system problems.

If you cannot reach web site #1 or #2 above, but you can get to other web sites, call the PCC WebCT helpdesk, during the hours below to report the problem:

If you are having other problems, check out our support page.

WebCT Helpdesk Hours

During the Term
Monday- Thursday 9AM-7PM
Friday 9 AM- 5 PM
The Helpdesk is closed any day PCC is closed

The WebCT helpdesk email address is webct@pcc.edu

The telephone number is 503 977-8222.

Computer Skills Needed

Students should be comfortable with their computers, be willing to read and respond to e-mail, be able to browse, and be comfortable online. If you are not comfortable with your computer skills, you may want to postpone taking an online course and first take an introductory computer course such as CIS 120.

Internet Suggestions:

To get the most out of the Internet and your online learning experience, it is suggested that you:

1. Establish a regular time on your computer as if you were going to class.

2. If you have a problem with the online course, consult your Internet service provider. Be sure to record all error messages so that your provider's technicians have the information they need to diagnose the problem.

What is WebCT and why should I care?:

WebCT is a tool that facilitates the creation of sophisticated World Wide Web-based educational environments. It is a software package that resides on a central server and allows access to it's functions without any additional software besides the browser you are using to read this message right now. This college has adopted WebCT as it's software of choice for the delivery of it's online courses.

If you would like more information on WebCT and how to use it, you may find more information in the following locations...

By visiting the the official WebCT Student Resource Center at http://webct.pcc.edu/support/

Each of the tools found within the course can be accessed by clicking on it's corresponding "icon". An Icon is simply a graphical representation of a function found within the course. For example, if you wanted to take a quiz, simply click on the

icon.

Course Communication

All communication in the class will be conducted through the built in communication tools found on the home page of this course. The following matrix will describe each of the communication tools and how they work...

Icon Tool Name Function

Private Mail This will not be used. You will use ELM, and email application found on our Linux system
Use this tool when you want to communicate with your instructor or anyone in your course with information that should only be privy only to that person.

Class Discussion We will use this a lot!
Use this tool when you want to communicate with the entire class. Everyone in the class, including the instructor will be able to read messages posted here. You may also "reply" privately or publicly to any message here.

New Private Mail This will not be used. You will use ELM, and email application found on our Linux system
The normal Private Mail icon will change to this icon to alert you that you have new messages waiting.

New Discussion Postings The normal Class Discussion icon will change to this icon to alert you that there are new messages posted to the discussion area.

Please note that the instructor will not respond immediately to your mail messages, instead will communicate with you in a timely manor.

ADA

Students with disabilities should notify the instructor if special accommodations are needed to take this class. For information about technologies that help people with disabilities in taking Web based distance-learning classes please visit PCC's Office for Students with Disabilities

Is your Browser Ready?

Follow this link to check to see if your browser is updated properly...

http://www.webct.com/exchange/viewpage?name=exchange_browser_tuneup

If so, return to this page and proceed with the rest of this document.

Conclusion

This concludes the orientation to this course. Thank you for your attention. Here's what to do next...

Make sure you have completed the PCC Online Orientation at this URL... http://www.distance.pcc.edu/orientation/
Read the syllabus page
Read the first online lecture
Familiarize yourself with the course and it's features,
Read the message from the instructor in the Class Discussion area and post a message of your own with the following information...

First Name
Is this your first online class?
Tell us why you are taking this course.

NOTE: The instructor reserves the right to modify the course
requirements, assignments, grading procedures and other related
policies as circumstances may dictate.

Icon	Tool Name	Function
	Private Mail	This will not be used. You will use ELM, and email application found on our Linux system Use this tool when you want to communicate with your instructor or anyone in your course with information that should only be privy only to that person.
	Class Discussion	We will use this a lot! Use this tool when you want to communicate with the entire class. Everyone in the class, including the instructor will be able to read messages posted here. You may also "reply" privately or publicly to any message here.
	New Private Mail	This will not be used. You will use ELM, and email application found on our Linux system The normal Private Mail icon will change to this icon to alert you that you have new messages waiting.
	New Discussion Postings	The normal Class Discussion icon will change to this icon to alert you that there are new messages posted to the discussion area.