In this six-week online course, you'll master the free Linux desktop system, which can perform all of the functions you currently do with Microsoft Windows or Apple Macintosh.

We’ll start with the basics of Linux as we practice using its graphical environment to manipulate files and folders, create user accounts, and set up hardware devices. Then we’ll delve into the many free programs that come preinstalled on your Linux system, including the popular OpenOffice.org office productivity software. This exciting application allows you to read and create word documents, spreadsheets, and presentation graphics that are compatible with the Microsoft Office suite. Next, we’ll cover the Linux multimedia programs that can play, rip, and burn CDs, as well as play DVDs and video files. We’ll also discuss Linux audio-editing tools that enable you to create your own masterpieces.

After that, we’ll walk through using your Linux desktop to access the Internet. You'll see how to connect to your ISP and use your ISP to read and send messages with Linux’s e-mail software. Finally, we’ll explore keeping in touch with friends and family by using common Internet Messaging hosts, as well as how to browse your favorite Web sites with the popular Mozilla Firefox Web browser.

Get ready to discover why so many people think Linux makes their computer easier, cheaper, and more fun!

A new section of each course starts monthly. If enrolling in a series of two or more courses, please be sure to space the start date for each course at least two months apart.

All courses run for six weeks, with a two-week grace period at the end. Two lessons are released each week for the six-week duration of the course. You do not have to be present when lessons are released. You will have access to all lessons until the course ends. However, the interactive discussion area that accompanies each lesson will automatically close two weeks after the lesson is released. As such, we strongly recommend that you complete each lesson within two weeks of its release.

The final exam will be released on the same day as the last lesson. Once the final exam has been released, you will have two weeks to complete all of your course work, including the final exam.

This course requires that you have a basic knowledge of using Windows or Macintosh, and are comfortable with working in a graphical PC environment. You must have a PC available to run the SimplyMEPIS version 6.5 Linux operating system, either from the hard disk or from a live CD. That PC must meet the minimum requirements for the SimplyMEPIS version 6.5 Linux distribution: A PC with an Intel Pentium or equivalent processor, a bootable CDROM drive, at least 2GB hard drive, and at least 64MB of RAM. If you have a high-speed Internet connection, such as a cable or DSL modem, you can download a file of the SimplyMEPIS version 6.5 CD free of charge. If you have a dial-up Internet connection, you can order the SimplyMEPIS version 6.5 CD for a minimal cost—approximately $15. You will receive further instructions when your class begins. To access your lessons, you will need Internet access, e-mail, the Microsoft Internet Explorer or Mozilla Firefox Web browser, and the Adobe Flash and PDF plug-ins (two free and simple downloads you obtain at http://www.adobe.com/downloads by clicking Get Adobe Flash Player and Get Adobe Reader).

This course includes a knowledgeable and caring instructor who will guide you through your lessons, facilitate discussions, and answer your questions. The instructor for this course will be Richard Blum.

Richard Blum has been an IT industry professional for over 18 years, working mainly as a network and systems administrator. During this time, he has worked with Microsoft, Novell, Unix, and Linux servers, and has created Web sites using a variety of different programming languages. Blum is the author of several programming and systems administration books, including Professional Assembly Language, C# Network Programming, PostgreSQL 8 for Windows, Sendmail for Linux, Postfix, and Network Performance Open Source Toolkit.

“ Great course! Easy to set up, run and learn. Will recommend to my friends. ”

“ I found this to be a very useful introductory course, which gave me a good broad understanding without getting too detailed. ”

“ I have been wanting to try Linux on my computer for years, and this course was the catalyst for finally doing it. The step by step process of the class was good, because most installations from a book assume a level of skill that a new Linux user (me) does not have. ”

“ I have some experience with Linux already but was looking for some input from a knowledgeable person. This I found and my understanding of Linux has definitely been improved. I will recommend this course to others. ”

“ Material was very easy for a new user to follow. Explains things in great detail to help understand. I learned a lot of basic computer information along with the Linux distribution instructions. ”

“ Thank you for an instructive and useful class. Mr. Blum was extremely helpful and courteous. His responses to my questions were timely and informative. ”

“ This instructor met every need in this course.He was available for all questions, and his responses to posts were prompt and to the point. I would be more than happy to take another course. ”

“ This instructor was superb. I love the fact that he showed us 2 ways to perform a task in Linux. I love the fact that he helped me discover Mepis. This Linux distribution is great for beginners. This is my 2nd Linux class and this 2nd class was far superior to my first class with [another provider]. Again this instructor is just the best. ”