{"id":6214,"date":"2019-11-20T17:00:30","date_gmt":"2019-11-20T22:00:30","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/alt-fw.org\/public\/?p=6214"},"modified":"2020-01-11T12:16:05","modified_gmt":"2020-01-11T17:16:05","slug":"building-the-community-computer-lab-the-software","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/alt-fw.org\/public\/?p=6214","title":{"rendered":"Building the Community Computer Lab – The Software"},"content":{"rendered":"
\"Operating<\/a>
Operating System graphic, from Wikipedia: https:\/\/en.wikipedia.org\/wiki\/Operating_system<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n

CAVEAT: The information provided herein is most likely exactly correct, HOWEVER use it at your own risk: we assume no risk or liability. Do your own evaluation and make your own choices. <\/em><\/strong><\/span><\/p>\n

In the prior articles we purchased and assembled computer parts into working computers for the community lab. In this article we install the Operating System(s). In the next article we configure user accounts and security software to get and keep our lab usable, including installing and configuring Raspbian onto our control server, a Raspberry Pi 4B.<\/p>\n

Why Operating System<\/h2>\n

Hardware in and of itself alone is mostly useless as an Operating System<\/a> is necessary to orchestrate activities in the hardware so that it does something useful.<\/p>\n

An\u00a0operating system<\/b>\u00a0(OS<\/b>) is\u00a0system software<\/a>\u00a0that manages\u00a0computer hardware<\/a>,\u00a0software<\/a>\u00a0resources, and provides common\u00a0services<\/a>\u00a0for\u00a0computer programs<\/a>.<\/p><\/blockquote>\n

By way of example, the operating system is what recognizes that a key was pressed on the keyboard,\u00a0 or a mouse button clicked, or the mouse moved, and does something constructive with that information. The operating system is what loads smaller programs or “apps” so we can use them. Examples of apps are word processors, spreadsheets, email clients, and web browsers. When one buys a complete computer at a store normally an Operating System will already be installed. When one builds one’s own computer then one must install the Operating System, which is actually fairly simple and quick.<\/p>\n

Because our purpose at Adult Life Training, Inc.\u00a0 is to help people become familiar with computer technology so that they get and stay happily employed in a job that pays a living wage, we want the people we help to be comfortable with any kind of computer a potential employer may have. We use two of the most popular operating systems: Debian Linux and Microsoft Windows.<\/p>\n

Acquisition<\/h2>\n

Acquiring Linux is a simple and free activity: you download any of the hundreds of distributions<\/a> (known as “distros”) such as Mint Linux<\/a>, according to your personal likes. Acquiring Microsoft Windows is also a simple process of purchasing the Microsoft Windows from a local retailer or from the Microsoft on-line store<\/a>, or for documentably tax-exempt organizations<\/a> through TechSoup.org<\/a>.<\/p>\n

How to Install the Operating System<\/h2>\n

Once you have the software, and it is on a DVD or USB Memory Stick, you can proceed to install it onto the computers.<\/p>\n

When the BIOS\u00a0 screen comes up hit the F12 (or whatever key your computer designates) and select BBS Boot. BBS means BIOS Boot Specification<\/a>. The purpose of the BIOS Boot Specification is to standardize the boot process across PC systems. Selecting BBS from the BIOS screen will bring up a menu allowing you to select the install media: do so, and the installation will begin for you.<\/p>\n