[Cialug] shell accounts

[Don Ellis]

I agree that VirtualBox or VMWare Player is probably the easiest way to get
in.

St Louis Unix User Group (SLUUG - http://www.sluug.org) have shell accounts
for our members. It would be very easy to set up a machine (or a VM) on a
system that is always on, establish a no-ip or DynDNS (or other) account to
point to it, and let them have at it. Very safe to let someone have a VM on
your machine - there is no access to anything outside the VM unless you
allow it. Lee has systems available; maybe he could donate some space to
the group. Or anyone else with a personal machine with a permanent
connection.

Or, the person could get a Macintosh running OSX. Older versions can run on
machines dating back to around 2000, and give an excellent BSD-flavored
intro to a Linux-like environment. Like the other machines mentioned, they
can often be found for very little or free. I was recently given a 2006
vintage Intel Core Duo based Mac, through a UG connection. Added an
external drive, and it's a pretty capable little machine. If they already
have access to a recent (post-2000) Mac, they might already have everything
they need.

--Don Ellis



On Sun, Nov 18, 2012 at 12:17 PM, kristau <kristau at gmail.com> wrote:

> Why the fear of installing as a VM? With VirtualBox or VMware Player, this
> would be easy, cheap, and free. Plus they would learn the install and setup
> process which you won't learn with a mere shell account.
>
> Invite them to a CIALUG meeting and we can help get them started if it is
> just a fear of the whole "VM thing."
> On Nov 18, 2012 11:17 AM, "chris rheinherren" <c.rheinherren at gmail.com>
> wrote:
>
> > Hi
> >
> > I've got some friends who are interested in Linux but don't want to take
> > the plunge off the deep end by installing it on their hard drives  Some
> not
> > even as virtual machines. So I'm thinking a shell account would be
> helpful
> > for someone to learn some basics of Linux command line.
> >
> > So are there any recommendations from the group as to shell providers ...
> > free and paid.
> >
>
> ...