[ale] OT: Linux+ Course requires Silverlight

Kerry Thompson kerthomp11 at gmail.com
Thu Dec 18 08:48:27 EST 2014


I'm really glad that a friend recommended this group to me at the beginning of this year.  I have gained a ton of insight and been inspired to all things Linux.  I am regarded as "pretty smart" in my work community, but sometimes reading these forum posts, I feel just plain dumb. But, I am learning a ton from everyone on here and thoroughly enjoy this group. 

I do like WGU except for this one thing with the Labsim course.  I am in the Infosec program at WGU but also train some at work.

  I appreciate everyone's input on this topic and for the attitude adjustment to a more productive way of viewing this subject. It's a hill to climb that Linux can accomplish.  I feel like as suggested that if I can get my head wrapped around the base of Linux, I will be more effective in my work than I ever thought possible. 
I've looked for a way to let WGU know of my discontent with the Silverlight requirement for this course and will definitely be sharing my thoughts with them as well.  I hope that will cause a change. 

Again, thank you everyone for your comments. I feel like this group is very professional and full of class. 

As Ron Burgundy would say, "Stay classy ALE."


Sent from my iPhone

> On Dec 18, 2014, at 7:55 AM, Jim Kinney <jim.kinney at gmail.com> wrote:
> 
> 
> On Dec 18, 2014 12:33 AM, "Joe Rossi" <josepharossi at gmail.com> wrote:
> >
> > Sorry not sure my other reply went through (spam filters) but this is a Western Governors University course.  It's prep for the Linux+ certification.  I don't remember if I used a Windows VM to study (I have over 10+ years of Linux experience) for this class but whatever the pain is to complete it, do it!  You're not going to be able to use Linux for every single thing in your professional career
> 
> Ha! I've made a career out of showing that to be not true. :-)  If it says "Windows required" I use Linux anyway. I've coded windbloze remote management solutions in Linux using bash and a determined "I don't use windows" attitude. I've yet to find a windows only situation that could not be bested by some cleverness and Linux determination. The outcome was not as task efficient as the windows solution but once the entire Linux environment was compared with the entire windows environment, the Linux setup ALWAYS came out ahead. What always worked poorly was people and their bad habits. If people would spend half the effort they burned learning how to be barely functional in windows with all its faults learning instead how to be functional in Linux, they would be highly, highly competent and nearing master level skills. People tend to sink to the level of their expected performance. Give them crappy tools to get the job done with and they will deliver a crappy performance. Do it long enough and they get brainwashed into believing their work is good quality. Toss in an unhealthy layer of vision less, "don't rock the boat" management ineptitude and you get the vast mess of "windows required" crap.
> 
> I'm glad I know how to install Linux tools. Another ALEr said many years ago, "I want to be able to install Linux on a glass of water.". My thinking exactly!  :-}
> 
> 
> and the LPI sponsored Linux+ certification was one of the more thorough exams I've taken.  I even want to the 2nd level just for kicks.  
> >
> > I'm about 75% done with my BS-InfoSec from WGU.  I have very little complaints with their infrastructure keeping in mind most that are taking degree programs aren't headed towards a Linux-centric career so they have to cater to the majority.  I've studied for every other course using my Arch Linux laptop with little problems.  You'll have to use WGU's web cam to take the proctored exams using Windows only but it's a minor inconvenience, especially for the price of the education they provide - all certs included in the program, testing materials from Cisco, Transcender, CompTIA, etc.
> >
> > Good luck on your degree.
> >
> > On Wed, Dec 17, 2014 at 9:31 AM, Charles Shapiro <hooterpincher at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>
> >> Shrug. I doubt it was a decision. They're probably wed to their infrastructure and simply can't offer any course without Silverlight.
> >>
> >> -- CHS
> >>
> >>
> >> On Wed, Dec 17, 2014 at 9:07 AM, Boris Borisov <bugyatl at gmail.com> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Not too wise decision from a "Governors" University ...
> >>>
> >>> On Wed, Dec 17, 2014 at 8:29 AM, JD <jdp at algoloma.com> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Complaining to us doesn't help too much unless someone on this list works in a
> >>>> powerful position at that school.  Politely complain to the vendor AND to the
> >>>> University chancellor, in writing. If possible, get others in the class to
> >>>> complain as well.
> >>>>
> >>>> Does anyone else have experiences where they've gotten Linux to be supported? How?
> >>>>
> >>>> On 12/17/2014 05:53 AM, Kerry Thompson wrote:
> >>>> > It's Western Governors University. The course is through Labsim.
> >>>> > I was aware that there were limited alternatives like pipelight, but I couldn't
> >>>> > get anything to work in a relatively short amount of time. And as a newb, I just
> >>>> > decided to bite the bullet and do it through Windows.  I just wanted a more
> >>>> > comprehensive Linux experience
> >>>> >
> >>>> > Sent from my iPhone
> >>>> >
> >>>> > On Dec 17, 2014, at 2:38 AM, Paul Storey <paul0123 at comcast.net
> >>>> > <mailto:paul0123 at comcast.net>> wrote:
> >>>> >
> >>>> >> Which university is this?
> >>>> >>
> >>>> >> Paul
> >>>> >>
> >>>> >> On 12/16/2014 11:45 AM, K Thompson wrote:
> >>>> >>> So, after talking to JD and getting convinced that it would be okay to
> >>>> >>> complain about this using this forum, I finally decided to speak up about it.
> >>>> >>>
> >>>> >>> My university has a Linux+ course that I am in that requires Silverlight to
> >>>> >>> run so that a newb like me would not be able to run the course outside of
> >>>> >>> Windows. It is so frustrating that I cannot get a true Linux user experience
> >>>> >>> of immersion into the OS through this course.  I was really looking forward
> >>>> >>> to ditching Windows for a little bit.  Ugh!  Just Ugh!  I know I could have
> >>>> >>> probably done it using something else, but then I'd still feel like that I
> >>>> >>> was subject to Microsoft in some way.
> >>>> >>>
> >>>> >>> Anyways...I apologize for my rant, but I just wanted to put this out there
> >>>> >>> and see if I was the only one that thought this was outrageous!
> >>>> >>>
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> >>
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