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= About Computer Lab Maintainance =
As the saying goes "'''necessity is the mother of invention'''", and when . When you set up a Linux computer lab, you may be required to provide (or train users) support for that system to . One advantage of providing (volunteering) support, is that '''users will ask you questions which will encourage you to automate or fix problems, instead of you having to think ahead of what tasks to automate by yourself.''' There is simply no better experience (other than working in IT for a company in IT)... = Ubuntu LTSP Documentation (General Reference) = Here is a link to Edubuntu's Documentation of the LTSP server:[http://doc.ubuntu.com/edubuntu/edubuntu/handbook/C/server.html http://doc.ubuntu.com/edubuntu/edubuntu/handbook/C/server.html]
= Automating Routine Tasks =
As a Linux system (LTSP computer lab) administrator, Your jobs job is to "look after" the smooth operation of the computer lab. This will require you to either use graphical applications (programs) to administer the computer lab, or open a command prompt (called a "shell" in Linux terminology) to issue Linux operating system commands.
A wise Unix/Linux user once mentioned, "'''With Linux, learn it once, know it always'''". What is really means is In other words, if you take the time to learn how to do everything in Linux by issuing commands and understanding its understand the system/setup files and structure, you can perform all of the tasks <u>with </u> or <u>without </u> graphical administration programs. Therefore, people People that were working on UNIX systems in the 70's can still operate new work on Linux systems (and not have to pay $10.000 every 4 years to maintain their designation, or learn new graphical administration tools)...cool!
Knowing which type of programming language to use when automating a task is based upon a programmers knowledge base and experience of . In other word, knowing which is the "'''best tool for the task'''". Should the program is be '''compiled ''' (like C, C++, etc) for efficient operation (if a lot of people run same program within a compressed period of time), or should ? Should program be '''interpreted ''' (eg. Shell Script, Perl Script, JavaScript) for ease of programming? Many factors are involved here, but '''shell scripting is definately definitely an easy way for the adminstrator administrator to automate rountine routine tasks'''... I will only be discussing Shell Scripting in the WIKI, although, you can access by webpage to learn other programming languages (like C - Course: IPC144)...
Many of the shell scripts on the Internet are "open-source" so instead of trying to "re-invent the wheel", you may be able to download, use, and /or modify the contents to meet your own needs...
There are many resources in the Internet on learning Linux commands and shell scripting.
Here is a link to an old (defunct) scripting course I taught: [https://cs.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/SPR720/notes.html https://cs.senecac.on.ca/~murray.saul/SPR720/notes.html]
These sample shell scripts will grow over time... Note that some of the shell scripts using the "'''zenity'''" Linux command (utility) to provide graphical input/output boxes that can be used when you run shell scripts... Note: In order to executeTherefore, these files need to have execute permissionsshell scripting isn't as "old-fashioned" as you would suspect.. You can issue the Linux command '''chmod 755 filename''' to provide execute permissions.
Note: In order to execute, these files need to have execute permissions. You can issue the Linux command '''chmod 755 filename''' to provide execute permissions.
[ [[acceptableUsePolicy.bash]] ] - Requires user "clicks OK" to abide by computer lab policy - otherwise, system will automatically log-out in 20 seconds...
= Scheduling Routine Tasks (cron)=
= Additional Resources =