Linux Distributions-Update

I have some good news for Linux Gamers.
Batocera game image is available as a torrent file.
I would have been the first person to download it and there were almost none peers.
I hope guys start downloading it so enough peers are there for quick download.

I am ditching Sparky Linux.

I have tested few distributions with USB booting.

1. Open Mumba Live DVD did not boot from the USB.

2. Tuxedo Linux for the first time, I managed to boot from a USB with KDE desktop. Nothing fancy to talk about it.

3. Debian 12.2 won't boot on my basic NUC.

4. I am currently writing Astral Linux Oriel on USB stick to test.

Both are working OK.

5. Parsix Linux (coming from IRAN) which is depreciated from 2017 would boot from a USB stick but it won't identify NUC's integrated RAM and Video Card even under safe Video Mode.

6. EndlessOS Version 5 

EndlessOS freeze after configuring the wirless internet.

I think it cannot recognize the wireless keyboard and freeze dead.

I did not have any problem with Version 4.

7. Stuxnet

Stuxnet is a malicious computer worm first uncovered in 2010 and thought to have been in development since at least 2005. 

Stuxnet targets supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) systems and is believed to be responsible for causing substantial damage to the nuclear program of Iran.

Although neither country has openly admitted responsibility, multiple independent news organizations recognize Stuxnet to be a cyberweapon built jointly by the United States and Israel in a collaborative effort known as Operation Olympic Games. 

The program, started during the Bush administration, was rapidly expanded within the first months of Barack Obama's presidency. 

8. SOLUS OS

Solus OS seems to be a Linux distribution that tries to emulate MacOS but it does have one desktop at a time.

One has to download several images.

This is cumbersome for a beginner user of Linux. 

I am getting a warning from my computer DATA LEAK is possible with SOLUS Gnome Desktop.

It had about 20 utilities and because of the warning I did not authorize WiFi connection.

Its icon set up was large and bulky.

9. LPS or TENS
This was a military application developed by American Air Force to snoop on computers without leaving a record.
It is a SHS client.
Changed its name to Trusted End Note Security.
LPS was a Linux CD.
Lightweight Portable Security.
I stopped using it when I realized it was a military software which I nothing to do with.

10. Tails
I support tails for countries where dictators suppress human dignity
The
Incognito
Amnesia
Live
System.
It is Debian based and open software.
NSA whistle blower Edward Snowden use it to expose American Digital Surveillance.

11. Puppy Linux

Puppy Linux was my start and favorite.

It comes from Australia and Barry Kauler is its creator.


12. Knoppix

One of the best all purpose Linux Distribution.

Last edition is on 2020.


13. Vanilla Pup

It is a new look Puppy Linux that configures WiFi effortlessly.

It has limited utilities.

Good for a guy coming from base without Linux know how. 

14. Gnoppix

It is developed due to slow pace Knoppix (9.1) release.

It is nowhere near original Knoppix (2020) and it cannot configure the Internet which Puppy Vanilla can.

15. Expirion Linux

Is a very beautiful Linux distribution that has two flavours, Cinnamon and Gnome.

I love it.

16. Mageia Linux
Mageia Linux is not available live and it took over my hard disk and erased everything in a few seconds including Linux Iso Images.
This is the second time it had done this damage.

Its partition tool is poor and destructive and does not warn like other distributions.

Luckily I had Debian Emmabantus in a USB stick and reinstalled it.
Currently installing Astra Linux of Russian origin.

I have saved 138GB of the 320GB SATA disk testing other Linux distribution I fancy.

No data lost except a few Linux images!

Students’ English Requirements

There was a long pause between initial lectures and practical sessions in the second year. 

What I did was to give the students photocopies of various items including news items to read for half an hour and ask questions based on what they read. The idea was for them to take a book on subject matter and make them to understand that academic English is completely different from "English English".

Then, they should relate the subject matter in their own English.

Their Paraphrasing lets me understand the difficulties they encounter in the subject matter. 

No point getting the English right if they do not understand the core concepts.

The subject I taught defined all the core material necessary for clinical work.

I felt the basic sciences took a toll on 95% of the students. 

They teach "Heavy Stuff" often not necessary for clinical work. 

Besides, they did not know how to use a microscope after one year of intensive lecturing. 

 

My findings – Students’ English Requirements

1. According to the recent survey carried out with the students of the Faculty of Dental Sciences, majority of the students prefer to have English at least two hours per week in the first year.

2.  Contrary to the belief that the student needs only General English input, there is a sufficient demand for "Academic English".

3. None of the students feels comfortable with all the components of General and Academic English 

4. It appears that they are comfortable with note taking. 

   However, they tend to copy ‘word for word’ without comprehending the contents. 

   It is worth checking a sample of student notes to see how they tally with  a standard lecture notes.

5. Summarizing, analysing and paraphrasing with heathy discussion of important concepts at  academic level may be necessary to improve performance.

To put them into context I have paraphrased two of the subjective comments randomly selected below (at the end of the first year).

I hope I have provided “food for thought' for improving the level of English of our students in the first year.

Comment 1

English course is not geared to help the academic course.

I cannot understand most of the lecture since the flow of the lecture is too fast.

Since I cannot understand I try to take notes as fast as possible without listening or comprehending.

The end result is both writing and listening fail.

 

A lecture note may be helpful. 

Then I can listen and try to comprehend!

 

Comment 2

I think grammar is necessary to express clearly. 

The English course did not provide sufficient input.

There was no support for English in the first year.

I hope the second year won't be like that.