MOOC Review: LFS101x -- Introduction to Linux

Introduction to Linux is a self-paced course offered by the Linux foundation geared toward students interested in using Linux for the first time. The course covers a wide range of topics, from installing Linux, differences between Linux distributions, the GUI, the command line, various system operations and Bash scripting. You can use any of three different Linux distributions--Ubuntu, CentOS and OpenSUSE--to follow along with the materiel. The content consists mainly of static slides with occasional video tutorials, exercises and comprehension questions; 100% of the course grade is based on an easy 30 question final exam. The slides are quite informative and the exercises are generally well done, but it would be nice to see more video content. The entire course probably has around an hour to an hour and a half of video.


Overall, Introduction to Linux is an informative yet impersonal offering that is more akin to reading an operating manual than taking an open course with human teachers and students. The content will likely prove useful as reference material, but the lack of human connection makes getting through it a bit of a slog.


I give this course 3.5 out of 5 stars: Good.