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Show HN: Linux sysadmin course, eight years on

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Re: Show HN: Linux sysadmin course, eight years on

#81
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

> I worry that were lessons available, students will just skim though the whole lot "in one go". I think this is a common pitfall of a number of beginner courses. Personally, I view it as kind of an arrogance of "I know better what you need than you do". As a user, I think you have no say in how I consume any content. > The initial paid version reported such things back to their employer! The employer has no right to…

Well in a sense, I do "know better". There is a real benefit to setting up a VPS "fully exposed to the Internet (another thing that some struggle with); A real benefit to taking a day to investigate each day's lesson; A real benefit to getting into the habit of ssh-ing daily. But hey, having run this for a long while, I'm well aware people are coming from all sorts of backgrounds, having all sorts of crazy things goi…

I disagree that you know better. Research shows doing something daily and habitually is beneficial, but you shouldn't dictate that I need to do your content daily.

For example, in the past, I have often gone through coursera courses that were supposed to run for months within weeks, because I had a lot of time to dedicate to the courses.

I made going finishing courses a habitual activity, but I personally have designed it to suit my needs. In other words, I have tweaked the pace greatly.

You're consciously crippling your content with the idea that someone will benefit from slow pace. If a user wants to refresh some things, fill some knowledge gaps, or just take a look what the subject matter is about without the need for deep learning, you're adding friction to the process (and they'll likely not return the next day).

Now, don't get me wrong. If you get something out of it, e.g. Netflix releasing an episode a week for whatever gains they get, that's fine. But, if someone told me "read this book, you get 10 pages a day," I'd consider it a waste of my time.

My 2c.

Re: Show HN: Linux sysadmin course, eight years on

#82
post #28

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Well in a sense, I do "know better". There is a real benefit to setting up a VPS "fully exposed to the Internet (another thing that some struggle with); A real benefit to taking a day to investigate each day's lesson; A real benefit to getting into the habit of ssh-ing daily. But hey, having run this for a long while, I'm well aware people are coming from all sorts of backgrounds, having all sorts of crazy things goi…

I disagree that you know better. Research shows doing something daily and habitually is beneficial, but you shouldn't dictate that I need to do your content daily. For example, in the past, I have often gone through coursera courses that were supposed to run for months within weeks, because I had a lot of time to dedicate to the courses. I made going finishing courses a habitual activity, but I personally have design…

I get your point, but this sounds like you didn't read the post you're replying to.

At least the way I read their post, snori74 isn't presenting some absolute position of authority, but rather is describing their experience from running the course (and I assume working as a sysadmin) as to what is effective for the students.

Putting forward what works best for most students doesn't exclude other ways of consuming the content. A student motivated to consume the content more quickly can easily discover the github themselves, or ask the question on reddit.

Your preference for consuming the content all-at-once is a valid one, however it's right for the content creator to set up the course in a way that maximises the outcomes for student - especially when there is an easy fallback to the all-at-once model.

I'll also add that having a 'class' of students doing the course with you is something that a lot of people would appreciate, as they can discuss the challenges and successes they see with people experiencing the same things at the same time.

Re: Show HN: Linux sysadmin course, eight years on

#84

I'm speechless, @OP. It ceases to amaze me that people who aren't in a position to generate value for others often generate more of thereof than a regular, healthy individual. I'd like this world to be inhabited with more people like you. I know myself how it's like to live with a deliberating illness, so let me just say that I'll be praying for your recovery (and if that's not possible at least less pain and a bette…

Ha, ha, my original goal was to make a tidy pile of $$, but also a desire to teach and share. The feedback I get is certainly bouying me up as I go forward toward that big unknown. Thanks for your thoughts.

Re: Show HN: Linux sysadmin course, eight years on

#85

Hi Steve. I took your original course 8 years ago. I wasn't aiming for a sys admin career - just wanted to be comfortable maintaining a server for my site. It worked well for that. I emailed you a few times, and you seemed like a genuinely nice guy. I just wanted to chime in and say thanks and wish you the best of luck for both your health and the legacy of this project.

Thanks, I did dig through my emails and got in touch with a few of The Originals. You guys were willing to buy a "pig in a poke" - I gave out no outline or Table of Content (still don't!), and you paid Real Money to get content into you email each day for a month. These youngsters are getting it all for free! Thanks again. - Steve
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